Press Release_2003 [MOE]

September 12, 2003

The Cabinet will establish on September 16, 2003, following the enactment of the Law Partially Revising the Law concerning the Evaluation of Chemical Substances and Regulation of Their Manufacture, etc. (Revised Chemical Substance Control Law) in May 2003, two cabinet ordinances determining the date of enforcement of the law and stipulating necessary measures. The measures include the specification of cases that do not require a notification regarding the manufacture and import of new chemical substances.

1. Cabinet Ordinance Stipulating the Enforcement Date of the Law Partially Revising the Law concerning the Evaluation of Chemical Substances and Regulation of Their Manufacture, etc. determines that the Revised Chemical Substance Control Law shall take effect on April 1, 2004. (However, the provision on preparatory actions prescribed in Article 3 of the supplementary provisions shall take effect on February 1, 2004.)

2. Cabinet Ordinance Partially Revising the Enforcement Ordinance of the Law concerning the Evaluation of Chemical Substances and Regulation of Their Manufacture, etc. stipulates the followings.

(1) No manufacturer's notification shall be required regarding the manufacture and import of new chemical substances in the following case, because the new chemical substance, judging from the method of its handling, etc., does not pose any threat of pollution to the environment (in relation to Article 3, Para. 1, Sub-para. 4 of the new law):

(i) When a new chemical substance is manufactured and/or imported as an intermediate of other chemical substances, and measures for preventing environmental pollution are taken during the period before other chemical substances are formed from the intermediate.

(ii) When a new chemical substance is manufactured and/or imported for use in ways that will not pose any danger of discharge outside of the facility or equipment, and measures for preventing environmental pollution are taken during the period before it is disposed of as waste.

(iii) When a new chemical substance is manufactured and/or imported for eventual export to a destination that is a region specified by a ministerial ordinance, and measures for preventing environmental pollution are taken during the period before it is exported.

(2) The quantity of a new chemical substance that does not require notification of its manufacture, etc. shall be one ton or less (in relation to Article 3, Para. 1, Sub-para. 5 of the new law).

(3) The quantity of a new chemical substance applicable to special case examination shall be 10 tons or less (in relation to Article 4-2, Para. 4, Sub-para. 1 of the new law).

(4) Councils, etc. reporting to the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Minister of the Environment shall be specified (in relation to Article 41, Para. 2 of the new law).

(5) A party currently engaging in the manufacture and/or import of pharmaceutical intermediates shall be subject to transitional measures concerning verification (in relation to Article 2 in the supplementary provisions of the revised law).

1.	Cabinet Ordinance Stipulating the Enforcement Date of the Law Partially Revising the Law concerning the Evaluation of Chemical Substances and Regulation of Their Manufacture, etc. determines that the Revised Chemical Substance Control Law shall take effect on April 1, 2004. (However, the provision on preparatory actions prescribed in Article 3 of the supplementary provisions shall take effect on February 1, 2004.)
2.	Cabinet Ordinance Partially Revising the Enforcement Ordinance of the Law concerning the Evaluation of Chemical Substances and Regulation of Their Manufacture, etc. stipulates the followings.
	(1)	No manufacturer's notification shall be required regarding the manufacture and import of new chemical substances in the following case, because the new chemical substance, judging from the method of its handling, etc., does not pose any threat of pollution to the environment (in relation to Article 3, Para. 1, Sub-para. 4 of the new law):
		(i)	When a new chemical substance is manufactured and/or imported as an intermediate of other chemical substances, and measures for preventing environmental pollution are taken during the period before other chemical substances are formed from the intermediate.
		(ii)	When a new chemical substance is manufactured and/or imported for use in ways that will not pose any danger of discharge outside of the facility or equipment, and measures for preventing environmental pollution are taken during the period before it is disposed of as waste.
		(iii)	When a new chemical substance is manufactured and/or imported for eventual export to a destination that is a region specified by a ministerial ordinance, and measures for preventing environmental pollution are taken during the period before it is exported.
	(2)	The quantity of a new chemical substance that does not require notification of its manufacture, etc. shall be one ton or less (in relation to Article 3, Para. 1, Sub-para. 5 of the new law).
	(3)	The quantity of a new chemical substance applicable to special case examination shall be 10 tons or less (in relation to Article 4-2, Para. 4, Sub-para. 1 of the new law).
	(4)	Councils, etc. reporting to the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Minister of the Environment shall be specified (in relation to Article 41, Para. 2 of the new law).
	(5)	A party currently engaging in the manufacture and/or import of pharmaceutical intermediates shall be subject to transitional measures concerning verification (in relation to Article 2 in the supplementary provisions of the revised law).