JP 2018 Amendment to the Basel Act — Strengthened Controls on Imports and Exports of Hazardous Plastics and E-Waste
ENFORCEMENT TIMELINE
Enacted October 1, 2018 (Full application of plastic waste controls from Jan 1, 2021)
Overview
The 2018 amendment to the Basel Act (Act on the Control of Export, Import and Others of Specified Hazardous Wastes) tightens controls over the import and export of hazardous waste and waste plastics, promoting proper domestic treatment and recycling. In response to amendments to the annexes of the Basel Convention, the amendment adds contaminated and mixed waste plastics to the scope of specified hazardous wastes, while also streamlining import procedures to make better use of domestic recycling facilities.
Enforcement Timeline
1992: The Basel Act is enacted, taking effect in 1993.
2017: The amendment to the Basel Act is enacted.
October 1, 2018: The amended Basel Act takes effect, revising the scope of specified hazardous wastes and simplifying import procedures for certified operators with adequate treatment capacity.
January 1, 2021: Strengthened import and export controls on waste plastics, following amendments to the Basel Convention, take full effect.
Business Impact
Businesses that import or export waste such as plastics or electronic circuit boards, including recycling operators, trading companies, and manufacturers, must determine in advance whether the waste in question qualifies as a specified hazardous waste, and obtain import or export approval from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Ministry of the Environment.
Because unauthorized import or export of regulated waste plastics is treated as illegal export and strictly penalized, businesses need to verify the treatment capacity of the destination and adapt to the shift toward domestic recycling.