A legislative review by the Commission in July 2003 did not identify any EU regulations pertaining specifically to the use of mercury in barometers. As a result, the Community Strategy Concerning Mercury, endorsed by Council in June 2005, contains a commitment to restrict the marketing for consumer use and health care of non-electrical or electronic measuring and control equipment containing mercury.
The Restriction of Hazardous Substances (ROMS) Regulations banned the sale of compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) containing in excess of 5 milligrams (mg) of mercury per lamp from July 2006. Current mercury levels in CFLs are typically 4mg per lamp.
From 1 July 2007, the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations will require systems to be in place allowing final holders and distributors to return waste CFLs free of charge. For non household CFL waste, the WEEE Regulations require that producers provide for separate collection.