Artikel 17

1. Each Party shall facilitate the exchange of:
a) Scientific, technical, economic and legal information concerning mercury and mercury compounds, including toxicological, ecotoxicological and safety information;
b) Information on the reduction or elimination of the production, use, trade, emissions and releases of mercury and mercury compounds;
c) Information on technically and economically viable alternatives to: (i) Mercury-added products;
(ii) Manufacturing processes in which mercury or mercury compounds are used; and
(iii) Activities and processes that emit or release mercury or mercury compounds; including information on the health and environmental risks and economic and social costs and benefits of such alternatives; and
(i) Mercury-added products;
(ii) Manufacturing processes in which mercury or mercury compounds are used; and
(iii) Activities and processes that emit or release mercury or mercury compounds;
d) Epidemiological information concerning health impacts associated with exposure to mercury and mercury compounds, in close cooperation with the World Health Organization and other relevant organizations, as appropriate.
2. Parties may exchange the information referred to in paragraph 1 directly, through the Secretariat, or in cooperation with other relevant organizations, including the secretariats of chemicals and wastes conventions, as appropriate.
3. The Secretariat shall facilitate cooperation in the exchange of information referred to in this Article, as well as with relevant organizations, including the secretariats of multilateral environmental agreements and other international initiatives. In addition to information from Parties, this information shall include information from intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations with expertise in the area of mercury, and from national and international institutions with such expertise.
4. Each Party shall designate a national focal point for the exchange of information under this Convention, including with regard to the consent of importing Parties under Article 3.
5. For the purposes of this Convention, information on the health and safety of humans and the environment shall not be regarded as confidential. Parties that exchange other information pursuant to this Convention shall protect any confidential information as mutually agreed.