JP Air Pollution Control Act — Volatile Organic Compound Emission Regulations
ENFORCEMENT TIMELINE
Enacted April 2024
Overview
Volatile organic compound (VOC) emission regulation under the Air Pollution Control Act is an air quality law aimed at suppressing the formation of photochemical oxidants and PM2.5. It restricts emissions of organic solvents used in manufacturing processes such as coating, printing, cleaning, and bonding, requiring facilities above a certain scale (VOC-emitting facilities) to file notifications and comply with legal emission standards.
The system is built on a "best mix" approach that combines direct legal regulation with voluntary initiatives by businesses, encouraging businesses to pursue voluntary emission-reduction measures.
Enforcement Timeline
2004: VOC emission regulation is established through an amendment to the Air Pollution Control Act, taking effect in 2006.
2010: The combination of voluntary initiatives and legal regulation, the best-mix approach, achieves a 30% reduction in VOC emissions.
2024 to 2025: As measures against PM2.5 and photochemical oxidants are strengthened, VOC emission reduction guidelines are revised to reflect the latest technical standards, and voluntary management plans are reviewed.
Business Impact
Companies operating manufacturing lines that use organic solvents, such as paints, inks, and cleaning agents, including automotive, metal processing, printing, and electronic component manufacturers, need to install and properly maintain exhaust gas treatment equipment, such as deodorizing or regenerative thermal oxidizers, to suppress VOC emissions.
Businesses are also required to consider switching to low-VOC paints or water-based cleaning agents, and to file notifications for VOC-emitting facilities and retain records of measurement results.