On August 10, 2023, Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry released a notice adding three chemicals into Class I Specified Chemical Substances under the Chemical Substance Control Law (CSCL). These three chemicals, namely methoxychlor, dechlorane plus, and UV-328, were also added to Annex I on the COP 11 of the Stockholm Convention.
At the COP 11 of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants in May 2023, consensus was reached among countries to include the following three substances in Annex A of the Stockholm Convention to keep environmental protection and public health.
Below are the details of these three chemicals:
These three chemicals are prohibited for use except for a few specific purposes. A comprehensive discussion regarding the persistence, high bio-accumulation and long-term toxicity of methoxychlor, dechlorane plus, and UV-328 took place during the 229th session of the chemical substances council held in July 2023 under the Chemical Substance Control Law (CSCL). It is estimated that relevant measures will be officially implemented after the autumn of 2024 to protect the environment and safeguard public health.
