On December 27, 2024, the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare announced that, in accordance with the provisions of the Industrial Safety and Health Act (ISHA), 131 chemical substances have been added to the existing list of chemical substances. These newly added chemical substances are primarily those commonly used in the workplace and may affect the health of workers.
The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare pointed out that for the newly added chemical substances, companies no longer need to submit a declaration to the Ministry when producing or importing these substances, which helps to simplify the compliance process for businesses. Nevertheless, companies are still required to comply with other safety regulations, including providing Safety Data Sheets (SDS), implementing necessary health and safety measures, and conducting occupational health monitoring.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare emphasized that for chemical substances not listed on the existing ISHA list, companies still need to conduct assessments and declarations before production or importation, including submitting detailed information on the chemical substances, safety data, potential risks, and intended use, for a more stringent risk assessment and regulation. This ensures that the use of these chemical substances in the workplace does not pose a threat to the health of employees.
Official communication: 職場のあんぜんサイト：化学物質：安衛法名称公表化学物質等（令和6年12月27日公示分） (mhlw.go.jp)
