Minamata Convention on Mercury

China MEE Invites Information on Minamata Convention Dental Amalgam Ban After 2034

China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment has launched a data call on dental amalgam and other mercury‑added products to assess the impact of a Minamata Convention amendment that would ban production and trade of dental amalgam after 2034. Manufacturers and users of dental amalgam in China should evaluate their exposure, consider alternatives, and engage ahead of the 31 May 2026 information deadline as this assessment will shape China’s future regulatory stance on mercury in dental products.

11 May 2026, 11:36mee.gov.cnChina

WHO Behavioural Insights Toolkit Helps Countries Address Harmful Skin‑Lightening Practices

In May 2026 the World Health Organization highlighted a behavioural insights toolkit to help countries address harmful skin-lightening practices and support elimination of mercury-containing cosmetics. The toolkit signals stronger global expectations that regulators and health authorities will tighten controls on hazardous ingredients in skin-lightening products and design behaviour-change policies aligned with the Minamata Convention.

8 May 2026, 06:41who.intGlobal

Taiwan and Japan Adopt New POPs Restrictions on Methoxychlor, Dechlorane Plus, UV-328 and PFHxS

Taiwan and Japan have adopted new Stockholm Convention-aligned restrictions on methoxychlor, Dechlorane Plus, UV-328 and PFHxS-related substances under their national chemicals laws, with the measures entering into force in June and July 2026. These decisions will force manufacturers, importers and downstream users to phase out these POPs, tighten controls on mercury and tetrachloroethylene, and rapidly reassess formulations, supply chains and CSCL/TCCSCA compliance plans ahead of the upcoming deadlines.

4 May 2026, 20:02enews.moenv.gov.twTaiwanJapan

Singapore Phases Out Six Mercury-Added Fluorescent Lamp Categories

Singapore’s environment regulator has classified six categories of mercury-containing fluorescent lamps as hazardous substances under the Environmental Protection and Management Act, triggering phased bans on their import, export and manufacture from 1 January 2027 and 1 January 2028. Lighting manufacturers, importers and major users must accelerate the shift to mercury-free alternatives, update HS code declarations, and plan inventory carefully to avoid stranded stock once the phase-out dates take effect.

24 Apr 2026, 09:47nea.gov.sgSingapore

UNEP Opens Registration for 2026 Global Interlaboratory Assessment on POPs and Mercury

UNEP has opened registration for the 2026 Fifth Global Interlaboratory Assessment on POPs and mercury under its Global Chemicals Monitoring Programme, with laboratories worldwide invited to register by 15 May 2026. The exercise will generate harmonised monitoring data to support effectiveness evaluations of the Stockholm and Minamata Conventions and help laboratories benchmark and improve their analytical performance for POPs and mercury.

22 Apr 2026, 12:23forms.cloud.microsoftGlobal

Chinese Taipei Drafts Amendment to Dry Cell Battery Restrictions to Tighten Mercury Limits

Taiwan is proposing to tighten mercury limits for button cell batteries to 1 ppm and expand regulatory scope to include zinc-air cells by July 2026. Companies must update product specifications and obtain new mercury confirmation documents to maintain market access as existing certifications will be invalidated.

9 Apr 2026, 09:51members.wto.orgTaiwan

Japan Amends Technical Guidelines For Managing Mercury-Containing Recycled Resources

Japan has finalized stricter technical guidelines for the storage and labeling of mercury-containing recycled resources, effective April 1, 2026. Operators must implement enhanced containment and security measures for materials exceeding 0.1% mercury to ensure compliance and prevent environmental dispersion.

27 Mar 2026, 16:22kanpo.go.jpJapan

Japan Revises Mercury Act Article 2(2) Requirements Ordinance

Japan updated the Mercury Pollution Prevention Act's implementing ordinance in March 2026 to refine definitions for mercury-added products and hazardous wastes. Businesses must re-evaluate product portfolios and waste management protocols to ensure alignment with clarified compliance obligations and export controls.

27 Mar 2026, 16:20kanpo.go.jpJapan

Chinese Taipei Proposes Amendment to Import Restrictions on Mercury-Added Products

Taiwan is expanding import bans on mercury-added products including lighting and electronic sensors starting January 2027 to align with the Minamata Convention. Manufacturers must accelerate the phase-out of mercury-containing components and secure alternative technologies to maintain market access for electronics and industrial equipment.

25 Mar 2026, 21:35members.wto.orgTaiwan

EU Adopts Delegated Regulation 2026/55 Updating Mercury-Added Product Bans Under Regulation (EU) 2017/852

The EU has prohibited the manufacture, import, and export of specific mercury-containing monitoring and control instruments effective from 31 December 2025. Companies must verify product compositions and secure mercury-free alternatives for high-precision measurement components to maintain market access and align with global phase-out trends.

18 Mar 2026, 18:53eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

Pakistan Faces International Pressure to Enforce Mercury Bans on Toxic Skin-Whitening Creams

International pressure is mounting on Pakistan to enforce mercury bans in cosmetics following widespread testing failures and high-profile consumer alerts in the US and EU. Manufacturers and retailers face intensified supply chain scrutiny and potential market access restrictions as regulators tighten enforcement of Minamata Convention standards.

13 Mar 2026, 07:34personalcareinsights.comPakistanUnited StatesPhilippinesEuropean UnionGlobal

Chile Notifies Draft Emission Standard for Boilers (Particulate, NOx, SO₂, Mercury)

Chile has proposed a national emission standard for boilers, introducing stricter limits for particulate matter, NOx, SO2, and mercury with a May 2026 comment deadline. Industrial operators must prepare for mandatory continuous monitoring and significant technical upgrades to existing combustion assets within a two-to-three-year compliance window.

12 Mar 2026, 21:31members.wto.orgChile

EcoWaste Coalition Warns Of High-Mercury Pakistan-Made Skin-Lightening Creams

NGO testing has identified extreme mercury contamination in skin-lightening products far exceeding international limits set by the Minamata Convention. Businesses should expect intensified market surveillance and stricter e-commerce liability as regulators target non-compliant cosmetic imports and undisclosed toxic ingredients.

11 Mar 2026, 16:48personalcareinsights.comGlobalPakistan

EU Council Working Party To Discuss Minamata COP6 Follow-Up and Effectiveness Evaluation

The EU Council is evaluating Minamata Convention effectiveness and COP6 outcomes to coordinate international mercury policy. This review signals potential future tightening of global mercury controls and strategic shifts in substance management.

9 Mar 2026, 18:57data.consilium.europa.euEuropean Union

UK Crematoria Technical Guidance Updated — Mercury Burden-Sharing Deadlines to 2029/2030

UK regulators have clarified that mercury burden-sharing obligations for unabated crematoria will remain in effect until December 2029. Operators must align environmental permits and monitoring protocols with these finalized deadlines to ensure continued compliance and manage long-term emission reduction liabilities.

18 Feb 2026, 16:57gov.ukUnited Kingdom

EEA Joint Committee Incorporates Regulation (EU) 2024/1849 on Mercury Into Annex XX to the EEA Agreement

The European Economic Area has formally extended EU bans on mercury-added products and dental amalgam to include EFTA member states. Businesses must update regional compliance strategies to account for manufacturing and trade prohibitions affecting lighting, medical devices, and dental supplies across the unified market.

13 Feb 2026, 15:27eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Economic AreaEuropean Union

US EPA Proposes RCRA LDR Treatability Variance for US Ecology Nevada High-Mercury Wastes

The US EPA is proposing a site-specific RCRA treatability variance to allow alternative stabilization and disposal methods for high-mercury hazardous wastes. This move signals a pragmatic regulatory shift for managing complex waste streams where standard treatment is impractical, offering a potential model for future site-specific disposal flexibility.

11 Feb 2026, 11:17govinfo.govUnited States

Brazil Health Committee Advances Mercury Dental Amalgam Phase-Out Bill For Risk Groups

Brazil's Health Committee approved a bill banning mercury dental amalgam for vulnerable groups and mandating a total national phase-out by 2030. Dental service providers and manufacturers must accelerate the transition to mercury-free alternatives and implement rigorous hazardous waste management protocols to ensure compliance.

11 Jan 2026, 18:39camara.leg.brBrazil

Great Britain Adopts 2025–2027 Ban Dates For Additional Mercury-Added Products

Great Britain has enacted phased bans on the manufacture, import, and export of additional mercury-added products with deadlines starting in late 2025. Businesses must accelerate the transition to mercury-free alternatives across lighting, electronics, and precision measurement sectors to maintain market access and avoid supply chain disruption.

6 Jan 2026, 10:49legislation.gov.ukUnited Kingdom

Japan METI Publishes Consultation Results On Third Edition Guidance For Specified Mercury-Using Products

Japan finalized the third edition of operational guidelines for mercury-using products in December 2025 under the Act on Preventing Environmental Pollution of Mercury. Businesses must audit product portfolios and internal compliance protocols to ensure alignment with the updated regulatory controls for mercury-containing goods.

31 Dec 2025, 10:10public-comment.e-gov.go.jpJapan