Feb-22-2024
In a significant step to protect the environment and public health, Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW), Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), and Ministry of Environment (MOE) have jointly initiated a consultation on the designation of certain perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) isomers, their salts, and PFOA-related compounds as Class I Specified Chemical Substances under the Chemical Substance Control Law (CSCL).
The proposed ban, if enacted, would affect the manufacture, import, and use of these substances throughout Japan. The consultation period commenced on 1 February 2024 and is set to conclude on 1 March 2024.
Details of the proposed ban and classification framework
Under the CSCL framework, chemicals are classified on the basis of their persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity upon continued exposure to the environment. The substances targeted in this proposal have been identified as exhibiting characteristics of being persistent, highly bioaccumulative, or toxic to humans over the long term.
Prohibited and exempted substances
Specifically, the proposal seeks to designate the following substances as Class I Specified Chemical Substances:
Highlights of the ban on specific products containing PFOA and PFOA-related compounds are summarized in table below:
Substance |
Products prohibited from import |
PFOA isomers and their salts |
|
PFOA-related substances:
(and other PFOA-related substances specified by the authorities) |
|
Notably, the proposal includes exemptions for two essential uses of PFOA:
International alignment
Japan’s approach to regulation PFOA will be in line with international limits on PFOA under the UN's Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs).
Feb-20-2024
On 9 January 2024, the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare (MHLW) issued a key notice to guide companies in complying with new requirements for safety data sheets (SDSs) and Globally Harmonized System (GHS) based labels for hazardous substances under the Industrial Safety and Health Act (ISHA). These requirements are set to become mandatory from 1 April 2024.
Key requirements outlined by the MHLW include:
A. Safety Data Sheets (SDS) must include:
B. Packaging labels must include:
Companies are urged to bring their practices into line with these regulations without delay to ensure compliance by the specified deadline. Failure to do so may result in penalties or legal consequences. The MHLW emphasizes the importance of these measures in improving workplace safety and minimizing the risks associated with hazardous substances.
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