Japan requires relevant enterprises to submit reports by September 30, 2024, on the estimated production, extraction, refining, and use of designated substances in 2025.

Japan Adds 164 General Chemical Substances; South Korea Releases Hazard Assessments for 91 Chemicals and Revises 27 Announced Results.

Recently, Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) announced revisions to the import clearance procedures related to the Chemical Substances Control Law. The new regulations aim to streamline processes and enhance the management efficiency of imported chemical substances, and took effect from July 1, 2024. These revisions will replace the previous version issued on December 4, 2023, which became obsolete on June 30, 2024.

Recently, Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (Meti), in conjunction with the Ministry of the Environment (MoE), announced a significant policy under the Act on Preventing Mercury Pollution of the Environment. The policy will phase out the production of ten specified products containing mercury, with set dates for the implementation of the bans. This measure will be gradually implemented starting in 2026, and it involves various types of batteries and lighting equipment, as well as certain industrial sensors.

Recently, Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW), Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), and Ministry of the Environment (MOE) jointly released the latest version of Japan's recommended Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) classification list on the National Institute of Technology and Evaluation (NITE) website.

Japan launched GHS Classification Information Collection Project of 2024 Public-Private Cooperation, which requires companies to provide test reports for chemical substances.

Recently, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) of Japan released reporting guidelines regarding the manufacturing/import quantity for general chemicals, priority assessment chemicals, and monitoring chemicals. It aims to enhance the management of chemicals that pose potential environmental risks. The guidelines require companies that manufacture or import general chemicals, priority assessment chemicals of 1 ton or more, or monitoring chemicals of 1 kilogram or more during the fiscal year 2023 (April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024), to submit a detailed report to the METI.

MOE proposes designating NPE as Class II Specified Chemical Substances to strengthen control over its production, import, and use.

Since 1 February 2024, METI has implemented the latest import clearance procedures for chemical substances under the Japanese CSCL.

On February 21, 2024, the National Institute of Technology and Evaluation (NITE) in Japan updated the classification list under the hazard general knowledge of chemicals based on the GHS - Labelling and Safety Data Sheet (SDS). Seven substances are involved in the update. Currently, there are 3,327 substances on the list.