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UNEP is taking a stand against toxic skin-lightening products—exposing the dangers of harmful chemicals while championing the beauty, inclusion, and equity of all skin tones. Together, we can challenge colorism, stop the manufacture and trade of mercury containing cosmetics, and shift mindsets toward a safer and more inclusive future.
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Kingston, Jamaica, 23 July 2025 (PAHO/WHO) – The Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW), in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), has taken an important step in addressing the harmful effects of mercury in skin lightening products (SLPs). Through two targeted workshops, healthcare workers (HCWs) from across Jamaica were trained to identify and communicate the dangers associated with mercury-containing SLPs, in support of national and global public health goals.
Colombo, Sri Lanka, 2 June 2025 — In an effort to strengthen global efforts on mercury monitoring and control, a weeklong series of technical trainings and coordination events is underway from 2–6 June 2025 in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Kingston, Jamaica, 05 May 2025 (PAHO): The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW), hosted a workshop on April 30 to educate healthcare workers on the dangers of mercury in skin lightening products (SLPs). The session formed part of the Global Environment Facility (GEF)-funded project “Eliminating Mercury in SLPs,” implemented by WHO and the Biodiversity Research Institute in partnership with the Governments of Gabon, Jamaica, and Sri Lanka.
As the world observes the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on 21 March 2025, the United Nations Environment Programme, the Secretariat of the Minamata Convention and the Secretariat of the Global Mercury Partnership, are releasing a set of messages for public use and engagement that highlight the urgent need to stop the production and use of skin-lightening products containing mercury and other hazardous substances.
The end of 2024 was rich in significant events, including the fifteenth meeting of the Partnership Advisory Group (PAG-15), international meetings, as well as regional workshops under ongoing GEF funded projects on mercury-containing products.
Both the Secretariat of the Global Mercury Partnership and the Secretariat of the Minamata Convention are located at the International Environment House 1 in Geneva, Switzerland, where 4,010 mercury-containing lamps, including fluorescent tubes and compact fluorescent bulbs, are being replaced with energy-efficient light-emitting diode (LED) alternatives.
Following a two-day technical workshop, the event culminated in January 22 with the adoption of the Libreville commitment on the elimination of mercury-containing skin-lightening cosmetics in Africa. This agreement calls for regional collaboration to foster stronger regulations, enhanced enforcement measures and public awareness campaigns to combat these harmful products.
World Health Organization Country Office for India (WHO India) hosted the inception meeting of the Project on Phasing Out Mercury-Measuring Services from Indian Healthcare on 17 December 2024, followed by the National Project Steering Committee meeting on 18 December 2024 in New Delhi.
Kampala. Uganda’s Ministry of Health (MOH), in collaboration with Ministry of Water and Environment (MoWE), with support from the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) organized a stakeholders’ inception meeting in Kampala for the Global Environment Facility (GEF) project on phasing out mercury-containing devices in Uganda’s healthcare settings.
In the context of Sixteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity taking place next week in Cali, Colombia from 21 October to 1 November 2024, we would like to highlight how global community is advancing the agenda to reduce and eliminate mercury and associated impacts on biodiversity. This is achieved by knowledge generation, curation, dissemination as well as on the ground transformative work.
Geneva—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.
COOGAVEPE technology center in Peixoto de Azevedo, Brazil, October 2023.
The Secretariat of the Minamata Convention participated in the Bern III Conference on cooperation among the biodiversity-related conventions for the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which took place from 23 to 25 January 2024 in Bern, Switzerland. The Conference was organized by the government of Switzerland and UNEP.
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Among the decisions made at COP-5, Parties defined new dates to phase out mercury-added products including cosmetics, strengthened ties with Indigenous Peoples, advanced the first effectiveness evaluation of the Convention, and reached an agreement on a threshold for mercury waste.
Read more on Minamata Convention website
21-26 May 2023, Kara – Togo
Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) is recognised in Africa, and particularly in West Africa, as one of the income-generating activities for local communities. However, despite the positive economic benefits, particularly in terms of improving living conditions, ASGM requires special attention, particularly in terms of organisation, regulations and sustainable practices that respect human health and the environment.
21-26 mai 2023, Kara – Togo
L’extraction artisanale et à petite échelle de l’or est reconnue en Afrique, et particulièrement en Afrique de l’Ouest, comme l’une des activités génératrices de revenus pour les communautés autochtones. Cependant, malgré les retombées économiques positives notamment pour l’amélioration des conditions de vie des populations, la pratique de l’orpaillage nécessite une attention particulière notamment en termes d’organisation, réglementations, et pratiques durables respectueuses de la santé humaine et de l’environnement.
As we reached the 6th anniversary of the Minamata Convention on Mercury entering into force, many countries are moving from planning to implementation of the required actions to make mercury history.
Every week, Ibu Sugiyanti makes her way to the small-scale gold mining camp where she teaches mercury-free alternatives to other women miners. The site is located on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, in the village of Logas, an impressive biodiversity hotspot that is also home to hundreds of small-scale gold miners. Sugiyanti’s efforts aim to empower women and transform the way mining is approached in this vibrant corner of Sumatra.
For centuries, human beings have endangered body and mind in pursuit of the toxic fallacy that pale skin represents the highest form of beauty.
Artisanal mining is a common activity in various regions of Brazil, but despite its economic benefits it also faces significant challenges that expose workers to multiple risks, including the use of mercury in mineral extraction. These challenges are especially pronounced for Brazilian women, who often face gender discrimination, poor working conditions, and health risks.
Gabon, Jamaica and Sri Lanka have joined forces to reduce the environmental and health toll of the skin lightening industry
$14-million initiative will support a holistic approach to eliminate mercury from skin lightening products and promote the beauty of all skin tones
Many skin lightening products include mercury, posing significant risks to human health and the environment
Eliminating Mercury Skin Lightening Products
Five years have passed since the Minamata Convention on Mercury entered into force on 16 August 2017. Although the convention itself is young, it builds on a long history of scientific efforts to understand and manage the risk of mercury, a toxic substance.
The first segment of the fourth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Minamata Convention on Mercury (COP-4) is taking place from 1 to 5 November 2021 online.
In August 2017, one of the world’s most recent environmental accords came into force: The Minamata Convention on Mercury.
The overall goal of the UNEP Global Mercury Partnership is to protect human health and the environment from the releases of mercury.