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On July 10, 2024, the Fire and Disaster Management Agency of the Japanese Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications issued a consultation regarding the designation of flupentiofenox (CAS: 1472050-04-6) and its mixtures as "substances that inhibit firefighting activities" under the Fire Service Act of Japan. The public comment period will end on August 8, 2024. This substance was just recently designated as a deleterious substance under the Poisonous and Deleterious Substances Control Law (PDSCL) in Japan at the end of May this year (CL news).
The "substances that inhibit firefighting activities" refer to substances that are flammable, explosive, or may generate toxic gases in the event of a fire. Currently, they are classified into six categories under the Fire Service Act, including
Category 1: Compressed acetylene gas,
Category 2: Sulphuric anhydride,
Category 3: Liquefied petroleum gas,
Category 4: Unslaked lime (containing 80% or higher calcium oxide),
Category 5: Certain poisonous substances under PDCSL, and
Category 6: Certain deleterious substances under PDSCL.
After an official investigation, the Japanese government found that flupentiofenox can produce harmful vapors when heated, and therefore decided to add it to Category 6.
According to Article 9-3, Paragraph 1 of the Fire Service Act, businesses that handle or store "substances that inhibit firefighting activities" must notify the fire department. Specifically, for flupentiofenox, handling or storage of 200kg or more are subject to management. Additionally, for mixtures, no exemption threshold will be provided, so in theory, businesses need to comply regardless of the content if meeting the volume threshold. It is expected to take effect next March.
