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). The measure implements decisions adopted at the fifth Conference of the Parties (COP-5) to the Minamata Convention  in October 2023.

Once the regulation takes effect, it will prohibit the import, export, and manufacture of the listed products. Publication in the Government Gazette is planned for Q2 2026, with phased prohibitions taking effect 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. Gazette publication planned for in Q2 2026.

Prohibitions effective: 1 January 2027 (items S/N 1–4) and 1 January 2028 (items S/N 5–6).

Comment window: Until 7 November 2025 (60 days from WTO notification).

Legal Mechanism and Convention Alignment

The controls will be implemented under the EPMA and related hazardous substances regulations to fulfil Singapore’s obligations under the Minamata Convention amendments adopted at COP-5.

The notification specifies that no changes are proposed 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 can no longer 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 are invited to provide written comments by 7 November 2025 via the contact details in the WTO TBT notification. Final adoption and entry-into-force dates will be confirmed in the Government Gazette before the 2027/2028 milestones.