Japan: Ministry Updates and Supplements Templates for Safety Data Sheets and Labels

The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare (MHLW) has updated sample safety data sheets (SDS) and labels for 140 chemical substances. It has also created new sample documents for 135 more substances. The MHLW published the updated list of substances on its occupational safety web site on September 10.

What currently applies

In Japan, the Industrial Safety and Health Law (ISHL) regulates all aspects of safety related to the handling of chemical substances in the workplace. It also governs implementation of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) in Japan. Manufacturers, importers, suppliers, and employers are required to provide SDSs and labels for substances that are classified as hazardous. They are also subject to other requirements.

The Ministry of Environment (MOE) and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) provide guidelines for creating GHS-compliant SDSs for Japan.

The applicable Japanese industrial standards JIS Z 7252:2019 (for the classification of chemicals according to GHS) and JIS Z 7253:2019 (for labeling and SDS) are based on GHS Rev. 6.

We are familiar with the chemical regulations in Japan and the creation of SDSs. Feel free to contact us at sales@kft.de.