The Department of Trade and Industry, through the Bureau of Philippine Standards (DTI-BPS), supports the ratification of the Minamata Convention on Mercury as it will instill protection to health and the environment.
The Department of Trade and Industry, through the Bureau of Philippine Standards (DTI-BPS), supports the ratification of the Minamata Convention on Mercury as it will instill protection to health and the environment.
The Minamata Convention on Mercury is a global treaty signed in 2013, aimed to protect human health and the environment from the adverse effects of mercury. Due to its unique properties, mercury is commonly used in gold mining, lighting products, measuring devices, cosmetics and many other applications. However, the element became a global concern due to its severe health and environmental impacts. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there is no safe level of exposure to mercury. Once exposed to any forms of mercury, it could lead to different health conditions such as neurological dysfunction, organ failure and worse, even the Minamata disease which is caused by severe mercury poisoning.
In support to the ratification and as part of consumer awareness, the DTI-BPS meets with United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) to discuss the Minamata Convention and Mercury Added Products (MAPs). Engr. Teddy G. Monroy, mercury expert of UNIDO and national consultant of the Minamata Initial Assessment, presented in the BPS’ Technical Committees (TC) on Lamps and Related Equipment (BPS/TC 4) and BPS TC on Electrical Wiring Devices (BPS/TC 10) the ratification and early implementation of the convention in the Philippines. It focuses on the management of the associated mercury wastes and phasing out of the identified MAPs such as fluorescent lamps, high pressure mercury vapour lamps, switches and relay products. The BPS, through its Technical Committees, supports this initiative through inclusion in its work program the updating and adoption of relevant international standards for the MAPs.
DTI-BPS Director James E. Empeño stresses, “We recognize the significance of the convention. However, there are various industries using mercury that may need to be given ample time to phase-out mercury –containing products. Nevertheless, DTI-BPS supports the ratification which aims the country’s achievement of sustainable development and be protected from dumping ground of used products containing mercury.”
The DTI-BPS is the National Standards Body of the Philippines. It is the Philippines’ member to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). Also, it is a member of the Philippine Interagency Technical Working Group (IATWG) for ratification of the Minamata Convention.
For more information on the Minamata Convention on Mercury, send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..