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Japan Intends to Ban PFOA and PFOA-related Compounds

SafeGuardSHardgoods, Electrical & Electronics, Softlines, Toys and Juvenile Products, Automotive, Personal and Protective Equipment, Cosmetics and Hygiene08 Feb 2024

SG 28/24

Japan has launched a one-month consultation on its proposal to designate PFOA isomers, their salts and PFOA-related compounds as Class I Specified Chemical Substances. Comments are accepted until March 1, 2024.

On February 1, 2024, Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (WHLW) and other competent authorities announced a proposal to regulate perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) isomers, their salts and PFOA-related compounds.

The proposal contains several important provisions. It:

  • Designates PFOA isomers, their salts and PFOA-related compounds, including perfluorooctyl iodide (CAS 507-63-1) and 8:2 fluorotelomer alcohol (CAS 678-39-7), as Class 1 Specified Chemical Substances under the nation’s ‘Act on the Evaluation of Chemical Substances and Regulation of their Manufacture, etc.’ (also known as the Chemical Substances Control Law, CSCL)
  • Prohibits the manufacture and import of PFOA isomers, their salts and PFOA-related compounds from the winter of 2024
  • Prohibits the import of designated products containing PFOA isomers, their salts and PFOA-related compounds.
  • Prohibits the use of PFOA isomers, their salts and PFOA-related compounds for applications other than approved (essential) uses
  • Establishes technical standards for the handling of specified products that use these Class I Specified Chemical Substances (point 4 to proposal)

Highlights of the ban on specific products that contain PFOA and PFOA-related compounds are summarized in Table 1.

SubstanceProducts prohibited from import
PFOA isomers and their salts
  • Antireflective agents used in semiconductor manufacturing
  • Coating agents
  • Fillers for adhesives and sealants
  • Fire extinguishers, fire extinguishing agents for fire extinguishers and fire extinguishing foams
  • Floor waxes
  • Paints and varnishes
  • Processed paper treated with water and oil repellent properties
  • Professional photographic films
  • Textile, clothing and carpet products with water and oil repellent properties
  • Toners
  • Washing detergents
PFOA-related substances:
  • Perfluorooctyl iodide
  • 8:2 fluorotelomer alcohol


(and other PFOA-related substances specified by the authorities)
  • Antifoaming agents
  • Coating agents
  • Fire extinguishers, fire extinguishing agents for fire extinguishers, and fire extinguishing foams
  • Floor waxes
  • Optical fibers or coating agents applied to optical fibers
  • Protective and antifouling agents for textile products
  • Textile products with water and oil repellent properties
  • Water and oil repellents

Table 1

According to the announcement, comments on the proposal will be accepted until March 1, 2024.

With facilities accredited to ISO, Australian, European and US standards, and experts covering every region of the globe, SGS is the number one choice for accurate, innovative solutions to PFAS testing. Whether you require rapid turnaround times, short-list remediation analysis or wider investigations of tissue and serum matrices, we have the capabilities to ensure your project is accurately and efficiently completed. Contact us for more information on PFAS testing or visit our website. In the end, it’s only trusted because it’s tested.

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Dr. HingWo Tsang

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