On April 10, 2026, Japan Ministry of the Environment announced that the Cabinet approved a bill to partially amend the Act on Special Measures for the Promotion of Proper Disposal of Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB) Wastes and the Act on Interim Storage and Environmental Safety Projects Co., Ltd. The bill is scheduled to be submitted to the 221st session of the National Diet. The proposed amendments aim to strengthen the regulatory framework for the continued management and disposal of PCB waste following the completion of high-concentration PCB treatment operations by JESCO. The bill introduces mandatory notification and management obligations for holders of products containing low-concentration PCBs, including requirements to notify authorities upon cessation of use or discovery of such waste and to ensure disposal within specified timeframes. It also establishes disposal obligations for newly identified high-concentration PCB waste, requiring prompt treatment within a defined period. Additionally, the legislation proposes abolishing the requirement for prefectural governments to formulate PCB waste disposal plans and includes revisions to the scope of JESCO's operations. The measures are intended to address remaining and newly discovered PCB waste, ensure proper environmental management, and support the transition to a sustainable waste disposal system. The law is expected to enter into force on April 1, 2027, with certain exceptions.
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