Phase-out of Mercury in Common Lamps

Summary#

These are final changes to the Products Containing Mercury Regulations that tighten rules on mercury in many products, especially common types of lamps. The changes largely ban the manufacture and import of most mercury-containing general‑lighting lamps and add rules on labelling, testing, reporting and the handling of products made or imported in breach of the rules. The amendments come into force on June 19, 2025.

What it does#

• Bans the manufacture and import of many mercury‑containing lamps used for general lighting by December 31, 2025, with limited transition rules for replacement lamps.
  • Certain replacement lamps may be manufactured or imported until December 31, 2027; their sale is later restricted (see next bullet).
  • Sale of those replacement lamps is prohibited after the second anniversary of that end date (effectively by December 31, 2029).
• Phases down or delays bans for some other lamp types:
  • High‑pressure sodium and metal‑halide lamps for general lighting are restricted from December 31, 2028; replacement lamps for existing fixtures remain allowed without a fixed end date.
  • Some lamp replacement categories have specific start dates (for example, replacement lamps starting January 1, 2026 or January 1, 2029 depending on type).
• Prohibits the import and manufacture of bulk dental amalgam powders when the amendments take effect (i.e., from June 19, 2025), while continuing to allow encapsulated dental amalgam.
• Adds or clarifies non‑lamp prohibitions (for example, certain catalysts used in polyurethane production) and removes old exemptions for products no longer used or readily available in Canada.
• Strengthens and clarifies administrative rules:
  • Requires clearer labelling that the product contains mercury, and the component that contains it where applicable.
  • Requires mercury‑quantity testing by accredited labs and broadens the acceptable accreditation bodies.
  • Changes reporting dates so reports are due by March 31, 2026, March 31, 2028, and every third year thereafter (March 31 following the reporting year).
  • Requires exporters to report quantities exported.
  • Allows records to be kept in electronic form.
• Adds a duty to ensure that any product manufactured or imported in contravention of the rules is sent for authorised final disposal or recycling (or, if imported, may be returned to sender).

Who's affected#

• Manufacturers and importers of lamps and other mercury‑containing products. That includes companies that import or make:
  • Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), linear fluorescent lamps (LFLs), and similar mercury‑containing lighting.
  • High‑intensity discharge lamps (HID) such as metal‑halide and high‑pressure sodium (until their phase‑down).
  • Some specialty products listed in the regulations (a few categories remain unrestricted because they have no mercury‑free alternatives).
• Retailers and consumers who buy replacement lamps during the transition period. Some consumers may face higher upfront costs switching to LED alternatives.
• The dental sector, for the specific change banning bulk dental amalgam powders (capsules remain allowed).
• Small businesses: about 30 small businesses are identified as among the regulated parties; most costs are expected to fall on consumers buying lamps.
• Indigenous and northern communities are a focus of the policy’s health rationale because they can face higher mercury exposure from traditional foods; changes aim to reduce future mercury releases that contribute to environmental contamination.
• If unsure whether a product is covered, importers or manufacturers should check the updated schedules in the regulations.

Why it matters#

• Mercury is a persistent toxin that can turn into methylmercury, which builds up in fish and seafood. That poses health risks—especially for fetuses, children, and communities that rely on fish—so removing avoidable sources of mercury reduces long‑term exposure.
• The government says the changes will speed the shift to mercury‑free, energy‑efficient lighting (mainly LEDs). Over the 2026–2035 period the rules are estimated to:
  • Reduce mercury releases to the environment by about 681 kg, including about 104 kg avoided emissions to air.
  • Avoid about 4.6 Mt of greenhouse gas emissions because LEDs use less energy.
  • Produce large net benefits: cumulative discounted benefits of $5.16 billion, costs of $208 million, and net benefits of $4.95 billion (these are the government’s estimates and rely on modelling and assumptions).
• For everyday life: consumers may pay more up front for LED bulbs but will likely save on energy bills over time. The rules also aim to reduce the amount of mercury entering landfills and the broader environment.
• The amendments align Canada with the Minamata Convention on Mercury and international moves to phase out mercury in products where viable alternatives exist.