Imported batteries require no filing for mercury contents since 2016

General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the People's Republic of China (AQSIQ) issued Announcement No. 163 of Year 2015 that mercury contents in imported batteries require no filing for records on 30 December 2015. The announcement takes into force immediately.

In 1997, General Trade Union of China Light Industry collaborated with nine other national departments of China to issue Notification about Stipulations on Restricting Mercury Contents in Batteries (Q.Z.H.G. [1997] No. 14) in order to strengthen prevention and treatment of mercury pollution of batteries to protect and improve the biological environment in China. Besides, AQSIQ issued Notification on Enforcing Inspection of Mercury in Imported/Exported Batteries (G.J.J. [2000] No. 218) and Notification on Printing ‘Inspection and Supervision Measures on Mercury Contained in Batteries’ (G.J.J. [2000] No. 244) to provide that imported/exported batteries required testing and filing for records since 1 January 2001.

From the overview of mercury filing in the past 15 years, the mercury contents in batteries are adequately controlled. Importers, exporters and manufacturers have cultivated the sense of responsibility and quality control. The requirements on hazardous substances in GB 24427-2009 Limitation of Mercury, Cadmium and Lead Contents for Alkaline and None-alkaline Zinc Manganese Dioxide Batteries and GB 24428-2009 Limitation of Mercury Content for Zinc Silver Oxide, Zinc Oxygen and Zinc Manganese Dioxide Button Batteries can be generally met with existing manufacture techniques and technology. It appears feasible to cancel mercury testing and filing of imported batteries.

It also deserves attention that AQSIQ decides to cancel the filing for mercury contents in imported batteries in light of development and status quo of battery industry and Notification on Printing ‘Inspection and Supervision Measures on Mercury Contained in Batteries’ (G.J.J. [2000] No. 244) is repealed immediately.