Japan simplifies new chemical substance declaration regulations
In November, Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) approved a revision to the application process for new chemical substances. The revision will take effect on January 1, 2013, and was published in Decree 143 of the Industrial Safety and Health Act (ISHA) in October of this year.
According to the revision, if a new chemical substance has already been declared in accordance with the Japanese Chemical Substances Control Law (CSCL), manufacturers or importers only need to provide less information when declaring a new chemical substance, based on the existing declaration documents. The information required after the simplified declaration is as follows:
– Declaration of new chemical substances produced or imported;
– Proof that the new chemical substance produced or imported is an intermediate;
– Proof that the new chemical substances produced or imported are in a closed system;
– Proof that the new chemical substance produced or imported is intended solely for export;
– Proof of small-scale production or import of new chemical substances.
With the simplified submission of application materials, the manufacturer's address, the physicochemical properties of the new chemical substance, and other information will no longer be required. Correspondingly, the application period and confirmation timeframe for a small number of new chemical substances have also been adjusted.
It is important to emphasize that the simplified reporting procedure also applies to polymers, including organic polymers formed from two or more polymers. Polymers that meet certain requirements should be treated as existing chemical substances and do not require a new chemical substance declaration. Furthermore, the requirement to report polymers produced or imported under Circular 504 has been abolished.
Sources: Chemical Watch (2012-11-13) (Compiled by PIDC)
