On December 25, 2025, the Japanese Standards Association (JSA) formally released the revised Japanese Industrial Standards JIS Z 7252:2025 and JIS Z 7253:2025, soliciting public comments. This significant revision aims to align Japan's chemical classification and hazard communication standards with the ninth revised edition (2021) of the United Nations' Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS).
Detailed Explanation of JIS Z 7252:2025 GHS-based Classification of Chemicals
This standard specifies the methods for classifying chemicals regarding their physicochemical hazards, health hazards, and environmental hazards according to the GHS.
Core content covers the following aspects:
- Information required for classification and procedures for determining its content
- Classification concepts, criteria, and procedures
- Available data, test methods, and the quality of test data
- Matters requiring special attention for mixture classification
- Bridging principles for health hazards and environmental hazards
This standard was established on October 20, 2009, and was revised on March 25, 2014, and May 25, 2019. This revision is the third update.
This revision was drafted by the Japan Chemical Industry Association (JCIA) and the Japanese Standards Association (JSA) in accordance with the Industrial Standardization Act, reviewed by the Japanese Industrial Standards Committee, and finally approved and published by the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare and the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry. Consequently, JIS Z 7252:2019 has been formally revised and superseded by this standard.
Detailed Explanation of JIS Z 7253:2025 GHS-based Communication of Hazardous Chemical Information - Labelling, Workplace Labelling, and Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
Information on the hazards of chemicals is the most fundamental and critical element for establishing disaster prevention measures and emergency response procedures for chemical incidents. This standard specifies how to communicate GHS-based chemical hazard information through three channels: labels, workplace labelling, and Safety Data Sheets (SDS).
Core content covers the following aspects:
- Information to be communicated and methods for communication via labels, workplace labelling, and SDS
- Information required on labels and procedures for determining its content
- Overall structure and content of SDS
This standard was established on March 25, 2012, confirmed on October 25, 2016, and previously revised on May 25, 2019.
This revision was similarly drafted by the Japan Chemical Industry Association (JCIA) and the Japanese Standards Association (JSA), reviewed by the Japanese Industrial Standards Committee, and approved and published by the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare and the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry. Consequently, JIS Z 7253:2019 has been formally revised and superseded by this standard.
Implementation Date and Transition Period
Both new standards will be mandatorily enforced starting December 25, 2030. To ensure sufficient preparation time for the industrial chain, authorities have established a transition period of approximately five years. Therefore, until December 24, 2030, the current standards JIS Z 7252:2019 and JIS Z 7253:2019 remain valid for GHS classification of chemicals, label creation, and Safety Data Sheet (SDS) preparation.
The simultaneous update of JIS Z 7252 and Z 7253 marks another step for Japan in aligning its chemical safety management system with the highest international standards. The transition period provides valuable buffer time for companies to comprehensively review and update their product classifications, labels, and Safety Data Sheets. The JSA calls on related industries to initiate preparation work as soon as possible to ensure full compliance with the new standard requirements by the mandatory enforcement date in 2030.
