Cambodia Tightens Ban on Battery and E-Waste Imports to Combat Pollution

The Ministry of Environment has requested provincial and municipal administrations to implement legal measures against the import of used batteries and electrical and electronic equipment, citing environmental pollution and public health concerns. According to a directive issued on August 2, 2026, the Ministry of Environment stated that the import of used batteries and electrical and electronic equipment into Cambodia is prohibited in accordance with the Environmental and Natural Resources Code and the Sub-Decree on Solid Waste Management. Previously, the Ministry of Environment observed that locations for stocking, distributing, and selling used electrical and electronic equipment were importing used materials mixed with waste such as air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines, clothes dryers, televisions, desktop computers, laptops, mobile phones, and tablets. These are classified as hazardous waste due to the presence of harmful substances like mercury, cadmium, nickel, chromium, arsenic, and lead, which can severely impact public health, biodiversity, and the ecosystem if they spread into the environment through improper storage, dismantling, or processing that does not adhere to environmental safety techniques. In light of this, the Ministry of Environment has requested that provincial and municipal administrations take effective measures against the import of these wastes that cause adverse effects on public health and the environment.