News Details

On 2 June 2026, Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) issued an updated notice on import customs clearance procedures for chemical substances under the Chemical Substances Control Law (CSCL). The ministry published the revised notice on the METI Portal. This amendment reflects the implementation of Cabinet Order No. 416 of 2025, which partially amends the CSCL Enforcement Order by designating PFHxS-related substances as Class I Specified Chemical Substances. The updated procedures will take effect on 17 June 2026, while the previous notice, dated 6 February 2026, will be abolished on 16 June 2026. 

Key Insights from the Notice 

Key changes include: 

• PFHxS-related substances are added as Class I Specified Chemical Substances under CSCL. 

• PFHxS-related substances are assigned serial number 37 in the list of Class I Specified Chemical Substances. 

• UV-328, methoxychlor, and dechlorane plus are renumbered as serial numbers 38, 39, and 40 respectively. 

Newly restricted product categories include: 

• Water- or oil-repellent treated fabrics, clothing, and floor coverings 

• Etching agents for metal processing and semiconductor manufacturing 

• Plating surface treatment agents and additives 

• Semiconductor anti-reflective agents and resists 

• Water/oil-repellent agents and textile protectors 

• Fire extinguishers and related fire-extinguishing agents 

Obligations for the Stakeholders 

Under the CSCL, importers of Class I Specified Chemical Substances must obtain permission from the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry and provide the required permit documentation when making an import declaration. Companies importing chemicals or affected products into Japan should review their product portfolios and supply chains to confirm whether the updated PFHxS-related requirements apply. Where relevant, import documentation and compliance procedures should be updated before the new rules take effect.