Overview
CSCL is Japan's principal law for industrial chemicals, often called Kashin-ho. It controls which chemicals can enter the market and tracks their hazards. Around it sit two practical tools, one for marking electronics and one for moving substance data through the supply chain.
CSCL works through notification and classification. New chemicals must be notified before sale, and substances are grouped into classes by hazard.
How it works
Before a new chemical reaches the Japanese market, a company notifies it so authorities can assess its hazard. CSCL then sorts substances into classes according to how hazardous they are, and the class a substance falls into shapes the obligations that apply to it. This resembles the goal of EU REACH, though the mechanics are Japan's own.
Supporting tools
Two schemes work alongside CSCL in practice. For electronics, Japan uses the J-MOSS marking standard, which flags whether specified substances sit above their limits. For supply-chain data, it uses chemSHERPA, a common format for passing substance information from one company to the next.
How it relates to other topics
- chemSHERPA carries substance data through the supply chain for Japanese manufacturers.
- J-MOSS marks specified substances in electronics.
- EU REACH shares the aim of assessing and controlling chemicals, though it splits the work differently.
Note: this is general educational information and not legal advice. Check the official source before relying on it.