Abstract
The RoHS Directive was established in the EU in 2002 to restrict the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment as a means of promoting more effective management. It strongly encourages measures to be put in place at the production stage, with focusing on risks at the disposal stage in the presence of various chemical substances. With regard to environmental impact of waste treatment, the directive is expected to contribute to reducing the impact in developing countries and other countries and ultimately to reduce the harm caused in the recycling process by preventing the diffusion of hazardous substances contained within the product.
The Japan Chemical Substances Control Law takes into account the lifecycle of chemical substances. The Law regulates the use of targeted chemicals which are selected under a prioritization process according to their toxicity and the amounts they emit into the environment with consideration of degradability. The promotion of more effective management is expected as substances that hold greater risk to the environment and disposal workers in the waste management field are also given priority like the RoHS directive.
