Japan instructs manufacturers to check for PCBs
Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has ordered manufacturers and importers of organic pigments to carry out a chemical analysis on their products, following a study indicating that such pigments may contain polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) unintentionally generated in their manufacturing process.
This follows an investigation by the Japanese Dyestuff and Industrial Chemicals Association (JDICA), which found that some organic pigments contained concentrations of PCB above the level permitted under the Stockholm Convention. METI has therefore requested around 1,400 companies to undertake further analysis to determine if their products contain PCB generated by the manufacturing process. Any products in which PCB is found above the permitted concentration will then be banned from sale or import.
The ministry has also stated it will initiate an expert consultation to discuss a suitable permitted level for PCB as a byproduct in organic pigments.
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