31 January, 2018, Canada proposed amendments to its regulations for products containing mercury in order to bring the country's requirements in line with the Minamata Convention.
The Minamata Convention on Mercury is a global, legally binding treaty that aims to protect the environment and human health. Specific actions include:
1. Controlling atmospheric emissions and releases
2. Phasing-out the manufacture, import, and export of listed products containing mercury by 2020.
3. Reducing or eliminating the use of mercury in certain industrial processes such as polyurethane production.
4. Reducing the supply of mercury by, among other things, placing restrictions on the export of elemental mercury.
The main proposed amendments are:
1. Adjusting mercury content limits for following three product categories:
Products containing mercury Prohibition under the Minamata Convention
(Article 4, Annex A) Proposed amendment(s) to align with the
Minamata Convention Straight fluorescent lamps for general
lighting purposes By 2020, prohibit: a. Triband phosphor < 60 watts with a
mercury content exceeding 5 mg per lamp b. Halophosphate phosphor ≤ 40 watts with a mercury content exceeding 10 mg per lamp a. Lower the mercury content limit of
item 3(f) (T12, 8-foot) to 10 mg per lamp b. Consult on compliance of the limit for
item 3(e) (T12, 4-foot) and on possibility of decreasing the limit further
for T12 lamps. Cold cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFLs) By 2020, prohibit CCFLs for electronic
displays: a. Short length (≤ 0.5 m) with a mercury content exceeding 3.5 mg per lamp b. Medium length (> 0.5 m and ≤ 1.5 m) with a mercury content exceeding 5 mg per lamp c. Long length (> 1.5 m) with a
mercury content exceeding 13 mg per lamp. Lower the mercury content limit for CCFLs
of 1.5 m or less in length to 3.5 mg per lamp. External electrode fluorescent lamps (EEFLs) By 2020, prohibit EEFLs for electronic
displays: a. Short length (≤ 0.5 m) with a mercury content exceeding 3.5 mg per lamp b. Medium length (> 0.5 m and ≤ 1.5 m) with a mercury content exceeding 5 mg per lamp c. Long length (> 1.5 m) with a mercury
content exceeding 13 mg per lamp. Lower the mercury content limit for EEFLs
of 1.5 m or less in length to 3.5 mg per lamp.
2. Removing exemption or adding an exemption end date for catalysts used in the manufacturing of polyurethane (item 30 of the schedule)
3. Lowering mercury content limit for compact fluorescent lamps for general lighting purposes (item 2 of the schedule)
a. Lower the mercury content of CFLs that operate at ≤ 25 watts from 4 mg to 2.5 mg per lamp.
b. Lower the mercury content of CFLs that operate at > 25 watts from 5 mg to 3.5 mg per lamp.
Comments on the proposed regulation will be accepted until 2 April, 2018. The government anticipates publishing proposed regulations in the autumn.
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