Taiwan bolsters Mercury Product Ban

by  BlidFive

Country: Chinese Taipei (Taiwan)
Notification Date: 2026-03-20

Overview

Taiwan has notified a draft amendment to its "Restrictions on the Importing of Mercury-Added Products." This revision aims to strengthen domestic mercury management and align with the United Nations Minamata Convention, significantly expanding the list of prohibited mercury-added items.

Key Details

• Country: Chinese Taipei (Taiwan)
• Document Symbol: G/TBT/N/TPKM/588
• Notification Date: 2026-03-20
• Comment Deadline: Not specified
• Effective Date: 2026-05-01

Summary of Changes

The amendment introduces new prohibitions on importing various mercury-added products. These include fluorescent lamps under 30W, cold cathode and external electrode fluorescent lamps for electronic displays, specific strain gauges, mercury vacuum pumps, tire balancers/weights, photographic film/paper, propellants for space vehicles, and several electrical/electronic measuring instruments like melt pressure transducers, transmitters, and sensors. The ban also extends to non-electronic measuring instruments such as barometers and thermometers.

Further phased prohibitions are introduced: From January 1, 2027, compact fluorescent lamps and general lighting straight/non-straight tube fluorescent lamps will be banned. From January 1, 2028, general lighting straight/non-straight tube fluorescent lamps using tri-band phosphors will also be prohibited. Specific exceptions for public safety, military, research, or where no suitable alternatives exist may be permitted with documented approval, adhering to Minamata Convention Annex A guidelines.

Impact Assessment

• Which products or sectors are affected: Lighting manufacturers, electronics producers, automotive suppliers, medical/scientific instrument industries, photographic and space technology sectors will be directly impacted.
• Potential impact on international trade: Exporters to Chinese Taipei must conduct thorough product reviews. Trade flows for affected mercury-added products will cease unless an exception is granted, potentially shifting demand to mercury-free alternatives.
• Compliance requirements for exporters: Companies must identify mercury content in products, re-evaluate existing supply chains, and ensure compliance with the new prohibitions and phased timelines.
• Market access implications: Market access will be severely restricted for non-compliant mercury-added products, favoring businesses that have already transitioned to mercury-free solutions.

What Businesses Should Do

• Recommended actions for affected companies: Immediately review your product portfolio and supply chains for any mercury-added components that fall under the new or impending prohibitions.
• Compliance timeline: Note the immediate effective date of May 1, 2026, for many new prohibitions, and prepare for the phased bans on specific lighting products in January 2027 and January 2028.
• Resources or contacts for more information: Consult Chinese Taipei's environmental and trade authorities or your trade compliance expert for detailed guidance on product classification and exception application procedures.

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