On November 8, 2023, Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, together with the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Ministry of the Environment jointly published the results of public comments on the relevant decree (draft) of the Law for the Partial Amendment of the Chemical Substances Control and Management Act. Public comments, which starts from September 15, were submitted by stakeholders. These three ministries gave their feedbacks of these comments.
Main contents:
- Specified Import Restrictions: The Law for the Partial Amendment of the Chemical Substances Control and Management Act, specifically under Table 11, Article 7 of the decree, now explicitly bans the import of surface treatment agents and modulation additives. This measure is aimed at ensuring precise implementation of the regulations.
- Product Standards: In an effort to curb environmental pollution and promote sustainable manufacturing and usage, products that contain PFHxS, its isomers, or its salts-particularly in items like firefighting equipment-are now required to meet specific technical standards and carry clear labeling.
- Strengthen Regulatory Standards: In a move to enhance chemical substance regulation, authorities are looking to international examples as benchmarks, aiming to adopt the strictest standards possible. This effort is coupled with a commitment from relevant departments to actively gather information, facilitating the formulation of more efficient and suitable regulations.
- Implementation Date: The Ministries of Health, Labour and Welfare, Economy, Trade and Industry, and the Environment have affirmed their commitment to enforcing the new regulations after Spring 2024, as originally planned. This decision comes despite discussions about an earlier implementation, aimed at mitigating potential disruptions in supply chains and other sectors.
- Future Plan: The authorities have taken the results of public comments seriously, promising to thoroughly consider suggestions from various stakeholders. This approach is part of their proactive effort to revise and enhance the legislation, ensuring its validity, rationality, and practicability. Additionally, they underscore their commitment to ongoing international collaboration, striving for effective global regulation of chemical substances.
