European Union Expands Mercury Regulation to Include New Products
Key Updates in the regulation:
1. Effective Dates:
The Regulation was published in the EU Official Journal on September 26, 2023
The document came into effect on October 16, 2023
2. New Product Restrictions:
Starting from December 31, 2025, seven new mercury-added products will face prohibitions on manufacturing, import, and export:
Compact fluorescent lamps for general lighting purposes with an integrated ballast (CFL.i) ≤ 30 watts with ≤ 2.5 mg mercury per lamp burner
Cold cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFL) and external electrode fluorescent lamps (EEFL) of all lengths for electronic displays
The following electrical and electronic measuring devices except those installed in large-scale equipment or those used for high precision measurement where no suitable mercury-free alternative is available: melt pressure transducers, melt pressure transmitters and melt pressure sensors
Mercury vacuum pumps
Tyre balancers and wheel weights
Photographic film and paper
Propellant for satellites and spacecraft
3. Exemptions:
If the above-mentioned products are crucial for civil protection, military uses, research, calibration of instrumentation, or as a reference standard, they may be exempt from these restrictions.
This amendment marks a crucial stride in the EU's commitment to reducing mercury pollution and safeguarding the environment and human health.
For more detailed information, the full text of Regulation 2023/2049 is available here.