Japan updates the deleterious substances list

In a notice published in the official government gazette Kanpo on 26 May 2023, Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) added 3-Aminopropan-1-ol (CAS number 156-87-6) and mixtures thereof with a concentration of 1% or more to its list of poisonous and deleterious substances. The MHLW designated the substance, used in electronics, cosmetics, textiles, synthetic resin and pharmaceuticals, as 'deleterious' and the designation came into force on 1 June 2023.

The MHLW has classified 3-Aminopropan-1-ol as Category 1 Skin corrosion/irritation as well as serious eye damage/eye irritation in line with the Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) standards established in Japan. These hazard classes are the primary considerations in selecting Deleterious Substances.

The amendment also includes the following changes, valid from 26 May 2023, to the list of Deleterious Substances:

• The concentration cut-off is changed from 10% to 15% for 2-Isobutoxyethanol (CAS number 4439-24-1), currently designated as a Deleterious Substance. 2-isobutoxyethanol mixtures with less than 15% are excluded from the list.
• Removal of diantimony tetraoxide (CAS number 1332-81-6) and its mixtures from the list of deleterious substances.

Manufacturers, importers, and distributors of Poisonous and Deleterious Substances have the obligation to register their substances with the MHLW and will be subject to SDS and labelling requirements. According to the government's Chemical Risk Information Platform (CHRIP), there are currently 585 substances on the poisonous and deleterious substance list.