On 27 September 2024, Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) amended the New Chemical Substances List by adding 149 new substances. This update came on the same day as the publication of the notice under the Industrial Safety and Health Act (ISHA) announcing the names of these new chemical substances, which can be accessed here. 

The latest additions to the list include details such as name, ISHA official gazette serial number, chemical and structural formula for the new chemical substances, all of which are available on the MHLW’s Work Safety Portal.  

Previously Japan added 141 New Chemical Substances 

As per the notice published on 27 June 2024 under ISHA, the MHLW added 141 New Chemical Substances to the list on 30 August 2024 through the MHLW Work Safety Portal. The update can be accessed here. 

Obligations for Stakeholders 

There are currently over 72,100 substances on the Existing and New Chemical Substances (ENCS) list. Under the provisions of the Industrial Safety and Health Act, manufacturers, importers or companies must notify the MHLW before manufacturing or importing such chemicals into Japan. The notification must include the name and hazard evaluation details of the new chemical substance, as this is necessary to protect the health of workers in the industrial workplace.