CONSUMER PRODUCTS AND RETAIL E-SSENTIALS

Japan bans PFOA for certain imported products

MAY 2021 - HARDLINES, SOFTLINES

On 21 April 2021, the Cabinet Order¹ was published to revise the Order for Enforcement of the Act on the Evaluation of Chemical Substances and Regulation of Their Manufacture, etc. 2,2.2-trichloro-1-(2-chlorophenyl)-1-(4-chlorophenyl)ethanol (o,p’-Dicofol) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and its salts are designated as Class I Specified Chemical Substances under the Act on the Evaluation of Chemical Substances and Regulation of Their Manufacture, etc. (hereinafter referred to as "the Act"). Certain imported products containing PFOA or its salts are forbidden in Japan.

The purpose of the act is to set a way to evaluate the properties of new chemical substances before they manufacture or import to Japan. It also controls the use and import of particularly hazardous substances or products containing those substances.  

With the updates, o,p’-Dicofol and PFOA and its salts are identified as Class I Specified Chemical Substances. It means the substances only can be manufactured or imported unless the authorisation is granted. Moreover, the Order specified the types of products containing PFOA or its salts cannot be imported. The new requirements will take effect from 22 October 2021.

The following products containing PFOA or its salts are banned to import to Japan.

[1]  The Cabinet order for the Partial Revision of the Order for Enforcement of the Act on the Evaluation of Chemical Substances and Regulation of Their Manufacture, etc. (Japanese)

[2]  Press release of Japan METI for revisions of the Act