Japan Launches GHS Classification Information Collection Project, Requiring Companies to Provide Test Reports

Recently, in order to strengthen the management of chemical substances, the Japanese government, in collaboration with the National Institute of Technology and Evaluation (NITE) and other relevant departments, has launched the GHS Classification Information Collection Project of 2024 Public-Private Cooperation. This project requires companies to provide test reports for chemical substances.

Since 2006, the Japanese government has implemented the GHS classification of chemical substances and has released the classification results for approximately 3,300 substances. However, due to the increasing variety of chemical substances and a lack of relevant testing information, more and more substances are unable to be effectively classified. This project aims to improve the information and enhance the accuracy and safety of chemical substance management.

1. The Substances to be Accepted must Meet the Following Conditions:

① Target substances of the government GHS classification project
This includes substances scheduled for the current year's government GHS classification project as well as substances classified in previous years with results published by NITE.

② Substances lacking reliable international information
Information sources are divided into three lists. List 1 includes information from Japanese laws and regulations or other international organizations. List 2 includes internationally recognized standards (such as OECD, etc.) and GLP (Good Laboratory Practice) test reports. List 3 includes non-GLP test reports and papers. If a substance lacks List 1 information, it is considered to lack reliable international information.

2. Test Information Required from Companies

① Physical and chemical hazards of the substance
Testing methods shall comply with the international organizations or standard institutions such as the United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (UNRTDG), the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS), etc.

② Human health hazards of the substance
Testing methods shall comply with the internationally recognized guidelines (such as OECD test guidelines). The tested substances shall have a certain purity, preferably conducted in GLP-compliant facilities.

③ Environmental hazards of the substance
Testing methods shall comply with the internationally recognized guidelines (such as OECD test guidelines). The tested substances shall have a certain purity, preferably conducted in GLP-compliant facilities.

Additionally, companies may provide Safety Data Sheets (SDS) as reference, although this data will not be published on the NITE.

3. Submission Method

Relevant companies shall send an email to NITE at (nite_ghs@nite.go.jp) by June 28, 2024, and submit complete test reports by October 31, 2024. The reports will be used for the current or next year's government GHS classification project and may also be used in subsequent annual projects. The results will be published on the NITE website.

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