Japan
Japanese Chemical Substances Control Law (CSCL)
The Law Concerning the Examination and Regulation of Manufacture etc. of Chemical Substances (the Chemical Substances Control Law) was adopted in the 1970s in order to control and manage appropriately the environmental risk posed by any chemicals produced in Japan or imported.
Since the amendment of the CSCL in May 2003, HBCD is included for ongoing monitoring in the future as a Type I Monitoring Chemical Substances. Specifically, the measures below are required:
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Mandatory reporting of actual quantities of manufacturing/import and uses.
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If a certain potential for risk is presented according to preliminary toxicity evaluation by the government, guidance and advice shall be given to businesses on measures for risk reduction to minimize release into the environment.
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After risk reduction measures have been taken, the manufacturers and importers are, if necessary, directed to investigate long-term toxicity. If long-term toxicity is identified, the substance shall be designated as a Class I Specified Chemical Substance.
The industry is committed to cooperating and working with regulators in addressing possible concerns about this substance. Ongoing studies performed by the industry are looking into the possible chronic toxicity of this substance.
PRTR Law
The "Law Concerning Reporting, etc. of Releases to the Environment of Specific Chemical Substances and Promoting Improvements in their management (“Law for PRTR and Promotion of Chemical Management”) was enacted in July 1999. The purpose of this Law is to promote businesses’ voluntary improvements in the management of specific chemical substances and to prevent any impediment of environmental protection. This law requires businesses to report chemicals substances of concern under PRTR System and to provide information on them under the MSDS System.
DECA-BDE is the only BFR classified in the PRTR law. This means that yearly reports have to be produced by certain size of business on volumes imported, volumes received (produced) and transferred or used and quantities released in the environment on Deca-BDE.
TBP (2,4,6 - tribromophenol) is also listed in the PRTR law. TBP is usually not used as a flame retardant by itself, but rather as an intermediate for production of certain flame retardants.
Furthermore, to avoid certain confusions, it is important to specify that the updated Incineration section of the Waste management (1997) and the Dioxins Law (1997) do not restrict the use of BFRs, but only refer to B-Dioxins.
For complete information on the latest developments and activities being organised in Japan, please visit the BSEF Japan website.
The Law Concerning the Examination and Regulation of Manufacture of Chemical Substances (the Chemical Substances Control Law - CSCL) adopted in the 1970s aims to control and manage the environmental risks posed by any chemicals produced in Japan or imported. Evaluation by the government, guidance and advice shall be given to businesses on measures for risk reduction to minimise release into the environment.
