Japan Tightens Controls on POP Chemicals with New Class I Designations
BAAR, SWITZERLAND / AGILITYPR.NEWS / June 11, 2026 / SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, has published SafeGuardS 078.26, highlighting Japan’s regulation of several persistent organic pollutants (POPs) as Class I Specified Chemical Substances.
POPs are persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic chemicals that are increasingly subject to prohibitions and restrictions due to their harmful environmental and health effects. In 2025, chlorpyrifos, medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs) and long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (LC-PFCAs), their salts and LC-PFCA-related compounds, were subject to consultation under Japan’s proposal to designate them as Class I Specified Chemical Substances.
Cabinet Order No. 171, issued on May 22, 2026, amends Japan’s Enforcement Order of the Act on the Evaluation of Chemical Substances and Regulation of their Manufacture etc. (the Order). This amendment includes the following key requirements:
- Introducing the POP chemicals mentioned above as Class I Specified Chemical Substances under Article 1, items 41-44 of the Order
- Prohibiting the import of products that contain these POP chemicals
- Clarifying that the use of LC-PFCAs, their salts and LC-PFCA-related substances in fire extinguishers, fire extinguisher agents and foam extinguishing agents must comply with technical standards as prescribed by ministerial ordinance
Manufacturers, users, importers and exporters of these POP substances (as well as products that contain or are contaminated by them) across multiple industries and supply chains are affected by this amendment, which will take effect on November 22, 2026.
SGS experts publish SafeGuardS to keep stakeholders informed about regulatory changes that could impact their business. SafeGuardS 078.26 includes a useful table of technical detail on products prohibited from import under Cabinet Order No. 171, and a link to the official text.
Stakeholders are encouraged to refer to the original SafeGuardS 078.26 for further details.
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