Your regular update for technical and industry information
Your regular update for technical and industry information
JANUARY 2025 - ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS
The Japan Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) announced the Cabinet Decision1 to include three persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the Chemical Substances Control Law (CSCL). Methoxychlor, dechlorane plus and UV-328 are designated as Class 1 Specified Chemical Substances (effective 18 February 2025) and certain imported products containing dechlorane plus or UV-328 are prohibited in Japan by 18 June 2025.
At the 11th Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention (COP11)2 held in May 2023, it was decided to add methoxychlor, dechlorane plus, and UV-328 to Annex A (elimination) of the Convention. Japan, as a member country of the Stockholm Convention, is required to regulate these chemicals. As a result of identifying the substances as Class 1 Specified Chemical Substances, they can only be manufactured or imported if authorization is granted. The tables below summarize the potential uses and banned imported products containing dechlorane plus and UV-328.
Table 1: Potential uses of the newly added POPs
| Chemical | Potential uses3 |
|
Methoxychlor |
Mainly used as pesticides |
|
Dechlorane Plus |
Primarily used as a flame retardant for electrical and electronic products, resins and rubber |
| UV-328 |
Mainly used as an ultraviolet absorber in paints and plastics |
| Chemical | List of banned imported products4 | Effective date |
| Dechlorane Plus* |
|
18 June 2025 |
| UV-328 |
|
*The usage of dechlorane plus to manufacture of insulation materials for equipment, etc., as specified in Article 4, Paragraph 1, Item 13 of the Ministry of Defense Establishment Act can be allowed until 26 February 2030.
[1] METI’s press release – Cabinet Decision
[2] COP11 – Eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention
[3] Background document to designate three POP chemicals
[4] Japanese Gazette on 18 December 2024
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