Singapore to Phase Out Six Mercury-Added Lighting Products: NEA Launches WTO TBT Consultation

On 8 September 2025, Singapore notified the WTO (G/TBT/N/SGP/76) of a proposal to control six mercury-added lighting products as Hazardous Substances under the Environmental Protection and Management Act (EPMA), to implement decisions adopted at Minamata Convention COP-5 (October 2023). Once the regulation takes effect, import, export, and manufacture of the listed products will not be allowed. The measure is planned for Gazette publication in Q2 2026, with phased prohibitions on 1 January 2027 and 1 January 2028. Stakeholders may submit comments until 7 November 2025.  

Scope: Products and HS Codes 

The proposal covers six categories of mercury-added lamps used for general lighting, with associated HS 2022 codes listed in the notification: 

• Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) >30 W (e.g., 85393110, 85393130, 85393190, 85393910, 85393990). 
• CFLs with non-integrated ballast (≤30 W; ≤5 mg Hg per burner) (e.g., 85393110, 85393190, 85393910, 85393990). 
• Linear fluorescent lamps (LFLs), halophosphate (≤40 W; ≤10 mg Hg) and >40 W (e.g., 85393120). 
• Non-linear fluorescent lamps (NFLs), halophosphate (e.g., U-bend/circular; 85393190, 85393990). 
• NFLs, tri-band phosphor (e.g., U-bend/circular; 85393190, 85393990). 
• LFLs, tri-band phosphor: <60 W (≤5 mg Hg), ≥60 W (≤5 mg Hg), and ≥60 W (>5 mg Hg) (e.g., 85393120).  

Timeline and Entry into Force 

• Adoption: To be determined; planned Gazette notice in Q2 2026. 
• Prohibitions effective: 1 Jan 2027 (items S/N 1–4) and 1 Jan 2028 (items S/N 5–6). 
• Comment window: Through 7 Nov 2025 (60 days from notification).  

Legal Mechanism and Convention Alignment 

Controls will be implemented under the EPMA and related hazardous substances regulations to fulfil Singapore’s obligations following the Minamata Convention amendments adopted at COP-5. The notification specifies no change to other existing EPMA requirements; the action specifically phases out the six mercury-added product categories listed above.  

Compliance Implications for Industry 

Once the regulation is in force, the listed lamps cannot be imported, exported, or manufactured in Singapore. Companies should: 

• Audit inventories and SKUs against the six categories and HS codes. 
• Plan product substitutions (e.g., mercury-free alternatives) to meet the 2027/2028 phase-out dates. 
• Prepare licensing/permit adjustments as needed for any remaining hazardous-substance activities under EPMA (noting that the specific action here is a prohibition of import/export/manufacture for the listed products).  

Next Steps and Contact 

The National Environment Agency (NEA) is the responsible agency. Stakeholders should provide written comments by 7 November 2025 per the contact details in the WTO TBT notice. Final adoption and entry-into-force dates will be confirmed by Government Gazette notice ahead of the 2027/2028 milestones.