Amendment to the Enforcement Order of the Chemical Substances Control Law (CSCL) to Bans on PFHxS-Related Compounds

On December 12, 2025, the Japanese Cabinet approved a partial revision to the Enforcement Order of the Act on the Evaluation of Chemical Substances and Regulation of Their Manufacture, etc. (CSCL). This amendment primarily designates "PFHxS-related substances" (Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid and its related compounds) as Class I Specified Chemical Substances due to their persistence, high bioaccumulation, and long-term toxicity. Key measures include a ban on the manufacture and import of these substances and a prohibition on importing specific products containing them, such as water- and oil-repellent fabrics. Furthermore, firefighting equipment and agents containing PFHxS must now meet specific technical standards for handling. The revision also removes "8:2 Fluorotelomer alcohol" from the list of exempt uses as the transition period ends. The amendment was promulgated on December 17, 2025, with major regulatory restrictions, including the Class I designation and import bans, scheduled to take effect on June 17, 2026.