The UK has signed off new rules to cut mercury in everyday products, with the Control of Mercury (Amendment) Regulations 2025 coming into force on 23 December 2025 across England, Wales and Scotland. The statutory instrument updates Annex 2 of the retained EU Mercury Regulation and tightens restrictions on mercury‑added products placed on the market.

The regulation adds further compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) for general lighting to the phase‑out list, including certain non‑integrated models at or below 30 watts and higher‑wattage integrated and non‑integrated CFLs. It also adds melt pressure transducers, transmitters and sensors, with a narrow exemption for large‑scale or high‑precision uses where no viable mercury‑free replacement exists.

Defra’s move aligns domestic law with decisions made under the Minamata Convention on Mercury, notably MC‑4/3 (March 2022) and MC‑5/4 (November 2023), which advanced global timelines to end the manufacture, import and export of specified fluorescent lamps and other mercury‑added products. In short, UK policy is tracking the international science‑based phase‑out agreed by Minamata Parties.

Northern Ireland is addressed via a separate instrument under the Windsor Framework. The Control of Mercury (Enforcement) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 update enforcement powers, including customs assistance, to reflect EU Regulation 2024/1849 on dental amalgam and other mercury‑added products. Together, the measures keep the UK aligned with Minamata commitments while recognising NI’s distinct regime.

For public health, this is a practical win. The World Health Organization lists mercury among the top chemicals of concern; even small exposures can harm the nervous system and child development. Cutting mercury from lighting and instruments reduces breakage risks indoors and lowers the chance of vapour and powder releases during waste handling.

Households do not need to rip out existing bulbs. The rules curb new supply; you can replace failed fluorescents with LEDs as they go. When you remove old lamps, take them to your council’s designated collection point or retailer take‑back so they are handled safely and kept separate from other WEEE. UK guidance requires lamps to be stored unbroken in sealed, rigid containers before treatment.

Switching to LEDs brings quick savings. The International Energy Agency estimates LEDs use about 50–60% less electricity than fluorescent lighting, with retrofit tubes often paying for themselves in a few months and typical lifetimes stretching five to ten years. That’s lower bills for homes, schools and small businesses-and fewer maintenance call‑outs.

For facilities managers, the priority is a simple audit: identify remaining CFLs and linear fluorescents, schedule LED retrofits during routine maintenance, and line up a compliant recycler. The Environment Agency sets clear treatment rules to capture mercury vapour and phosphor powders, and to test recovered materials for trace contamination, ensuring safe recovery of glass and metals.

Manufacturers and importers should note that the UK change updates the list of mercury‑added products restricted for manufacture, import or export under the retained Mercury Regulation. Enforcement provisions have been refreshed in parallel so that the new restrictions are treated as ‘relevant provisions’ for compliance purposes.

This step builds on wider regional moves to retire fluorescent lighting in favour of efficient, mercury‑free alternatives. The EU has already tightened lamp rules and export curbs, reinforcing the same direction of travel: better health protection, lower energy demand and less hazardous waste. For the UK, the task now is straightforward-finish the swap and recycle the rest.