China accepts Minamata Convention COP-5 amendments after withdrawing non-acceptance notification

China has officially accepted the Minamata Convention COP-5 amendments to Annexes A and B by withdrawing its notification of non-acceptance on March 2, 2026. This brings China into alignment with the global mercury phase-out requirements adopted at COP-5, including restrictions on mercury-added batteries, switches, relays, fluorescent lamps, and cosmetics, as well as manufacturing process phase-outs for polyurethane production and sodium/potassium methylate/ethylate production. Parties that do not opt out within one year of the amendment's adoption are bound by the amendments.