Japan Updates List of Substances Subject to Risk Assessment (Cutoff Values List) 
On March 31, 2026, Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) uploaded an Excel file titled “List of Substances Subject to Risk Assessment (Cutoff Values List)” under “List of Target Substances” on its webpage “New Regulations for Preventing Industrial Accidents Caused by Chemical Substances.”
Substances subject to risk assessment are designated based on the results of GHS classification conducted by the government, as shown in the table below.
| Fiscal Year | Government‑Conducted GHS Classification | Addition of Substances Subject to Labeling and SDS |
|---|---|---|
| FY2021 – FY2023 | From FY2021 through FY2023, 155 substances were newly classified by the government as hazardous or harmful based on chemical classification results. | By FY2020, 1,654 substances had been newly classified by the government as hazardous or harmful based on chemical classification results. |
| FY2024 | 50–100 substances | 155 substances (with two substances removed) |
| FY2025 | 50–100 substances | 50–100 substances |
| FY2026 | … (continuing) | … (continuing) |
The period during which the government conducts GHS classification is defined in Article 2-2 of the Enforcement Order of the Industrial Safety and Health Act. For example, the Cabinet Order governing the period up to FY2020 (March 31, 2021) was promulgated on August 30, 2023, as the “Cabinet Order Partially Amending the Enforcement Order of the Industrial Safety and Health Act” (Cabinet Order No. 265 of 2023).
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/11300000/001139741.pdf
Similarly, the Cabinet Order governing the period up to FY2023 (March 31, 2024) was promulgated on February 19, 2025, as the “Cabinet Order Partially Amending the Enforcement Order of the Industrial Safety and Health Act” (Cabinet Order No. 35 of 2025).
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/11300000/001415962.pdf
Likewise, the Cabinet Order governing the period up to FY2024 (March 31, 2025) was promulgated on March 31, 2026, as the “Cabinet Order Partially Amending the Enforcement Order of the Industrial Safety and Health Act” (Cabinet Order No. 90 of March 31, 2026).
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/11300000/001684497.pdf
Substances subject to risk assessment based on the government’s GHS classification results are specified in Table 2 of the Industrial Safety and Health Regulations. The newly published “List of Target Substances” identifies substances selected from those classified under the GHS up through FY2024. These substances were announced through the Ministerial Ordinance Partially Amending the Industrial Safety and Health Regulations (MHLW Ordinance No. 68 of 2026). The revised criteria will take effect on April 1, 2028 (FY2028).
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/11300000/001684498.pdf
Beginning April 1, 2025, the threshold values for labeling and SDS descriptions have been removed from Table 2 of the Industrial Safety and Health Regulations. The threshold criteria are now specified in the following notifications:
- Notification (MHLW Notification No. 304 of 2023)
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/11300000/001164664.pdf - Notification (MHLW Notification No. 24 of 2025)
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/11300000/001415969.pdf - Notification (MHLW Notification No. 174 of March 31, 2026)
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/11300000/001684502.pdf
These notifications amend the criteria established by the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare under Article 18, item 3 (Labeling of Names, etc.) and Article 18-2, item 3 (Notification of Names, etc.) of the Enforcement Order of the Industrial Safety and Health Act.
The updated criteria are reflected in the List of Target Substances available on the Ministry’s website.
