Japan updates the list of Deleterious Substances

In Japan, the Poisonous and Deleterious Substances Control Law (PDSCL) designates poisonous and deleterious substances according to their acute toxicity level. On 26 January 2023, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) issued a proposal to designate 3-Aminopropan-1-ol and its mixtures with a concentration of 1% or more as a Deleterious Substance.

The MHLW has categorized 3-Aminopropan-1-ol as Category 1 Skin corrosion/irritation as well as serious eye damage/eye irritation in line with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) standards established by Japan. The selection of Deleterious Substances is mostly based on these risk groups.

Manufacturers, importers, and distributors of this substance have the obligation to register this substance with the MHLW and are subject to Safety Data Sheet and labelling requirements under the PDSCL.

The MHWL took public opinions on the proposal until 24 February 2023. The changes are anticipated to be completed on 25 May 2023, and go into force on 1 June 2023.

The Ministry also plans to remove Diantimony tetraoxide from the list of Deleterious Substances and change the concentration cut-off for 2-Isobutoxyethanol from 10% to 15%.