Japan to Extend Confidentiality Period for Low-Risk New Chemicals

On March 11, 2026, Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW), Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), and Ministry of the Environment (MOE) jointly announced a proposal to amend the ministerial ordinance concerning the public notice of names of new chemical substances under Article 4, Paragraph 5 of the Chemical Substances Control Law (CSCL). The authorities have initiated a public consultation period for these proposed changes, which will remain open until April 10, 2026.