Delegates at the Sixth Conference of the Parties (COP6) to the Minamata Convention on Mercury have agreed that 2034 will mark the global phase-out date for the manufacture, import, and export of dental amalgam. After this date, the material will no longer be permitted for general use.
The decision introduces an exemption allowing dental practitioners to use amalgam when considered necessary based on the clinical needs of the patient. This provision aims to support equitable access to essential restorative care, particularly in cases where alternatives are unavailable, unaffordable, or unsuitable.
The outcome reflects discussions led by multiple international organisations, including the FDI World Dental Federation (FDI) and the International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (IADR), with support from the International Dental Manufacturers Association (IDM) and the American Dental Association (ADA). These groups participated in negotiations to promote an evidence-based and patient-focused transition towards mercury-free restorative materials.
According to FDI and IADR representatives, the extended timeline offers governments and healthcare systems additional time to plan and implement national policies supporting the phase-out, while maintaining continuity of patient care. Both organisations have highlighted the importance of research into affordable and sustainable alternatives to amalgam and the need for effective waste management to reduce environmental mercury exposure.
The decision provides a nine-year period for parties to adapt to the new framework, allowing countries to strengthen technical capacity, update regulations, and ensure patient access to restorative treatment during the transition. This approach is intended to balance environmental goals with public health needs and to account for varying resource levels across regions.
Adopted in 2013 and in force since 2017, the Minamata Convention on Mercury seeks to protect human health and the environment from anthropogenic emissions and releases of mercury. As of Sep 2025, the convention has 153 parties. The next conference of the parties (COP7) is scheduled for Jun 2027, coinciding with the convention’s 10th anniversary.
