On July 3, 2026, Japan's National Institute of Technology and Evaluation (NITE) released the FY2025 (Reiwa 7) GHS classification results of the three ministries — the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW), the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), and the Ministry of the Environment (MOE). A total of 142 chemical substances were classified this year, of which 59 were newly classified and 83 were reclassified and reviewed. The classification results are provided for enterprises' reference when preparing Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and labels.
In terms of substance composition, among the 59 newly classified substances, fluorinated and perfluorinated compounds (PFAS) constitute the largest category, covering various fluororesins and fluoromonomers such as polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), as well as heavy-metal compounds such as antimony oxide and dibasic lead phthalate, and isothiazolinone preservatives such as CMIT. Among the 83 reclassified and reviewed substances, lithium compounds (e.g., lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide, mostly related to battery materials) and lead and its compounds are particularly numerous, along with chromium compounds such as zinc chromate and barium chromate. Overall, this reflects the Japanese authorities' further refinement of GHS classification for substances such as PFAS, heavy metals, and lithium salts.
It should be noted that the governmental GHS classification results are published as a reference for enterprises when preparing labels and SDS, and do not require enterprises to record identical content in domestic labels or SDS in Japan; enterprises may make different classifications based on other literature or test results, but the corresponding liability is borne by the preparer.
The obligation to provide SDS and labels for chemicals in Japan mainly derives from the Industrial Safety and Health Act, the Chemical Substances Control Law, and the Poisonous and Deleterious Substances Control Law (PDSCL), and the relevant classification and SDS and label preparation refer to Japanese industrial standards such as JIS Z 7252 (GHS classification) and JIS Z 7253 (SDS and labels). The three-ministry GHS classification results published by NITE serve as an important reference for enterprises to fulfill the above compliance obligations.
ChemRadar Insights
Although these classification results are not legally binding, as an authoritative classification recognized by Japan's three ministries and technically implemented by NITE, they are of significant reference value for chemical enterprises exporting to Japan in preparing SDS and labels. In particular, the newly added PFAS and fluorinated compounds and the re-reviewed lithium and lead compounds correspond to substance categories subject to tightening regulation worldwide. Relevant enterprises are advised to focus on the following aspects:
1. Verify the substances involved: Compare against this year's list of 142 substances (specific classification results can be queried through the per-substance links on the NITE website) to check whether the enterprise's products and raw materials involve any of these substances, with particular focus on PFAS and fluoropolymers, heavy metals and lead compounds, lithium compounds (battery materials), and isothiazolinones.
2. Compare and update SDS and labels: For the substances involved, compare the classifications in existing SDS and labels with the NITE classification results; where differences exist, in light of the test data and literature at hand, assess whether the classification needs to be updated, as well as the corresponding hazard pictograms, signal words, hazard statements, and precautionary statements.
3. Grasp the "reference rather than mandatory" nature: Enterprises may make classifications different from NITE based on their own data, but must bear the compliance liability themselves; for substances lacking sufficient test data, directly adopting the NITE classification results can reduce the risk of improper classification and is a more prudent choice.
4. Pay attention to the interface with JIS standards: This classification is technically based on current JIS standards such as JIS Z 7252 and JIS Z 7253. When preparing SDS and labels for Japan, enterprises should simultaneously comply with the corresponding JIS requirements to ensure compliance with the format and content.
5. Track subsequent developments: Japan's three-ministry GHS classification is published once a year, and the Industrial Safety and Health Act, the Chemical Substances Control Law, and other laws are revised from time to time to update the lists of substances subject to SDS and label requirements; it is advisable to establish a normalized tracking mechanism to keep abreast of classification updates and regulatory changes promptly.
