News
March 21, 2024
Today, as the United Nations highlights “the urgent need to address the harmful effects” of mercury added skin lightening products (SLPs) on the International Day for Elimination of Racial Discrimination on March 21, advocates are calling on governments to enforce bans and collaborate globally to end the toxic beauty trade. […]
February 6, 2024
In view of the negotiations happening under the revision of the EU Mercury regulation, the European Environmental Bureau, the Zero Mercury Working Group, CLASP and the Clean Lighting Coalition, supported by over 30 NGOs and networks, expressed their concerns on the ongoing exports of mercury added lamp. The letter sent to […]
November 10, 2023
Last week,115 Parties to the Minamata Convention on Mercury were present in Geneva for the fifth Conference of the Parties (COP-5) and took important decisions, among others, towards strengthening the Convention on phasing out mercury-added cosmetics. Last week, 115 Parties to the Minamata Convention on Mercury were present in Geneva […]
November 7, 2023
Last week,147 Parties to the Minamata Convention on Mercury gathered in Geneva for the fifth Conference of the Parties (COP-5) and adopted a 2025 treaty phase-out date for mercury-added cosmetics. Geneva, Switzerland—Last week,147 Parties to the Minamata Convention on Mercury gathered in Geneva for the fifth Conference of the Parties […]
October 19, 2023
Shocking EIA report exposes a global failure to prevent the deliberate addition of toxic mercury to skin lightening products. Today Thursday, October 19th a panel of experts presented new findings exposing the production and trade of mercury-added skin lightening products. An undercover investigation by the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) has exposed the […]
October 17, 2023
New EIA report exposes a global failure to prevent the deliberate addition of toxic mercury to skin lightening products. Washington, DC: For the first time ever, an undercover investigation by the EnvironmentalInvestigation Agency (EIA) has exposed key companies deliberately adding toxic mercury toskin lightening products (SLPs) and the mercury compound […]
October 12, 2023
213 products tested from 23 online platforms across 12 countries 90% had more mercury than legal limit set by the Minamata Convention Africa’s proposed amendment would strengthen treaty by banning advertising and sales of such toxic products Minamata Convention (COP5) negotiators urged to strengthen existing treaty [Brussels/Belgium] Despite being banned […]
October 12, 2023
SIGN THE PETITION UNTIL THE 27 OCTOBER! Strengthen the Convention provisions to disallow sales and marketing of mercury-added skin lightening products During the upcoming COP51 in late October, an amendment by the African Region2 has been proposed to strengthen existing Convention provisions that currently ban manufacture and trade of mercury added […]
October 4, 2023
In October, delegates representing 146 nations have the opportunity to say Farewell to Fluorescents and avoid a cumulative 178 metric tonnes of mercury pollution (lamps and power plant emissions). Transitioning to clean, energy-efficient LED lighting will eliminate the threat of lighting-related mercury exposure, alleviate strain on national power grids and ensure that people have […]
June 19, 2023
The 6 and 7 June, the European Environmental Bureau (EEB), The Zero Mercury Working Group (ZMWG), and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat have gathered 14 countries in the Caribbean to showcase the impressive efforts in phasing out mercury-added products in some of the countries in the region. The conference organisers […]
May 9, 2023
The African Region proposes a global ban on the manufacture and trade of all fluorescent lamps. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contacts: Washington, DC: Ana Maria Carreño Director, Clean Lighting Coalition acarreno@clasp.ngo Phone/WhatsApp: +1 202 999 2886 Brussels: Elena Lymberidi-Settimo International Co-coordinator Zero Mercury Working Group & Policy Manager, European Environmental […]
May 9, 2023
The African Region takes the lead with a proposal to ban the sales of mercury-added cosmetics worldwide. Contact: Rico Euripidou, E: rico@groundwork.org.za; T: Leslie Adogame, E: ane_adogame@hotmail.com; T: Michael Bender, E: mercurypolicy@aol.com; T: 1-802-917-8222; Charline Cheuvart, charline.cheuvart@eeb.org; T: +32 2 289 13 08 [Brussels, Belgium] Recently, the African Region proposed […]
February 14, 2023
Photo by ActionVance on Unsplash Groups make recommendations on verge of UN kick-off meeting on ‘Eliminating Mercury Skin Lightening Products’ at WHO-HQ in Geneva Geneva, Switzerland — Several mercury watchdog groups are calling on Amazon.com (and other e-platforms) to stop all sales of skin-lightening products (SLPs) if they cannot stop marketing […]
April 14, 2022
The Zero Mercury Working Group (ZMWG) participated at the COP 4.2 of the Minamata Convention on Mercury, which took place in Bali, Indonesia from 21 to 25 March 2022. Its main priorities for COP4.2 included the following: COP4.2 made several decisions along the lines of the ZMWG recommendations, among others. […]
March 30, 2022
CLiC Press Release Bali, Indonesia – At the Minamata Convention on Mercury fourth Conference of Parties (COP4), 137 governments adopted amendments to phase out a major category of fluorescent lighting, but actions were stalled on others. All fluorescent light bulbs contain mercury, a chemical of major public health concern according […]
March 30, 2022
PEER/ZMWG Press release Bali, Indonesia—On Saturday, the United Nations adopted a provision to phase out the use of mercury as a satellite propellant by 2025 during the Fourth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Minamata Convention on Mercury.[i] Public interest NGOs who have been following the issue […]
March 14, 2022
BERKELEY, CA—MARCH 14, 2022—The California Court of Appeals Friday ruled Amazon, the world’s largest store, must comply with consumer protection laws including warning California consumers when products sold on its marketplace contain chemicals listed by California as carcinogens or reproductive toxicants. As You Sow and other consumer advocates applauded the […]
March 10, 2022
REPEAT OFFENDERS: Ebay, Amazon and Flipkart among websites selling high mercury skin lighteners, according to the Zero Mercury Working Group 271 online products tested from 17 countries: nearly half contained too much mercury Some products had thousands of times more mercury than legal limit International coalition of NGOs* urge governments […]
November 12, 2021
The Zero Mercury Working Group participated at the Minamata Convention COP4.1 Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic situation, it was agreed that the fourth Conference of the Parties (COP-4) would take place in two segments: a first segment (COP4.1) to be conducted online within the period of 1 to 5 November […]
