Japan - Proposed to Restrict More Mercury-Containing Products

​As the Conference of the Parties to the Minamata Convention on Mercury, held in March last year, was proposing to amend the mercury regulation by adding and revising certain kinds of mercury-containing products and processes using mercury. Eight kinds of mercury-containing products is planned to be phased out at the end of 2025. Therefore, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and Ministry of the Environment proposed to amend the Enforcement Order of the Act on Preventing Mercury Pollution of the Environment (Order No. 278 of 2015) by adding the following ​products, prohibiting their manufacture in and import into Japan.

​- strain gauges used in pulse wave test equipment
- vacuum pump
- wheel weight
- photographic film and photographic paper
- propellants used in spacecraft (including satellites)

The meeting is planned to be held in October and the proposal effective date is July 1, 2025.

The public consultation is open until September 15.