Global Chemical Substance Management

The Stockholm Convention establishes an international legal framework to protect human health and the environment from persistent organic pollutants (POPs). It requires Parties to eliminate or restrict the production and use of listed substances, minimize unintentional releases, and ensure the environmentally sound management of waste containing POPs. The Convention includes a science-based mechanism for identifying additional substances requiring international regulation, allowing its scope to evolve in response to emerging environmental and chemical risks. Within the GRI Global Regulatory Framework, the Stockholm Convention is positioned as a foundational international treaty for global chemical substance management, having substantially shaped national chemical legislation and hazardous substance control regimes. Regulatory Sub-Labels Global Applicability: Global Classification: Convention Status (Legal Status): In Force Adopted on May 22, 2001, the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants entered into force on May 17, 2004. The Convention establishes the primary international legal framework for eliminating or restricting the production, use, import/export, release, and disposal of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Enforcement (Implementation Mechanism): The Stockholm Convention is implemented through national legislation regulating persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Parties are required to develop national implementation plans, regulate covered substances, establish monitoring and reporting mechanisms, and promote the environmentally sound management of substances and waste containing POPs. Last Amended (Formal Amendment): The Convention is updated periodically through amendments to its annexes adopted by the Conference of the Parties (COP). These amendments add newly identified persistent organic pollutants or revise regulatory measures based on scientific assessments conducted through the Convention's review process. Governing Organization: UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme)

The Rotterdam Convention establishes an international legal framework to promote shared responsibility and transparency in the international trade of certain hazardous chemicals and pesticides. Its core mechanism, the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) procedure, enables importing countries to make informed decisions about the future import of designated substances before international shipment occurs. The Convention does not ban international trade; rather, it supports the environmentally sound management of hazardous chemicals across global supply chains by strengthening information exchange, risk communication, and regulatory cooperation between exporting and importing countries. Within the GRI Global Regulatory Framework, the Rotterdam Convention is positioned as a foundational international treaty for chemical governance and the control of international chemical trade. Regulatory Sub-Labels Global Applicability: Global Classification: Convention Status (Legal Status): In Force Adopted on September 10, 1998, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade entered into force on February 24, 2004. The Convention establishes an international legal framework governing information exchange and prior informed consent for the international trade of designated hazardous chemicals and pesticides. Enforcement (Implementation Mechanism): The Rotterdam Convention is implemented through national legislation regulating the import and export of substances covered by the Convention. Parties are required to designate competent national authorities, communicate import decisions, ensure compliance with the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) procedure, and fulfill information exchange and reporting obligations. Last Amended (Formal Amendment): The Convention is updated periodically through amendments to Annex III adopted by the Conference of the Parties (COP). These amendments add newly designated hazardous chemicals and pesticides to the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) procedure following scientific and technical review. Governing Organization: UNEP / FAO

The Minamata Convention establishes an international legal framework to reduce, and where feasible eliminate, anthropogenic mercury emissions and releases across mercury's full life cycle. The Convention addresses the supply and trade of mercury, mercury-added products, manufacturing processes, artisanal and small-scale gold mining, atmospheric emissions, releases to land and water, interim storage, waste management, and contaminated sites. Unlike other conventions covering a broader range of hazardous chemicals, the Minamata Convention provides a comprehensive international governance framework dedicated specifically to mercury. It has become a leading global reference for mercury risk management and has substantially shaped national legislation on mercury use, emissions, product regulation, and waste management. Within the GRI Global Regulatory Framework, the Minamata Convention is positioned as a foundational international treaty for chemical substance management, supporting a consistent global approach to mercury management across industries and supply chains. Regulatory Sub-Labels Global Applicability: Global Classification: Convention Status (Legal Status): In Force Adopted on October 10, 2013, the Minamata Convention on Mercury entered into force on August 16, 2017. The Convention establishes the primary international legal framework for protecting human health and the environment from anthropogenic emissions and releases of mercury and mercury compounds across their life cycle. Enforcement (Implementation Mechanism): The Minamata Convention is implemented through national legislation regulating the manufacture, import/export, use, storage, emission, release, waste management, and disposal of mercury and mercury-added products. Parties are required to establish domestic control measures, develop national implementation plans where necessary, fulfill reporting obligations, and monitor progress under the Convention. Last Amended (Formal Amendment): The Convention is updated periodically through amendments to annexes and decisions adopted by the Conference of the Parties (COP). These updates review regulatory measures, implementation schedules, and the list of regulated mercury-added products in response to scientific and policy developments. Governing Organization: UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme)

GHS（Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals）は、化学品の危険有害性（ハザード）を示す「分類基準」と、それを伝達するための「ラベル表示」および「SDS（安全データシート）」について、世界共通のグローバル統一ルールを定めた国連勧告です。 以前は、国や法律（労働安全法、化学物質規制法、危険物運送法など）ごとにハザードの基準や警告絵表示がバラバラであったため、グローバルでの円滑な貿易や、サプライチェーンにおける正確な危険性の伝達が困難でした。GHSはこれらを「一つの物差し」に統一し、人の健康と環境保護を最大化することを目的としています。 GHSにおける情報伝達の三大構成 GHSは、化学物質の物理化学的危険性、健康有害性、環境有害性を全30以上のハザードクラスに分類した上で、以下の3つのツールを用いてサプライチェーンへ情報を伝達します： 1. 統一された9つの「ピクトグラム（危険有害性絵表示）」 赤いひし形の額縁に黒いシンボルをあしらった、視覚的に危険を警告する世界共通の絵表示。 2. 「ラベル表示（製品の容器に貼付）」 危険有害性絵表示、注意喚起語（「危険」または「警告」）、危険有害性情報（Hコード）、注意書き（Pコード）、供給者（製造・輸入元）の連絡先などを記載したラベル表示。 3. 「SDS（安全データシート = 16項目構成）」 化学品の物理化学的性質、有害情報、緊急時の応急措置、取り扱い上の注意等を全16項目の定められた順序で網羅した詳細な技術文書。 Latest Revision Trend GHSは国連危険物輸送・GHS専門家委員会により2年周期で改訂が行われています。最新改訂（Rev.10等）では、危険有害性の分類基準（減圧下での感応性化学物質、皮膚腐食性/刺激性における非動物試験法の導入拡大、注意書きPコードの整理等）の更新が行われています。企業は各国の法制定（EU CLP規則、米国OSHA HCS、日本化審法/安衛法・JIS Z 7252/7253等）における改訂版取り込み状況を注視し、製品の分類・SDSおよびラベル情報を継続的に更新する必要があります。

Purpose and Background PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) have been widely used across semiconductors, automotive, electronics, apparel, and many other industries due to their exceptional heat resistance, water- and oil-repellency, and chemical stability. At the same time, because they do not readily break down in the environment, they are known as "forever chemicals," and the world is now seeing one of the largest-scale regulatory and restriction movements in history. This card provides a cross-regional comparison of PFAS regulatory status and roadmaps across the European Union (EU), the United States (federal and state level), Japan, and China, and outlines the supply-chain implications and practical considerations for businesses. 1. Cross-Regional Comparison of Major PFAS Regulations European Union (EU) — REACH Universal PFAS Restriction Proposal Status: ECHA is reviewing a restriction proposal covering approximately 10,000 PFAS substances. The RAC adopted its final opinion on March 2, 2026, and SEAC published its draft opinion on March 26, 2026 (public consultation closed May 25, 2026). SEAC's final opinion is expected by end-2026; the timing of the subsequent European Commission and Member State decision remains unconfirmed. Threshold: Proposed at 25 ppb (0.025 ppm) for total PFAS, or 250 ppb for polymeric PFAS (subject to change in the final restriction text). Business impact: With the exception of specific hard-to-substitute uses (e.g., semiconductor manufacturing, fluoroelastomer seals), a general use ban is expected to apply following an 18-month transition period after entry into force. Longer exemption or transition periods may be granted for certain uses. United States (Federal) — TSCA Section 8(a)(7) and CERCLA/RCRA Designations Status: EPA requires reporting of historical manufacturing, import, and article-content data for all PFAS manufactured or imported since 2011. PFOA and PFOS have also been designated as hazardous substances under CERCLA. Threshold: All intentional additions are reportable (no threshold). Business impact: Retrospective tracing of PFAS-containing products is required, creating a significant reporting burden for importers and local subsidiaries. United States (State Level) — State Consumer Product PFAS Bans (CA, NY, WA, ME, etc.) Status: Since late 2023, bans on the sale of products with intentionally added PFAS — including apparel, food packaging, carpets, and cosmetics — have been phased in across multiple states. Threshold: California applies a Total Organic Fluorine (TOF) threshold of 100 ppm (further tightening is under discussion). Business impact: Companies handling covered products need to transition to alternative materials and maintain TOF quantitative analysis to demonstrate compliance. Japan — Act on the Evaluation of Chemical Substances (Class I Specified Chemical Substances) Status: Under the Stockholm Convention (POPs Convention), the manufacture, import, and use of PFOS, PFOA, and PFHxS are, in principle, prohibited. Threshold: Intentional addition is prohibited. Business impact: While the transition to alternative substances is largely complete, proper management of existing inventory and disposal of PFAS-containing waste remains an ongoing requirement. International Harmonization Efforts Status: The OECD and UNEP are leading efforts to harmonize PFAS definitions, scope, and thresholds, which currently vary across jurisdictions. Business impact: If mutual recognition of environmental and safety standards, and common data submission formats, are achieved in the future, compliance costs for companies operating across multiple regions could be reduced.