On July 22, 2025, Japan convened a joint council meeting with the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW), the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), and the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) to deliberate on the handling of PFHxS-related substances, recommended for designation as Class I Specified Chemical Substances under the CSCL. 

Key Agenda Items 

1. Handling of PFHxS-Related Substances

• Regulatory measures for manufacture, import, and use were discussed. 

• Considerations included Cabinet Order designations for essential uses, technical standards for certain products, and possible import bans. 

2. Essential Uses of 8:2 Fluorotelomer Alcohol

• The council determined the substance no longer qualifies under CSCL Article 25 (“difficulty in substitution”), recommending revocation of its essential-use designation. 

3. Biodegradability Assessments

• Two priority assessment substances (serial numbers 281 and 282) were found readily biodegradable and will undergo screening and risk evaluations. 

Regulatory Measures for PFHxS Substances 

• Manufacturing and Import: With no domestic records of manufacture/import and no exemptions under the Stockholm Convention, PFHxS-related substances are set to be prohibited, except for research/testing purposes. 

• Products in Domestic Inventories: Foam fire extinguishing agents containing PFHxS-related substances were identified. Fire extinguishers and extinguishing agents (HS Codes 8424, 3813) will be designated under Cabinet Orders for technical standards and labeling. 

• Import Bans: Products containing PFHxS-related substances will face restrictions, including: 

• Fire extinguishers and extinguishing agents 

• Etching agents and surface treatment chemicals 

• Treated fabrics, garments, and floor coverings (water/oil-repellent) 

• Water-/oil-repellent textile protectants 

• Anti-reflective coatings, etching agents, and photoresists for semiconductors 
  (Classifications subject to revision as management systems are confirmed) 

Implementation Timeline 

• September 2025: WTO-TBT notification and public consultation on draft amendments to the CSCL Enforcement Order. 

• 2026 onward: 

• Continued joint ministry deliberations 

• Promulgation of revised Cabinet Order and Ministerial Ordinance 

• Enforcement of new regulatory measures for PFHxS-related substances 

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