On May 19, 2026, the Japanese Cabinet published an amendment to the Order for Enforcement of the Act on the Regulation of Manufacture and Evaluation of Chemical Substances. Jointly released by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, and the Ministry of Environment, this amendment aligns domestic regulations with decisions made at the 12th Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention. The revision designates four substances as Class I Specified Chemical Substances due to their persistence, high bioaccumulation, and long-term toxicity: long-chain perfluoroalkane carboxylic acids (LC-PFCAs) and their salts, LC-PFCA-related substances, chlorpyrifos, and medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs). Consequently, the manufacturing and import of these chemicals are prohibited, and stricter regulations govern products containing them. For instance, importing products like lubricants containing LC-PFCAs, LC-PFCA-related substances, or MCCPs, as well as wood preservatives containing chlorpyrifos, is banned. Furthermore, handling requirements, such as complying with government technical standards for fire extinguishers using LC-PFCAs, will be enforced. The amendment is scheduled for promulgation on May 22, 2026, and will officially take effect on November 22, 2026.
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