National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No. 107 of 1998)

Regulations

Purchase

ANNEXURE B

Manufacturing processes in which mercury or mercury compounds are used

1.	Part I: Processes subject to a mercury-phase-out plan:

Manufacturing processes using mercury or mercury compounds	Phase-out date
Chlor-alkali production	1 April 2025
Acetaldehyde production in which mercury or mercury compounds are used as a catalyst	1 April 2025

2.	Part II: Processes subject to a mercury phase-down plan and the measures:

Mercury using process/uses

Provisions

Vinyl chloride monomer production

Measures to be taken shall include a minimum of the following: Reduce the use of mercury in terms of per unit production;

i.	Promoting measures to reduce the reliance on mercury from primary mining;

ii.	Supporting research and development in respect of mercury-free catalysts and processes;

iii.	Not allowing the use of mercury five years after the Conference of the Parties to the Minamata Convention has established that mercury-free catalysts based on existing processes have become technically and economically feasible;

iv.	Reporting to the Minister on its efforts to develop and/or identify alternatives and phase out mercury use.

•	Sodium methylate

•	Sodium ethylate

•	Potassium methylate

•	Potassium ethylate

Measures to be taken shall include but not be limited to:

i.	Measures to reduce the use of mercury aiming at the phase out of this use as fast as possible and within 10 years of the entry into force of the Convention, which is 16 August 2017;

ii.	Prohibiting the use of fresh mercury from primary mining;

iii.	Supporting research and development in respect of mercury-free processes;

iv.	Not allowing the use of mercury five years after the Conference of the Parties to the Minamata Convention has established that mercury-free processes have become technically and economically feasible, which is from 2028;

v.	Reporting to the Minister on its efforts to develop and/or identify alternatives and phase out mercury use.

Production of polyurethane using mercury containing catalysts

Measures to be taken shall include but not be limited to:

i.	Taking measures to reduce the use of mercury, aiming at the phase out of this use as by 16 August 2027;

ii.	Taking measures to reduce the reliance on mercury from primary mercury mining;

iii.	Taking measures to reduce releases of mercury to the environment;

iv.	Encouraging research and development in respect of mercury-free catalysts and processes;

v.	Reporting to the Minister on its efforts to develop and/or identify alternatives and phase out mercury use in accordance with these Regulations.