Asian markets tighten phase-out deadlines for mercury-added products

Regulators across Asia are accelerating bans and phase-out deadlines for mercury-added products between 2025 and 2027, as countries align domestic rules with the Minamata Convention on mercury pollution.

China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment released a draft regulation in November 2025 implementing amendments to the convention, targeting 12 specific mercury-added product types and prohibiting mercury catalysts in polyurethane production, with restrictions extending to some batteries, cosmetics, fluorescent lamps and high-precision measuring instruments.

Deadlines for fluorescent lamp categories run to 31 December 2026 and 2027, depending on wattage and phosphor type.

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Taiwan has proposed a near-total ban on the manufacture, import, sale and use of mercury, aside from specified permitted uses, with phase-out deadlines for compact fluorescent lamps set at 31 December 2026, and for linear and non-linear fluorescent lamps at 31 December 2026 and 2027 depending on wattage.

Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore tighten controls

Japan expanded its list of Class-I chemicals and mercury products under the Chemical Substances Control Law in 2025, extending import bans to specified products and introducing a phase-out schedule for products entering the Japanese market.

Hong Kong amended its Mercury Control Ordinance in 2025, adding 16 mercury-added products to its restricted list.

The first phase, covering products including compact fluorescent lamps and measuring devices, took effect on 31 December 2025, with a second phase expected in 2026.

Singapore's Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment and National Environment Agency introduced a complete ban on nine mercury-added product categories from 1 August 2025, alongside new hazardous substance licensing requirements.

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