Mercury in Lamps: New Phase-Out Rules

Summary#

The government published proposed changes to the Products Containing Mercury Regulations. The amendments would lower allowed mercury in some lamps, phase out many mercury-containing lighting products on set dates, and tighten rules on labelling, testing and reporting. This is a proposal (not law yet) meant to align Canada with the Minamata Convention and reduce mercury releases.

What it does#

• Lowers the mercury limits for some fluorescent lamps — for example, some cold cathode lamps would be limited to 3.5 mg of mercury per lamp (previously higher).
• Phases out most mercury-containing lamps for general lighting:
  • Most general lighting lamps would be prohibited from being made or imported after January 1, 2024.
  • High-pressure sodium vapour lamps for general lighting would be phased out by January 1, 2029.
• Sets an end date for mercury-containing catalysts used in making polyurethane: prohibited after January 1, 2028.
• Creates a short transition period for replacement lamps: many replacement lamps could be made or imported between January 1, 2024 and December 31, 2026, after which their sale would be more restricted.
• Carves out specific exemptions and new lamp categories (e.g., lamps for growing plants, air treatment, water treatment), with a phase-out planned for plant-growing lamps by December 31, 2028.
• Clarifies labelling, testing and record-keeping rules:
  • Broadens which accreditation bodies are accepted.
  • Requires electronic reporting in specified formats and allows electronic record-keeping.
  • Requires manufacturers and importers to report exports of mercury-containing products.
  • Adds a duty for anyone who manufactures or imports a product in breach of the ban to ensure it is sent for authorized disposal or returned to source.
• Administrative updates to align reporting schedules with international practices and to remove exemptions for products no longer in use.

Who's affected#

• Consumers who buy lighting: especially buyers of fluorescent, HID and specialty lamps. Many households and businesses will switch to LED alternatives.
• Lamp manufacturers, importers and retailers: they must comply with new mercury limits, different reporting dates, and new labelling rules.
• Small businesses involved with certain lamp types, measuring instruments, reference materials or catalysts — the government estimates about 30 small businesses would be affected among roughly 110 regulated parties.
• Health and environmental stakeholders and communities that rely on fish (including some Indigenous communities) are indirect beneficiaries because reduced mercury in the environment lowers exposure risks.
• Dental and laboratory sectors: the proposed amendments keep existing exemptions for encapsulated dental amalgam and clarify that lab reference materials can still be used; some stakeholders asked for stricter rules but the proposal does not ban amalgam.

Why it matters#

• Reduces mercury entering the environment: the government estimates avoided mercury releases of about 775 kg over 2024–2033, including 120 kg avoided to air (about 85% of avoided releases would otherwise go to landfill or land).
• Big expected net benefits: the analysis projects monetized benefits of $4.11 billion versus costs of $353 million, for net benefits of about $3.76 billion over 2024–2033. Much of the benefit comes from energy savings as lamps switch to more efficient LEDs ($3.87 billion estimated energy savings) and reduced greenhouse gases (4.7 Mt avoided emissions).
• Upfront costs and transitions: consumers may pay more up front for LEDs (the analysis estimates an additional $353 million in the first 10 years), but LEDs last longer and use less energy. Some fixtures might need replacement; those fixture costs were not fully estimated.
• Health and ecological reasons: lowering mercury in products helps reduce contamination of fish and wildlife, which matters for food safety and for communities (including Indigenous Peoples) who rely on traditional foods.
• International alignment: the changes help Canada meet obligations under the Minamata Convention and align with regulatory moves in the EU and some U.S. states to phase out mercury in lamps.