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Japanese chemical review law CSCL

Chemical Substances Control Law(CSCL)

Japan Chemical Substances Control Law (CSCL)

The Chemical Substances Control Law (CSCL) aims to protect the environment from contamination by chemical substances that may harm human health or affect the habitats and growth of flora and fauna. The CSCL was enacted in 1973, and the enforcement order came into effect in 1974. Under CSCL, new chemical substances are subject to prior evaluation, and existing chemical substances are continuously managed and classified according to their properties. In addition, the law prohibits the import of designated products containing specific Class I Specified Chemical Substances into Japan.

The latest import customs procedures for chemical substances were announced on December 4, 2023, and came into effect on February 1, 2024. According to the announcement, imported designated products must be confirmed not to contain Class I Specified Chemical Substances; otherwise, import is prohibited. The update also added restrictions on products containing PFHxS or its isomers or salts.

SGS provides testing services for prohibited chemical substances in designated products to help ensure smooth import into Japan.

Regulation Overview and Purpose

The “Chemical Substances Control Law” (hereinafter CSCL) aims to prevent environmental pollution caused by chemical substances that may harm human health or affect the habitats and growth of flora and fauna. CSCL requires prior evaluation of new chemical substances and continuously manages existing chemical substances by classifying them according to their properties.

In addition to chemical substance control, designated products containing specific “Class I Specified Chemical Substances” are prohibited from being imported into Japan.

Enactment and Implementation Dates

CSCL was enacted in 1973, and its enforcement order was implemented the following year (1974). The most recent chemical import customs procedures were announced on December 4, 2023, and took effect on February 1, 2024.

Controlled Products or Scope
Class I Specified Chemical Substances Controlled Products
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB) Lubricating oils, cutting oils, and hydraulic fluids (Note: lubricants at room temperature are referred to as liquid lubricants. The same applies to cutting oils and hydraulic oils)
Adhesives (excluding those of animal or plant origin), putty, and sealing/filling materials
Paints (excluding water-based paints), printing inks, and carbonless copy paper
Heating or cooling equipment with liquid heat transfer media
Oil-filled transformers, paper capacitors, oil-filled capacitors, and organic-coated capacitors
Air conditioners, television receivers, and microwave ovens (Note: components of these products include oil-filled transformers, paper capacitors, oil-filled capacitors, and organic-coated capacitors containing PCBs)
Polychlorinated Naphthalenes (PCN) [limited to those containing two or more chlorine atoms] Lubricating oils and cutting oils
Wood preservatives, insecticides, and fungicides
Paints (limited to those used for preservation, insect control, and fungicide purposes)
Aldrin & DDT Wood preservatives, insecticides, and fungicides
Paints (limited to those used for preservation, insect control, and fungicide purposes)
Dieldrin Wood preservatives, insecticides, and fungicides
Coatings (limited to preservation, insect control, and fungicide use)
Wool (excluding oiled wool)
Chlordane compounds Wood preservatives and insecticides
Wood adhesives
Paints (limited to preservation and insect control use)
Treated wood with preservatives and insecticides
Treated plywood with preservatives and insecticides
Bis(tributyltin) oxide (TBTO) Preservatives and fungicides
Paints (limited to preventing adhesion of shellfish, algae, and other organisms) and printing inks
Fishing nets
N,N'-dimethyl-p-phenylenediamine, N-tolyl-N'-dimethyl-p-phenylenediamine, N,N'-di-methyl-p-phenylenediamine Rubber antioxidants
Styrene-butadiene rubber
2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenol (TTBP) Antioxidants and other additives (limited to lubricants or fuel oils)
Lubricating oils
Mirex Wood insecticides
2-(2H-1,2,3-benzotriazol-2-yl)-4,6-di-tert-butylphenol Decorative panels
Adhesives (excluding animal/plant-based adhesives), putty, and sealing materials
Paints and printing inks
Helmets (Note: plastic products)
Radiator grilles and other automotive parts (non-metal) (Note: plastic products)
Lighting covers (Note: plastic products)
Lenses for protective eyewear and eyeglass frames (Note: plastic products)
Deodorant
Wax
Surfboards
Ink ribbons
Photographic paper
Buttons (Note: plastic products)
Tubes, bathtubs, and other plastic products (molded products only)
PFOS or its salts Aircraft hydraulic fluids
Oils used in spinning processes
Etchants used in metal processing
Etchants for piezoelectric filters or semiconductor manufacturing
Surface treatment agents for electroplating and other additives
Anti-reflective coatings for semiconductor manufacturing
Photoresists for semiconductors
Abrasives
Fire extinguishers, extinguishing agents, and foam
Insecticides (limited to termite or ant control)
Professional photographic film
Photographic paper
Tetra-bromodiphenyl ether Paints
Adhesives
Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) Flame-retardant fabrics and textiles
Chemicals used as flame retardants for textiles
Expanded polystyrene beads
Flame-retardant curtains
Pentachlorophenol (PCP) or its salts/esters Wood preservatives, insecticides, and fungicides
Treated wood with preservatives, insecticides, and fungicides
Treated plywood with preservatives, insecticides, and fungicides
Adhesives
Short-chain chlorinated paraffins (C10–C13, chlorine content >48%) Lubricating oils, cutting oils, hydraulic fluids
Textile flame-retardant chemicals
Plasticizers for resins and rubber
Paints (limited to waterproof and flame-retardant coatings)
Adhesives and sealants
Leather fatliquoring agents
Decabromodiphenyl ether (deca-BDE) Flame-retardant textiles
Flame-retardant chemicals for textiles, resins, and rubber
Adhesives and sealants
Flame-retardant floor coverings
Flame-retardant curtains
Flame-retardant flags
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) or its salts Water- and oil-resistant paper
Water- and oil-repellent textiles
Cleaning agents
Anti-reflective agents for semiconductor manufacturing
Paints and varnishes
Water- and oil-repellent agents
Adhesives and sealants
Fire extinguishers, extinguishing agents, and foam
Toner
Water- and oil-repellent clothing
Water- and oil-repellent floor coverings
Floor wax
Photographic paper
Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS) or its isomers or salts Water- and oil-repellent textiles
Etchants used in metal processing
Etchants for semiconductor manufacturing
Surface treatment agents and electroplating additives
Anti-reflective agents for semiconductor manufacturing
Photoresists for semiconductors
Water- and oil-repellent agents and fabric protectors
Fire extinguishers, extinguishing agents, and foam
Water- and oil-repellent clothing
Water- and oil-repellent floor coverings

Regulatory Content

  1. Import customs procedures require confirmation that products listed in Article 7 of the CSCL Enforcement Order (as shown in the right column above) do not contain Class I Specified Chemical Substances (as shown in the left column above). If such substances are used, import is prohibited.
  2. Wood preservatives, insecticides, and fungicides refer to formulations in which Class I Specified Chemical Substances are mixed with other substances for improved effectiveness, including preventive agents, repellents, soil treatments, anti-termite agents, anti-mold agents, etc.
  3. The import customs procedures announced on December 4, 2023 also newly prohibit products containing PFHxS or its isomers or salts.

Specific Exemptions

SGS Services

Based on Article 7 of the CSCL Enforcement Order, SGS provides testing for prohibited “Class I Specified Chemical Substances” in designated products and issues test reports to support smooth import into Japan.

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