Japan-based electronics company Panasonic has announced that the company will quit production of mercury lamps by the end of June 2020 and promote LED lighting replacement in response to the Minamata Convention on Mercury.

(Image: Panasonic, mercury lamp production ends)

The Minamata Convention on Mercury is a global treaty to prevent the adverse effects of mercury on human health and environment. The treaty was adopted and signed at the diplomatic conference of the United Nations Environment Program in October 2013 and has come into effect in August 2017. According to the Minamata Convention on Mercury, manufacture, export or import of high pressure mercury lamps will be prohibited from 2021.

Panasonic has decided to end the production of 31 mercury products by the end of June 2020 before the ban of mercury products. The company also pointed out that it will strengthen its LED lighting products and promote the replacement of mercury lighting products with LED lighting.