To achieve the global goal of chemical manufacture and use with minimization of significant adverse effects on human health and the environment by 2020, and to accept newly notified chemicals mutually, global harmonization of the Japanese legal system for chemical management has become an urgent priority. A necessity for establishing new law to coordinate the various aspects of chemical management has been suggested. When the Japanese legal system is reformed, it is important that the methodology for data collection and evaluation for chemical safety is technically harmonized globally. From this viewpoint, concrete matters to be discussed in detail were selected. Major problems and subjects concerning biodegradability testing were here considered as key items with regard to the Japanese legal system.

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We developed the evaluation indicators regarding the integrated chemicals management in order to stimulate the improvement of voluntary management by corporations. These indicators are the matrix of three horizontal axes and four longitudinal axes. The horizontal axes are the standards to evaluate the activities regarding integrated chemicals management. These evaluation axes were named SCP axes, i.e. Science axis (evaluation of science basis), Capacity axis (evaluation of ability of personnel and organization), and Performance axis (achievement and situation of cooperation with clients, and/or information disclosure to society). The longitudinal axes are the evaluation elements, i.e. hazard assessment, exposure assessment, risk assessment and risk management. We carried out the questionnaire survey by using this evaluation indicator system and obtained the valid responses from 197 corporations. We analyzed the overall trend. It is concluded that the individual analysis will clarify the problems of each corporation regarding the integrated chemicals management.

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We developed an evaluation indicator regarding the integrated chemicals management aiming at promoting voluntary chemicals management by corporations. The indicator consists of four longitudinal axes (evaluation elements, i.e. hazard assessment, exposure assessment, risk assessment and risk management) and three horizontal axes (SCP axes, i.e. Science axis for science basis, Capacity axis for the ability of personnel and organization, and Performance axis for the degree of achievement and situation of cooperation with clients, and/or information disclosure to society), which are based on general framework of risk-based management system. We analyzed results of a questionnaire survey carried out in 2006 according to the evaluation indicator. Some corporations were analyzed to clarify specific problems for each one. As a result, features and problems of each corporation were clarified and practical measures for improvement were indicated. It is concluded that the evaluation indicator is quite useful for corporations to self–check their management conditions of chemicals. Consequently, it is expected to contribute voluntary improvement activities by corporations.

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There are no legal systems concerning integrated and/or comprehensive chemical management in Japan, so we propose here a draft framework for the law on integrated management of chemicals. It is composed of objectives, basic strategies, definition of important processes of assessing chemical risks to the human health and the environment, a standardized procedure of risk management for protection of the health of people (workers, consumers and general publics) and the environment related to actual uses of chemicals, six basic systems for systematic management of chemicals, an independent administrative agency, a comprehensive evaluation institute and so on. We consider, further more, the way of introducing the law into Japanese existing regulatory systems related to chemical management.

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The basic concept of the Integrated Chemicals Management was built through discussions in Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) since the 1970s and was finally compiled in Chapter 19, Agenda 21 at the UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in 1992. Since then, it was positioned as the basic general principle at the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in 2002 and at the International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM) in 2006 and has generated multiple treaties and regulations. During this period, there were international controversies abounded on risk assessment and risk management in the fields of bio products and food. Moreover, in recent years, debates have also risen in the field of nano material. Because the basic concept of these controversies is based on the same track as the basic concept of the integrated chemicals management, it is assumed that the coverage of the integrated chemicals management will include agricultural chemicals, pharmaceuticals and food and expand in the future. While giving a bird's–eye view of such current trend surrounding the integrated chemicals management, assignments that need to be solved in order to evolve the integrated chemicals management are summarized.

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The 24th SIDS (Screening Information Data Set) Initial Assessment Meeting was held in Paris, France on 17th-20th April 2007. The initial assessment documents of 39 substances were discussed, and the results of initial assessment and the recommendation for 34 substances were approved at the meeting. The Japanese Government submitted the initial assessment documents for three substances; 2-sec-butyl-4,6-dinitrophenol (CAS: 88-85-7), prepared by the Japanese Government, N-(2-octadecanoylamidoethyl)octadecanamide (CAS: 110-30-5/5136-44-7/5518-18-3 mixture) and ferrous sulfate heptahydrate (CAS:7782-63-0), prepared by International Council of Chemical Association (ICCA), and these documents were approved at the meeting. Ferrous sulfate heptahydrate was submitted as a member of a chemical category (Iron salts and their hydrates). This paper reports the summary of the 24th SIDS Initial Assessment Meeting.

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