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- Act on the Assessment of Releases of Specified Chemical Substances in the Environment and the Promotion of Management Improvement (PRTR, SDS)
Act on the Assessment of Releases of Specified Chemical Substances in the Environment and the Promotion of Management Improvement (PRTR, SDS)
Objective
To promote voluntary improvement of management of chemical substances by business operators and to prevent any impediments to the preservation of the environment by taking measures below.
The Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers (PRTR) System
- Outline
The PRTR system requires specific business operators to submit notifications regarding specified chemical substances (see 2. Target Chemical Substances) to the relevant Minister having jurisdiction over the business via the prefectural governor. The notifications, which are aimed at raising awareness among business operators of the amounts of substances released from their premises to the outside environment, must provide details of the amounts of emissions released into the natural environment (including the atmosphere, rivers and other waterways, and soil).
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the Ministry of the Environment (MoE) collate the notified data and calculates the total of reported emissions. They then estimate the amount of non-notified emissions and make all this information publicly available. Information regarding the data submitted by each business operator is to be also available on the Internet.
- Target Chemical Substances
Target chemical substances of the PRTR system are 515 substances specified in the cabinet order as “Class 1 Designated Chemical Substances.” Also, 23 substances out of them are identified as “Specific Class I Designated Chemical Substances“ due to their carcinogenic properties, etc. They are deemed harmful to humans and ecosystems, disperse widely in the natural environment and may be exposed.
Such products as chemicals, dyestuffs, paints and solvents, which contain 1% or more of the amount of “Class 1 Designated Chemical Substances” ― or 0.1% or more of the amount of “Specific Class I Designated Chemical Substances“― are also included.
However, products with low contents of specified chemical substances, solid substances, products for general consumer purposes and sealed products, which, due to the handling processes of the individual business operators, are all considered to have low emission levels, are not included.
Example Substances
Volatile hydrocarbons ― benzene, toluene, xylene, etc.
Organochlorine Compounds ― dioxins, trichlorethylene, etc.
Agrichemicals ― methyl bromide, fenitrothion, chlorpyrifos, etc.
Metallic compounds ― lead (or lead compounds), organic tin compounds, etc.
Ozone layer depleting substances ― CFCs, HCFs
Others ― asbestos
- Target Business Operators
Target business operators of the PRTR system are those who produce/use substances/products that contain the specified in the “Class 1 Designated Chemical Substances”, and are deemed to release these substances into the natural environment during their business operations. More specifically, those included in the following categories:
- Business operators whose operations fall under the 24 types of business operations specified in the cabinet order.
- Business operators who employ 21 and more during their regular business operations.
- Business operators who annually handle one ton or more of any “Class 1 Designated Chemical Substances” (or 0.5 tons or more of any Specific Class 1 Designated Chemical Substances).
- Business operators who have set up facilities specified in other relevant cabinet orders (specially designated facilities) are also deemed as targeted business operators.
- Penalties
Required business operators who fail to submit notifications or who submit false information in their notifications will be liable for the payment of a fine of up to 200,000 yen.
The SDS System
- Outline
The SDS system requires business operators to provide information on the properties and the handling of specified chemical substances in advance or on the occasion of their transfers of such substances or products containing such substances to another business operator.
- Target Chemical Substances
Target chemical substances of the SDS system are the total of 649 substances that have been identified in the either “Class 1 Designated Chemical Substances” (515 substances), or “Class 2 Designated Chemical Substances” (134 substances).
These are specified as being harmful to humans and ecosystems (including properties which deplete the ozone layer), and deemed to disperse widely into the environment or highly likely to disperse widely into the environment at a future time.
Such products as chemicals, dyestuffs, paints and solvents, which contain 1% or more of the amount of the substances specified in “Class 1 Designated Chemical Substances” or “Class 2 Designated Chemical Substances” ― or 0.1% or more of the amount of Specified Class 1 Designated Chemical Substances― are also included.
However, products with low contents of specified chemical substances, solid substances, products for general consumer purposes and sealed products, which, due to the handling processes of the individual business operators, are all considered to have low emission levels, are not included.
- Target Business Operators
Target business operators of the SDS system are those who transfer specified chemical substances or products containing such substances to another business operator.
- GHS Classification Guidance (Japanese only)
- GHS Mixture Classification and Label/SDS Creation System (NITE-Gmiccs)
Promoting the Self-Management of Chemical Substances
- Responsibilities of Business Operators
Business operators who handle chemical substances identified in “Class 1 Designated Chemical Substances” or “Class 2 Designated Chemical Substances” are required to pay close attention to the Guideline for the Management of Chemical Substances and manage the on-site handling of the specified chemical substances in accordance with the methods detailed therein. Business operators are also required to exert all possible efforts to deepen the public understanding of their management practices.
- Outline of the Guideline for the Management of Chemical Substances
The Guideline for the Management of Chemical Substances provides for measures to be taken by business operators handling designated chemical substances, etc., taking into consideration of scientific knowledge of the physical and chemical properties of the chemical substances and the technological trends concerning the manufacture, use and handling of chemical substances. It also provides operators with advice on which aspects the operator should make clear to all concerned persons regarding the management of chemical substances.
- Enhancement of facilities and other management methods for designated chemical substances.
- Appropriate use of designated chemical substances.
- Management methods, appropriate use and increasing public understanding with regard to the release of designated chemical substances.
- Use of Safety Data Sheets (SDS) to provide data on the properties and the appropriate handling of designated chemical substances.