Governance & Policy
Japan Chemical Substances Control Law (CSCL)
Definition
The Chemical Substances Control Law is Japan's main chemicals statute, in force since 1974 and administered jointly by the ministries of economy, health and environment. It requires pre-market evaluation of new chemical substances, classifies existing chemicals by persistence and hazard — including Class I substances effectively banned, like PCBs — and mandates reporting of quantities and uses.
References
Scope, classes and notification duties
US counterpart context
Overview
What it means
Japan operates a screening-based chemicals regime that influenced later laws, including its own amendments toward risk-based assessment.
How it is used
Importers and manufacturers file new-chemical notifications; compliance teams track class designations; global firms align CSCL with REACH and TSCA obligations.
Why it matters
It is one of the world's three major chemicals frameworks alongside REACH and TSCA, shaping supply chains across Asia.