Maine Mercury Lamp Ban 2026

The State of Maine enforces strict regulations on mercury-added products under Title 38, Chapter 16-B of the Maine Revised Statutes. With multiple statutory deadlines already in force, manufacturers, importers, and distributors must be aware of upcoming compliance obligations.

Key Historical Compliance Deadlines

2026 Sales Prohibition

Effective January 1, 2026, the sale, offer for sale, or distribution of the following products is prohibited in Maine:

• Compact fluorescent mercury-added lamps (CFLs)
• Linear fluorescent mercury-added lamps

Exceptions:

• Mercury-added lamps designed exclusively for image capture and projection (e.g., photocopying, printing, film/video projection, holography)
• CFLs used to replace a lamp in a motor vehicle manufactured on or before January 1, 2020

Recommended Action Plan

1. Audit Product Portfolio: Identify mercury-added items or components potentially impacted by Maine law.
2. Check Market Presence: Assess whether legacy stocks are sold in Maine or via distributors.
3. Update Controls: Ensure proper labeling, documentation, waste management, and recycling processes.
4. Review Supply-Chain Obligations: Importers and distributors should confirm manufacturer compliance under §1661-A.
5. Monitor Regulatory Changes: Maintain awareness of state-by-state mercury and chemical regulations.
6. Internal Communication: Inform product management, compliance, supply-chain, and disposal teams about Maine-specific requirements.

Maine’s mercury-added products statute is designed to reduce mercury in consumer products, batteries, vehicles, and instruments, while managing end-of-life disposal. Key compliance points include:

• Product notification and labeling
• Disposal and waste management restrictions
• Sales prohibitions for defined mercury-added items

Proactive compliance helps reduce regulatory risk and ensures alignment with both state and federal environmental programs.

Reference: Maine Chapter 16-B – Mercury-Added Products Law