JP Pollution Prevention Manager System (Act on Special Measures Concerning Pollution Prevention Organizations)
ENFORCEMENT TIMELINE
Enacted 1971 (Immediate application upon facility installation or modification)
Overview
The Act on Special Measures Concerning Pollution Prevention Organizations in Specified Factories requires manufacturing and other designated factories to establish an organizational structure for overseeing and managing pollution prevention activities. Factories operating facilities that emit air pollutants, water pollutants, noise, vibration, or dioxins are required to appoint, and notify authorities of, a pollution prevention supervisor and a nationally licensed pollution prevention manager.
Enforcement Timeline
1971: The Act on Special Measures Concerning Pollution Prevention Organizations is enacted and takes effect.
2000: Additional manager categories are introduced following the enactment of the Act on Special Measures Against Dioxins.
Ongoing: Businesses are required to appoint managers and notify the relevant prefectural governor whenever a factory is newly built, expanded, or its facilities are modified.
Business Impact
Manufacturers, electricity and gas suppliers, and other covered businesses must secure and appoint qualified personnel appropriate to the scale of their factory and the type of emission-generating facilities they operate.
Failing to appoint a manager or filing a false notification carries penalties, and can directly expose the company to liability and the risk of a suspension of operations in the event of an environmental incident.