Public Comments Invited Regarding Changes to the Standard Method of Algal Growth Inhibition Test under the Chemical Substances Control Law

The Ministry of the Environment (MOE) invites comments on the revision of the standard method of algal growth inhibition test, which is used for assessing eco-toxicity of chemicals as prescribed in Chemical Substances Control Law.

Standard methods for testing chemical substances under the Law are determined by the MOE and other related ministries*, using the OECD Guidelines for the Testing of Chemicals as references and based on the opinions of the Central Environment Council's Sub-committee on Chemical Evaluation and related Councils.

The draft of the revised standard method of algal growth inhibition test was compiled by the Sub-committee in accordance with the revised OECD Test Guideline 201 (TG201) Freshwater Alga and Cyanobacteria, Growth Inhibition Test published in July 2006. The revision of the standard method includes the abolishment of the calculation method using comparison of areas under growth curves, and other relevant changes for improvements.

All written procedures related to this invitation will be conducted in Japanese.

Access to the draft: The text (in Japanese) is available at the Ministry of the Environment. It is also posted on its web page (https://www.env.go.jp/press/7481.html).

Submission period: September 8 - October 10, 2006

Please send comments by mail, FAX or e-mail to the following:
Chemicals Evaluation Office, Policy Planning Division, Environmental Health Department, the Ministry of the Environment
1-2-2 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8975, Japan
FAX: +81-3-3581-3370
E-mail: chem@env.go.jp

* the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI)

For Japanese