Cabinet Decision on the Cabinet Order for the Partial Revision of the Enforcement Order of the Act on Preventing Mercury Pollution of the Environment

1. Overview of the Act on Preventing Mercury Pollution of the Environment

The Act on Preventing Mercury Pollution of the Environment (hereinafter referred to as the “Act”) aims to regulate primary mercury mining and the manufacture and distribution in commerce of mercury-using products in order to ensure the reliable and smooth implementation of the Minamata Convention on Mercury and to prevent mercury from polluting the environment.

In the Act, the term "specified mercury-using product” is defined as a “mercury-using product whose manufacture is specified by Cabinet Order as being particularly in need of regulation,” and the Enforcement Order of the Act (hereinafter referred to as the “Enforcement Order”) specifically stipulates such products.

2. Overview of the Cabinet Order for the Partial Revision of the Enforcement Act

In response to the new abolition of some mercury-added products decided by COP-4, the Cabinet Order is to add the following five products to the list of the specified mercury-using products.

1. Strain gauges to be used in plethysmographs
2. Mercury vacuum pumps
3. Tyre balancers and wheel weights
4. Photographic films and paper
5. Propellants for satellites and spacecraft

3. Future schedule

Promulgation:

December 1, 2023 (tentative)

Enforcement:

January 1, 2025

Related Link

• Fourth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Minamata Convention on Mercury (COP-4)

Division in Charge

Chemical Management Policy Division, Manufacturing Industries Bureau