Press Release

February 08, 2007
  • Health & Chemicals

Public Comments Invited regarding the Draft Report on BAT Levels concerning By-product Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) in TCPA Derivatives (Other than Solvent Red 135) and Phthalocyanine Derivatives

It was recently revealed in Japan that Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) was unintentionally included as by-product at significant levels in certain chemical substances, such as Tetrachlorophtalic anhydride (TCPA) and its derivatives.

HCB is to be eliminated globally based on the Stockholm Convention* and is designated in Japan as one of the Class I Specified Chemicals of which production, import and use are prohibited under the Chemical Substances Control Law. Since it is important to reduce the contaminant HCB, the Class I Specified Chemical, as a by-product in other chemical substances as much as possible, the Law requires its reduction by applying the BAT (Best Available Technology/Techniques) for preventing its generation.

In April 2006, the MHLW, the METI and the MOE established an "Assessment Committee on the BAT Levels for Reduction of a Specified Chemical as a Contaminant By-product" to evaluate the technically and economically best feasible level (BAT level) for the reduction of by-product HCB.

In February 2007, the Committee compiled a draft report** on BAT levels concerning by-product HCB in TCPA derivatives other than Solvent Red 135 (e.g. Pigment Yellow 110 (CAS No. 5590-18-1)) and Phthalocyanine derivatives (e.g. Pigment Green 7 (CAS No. 1328-53-6, 14832-14-5) and Pigment Green 36 (CAS No. 14302-13-7, 68512-13-0)). The three ministries invite broad-based public comments on this report. Comments will be accepted from February 8, 2007 to March 9, 2007.

Comments should be submitted in Japanese since all written procedures related to this invitation for public comment are to be conducted in Japanese.

* Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants
** It is the Committee's second report which follows the "Report on BAT Levels concerning By-product HCB in TCPA and Solvent Red 135" published in November, 2006.

For Japanese