JP Act on Special Measures Concerning Promotion of Proper Treatment of PCB Waste
ENFORCEMENT TIMELINE
March 31, 2027 (Final statutory deadline for low-concentration PCB waste disposal)
Overview
The Act on Special Measures Concerning Promotion of Proper Treatment of PCB Waste is designed to ensure the reliable and early treatment of waste containing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), a persistent and highly bioaccumulative hazardous substance. The law mandates treatment within statutory deadlines for both high-concentration PCB waste, such as transformers, capacitors, and ballasts, and low-concentration PCB waste.
Enforcement Timeline
2001: The act is enacted and takes effect.
2016: The act is amended, accelerating treatment deadlines and tightening requirements for planned treatment.
2022 to 2024: Area-by-area treatment deadlines for high-concentration PCB waste at JESCO treatment facilities are reached in sequence.
March 31, 2027: The deadline for completing treatment of all low-concentration PCB waste.
Business Impact
Businesses that own older electrical equipment, such as transformers, capacitors, and lighting ballasts, are required to identify and investigate whether any of the equipment they store or use contains PCBs.
Failing to store or dispose of PCB waste by the statutory deadline is subject to orders and penalties, making entrustment of treatment to a certified treatment provider and annual reporting on storage status a legal obligation.