Therapeutic Goods (International Agreements-Notice of Prohibition) (Minamata Convention on Mercury) Instrument 2021

This Notice was made and approved for publication by a delegate of the Minister for Health on 9 August 2021.

This Notice is a procedural step that must be in place at least 30 days before proposed regulations supporting the proposed ratification of the Minamata Convention on Mercury can be made.

It sets out the details of prohibitions and restrictions that would apply to therapeutic goods that are mercury or that are certain kinds of mercury-added products as set out in the Minamata Convention.

Australia is a signatory to the Minamata Convention, and work is progressing on its proposed ratification.

The Minamata Convention facilitates a global approach to address concerns relating to mercury, which is persistent, toxic and highly mobile in the environment once released, and recognised as a substance producing significant neurological and other effects in humans.

The Therapeutic Goods Amendment (2020 Measure No. 2) Act 2021 recently amended the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 to enable the making of regulations to reflect such international treaties.