In January 15th, Sâo Paulo State banned the use, storage and repair of mercury-based instruments, such as sphygmomanometers and thermometers. The Law 15.313/2014 (in Portuguese) establishes a two-year period to phase-out and replace all mercury-containing devices and applies to all kinds of hospitals, health services or any kind of organizations, public or private.

This Law is a successful step forward in achieving the Minamata Convention's goal to end the manufacture, import and export of mercury-based medical devices and achieving mercury-free health care by 2020, an initiative launched by Health Care Without Harm and the World Health Organization.