Chemical Substances Control Law (CSCL)

Japan Designates New Priority Evaluation Chemicals Under Chemical Substances Control Law

Japan has designated nine substances, including antimony trioxide and pyridine, as priority evaluation chemicals under the Chemical Substances Control Law (CSCL) effective April 2026. Manufacturers and importers must prepare for government-led risk assessments that may lead to future use restrictions or reclassification into more stringent regulatory categories.

5 Apr 2026, 18:23kanpo.go.jpJapan

Japan NITE Updates CHRIP Database With Multi-Jurisdiction Chemical List Changes

Japan’s NITE updated the CHRIP database on April 1, 2026, consolidating significant substance-level changes across the CSCL, ISHA, Food Sanitation Act, EU CLP, and K-REACH. Businesses should immediately audit the updated substance lists to ensure compliance with revised labeling, SDS, and notification obligations across Japanese and international markets.

5 Apr 2026, 06:01chem-info.nite.go.jpJapanEuropean UnionSouth KoreaUnited States

Japan Revokes Priority Evaluation Chemical Designations for Six Substances Under CSCL

Japan revoked the "priority evaluation chemical substance" status for six substances under the Chemical Substances Control Law (CSCL) effective March 31, 2026. This removal reduces the immediate regulatory scrutiny and reporting burden for these substances, signaling a shift in risk assessment priorities for manufacturers and importers.

3 Apr 2026, 18:05kanpo.go.jpJapan

Japan Amends CSCL List of Chemical Substances Not Requiring Evaluation

Japan expanded its list of substances exempt from evaluation under the Chemical Substances Control Law (CSCL) on March 31, 2026. This update streamlines compliance for manufacturers of specific organic chain low-molecular compounds by removing unnecessary evaluation requirements for low-risk substances.

3 Apr 2026, 18:04kanpo.go.jpJapan

Japan Publishes Chemical Substance Management Action Plan for Nature-Positive Ver.1.0

Japan has launched its first 'Nature-Positive' Chemical Substance Management Action Plan, integrating biodiversity protection into national chemical risk assessment and regulatory frameworks. This signals a strategic shift toward life-cycle ecosystem impact assessments and likely future revisions to the Chemical Substances Control Law (CSCL).

3 Apr 2026, 09:56env.go.jpJapan

Japan Opens Public Comment on CSCL Class I Listing of LC-PFCAs, PFCA-Related Substances, Chlorpyrifos and MCCPs

Japan is consulting on the designation of LC-PFCAs, chlorpyrifos, and MCCPs as Class I Specified Chemical Substances, targeting a full ban by November 2026. Businesses must identify these substances in global supply chains to mitigate the risk of imminent import prohibitions on both chemical mixtures and finished articles.

2 Apr 2026, 16:56public-comment.e-gov.go.jpJapan

Japan Consultation On CSCL Technical Standards For PFOS/PFOA/PFHxS Fire Extinguishers

Japan is consulting on mandatory technical standards for fire extinguishers containing PFOS, PFOA, and PFHxS, with implementation expected in June 2026. Manufacturers and users must adapt handling and storage protocols to meet these updated safety requirements for PFAS-containing firefighting equipment.

1 Apr 2026, 19:13public-comment.e-gov.go.jpJapan

Japan Adopts Resource Use and Decarbonisation Promotion Design Guidelines for Designated Products

Japan has finalized new design guidelines for resource efficiency and decarbonization, effective April 1, 2026, for manufacturers of designated products. Businesses must now embed circularity—specifically durability, repairability, and disassembly—into core product design while ensuring compliance with safety and hazardous substance regulations.

27 Mar 2026, 19:57kanpo.go.jpJapan

Japan Authorities Consult On Amendments To Hazard Information Reporting Ordinance And Guidance Under CSCL

Japan is modernizing CSCL hazard reporting by transitioning to electronic submissions and refining data requirements for monitoring and Class II substances, effective May 2026. Companies must update internal reporting workflows for digital compliance and assess expanded data obligations for Class II substances to ensure alignment with the revised ordinance.

19 Mar 2026, 19:34public-comment.e-gov.go.jpJapan

Japan Amends Technical Standards for Handling Dechlorane Plus

Japan has amended technical handling and labeling requirements for Dechlorane Plus under the Chemical Substances Control Law as of March 2026. Affected firms must verify site-level containment, emission tracking, and documentation protocols to ensure continued compliance for this persistent organic pollutant.

18 Mar 2026, 12:43laws.e-gov.go.jpJapan

Japan Consults on CSCL New Chemical Names Ordinance and Publishes Test Method Consultation Results

Japan has launched a consultation to amend the CSCL ordinance on naming new chemical substances and finalized revisions to standardized test methods. These procedural updates will impact the administrative requirements for chemical notifications, requiring companies to align their data submission and naming protocols with the refined Japanese standards.

12 Mar 2026, 11:48public-comment.e-gov.go.jpJapan

Japan MOE Calls for PFOS Concentration Reduction Demonstration Projects Under FY Reiwa 7 Supplementary Budget

Japan’s Ministry of the Environment has launched a call for demonstration projects to validate technologies for reducing PFOS concentrations in the environment. This initiative signals a shift toward active remediation and the establishment of domestic technical standards for managing PFAS contamination in water and soil.

5 Mar 2026, 06:32env.go.jpJapan

Japan (METI) Launches Consultation On CSCL Guidance And Test Method Revisions

Japan has proposed revisions to the CSCL guidance and test methods for assessing new and monitoring chemical substances, alongside a draft ordinance for specific chemical designations. Companies should prepare for updated evaluation criteria and stricter substance classifications that will influence market access and compliance requirements for chemicals in Japan.

4 Mar 2026, 09:27public-comment.e-gov.go.jpJapan

Japan NITE Updates CHRIP Chemical Risk Database With February 2026 Regulatory List Changes

Japan’s NITE updated the CHRIP database in February 2026, incorporating hundreds of new substance classifications and regulatory list changes across Japanese and international frameworks. This update serves as a critical compliance screening tool for identifying evolving obligations under CSCL, ISHA, REACH, and global transport regulations.

24 Feb 2026, 19:23chem-info.nite.go.jpJapanEuropean UnionUnited StatesTaiwanGlobal

Japan To Designate Chlorpyrifos, MCCPs And Long-Chain PFCAs As Class I Substances Under CSCL

Japan will designate chlorpyrifos, MCCPs, and long-chain PFCAs as Class I Specified Chemical Substances, with a de facto ban on manufacture and import expected by late 2026. Companies must urgently assess supply chains and initiate substitution for these substances, which are widely used in textiles, lubricants, flame retardants, and consumer products.

13 Feb 2026, 07:53meti.go.jpJapan

Japan Consults On Draft CSCL Ordinance Defining PFHxS-Related Substances Under Enforcement Order Article 1(1)(37)

Japan is consulting on a draft ordinance to designate PFHxS-related substances as Class I Specified Chemical Substances, with enforcement expected in June 2026. This move aligns domestic law with the Stockholm Convention and will effectively ban the manufacture and import of these substances, necessitating urgent supply chain verification.

24 Jan 2026, 15:14public-comment.e-gov.go.jpJapan

Japan Seeks Comments on Draft Amendment to CSCL Testing Methods for New Chemical Substances

Japan is consulting on technical updates to CSCL testing methods for new chemicals, aligning degradability and bioaccumulation protocols with OECD standards by April 2026. Manufacturers and importers must ensure laboratory testing for new substance notifications reflects updated reference substances and JIS standards to avoid submission delays.

7 Jan 2026, 17:12public-comment.e-gov.go.jpJapan

Japan Ministries Consult On New CSCL Notification-Exempt General Chemical Substances

Japan is consulting on expanding the list of chemical substances exempt from annual quantity notification under the Chemical Substances Control Law (CSCL), with implementation expected in late March 2026. This update signals a reduction in administrative reporting burdens for manufacturers and importers of specific polymers and low-risk substances, streamlining compliance for established chemical portfolios.

7 Jan 2026, 17:08public-comment.e-gov.go.jpJapan

Japan Publishes Consultation Results On CSCL Measures For Chlorpyrifos, MCCP And Long-Chain PFCAs

Japan has concluded public consultations on tightening Chemical Substances Control Law (CSCL) restrictions for chlorpyrifos, MCCPs, and long-chain PFCAs. Companies should prepare for imminent manufacturing and import bans as these substances move toward formal designation as Class I Specified Chemical Substances.

23 Dec 2025, 18:07public-comment.e-gov.go.jpJapan

Japan Proposes CSCL Class I Designation For Chlorpyrifos, MCCPs And Long-Chain PFCAs

Japan is moving to designate chlorpyrifos, MCCPs, and long-chain PFCAs as Class I Specified Chemical Substances, with enforcement targeted for November 2026. The resulting ban on manufacture, use, and the import of specific articles will necessitate urgent supply chain audits and substitution for affected resins, textiles, and lubricants.

23 Dec 2025, 13:33members.wto.orgJapan