JICOSH was closed in 2008. For further information, please contact JISHA.
JICOSH Home > OSH Japan > Outline of Japan's Industrial Safety and Health Law

5. Regulations concerning Harmful Substances
A large number of harmful chemical substances are currently used in industries. Worker exposure to such harmful substances during their manufacturing or handling processes may cause malignant tumors or acute poisoning.
1. Substances for Which Manufacturing is Prohibited
(1) Substances for which manufacturing, import, transfer, provision and use are prohibited.
* Yellow phosphorus matches
* Benzidine and related salts
* 4-aminodiphenyl and related salts
* Amosite
* Crocidolite
* 4-nitro diphenyl and related salts
* Bis (chlorophenyl) ether 
* Beta naphtylamine and related salts
* Mucilage containing benzene (5% or more)
(2) Special exemptions
Substances listed in Item (1) above may be exempted from the prohibition, if they are manufactured, imported or used for  testing and research purposes under  permission of the Chief of Prefectural Labour Standards Office.
The permission above can be acquired if certain requirements relating to manufacturing facilities, the education of those who handle such substances, and storage conditions are met.
2. Manufacturing Permission.
(1) Substances requiring manufacturing permission
* Dichlorbenzidine and related salts.
* Alpha naphthylamine and related salts
* Chlorinated biphenyl and related salts (PCB)
* Ortho-tolidine and related salts
* Dianicidine and related salts.
* Beryllium and its compounds
* Benzotrichloride
(2) Procedures and standards for permission
Applications for manufacturing permission are submitted to the Minister of Labour. Standards for permission are stipulated by the Ordinance on the Prevention of Hazards Due to Specified Chemical Substances
3. Labeling of Ingredients
In the event that any of the following chemical substances likely to cause health impairment to workers are packaged, transferred or provided in containers, those taking such actions are required to display labels specifying items described below:
(1) Substances subject to labeling requirements
* Substances listed in Item 2-(1), etc.
* Acrylamide
* Mercury alkylate compounds
* Vinyl chloride
* Auramine
* Xylene
* Chloroform
* Carbon tetrachloride (about 90 substances in total)
(2) Items subject to labeling
* Name
* Ingredients and their contents
* Effects on human body for certain substances (about 40) among those listed in Item (1) above
* Precautions in storage and handling
* Name and address of those responsible for displaying such labels
4. Investigations of  Chemical Substance Toxicity
(1) Notification of new chemical substances
Employers who want to manufacture or import chemical substances other than natural elements, chemical substances naturally produced, radioactive materials, and chemical substances whose name has already been published, are required to carry out to investigate the toxicity of same and notify the Minister of Labour of the name and the results of such investigation. 
This notification obligation is exempt in the following cases:
* In case these substances are to be manufactured or imported  for testing and research purposes.
* In case the Minister of Labour confirms that the volume of such substances to be manufactured or imported is 100kg or less.
(2) Contents of toxicity investigations required for notification
* Results of mutagenicity and carciogenicity tests
* A statement that tests have been carried out at testing institutions meeting reasonable qualifications(GLP)
(3) Instructions in carrying out chemical substance toxicity investigations
For chemical substances likely to cause serious health impairment, including cancers, the labour minister may issue instructions to their manufacturers, importers or users to carry out investigations on carciogenicity by using animals to which such chemical substances are administered orally or by inhalation.
Limitation on Placement and Qualifications will be discussed in the next session.
toptop