Japan has made an important announcement under the Chemical Substances Control Law (CSCL). The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW), the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), and the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) jointly announced 164 new chemical substances along with environmental and health impact assessments. These assessments focus on the biodegradability and bioaccumulation of chemicals to enhance protection for public health and the environment.

The new chemicals are categorized based on their notification dates: those notified before and after April 1, 2011. The substances reported after 2011 are jointly regulated and classified into subcategories such as priority assessment chemicals and monitoring chemicals. Companies producing or importing these chemicals in quantities of 1 ton or more annually are required to submit yearly reports.

Three substances have been highlighted as potentially having significant adverse effects on human health and the ecological environment:

• (eta(5)-cyclopentadienido)tris(n-methylmethanaminido-kappaN)zirconium
• 2-(4-aminophenyl)-1,3-benzoxazol-5-amine
• Hydrogen peroxide and reaction products of 1,4-bis{[(prop-2-en-1-yl)oxy]methyl}cyclohexane containing 80% or more of 2,2′-[cyclohexane-1,4-diylbis(methyleneoxymethylene)]bis(oxirane).

These regulations aim to further strengthen Japan’s chemical management system, enhancing public health and environmental safety.

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