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On December 12, 2023, the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW), Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), and Ministry of Environment (MoE) issued a joint consultation regarding the designation of methoxychlor, dechlorane plus and UV-328 as Class I Specified Chemical Substances under the Chemical Substance Control Law (CSCL). Comments are welcome before January 10, 2024.
From May 1 to 12, 2023, the Eleventh Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants was held in Geneva, Switzerland. During the meeting, methoxychlor, dechlorane plus and UV-328 were listed in Annex A of the Convention.
As a contracting party to the Convention, Japan will prioritize the control of these three POPs. The plan is to prohibit the manufacture and importation of these substances starting from the third quarter of 2024, in principle. There are no plans to establish "essential use" exemptions for the three substances, which means their use in the production of other products will also be prohibited.
Additionally, Japan will implement import bans on certain products that contain dechlorane plus and UV-328. The specific product categories subject to the import ban are as follows:
Dechlorane Plus:
Flame retardant additives for resins
Silicone rubber
Lubricants
Adhesives and tapes
Components, housings, wires, and cables of electrical and electronic products
UV-328:
Paints and varnishes
Lubricants
Adhesives, tapes, and sealants
UV absorber in plastics
