On September 9, 2024, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and the Ministry of the Environment of Japan jointly released a draft plan under the Chemical Substances Control Law, proposing to designate 138 perfluorinated compounds as Class I Specified Chemical Substances. This measure aims to comprehensively prohibit the manufacture, import, and use of these chemicals.

This proposal is a response to the latest resolutions of the Stockholm Convention, an international environmental treaty aimed at eliminating or restricting the production and use of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). At the recent 9th Conference of the Parties to the convention, perfluoroalkyl acids (limited to branched structures with eight carbons) or their salts and related substances were listed as substances to be phased out.

Upon joint review by the three ministries, 138 substances were deemed appropriate for designation as Class I Specified Chemical Substances. Class I Specified Chemical Substances are those that are difficult to decompose, highly accumulative, and pose long-term toxicity risks to humans or higher predatory animals. Once designated as Class I Specified Chemical Substances, their manufacture, import, and use are principally prohibited, as well as the import of products containing these substances.

Public consultation began on September 9 and will end on October 9, 2024. According to the current plan, the new notice is expected to be announced in November 2024 and is anticipated to take effect from January 10, 2025.

This draft marks a significant step forward for Japan in environmental protection and public health, particularly in controlling and reducing the distribution of POPs in the environment.

The list of the 138 substances can be found in the Attachment (in Japanese).