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Japan published new CSCL import ban on LC-PFCAs, MCCPs and Chlorpyrifos

The Cabinet Order1 amending the Enforcement Ordinance under Japan’s Act on the Evaluation of Chemical Substances and Regulation of Their Manufacture, etc. (CSCL) has been officially published. Under this amendment, multiple persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are newly classified as Class I Specified Chemical Substances under the CSCL, with relevant products containing these regulated POPs prohibited from being imported into Japan.

The core mandate of the CSCL is to establish pre-market assessment procedures for all new chemical substances prior to domestic production or import into Japan, alongside regulatory controls governing the manufacture, usage and import of high-risk hazardous chemicals and finished products incorporating such substances.

Per the latest regulatory update, three chemical groups have been designated Class I Specified Chemical Substances. As a statutory ban, their domestic manufacture and import into Japan are prohibited unless prior official approval is obtained from competent authorities:

  • Long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (LC-PFCAs), their salts and associated derivatives;
  • Medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs);
  • Chlorpyrifos.

In addition, the amended Cabinet Order explicitly outlines product categories containing the above substances subject to Japan’s import ban, detailed in the table below:

 
Substance
Products banned from import

Long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (LC-PFCAs), their salts and LC-PFCA-related compounds

- Lubricating oils;
- Textiles treated to provide water repellent or oil repellent properties;
- Paints;
- Water repellents and oil repellents;
- Fillers for adhesives and sealants;
- Fire extinguishers, fire extinguishing agents for fire extinguishers and foam fire-fighting agents;
- Garments treated to provide water repellent or oil repellent properties;
- Floor coverings treated to provide water repellent or oil repellent properties;
- Waxes;
- Commercial photographic films.

 

Chlorpyrifos

- Wood insecticides / Timber preservative insecticides

Medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs)

- Lubricating oils, cutting oils and hydraulic fluids;
- Compounded flame retardant additives for raw rubber and resins;
- Plasticisers for resins;
- Water repellents and textile protectants;
- Paints;
- Fillers for adhesives and sealants.

 

The new requirements will take effect 6 months after the publication of the Cabinet Order, i.e. on 22 November 2026.
 

References: 

[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 MOE for the Cabinet Order

 

 

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