Action Taken by Three Ministries against Violations of Chemical Substances Control Law

On July 28, 2006, the Ministry of the Environment (MOE), the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) revoked their earlier confirmation given to Nakamura Scientific Instruments Industry Co. Ltd. for the small-quantity import of a new chemical. Additionally, the three ministries instructed the company to observe the Law and to introduce appropriate measures to prevent a recurrence of such a violation. Chisso Corporation that has been involved in the case also received the instruction.

This action was based on a provision of Article 3 Paragraph 4 of the Law concerning the Examination and Regulation of Manufacture, etc. of Chemical Substances (so-called Chemical Substances Control Law). The law stipulates that the Ministers can confirm a manufacture or an import of a new small-quantity chemical substance without receiving notification from the manufacturer or importer (Article 3 Paragraph 1 Subparagraph 5), but that they shall revoke their confirmation when an amount manufactured or imported exceeds the amount confirmed. Nakamura Scientific Instruments Industry had imported the chemical in excess of the confirmed amount (600kg). The chemical was sold to the Chisso Corporation to be used as a material for liquid crystals.

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