In July 2026, Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) updated the arrangements for two new chemical substance confirmation routes under the Chemical Substances Control Law (CSCL) — the “Small Amount Confirmation” and the “Low Tonnage Confirmation” — covering the acceptance schedule, procedural guidelines, and electronic application submission methods. Most notably, pursuant to the relevant ordinance amended on July 1, 2026, electronic applications for both routes must, from the fourth application batch of this fiscal year onwards, use G Biz ID (the Japanese government's one-stop electronic authentication account for businesses, officially referred to as GビズID), and the previous “applicant code” is discontinued. As the fourth batch for Low Tonnage Confirmation began on July 15 and the fourth batch for Small Amount Confirmation begins on August 3, relevant Japanese manufacturers and importers should obtain a G Biz ID as soon as possible.
Overview of the Two Confirmation Routes
The CSCL applies a pre-market notification system for new chemical substances, under which two “confirmation” routes for low-tonnage substances may be used in place of the standard notification. These are:
- Small Amount Confirmation: Pursuant to Article 3, Paragraph 1, Item 5 of the CSCL, this applies to new chemical substances manufactured or imported in quantities of no more than 1 tonne per year, with no test data required; where no proof-of-use document is attached, the quantity covered by a single confirmation is capped at 100 kg (except for the final batch), up until the cumulative domestic environmental release of the substance reaches 1 tonne.
- Low Tonnage Confirmation: Pursuant to Article 5, Paragraph 4 of the CSCL, this applies to new chemical substances manufactured or imported in quantities of no more than 10 tonnes per year; such substances are also subject to the hazardous information reporting obligation under Article 41 of the CSCL.
Three Areas Covered by This Update
The materials updated by METI all correspond to the FY2026 versions and cover the following three areas:
- Acceptance schedule: METI released the acceptance schedule for each batch of Small Amount Confirmation and Low Tonnage Confirmation applications in FY2026, allowing companies to plan around the acceptance windows.
- Procedural guidelines: The procedural instructions (FY2026 edition) for both confirmation routes were updated to guide companies in preparing their applications.
- Electronic application submission method: The operating manuals (FY2026 edition) for submitting both types of applications via the e-Gov electronic application system were updated.
Key Change: E-Filing Switches to G Biz ID
METI clarified in the update that, pursuant to the Ordinance Related to Notification, etc. Concerning the Manufacture or Import of New Chemical Substances (amended on July 1, 2026), electronic applications for both confirmation routes must use G Biz ID from the fourth application batch of this fiscal year onwards, and the previous “applicant code” is no longer available. G Biz ID is the Japanese government's one-stop electronic authentication account for businesses; this system recognizes only Prime and Member accounts, while Entry accounts are not accepted. A Member account must be opened under a Prime account, and opening a Prime account requires review by the Digital Agency and cannot be completed instantly; METI therefore urges companies to apply as early as possible.
Looking at the acceptance windows, the fourth batches for both routes fall in the near term: the fourth batch for Low Tonnage Confirmation runs from July 15 to 24, and the fourth batch for Small Amount Confirmation runs from August 3 to 17. This means the G Biz ID transition has entered the practical implementation stage, which is also why the Japan Paint Manufacturers Association (JPMA) specifically reminded its member companies in late July to obtain their accounts promptly.
ChemRadar Insights
For companies handling Japan-related new chemical substance business, CIRS recommends focusing on the following:
- Obtain a G Biz ID immediately: The previous “applicant code” is discontinued from the fourth batch onwards, and a Prime account requires Digital Agency review and cannot be opened instantly; companies that have not yet applied must do so as early as possible.
- Check the fourth-batch acceptance windows: The fourth batch for Low Tonnage Confirmation runs from July 15 to 24, and the fourth batch for Small Amount Confirmation runs from August 3 to 17; plan your application schedule accordingly.
- Upgrade the CSCL application system to ver7.03: Applications created with older versions (ver7.02 and earlier) will not be accepted; complete the system update in advance.
- Note the mailing address for paper applications: Paper applications for Small Amount Confirmation should be sent to the Ministry of the Environment (MOE), those for Low Tonnage Confirmation to METI, and all CD-ROM submissions to METI; the relevant METI department has, since July 2024, been the “Industrial Safety and Security Group, Chemical Management Division.”
- Additional obligations for Low Tonnage Confirmation substances: Such substances must additionally fulfill the hazardous information reporting obligation under Article 41 of the CSCL; ensure full compliance and avoid omissions.
CIRS Services
CIRS can provide companies with the following related services:
- Japan new chemical substance search service
- Japan new chemical substance notification service
- Overall registration scheme development (data assessment/gap analysis/exemption analysis)
- Laboratory testing oversight service
- Communication and consultation with competent authorities and experts
- Regulatory training service
- Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and label preparation
