June 2015  
 
 
Ministerial Ordinance under  “Act on P reventi ng Environmental Pollution of Mercury” (about 
mercury -added products  for new use)  
  
Chemical Management Policy Division, M anufacturing Industries Bureau,  
Ministry of Economy , Trade and Industr y, Japan   
Environmental Health and Safety Division, E nvironmental Health Department,  
Environmental Policy Bureau, Ministry of the Environme nt, Japan   
 
1. Background of enactment  of the ministerial ordinance  
Act on Preventing E nvironmental Pollution of Mercury (Act  No. 42 of 2015), as a measure to 
ensure  the implementation of Article 4 (6) of the Minamata Convention on Mercury  (hereinafter 
referred to as “the Convention”) , lays out the basic principle of banning the manufacture and 
distribution in commerce of mercury -added products  not covered by mercury -added products for 
known use (hereinafter referred to as “mercury added products for new use”) unless the use of 
such products  demonstrates environmental or human health benefits. Further, businesses 
intending to be e ngaged in the manufacture or distribution in commerce  of “mercury -added 
products for new use ” are required to carry out a self -assessment of use of their “mercury -added 
products for new use ” and notify its  result to the competent minister.  
The Ministerial Ordinance  of the Act specifies mercury -added products for known use and the 
method of the self -assessment of the manufacture or distribution in commerce  of 
“mercury -added products for new use ”.  
  
2. Outline  
(1) M ercury -added products  for known use  
“Mercury -added products for known use ” are listed  in Annex. However, based on identification  
of current practice of use of “mercury -added products  for known use ”, addition or revision to 
Annex may occur  in the future.  
 
(2) Assessment method of manufacture or distribution in commerce  of mercury -added products  for 
new use  
Those who intend to manufacture or distribute in commerce a “mercury -added product for new use” 
as a business shall:  
1) obtain informa tion about the amount of mercury that is expected to be emitted/released during 
the stages of manufacture, sale, use and disposal  according to  the structure , usage, transaction 
volume , and other characteristics  of “mercury -added product for new use ” as wel l as i mpact s 
of the use of such product on the protection of human health and the living environment ;  
2) taking into account the information obtained, select major parameter s (hereinafter referred to 
as “evaluation item s”) contributi ng to the protection of or having adverse  impact s on human 
health and the living environment ( hereinafter referred to as “benefits and risks ”) due to the 
use of “ mercury -added product for new use ”;    
3) set multiple alternatives for the manufacture or distribution in commerce  of “mercury -added 
product for new use ” as a business , and make effort s to include  an alternative whereby the 
manufacture or distribution in commerce  of “mercury -added product for new use ” is not to be 
carried out  when it is considered  practical
 to include  such alternative , or make the reason 
why such alternative is not taken into consideration  clear ;    4) study, analyze, compile, and compare  quantitatively as much as possible  levels of “ benefits 
and risks”  of each of the multiple alternative s according to  “evaluation items ” and obtain  
advice from experts if necessary ; and   
5) identif y whether or not adverse impact s on human health and the living environment due to  
the us e of “mercury -added product for new use” manufactured or distributed in commerce as 
a business are in excess of the permissible level  compared to the  contribution of the use  to the 
protection of human health and the living environment , and consider effects of measures to 
avoid or alleviate a dverse impact s on human health and the living envir onment with regard to  
“evaluation items”  if they are to be taken . 
 
3. Planned date of enforcement  
  The date of entry into force of the Convention 
   Annex 
 
Table 1 : List of Mercury -added Products for Known Use  
Mercury -added Product  Use 
Alkaline button battery  Power source  
Silver oxide battery  Power source  
Zinc air battery  Power source  
Mercury battery  Power source  
Dry cell battery (containing mercury)  Power source  
Mercury standard battery  Voltage standard  
Switch to detect temperatures  Temperature detection  
Switch to detect inclinations  Inclination detection  
Electric acceleration switch (G sensor)  Vibration detection  
Shock sensor (acceleration sensor)  Shock detection  
Anti- overcurrent protection switch Overcurrent detection  
Measuring, controlling and transmission  line 
switch/relay  Signal switching and switch without interruptions 
(chattering), high- voltage/high- current signal switching, low 
contact resistance signal switching, very minor load 
open- and-close switch and signal switching, analog input  
switching, and very low current circuit switching  
Fluorescent lamp  
(Straight tube fluorescent lamp, circular 
fluorescent lamp, compact fluorescent lamp, 
bulb- shaped fluorescent lamp, electrodeless 
fluorescent lamp, specially shaped fluorescent 
lamp and other lamps)  General lighting purposes  
(Those intended to ensure luminous intensity, excluding 
lamps that are designed only to be used at low temperatures 
or for high color rendering and other special purposes.  The 
same applies hereinafter)  
Special purposes  
○ Those that have special wavelength distribution (including 
the following: those for color comparison and assessment; 
those used for tests; those used as color lamps; those with 
high color rendering property [intended for art galleries, 
museums, photograp hing and other purposes]; those for 
plants and living creatures; those used for cutting ultraviolet 
ray; those used for product and food exhibition; those that 
are less likely to attract bugs; those used in medical devices; those to modify surface; and those for ultraviolet irradiation 
[that are used for such purposes as catching bugs, various 
examinations, photoreaction, modifying surface, fluorescent 
lighting medical devices and tanning machines])  
○ Those supposed to be used under special conditions (such 
as lamps used at low temperatures and lamps for Mercury -added Product  Use 
semiconductor plants, signboards, display indicators, 
scanners, medical devices, emergency lights, emergency exit 
lights and aeronautical lights)  
Cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) , 
External electrode fluorescent lamp (EEFL)  General lighting purposes  
To be used as backlight of display  devices  
Special purposes  
○ Those that have special wavelength distribution (such as 
those used for sterilization , medical devices, chemical 
reactions, scanners, instrumental analysis, tests, and plants and living creatures)  
○ Those supposed to be used under special conditions (that 
are used as emergency lights and emergency exit lights)  
High -intensity discharge ( HID) lamps (such as 
high- pressure mercury vapor lamp, metal halide 
lamp, high- pressure sodium lamp, mercury 
xenon lamp and other high- pressure mercury 
lamps [including medium - and very 
high- pressure ones])  General lighting purposes  
Special purposes  
○ Those that have special wavelength distribution (including 
the following: those used for sterilization, photochemical 
reactions, cleaning and surface modification; those used as 
light sources for optical instruments; those used for 
wavelength calibration, tes ts, medical devices, plants and 
living creatures and gathering fish)  
○ Those supposed to be used under special conditions (such 
as those used for exposure, landscape lighting, tests , medical 
devices and aeronautical lights)  
○ Those supposed to be used for special light distribution 
and other such purposes (such as those used in automobiles and projectors as well as those used for stage and landscape 
lighting)  
Low-pressure mercury lamps other than 
fluorescent lamps  
(ultraviolet irradiation lamp, hollow cathode 
lamp, Pen -Ray lamp, electrodeless discharge 
lamp and other type s) Special purposes  
○ Those that have special wavelength distribution  
Including the following: those used for sterilization (such as 
those intended for liquids and containers, algicides, and those 
used for medical devices); those used for photochemical 
reactions; those for oz one generation; those for dismantling; 
those for cleaning and bleaching; those for surface modification; those intended for medical devices; those for plants and living creatures; and those used in analyzers and 
measuring instruments (those used for instru mental analysis, 
wavelength calibration, photoexcitation and other purposes)  Mercury -added Product  Use 
Neon tube  Special purposes  
○ Intended to transmit Morse code  
Paints containing mercuric oxide  Preservation and antifouling purposes  
Insecticides and biocides containing mercury  Prevention and elimination (agrochemicals) of insects and 
diseases that damage crops (including wood as well as 
agricultural and forestry products)  
 Prevention and elimination of harmful insects and diseases in 
articles other than crops  
Mercury thermometer  Temperature measurement of gases, liquids and solid bodies, 
humidity measurement of gases, calorimetr y, pressure 
measurement of liquids, and densimetry 
Mercury hygromete r Humidity measurement of gases  
Mercury -filled thermometer  Temperature measurement of gases and liquids  
Liquid manometer  Gauge  pressure measurement of gases 
High -temperature diaphragm seal pressure 
gauge  Pressure measurement of liquids 
High -temperature diaphragm seal pressure 
transmitter  Pressure measurement of liquids 
Liquid mercury barometer  Measurement of atmospheric pressure  
Vacuum gauge  Absolute pressure measurement of gases  
Mercury coulometer  Measurement of quantity of electricity  
Hydrometer  Density and temperature measurement of liquids  
Mercury clinical thermometer  Measurement of body temperature  
Mercury sphygmomanometer  Measurement of blood pressure  
Drugs containing thime rosal (vaccines and 
in-vitro diagnostic agents included)  Prevention of infectious diseases, treatment of diseases, 
checks of allergens, and diagnosis  
Drugs containing mercurochrome  Protection and sterilization of abrasions and other injuries  
Drugs contai ning mercuric chloride  Check of allergens  
Nessler ’s reagent  Reagent used to detect ammonia  
Millon ’s reagent  Reagent used to detect proteins and phenols  
Rubber  Adsorption  
Firework  Entertainment  
Mirror Large telescope 
Mercury alloy (pellet)  Raw material  for lamps  
Mercury triple point cell  Calibration and reference standard  
Rotary connector  Electricity supply to rolling object or signal extraction from  
rolling object  
Mercury ion frequency standard Frequency standard  Mercury -added Product  Use 
Infrared detection element (mixtur e of mercury, 
cadmium and tellurium)  Measurement of temperatures, concentrations, coating 
thickness and other categories, detection of images, sensing 
section of instrument analyzer  
Gyrocompass Course checking for vessels  
Strain gauge  Strain measurement  
Total power supplying time meter  Measurement of operating time of light  source lamps  
Mercury -based prototype for resistance  Electrical resistance standard  
Mercury boiler  Steam generation  
X-ray tube  X-ray generation  
Daguerreotype  For appreciation  
Radi ation detector  Radiation detection  
Grip dynamometer  Measurement of grip strength  
Mercury -vapor diffusion pump  Manufacturing of semiconductors  
Damper  Vibration control  
 
Note 1: Assembled products using items shown in Table 1 as their components are cons idered to be products for 
known use, as long as those products are used for purposes described in the table.  
Note 2: Uses such as analysis, research and calibration of measuring instruments or reference standards are 
basically considered to be known use s, regardless of descriptions in the "Use" section. 
Note 3:  Even when the products and their uses are mentioned above, those intended to be used under conditions 
deviating from normally expected uses are not considered to be used as known use.  
 Table 2 : List of Mercury, Mercury Compounds, and Agents Containing Mercury or Mercury Compounds and 
Their Uses  
Mercury -added Product  Use 
Mercury and agents containing mercury  Reference standard used for instrumental analysis  
 Reagent used for instrumental analysis  
 Sensing section of instrument analyzer (such as electrodes 
and contact makers of rotary electrodes)  
 Development of daguerreotypes  
 Calomel electrode 
 Dental -use mercury and alloy for dental amalgam  
 Lens floating at lighthouses  
 Power source for cult ural assets 
 Plating  
Mercurous chloride and agents containing 
mercurous chloride  Reference electrode  
 Ceramic industry  
 Color development adjustments for fireworks  
 Reagent used for instrumental analy sis 
Mercuric oxide and agents containing mercuric  
oxide  Electrode of mercury batteries  
 For antiseptics and antifoulants  
 Reagent used for instrumental analysis  
 Adjustments of mercury salts 
 Aroma chemical  
 Catalyzer  
 Cosmetics  
Mercuric sulfate and agents containing 
mercuric sulfate  Manufacturing of mercuric chloride and other mercurates  
 Metallurgy of gold and silver  
 Reagent used for chemical analysis  
Mercuric nitrate and agents containing 
mercuric nitrate  Oxidizing agent  
 Antiseptic  
 Carroting  treatment to produce felt in making hats and ca ps 
 Textile treatment  
 Nitrate auxiliary agent 
 Catalyzer in organic synthesis  
 Manufacturing of mercury fulminate or mercuric oxide  
 Plating  Mercury -added Product  Use 
 Treatment of syp hilis 
 Density and temperature measurement of liquids  
 Calibration of measuring instruments  
Mercuric sulfide (cinnabar) and agents 
containing mercuric sulfide  Pigment  
 Reference standard used for instrumental analysis  
Mercurous sulfate and agents containing 
mercurous sulfate  Reference electrode  
Mercuric chloride and agents containing 
mercu ric chloride  Lamps  
 Electrode of manganese cells  
 Iron's conversion to bronze  
 Leather manufacturing  
 Ink for mercurography  
 Sterilization  
 Drugs  
 Fireproofing agents for wood 
 Sensitizer for photographs  
 Reagent used for instrumental analysis  
 Detection of hydrogen sulfide  
 Manufacturing of mercuric oxide and mercurous chloride  
 Catalyzer for manufacturing vinyl chloride  
 Coloring of metals  
 Reagent used for tap water quality testing  
 Reagent used for food inspection 
 Clean ing of acetylene gas  
Ethylmercuric chloride and agents containing 
ethylmercuric chloride Polymerization initiator  
 Antimicrobial agent and antifoulant  
 Catalyzer  
 Reagent used for instrumental analysis  
Ammonium chloromercurate and agents 
containing ammonium chloromerc urate  Color development adjustment for fireworks  
Mercuric bromide and agents containing 
mercuric bromide  Lamps  
 Chemical analysis (arsenic analysis)  
 Semiconductor s 
Mercurous nitrate and agents containing Carroting  treatment to produc e felt in making hats and caps  Mercury -added Product  Use 
mercurous nitrate  
 Drugs  
 Manufacturing of mercurous acetate 
 Plating  
 Chemical analysis (protein analysis)  
Phenylmercuric nitrate and agents containing 
phenylmercuric nitrate  Antimicrobial agent 
Mercuric thiocyanate and agents containin g 
mercuric thiocyanate  Sensitizer for photographs  
 Special analysis  
Mercurous iodide and agents containing 
mercurous iodide  Lamps  
 Organic synthesis  
 Thermosensitive paint  
Mercuric iodide and agents containing mercuric 
iodide  Lamps  
 Thickener for photographs  
 Calibration of measuring instruments  
 Density and temperature measurement of liquids  
 Chemical analysis (ammonia detection)  
 Reagent used for instrumental analysis  
Mercury -copper iodide and agents containing 
mercury -copper iodide  Manufacturi ng of thermoscopes  
Mercurous acetate and agents containing 
mercurous acetate Catalyzer  
 Reagent for research  
Mercuric acetate and agents containing 
mercuric acetate  Alkaloid oxidant  
 Synthesis of organic mercury compounds  
Phenylmercuric acetate and ag ents containing 
phenylmercuric acetate  Antiseptic  
 Manufacturing of other phenylmercury compounds  
 Antimicrobial agent 
 Leather manufacturing  
 Papermaking 
 Fiber softening agent  
 Glazing agent  
 Cosmetics  Mercury -added Product  Use 
 Drugs  
Mercurous oxide and agents containing 
mercurous oxide  Electrode of mercury batteries  
 Reagent for research  
Mercuric oxycyanide and agents containing 
mercuric oxycyanide Special analysis  
Mercuric cyanide and agents containing 
mercuric cyanide  Drugs  
 Reagent for research  
Potassium cyanome rcurate and agents 
containing potassium cyanomercurate  Manufacturing of silver mirrors 
Mercuric perchlorate and agents containing 
mercuric perchlorate Oxidizing agent  
 Reagent for research  
Dimethylmercury and agents containing 
dimethylmercury  Reagent us ed for instrumental analysis  
Mercury selenide and agents containing 
mercury selenide Manufacturing of semiconductors  
Mercuric amino acid and agents containing 
mercuric amino acid  Color development adjustment for fireworks  
 Reagent for research  
Mercuric  orthoarsenate and agents containing 
mercuric orthoarsenate Antifoulant  
Mercury fulminate and agents containing 
mercury fulminate  Priming powder for detonators  
Methylmercuric chloride and agents containing methylmercuric chloride  Reagent used for instrum ental analysis  
 Reagent for research  
Agents containing 4- (hydroxymercury)benzoic 
acid sodium salt  Reagent for research  
Sodium ethylmercurithiosalicylate and agents 
containing sodium ethylmercurithiosalicylate 
(thimerosal)  Drugs  
 Preservatives for drugs (including vaccines and in- vitro 
diagnostic agents)  
 Reagent for research  
Merbromin (organomercuric disodium salt 
compound) and agents containing merbromin  Topical disinfectant  Mercury -added Product  Use 
Agents containing 
(diphenylthiocarbazono)phenylmercury  Reagent for research  
Potassium tetraiodomercurate Reagent for research  
4-(chloromercuri)benzenesulfonic acid sodium 
salt Reagent for research  
Phenylmercuric oleate, borate and propionate  Antiseptic, germicide and insecticide  
Phenylmercury and agents containing 
phenylmercu ry Drugs  
Methylmercury dicyandiamide and agents 
containing methylmercury dicyandiamide  Seed processing agent  
Phenylmercuric chloride and agents containing 
phenylmercuric chloride  Seed disinfectant  
Mercuric salicylate and agents containing 
mercuric salic ylate  Germicide for agricultural use, and skin antiseptic  
Ethylmercuric chloride and agents containing 
ethylmercuric chloride Seed disinfectant  
Mercury trifluoroacetate and agents containing mercury trifluoroacetate Catalyzer  
4-chloromercuribenzoic acid  Reagent for biochemistry experiments  
 
Note 1: Uses such as analysis, research and calibration of measuring instruments or reference standards are 
basically considered to be known use s, regardless of descriptions in the "Use" section. 
Note 2:  Even when the products and their uses are mentioned above, those intended to be used under conditions 
deviating from normally expected uses are not considered to be used as known use.  
Note 3: All uses should be considered as known use when products listed in Table 2 a re used for products in Table 
1.