Recently, the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) of Hong Kong, China announced that the provisions in the "Mercury Control Ordinance" regarding the prohibition of the supply and sale of regulated mercury-containing products will take effect on December 1 this year, to reduce the environmental impact of anthropogenic emissions of mercury and its compounds.
The implementation of the Mercury Control Ordinance is aimed at fully enforcing the Minamata Convention in Hong Kong, covering the import, export, storage, and use of mercury and its mixtures and compounds, as well as the import, export, and manufacture of mercury-containing products. The upcoming ban will further drive the industry towards transitioning to safe mercury-free alternatives.
Mercury is a naturally occurring heavy metal, but its high toxicity poses a serious threat to ecosystems and human health. The EPD emphasizes that starting from December 1 this year, Hong Kong will completely ban the supply and sale of the following mercury-containing products:
- Batteries
- Switches and relays
- Compact fluorescent lamps for general lighting
- Linear fluorescent lamps for general lighting
- High pressure mercury vapour lamps for general lighting
- Cold cathode fluorescent lamps and external electrode fluorescent lamps for electronic display
- Cosmetics having a mercury content exceeding 1 ppm
- Biocides and topical antiseptics
- Non-electronic measuring devices, such as thermometers, sphygmomanometers and barometers
Currently, most of the regulated mercury-containing products on the Hong Kong market have been essentially phased out, and there are sufficient mercury-free alternatives available. Moreover, there are no local manufacturers using mercury or mercury compounds in the production process, so the impact of this regulation on the public and industry is expected to be very limited.
The EPD has sent letters to suppliers, sellers, and chambers of commerce, conveying the information about the ban to enhance industry understanding and compliance. To assist with the handling of any remaining stock of regulated mercury-containing products, the EPD will provide a free collection and disposal service. Relevant enterprises can apply for this service from December 2, 2024, to January 17, 2025, to ensure compliance.
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