On 5 December 2024, Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) circulated a draft notice to add methoxychlor, dechlorane plus, UV-328 and their products to the country’s Export Trade Control Order, imposing new restrictions on exporters. METI has published this consultation notice on the e-GOV public comment portal. 

New Export Restrictions under Japan’s Export Trade Control Order 

Under the provisions of the Export Trade Control Order, exporters are obliged to obtain approval from the METI to ship these chemicals or products containing them. However, the Ministry has not yet published the enforcement date. 

Background: METI’s Cabinet Order and Chemical Classifications 

On 13 December 2024, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) and the Ministry of Environment (MoE) published an enforcement Cabinet Order designating UV-328, methoxychlor, and dechlorane plus as Class I Specified Chemical Substances. 

Class I Specific Chemical Substances List 

Compounds classified as Class I Specific Chemical Substances have a high potential for bioaccumulation, persistence, and long-term toxicity to humans or higher trophic-level predator species. The list currently contains 35 compounds.  

Exemptions for Specific Applications 

According to the draft, dechlorane plus may be used in specific applications, such as defence applications for insulation materials, which are permitted until 26 February 2030.  

Comment Period and Enforcement Dates    

Stakeholders are invited to comment on this draft notice until 6 January 2025. This designation will come into force on 18 February 2025. From 18 June 2025, Japan will ban the import of products containing dechlorane plus and UV-328 as listed in the table below while the promulgation is expected to occur on 18 December 2025.  

Update: On 13 December 2024, Japan’s MHLW, METI and MOE released an enforcement Cabinet Order designating methoxychlor, dechlorane plus and UV-328 as Class I Specified Chemical Substances on the Japan’s e-GOV public comment portal. This designation will come into force from February 2025.    

Original Text: 

On 7 November 2024, Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) and Ministry of Environment (MoE) released a draft amendment to the Chemical Substances Control Law (CSCL) to add three chemicals to the list of Class I Specified Chemical Substances. The CSCL regulates these Class I Specified Chemical Substances and will be amended to include methoxychlor, dechlorane plus and UV-328.   

Public Consultation in September 2024  

On 19 September 2024, Japan’s MHLW, METI and MoE jointly notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) of a draft proposal to designate three chemicals as Class I Specified Chemical Substances. The consultation ended on 18 November 2024.  

Class I Specified Chemical Substances List   

Class I Specific Chemical Substances are compounds with a high potential for bioaccumulation, persistence, and long-term toxicity to humans or higher trophic level predator animals. There are currently 35 chemicals on the list.   

  
Exemptions   

The draft includes exemptions for the use of Dechlorane Plus in certain applications, such as defence uses for insulation materials which are allowed until 26 February 2030.   

Comment Period and Enforcement Dates   

Stakeholders are invited to comment on the draft amendment until 6 December 2024. The enforcement order will be promulgated in December 2024 and come into force in February 2025. From June 2025, Japan will ban the import of products containing Dechlorane Plus and UV-328 as listed in the table below.