Effective 1 June 2024, Malaysia has implemented a ban on the import of two medical devices containing mercury: thermometers and sphygmomanometers which are commonly used to measure blood pressure. This prohibition is part of the 'Customs (Prohibition of Imports) (Amendment) (No 2) Order 2024', which was published in the Federal Government Gazette on May 23, 2024.  

New Items Added to Import Prohibition List 

The amendment introduces 'item no 17' into the First Schedule of the 'Customs (Prohibition of Imports) Order 2023'. This category lists various prohibited items, including toxic chemicals and specific minerals that are prohibited from entering Malaysia. Mercury-containing thermometers and sphygmomanometers are now classified under this new item as 'Products under the Minamata Convention'. 

Phase-Out under the Minamata Convention 

Malaysia's decision is in line with its commitment to the UN's Minamata Convention, an international designed to protect human health and the environment from the adverse effects of mercury. The convention mandates the phase-out of certain mercury-containing products, with these specific medical devices being targeted for elimination under the treaty by 2020. 

On June 18, 2024, Malaysia’s National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) updated the list of restricted substances for cosmetics under the country’s Guidelines for Control of Cosmetic Products in Malaysia. In a Pekeliling Bill 2/2024 circular, the NPRA detailed the changes to four substances, their associated concentration limits in ready-for-use preparations, and the effective dates of the revisions as follows:

The NPRA stated in its notice that companies that manufacture, sell, provide, import or own cosmetics must comply with all of the criteria. Cosmetic Notification Holders are reminded to follow all instructions and restrictions set out in Regulation 18A of the 1984 Drug and Cosmetic Control restrictions, as well as the Malaysian Cosmetic Product Control Guidelines.
The updates reflect decisions made during the 39th ASEAN Cosmetic Committee (ACC), which convened virtually on May 20 and 21, 2024. At the ACC it was agreed to amend several substances in Annex III of the ASEAN Cosmetics Directive (ACD).