Japan has approved a new prior confirmation system of small amount new chemical substances in the case of intermediates and chemicals specifically for export. The new system will be implemented from October 1st, 2014.
The changes are as previously drafted (see CL news release on Apr 1st), including:
1. The critical tonnage band of “small amount” will be adjusted from “1 ton/year across the nation” to “1 ton/year of the same entity”. In other words, a chemical company can avail of the convenience of the simplified procedures if its planned manufacture/import quantity of the substance is no more than 1 ton per year.
2. Application for prior confirmation can be made anytime, (instead of 4 specified periods in a year).
3. Revised formats will be applied to the submitting material. The forms can be downloaded from the official website as well as the filling guidance.
METI expects the simplified prior confirmation system can reduce the compliance burden of industry stakeholders and rationalize the rigorous scheduling of administrative procedures which have hampered their business transactions in the past.
