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Hong Kong sets grace period and 1 ppm mercury threshold for regulated cosmetics
Minamata Convention on MercuryHong Kong Environmental Protection DepartmentHong Kong
Announced
May 28, 2025
Effective
Jan 31, 2029
Description
Hong Kong has established a grace period until January 31, 2029 for the supply of newly regulated mercury-added products under the Mercury Control Ordinance (Amendment of Schedule 3) Notice 2025. Additionally, it is now an offence to supply cosmetics with mercury content exceeding 1 ppm, or with mercury content not exceeding 1 ppm if documentation cannot confirm the mercury was not intentionally added during manufacturing. Companies must maintain supporting documents to demonstrate compliance with the non-intentional addition requirement.
Key Findings
Hong Kong sets grace period and 1 ppm mercury threshold for regulated cosmetics
The Government has set a grace period (until 31 January 2029) for the supply of newly regulated mercury-added products listed under the Mercury Control Ordinance (Amendment of Schedule 3) Notice 2025 to help the public adapt. It would be an offence under the Ordinance for the regulated mercury-added products which are cosmetics: (a) having a mercury content exceeding 1 ppm or; (b) having a mercury content not exceedi