Japan Declares a Ban on the Manufacturing of 10 Products Including Mercury

A major strategy under the Act on Preventing Mercury Pollution of the Environment was recently announced by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and Ministry of the Environment. The program will gradually phase out the manufacture of 10 specific items that contain mercury, with deadlines for when the prohibitions will go into effect. This regulation, which will be gradually put into effect beginning in 2026, pertains to a variety of batteries, lighting fixtures, and industrial sensors.

The following are the listed products and the dates that the prohibitions will go into effect:

This policy seeks to guarantee the Minamata Convention on Mercury’s implementation while safeguarding the environment and public health from the harmful effects of mercury. The government will keep an eye on how the aforementioned legislation is being implemented and evaluate the long-term effects of these items on the environment and public health. In addition, the industry’s transition to a more environmentally friendly state is aided by the gradual prohibition on the manufacturing of ten items, which encourages the development and use of low- or no-mercury technology.