Factsheet: Information on the Products Containing Mercury Regulations
If you manufacture, import, or sell products containing mercury, federal regulations may apply to you.
The Products Containing Mercury Regulations (the Regulations) prohibit the import and manufacture of all products containing mercury with some exemptions. In some cases, the Regulations also prohibit the sale of certain lamps. The Regulations came into force in 2015 and are part of the Government of Canada’s commitment to reducing risks to the environment and human health from mercury found in products.
In 2024, the Regulations were amended to fulfill Canada’s international commitments under the Minamata Convention to accelerate transitions to mercury-free products. The amendments, coming into force in June 2025, support Canada's National Strategy for Lamps Containing Mercury by including a gradual phase out of the most common types of lamps containing mercury.
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New prohibitions for lamps
New prohibitions for lamps containing mercury used for general lighting will come into force in the coming years. All these lamps can be replaced with light-emitting diode (LED) technology, which is mercury-free, has a longer life and is more energy efficient. A summary of the phase-out dates is presented below:
| Lamps | Start of the prohibition for import and manufacture of lamps | Exemption period for the import and manufacture of replacement lamps | Start date for the prohibition on selling lamps |
|---|---|---|---|
 Screw-base compact fluorescent lamp |
January 1, 2026 | None | None |
 Pin-based compact fluorescent lamp |
January 1, 2026 | From January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2027 | January 1, 2030 |
 Straight fluorescent lamp |
January 1, 2026 | From January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2027 | January 1, 2030 |
 Non-linear fluorescent lamp |
January 1, 2026 | From January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2027 | January 1, 2030 |
 High pressure sodium vapour lamp |
January 1, 2029 | Starting on January 1, 2029 | None |
 Metal halide lamp |
January 1, 2029 | Starting on January 1, 2029 | None |
Exempted products
The Regulations continue to have limited exemptions for essential products, such as:
- encapsulated dental amalgam;
- analytical reagent for use in a laboratory; and
- fluorescent lamps used for growing plants, water treatment or air disinfection
Exempted products must follow labelling requirements. It is also good to remember that importers and manufacturers must submit a report every three years (see table below), and that they must keep in their records for five years information regarding these products.
Please consult the Regulations for the complete list of exemptions, and for product-specific requirements.
| Calendar year of data to report | Report due date |
|---|---|
| 2025 | March 31, 2026 |
| 2027 | March 31, 2028 |
| Every third year thereafter (for example 2030) | March 31st of every third year thereafter (for example March 31, 2031) |
What you can do
Read the documents available for a full understanding of how the Regulations apply to your operations.
Work with your suppliers to ensure that you only import items that meet regulatory requirements.
Phase out your import, manufacture and sale of prohibited items by the required deadlines.
Lamp collectors, transporters, and processors are encouraged to follow the best practices outlined in the Code of practice: environmentally sound management of end-of-life lamps containing mercury.
Exporters of products containing mercury must follow the requirements of the Export of Substances on the Export Control List Regulations.
Contact us
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your regional Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) office by email:
Atlantic: promo-atl-compro@ec.gc.ca
Quebec: mercure-qc-mercury@ec.gc.ca
Ontario: promcon-on-compro@ec.gc.ca
Prairie and Northern: promconrpn-compropnr@ec.gc.ca
Pacific and Yukon: mercure-py-mercury@ec.gc.ca
All regulations under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 are subject to the Compliance and enforcement policy.
Note: This material has been prepared for convenience of reference only and does not have an official character. For the purpose of interpreting and applying the Regulations, please consult the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 and the Regulations on Justice Canada’s website.
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