On January 5, 2026,Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) officially issued a notice revising part of the Guidelines on Labeling of Containers and Packaging for Poisonous or Deleterious Substances under the Poisonous and Deleterious Substances Control Law. The revisions aim to align with international standards and further refine and strengthen safety management requirements for toxic and hazardous chemicals in areas such as labeling, storage, and disposal.
Revision Background: Aligning with Updated International GHS Standards
The direct reason for this revision is the update and announcement on December 25, 2025, of two key chemical management standards under the Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS): JIS Z 7252:2025 Classification of Chemicals Based on the GHS and JIS Z 7253:2025 Hazard Communication of Chemicals Based on the GHS—Labels, Workplace Labels, and Safety Data Sheets (SDS). To ensure consistency between domestic regulations and standards, the MHLW has adjusted the original notice issued in 2012 (Drugs, Foods, and Chemicals Notification No. 0326-1) accordingly.
Key Revisions: Focusing on SDS Information Communication
The key revisions center on refining the requirements for preparing Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for poisonous or deleterious substances. The main changes include:
- Strengthened Storage Safety Requirements
In the handling, disposal, and storage precautions, the description of storage conditions has been revised from the previous requirement to record container packaging materials to a mandatory requirement to clearly specify safe container packaging materials. This emphasizes the mandatory safety performance requirements for packaging materials.
- Clarified Physical and Chemical Properties
In the physical and chemical properties section, the previously broad requirement for appearance (physical state, shape, color, etc.) has been revised to mandatory recording of physical state, color, odor. Additionally, the parameter auto-ignition point has replaced the original auto-ignition speed.
- Expanded Hazard Condition Warnings
In the stability and reactivity section, the conditions to avoid have been clarified. In addition to the original electrostatic discharge, impact, vibration, two critical factors—heat and pressure—have been added, making the warnings about hazard-inducing conditions more comprehensive.
- Broadened Disposal and Recycling Scope
The disposal precautions have been updated from the previous record recommended methods for safe and environmentally sound disposal to record information on safe and environmentally sound disposal or recycling. This explicitly adds recycling as one of the disposal options, encouraging safe and environmentally friendly recycling practices.
- Simplified Transportation Information Description
In the transportation information section, the mandatory requirement to provide specific codes and classification information stipulated by international regulations has been replaced with a general requirement to provide international regulatory information. This offers companies more flexible reporting methods while ensuring compliance.
Industry Impact
These updates not only enhance the safety level of chemical management in Japan but also promote consistency in the communication of chemical hazard information in international trade, contributing to stronger public safety and environmental protection. Relevant chemical companies must immediately review and update the labels and SDS documents for their poisonous and deleterious products and adjust internal compliance processes to ensure full compliance with the new regulations.
