Vietnam consults draft regulation on mercury in fluorescent lamps 
NOTE:
On December 21, 2020, The Circular 45/2020/TT-BCT stipulating National Technical Regulations (QCVN 02:2020/BCT) on mercury content in fluorescent lamps were officially published. Fluorescent lamps subject to the QCVN and maximum permissible limit of mercury content are the same as the draft below.
On July 15, 2020, the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) of Vietnam released the draft “National Technical Regulations (QCVN) on mercury content in fluorescent lamps”. The draft stipulates the technical requirements, testing methods and management provisions of mercury content in fluorescent lamps.
The content of mercury by fluorescent lamp type regulated in this draft is as follows:
|
No. |
Type of fluorescent lamps |
Maximum permissible limit of mercury content (unit: mg) |
|
1 |
Compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) for general lighting ≤ 30W |
5 |
|
2 |
Linear fluorescent lamps (LFLs) for general lighting | |
| a. Phosphorus system < 60W |
5 |
|
| b. Halogen/phosphate/phosphorus system ≤ 40 W |
10 |
|
|
3 |
Cold cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFLs) and external electrode fluorescent lamps (EEFLs) for displays | |
| a. Length ≤ 500 mm |
3.5 |
|
| b. Length > 500 mm and ≤ 1500 mm |
5 |
|
| c. Length > 1500 mm |
13 |
|
Testing method
Sampling for determination of mercury content in fluorescent lamps shall be carried out in accordance with the national standard of TCVN 10172:2013. And, the measurement of mercury content shall be carried out in accordance with the IEC 62321 or equivalent standards.
Management regulations
The mercury-containing fluorescent lamps regulated by the proposed technical standards shall be verified and approved for conformity in accordance with it before being put on the market, and their labeling shall be implemented in accordance with the “Governmental Decree No. 43/2017/ND-CP on product labeling”. Conformity shall be based on the results of the evaluation by a laboratory or approval and review organization designated by the MOIT.
Responsibility of business entities
Manufacturers and importers of regulated fluorescent lamps must conduct quality assurance and apply for approval and review of compliance in accordance with the proposed technical standards. In addition, distributors/retailers must sell only products that bear a conformity mark or an appropriate label.
