According to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW), Sodium Aluminide Oxide (CAS No: 1302-42-7) was designated as a deleterious substance under the Poisonous and Deleterious Substances Control Law (PDSCL) as of July 1, 2018. Recently, it has been discovered that some imported products containing Sodium Aluminate (CAS No: 11138-49-1), including concrete chemical mixtures and permeable concrete mixtures, also contain Sodium Aluminide Oxide. Businesses handling products with Sodium Aluminate should verify with suppliers or manufacturers whether Sodium Aluminide Oxide is present in their products.
On July 19, 2023, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) issued a notice stating that producers, importers (solely for the purposes of sale and supply), or sellers of products containing Sodium Aluminide Oxide are required to register as operators of poisonous and deleterious substances by October 31, 2023, in accordance with the Poisonous and Deleterious Substances Control Law (PDSCL). These entities must also take necessary measures and promptly provide essential information about the hazardous nature and handling procedures of these substances to retailers and users. For those handling products containing Sodium Aluminide Oxide for purposes other than manufacturing, importing, and selling, the PDSCL mandates that these products must be stored with a label stating 'Deleterious Substance for External Medical Use' and secured against theft or loss.
These measures are implemented to regulate the use of products containing Sodium Aluminide Oxide, aiming to protect public health and environmental safety. The Japanese government will continue to strengthen the supervision of deleterious substances to ensure the proper and safe use of chemicals.
As a precaution, exporters to Japan are advised to use ChemRadar (https://hgt.cirs-group.com/) to check their products in advance for components listed under Japan's Poisonous and Deleterious Substances Control Law (PDSCL).
