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Japan Consults Over Ban on Three POP Chemicals

SafeGuardSHardgoods, Electrical & Electronics, Softlines, Toys and Juvenile Products, Automotive, Personal and Protective EquipmentJanuary 16, 2024

SG 03/24

Japan Consults Over Ban on Three POP Chemicals.

In May 2023, methoxychlor, dechlorane plus and UV-328 were listed under Annex A (elimination) to the Stockholm Convention at the eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention (SC COP-11).

In December 2023, Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and other competent authorities announced a draft cabinet order to partially revise the Ordinance for Enforcement of the Act on the Examination and Regulation of Manufacturing of Chemical Substances (draft order).

The draft order contains several important provisions. It:

  • Designates methoxychlor, dechlorane plus and UV-328 as Class 1 Specified Chemical Substances under the nation’s ‘Act on the Evaluation of Chemicals Substances and Regulation of their Manufacturing etc. (Act No. 117 of 1973) – also known as the Chemical Substances Control Act (CSCL)
  • Prohibits the manufacture and import of the aforementioned three persistent organic pollutants (POP) from the fall of 2024
  • Prohibits the use of these three POP chemicals without establishing essential usage
  • Prohibits the importation of specific products that contain dechlorane plus and UV-328 (see Table 1 below)
SubstanceProducts Prohibited from Import
Dechlorane plus
  • Adhesives and tapes
  • Electrical and electronic product components, housings, wires and cables
  • Flame retardant additive for resins
  • Lubricants
  • Silicone rubber
UV-328
  • Adhesives, tapes and sealants
  • Lubricants
  • Paints and varnishes
  • UV absorber in plastics

Table 1

Comments were accepted until January 10, 2024.

With an extensive global network of highly experienced technicians and local state-of-the-art laboratories, SGS’s Restricted Substance Testing Service (RSTS) has developed a one-stop solution for manufacturers and suppliers. Discover more on our website, visit our RSTS cloud and contact us if you would like to learn more about how SGS can support. In the end, it’s only trusted because it’s tested.

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