November 12, the RA NA Standing Committee on Territorial Administration, Local Self-Government, Agriculture and Environment Protection discussed in the first reading the RA Law "On Mercury" and the legislative initiative providing for additions to the RA Code "On Subsoil
The Government proposes to establish relations in our country related to the use of mercury, its compounds, mercury waste and products with mercury additives. The purpose of the draft law submitted to the commission for discussion is also to preserve human health and the environment from anthropogenic emissions and emissions of mercury and mercury compounds.
The Deputy Minister of Environment Gayane Gabrielyan noted that the need to develop the project rises from the commitments undertaken by Armenia under the Minamata Convention on Mercury ratified in 2017. The draft sets out provisions for the study of mercury. Within six months after the adoption of the law, the procedure for the export of mercury from the Republic of Armenia will be defined by the decisions of the Government, as well as the list of products with mercury additives prohibited for import.
The commissions gave a positive conclusion to the legislative initiative.