Japan – Approved Restriction on PFHxS-Related Substances

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Vol. 1519 | 02 Feb 2026

Japan's Cabinet Order 416/2025 regulates PFHxS-related compounds as Class I Specified Chemical Substances from June 2026, prohibiting their manufacture, import, use, and banning import of water-repellent textiles, semiconductor agents, and firefighting foams containing these substances.

In 2023, the Ministries of Japan approved Cabinet Order no.343 of 2023 to regulate perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS), its salts and their isomers and certain products contain these substances. (See Insight Vol.1388: Japan Approved Restriction on PFHxS)

On Dec 17 2025, the Ministries of Japan has published Cabinet Order no. 416 of 2025 to introduce the restriction on PFHxS-related compounds under the Act on the Evaluation of Chemical Substances and Regulation of their Manufacturer etc. This Order shall take effect on Jun 17 2026.

This Order:

  1. Designated PFHxS-related compounds as Class I Specified Chemical Substances.
  2. Prohibited the importation of the following products containing PFHxS-related compounds:
    • Water-repellent and oil-repellent textiles
    • Etching agents used for metal processing
    • Etchants used in the manufacture of semiconductors
    • Surface treatment agents for plating and such preparation additives
    • Antireflection agents used in semiconductor manufacturing
    • Resists for semiconductors
    • Water repellent, oil repellent and fabric protection agents
    • Fire extinguishers, fire-extinguishing agents, and fire-extinguishing foam
    • Water-repellent clothes and oil-repellent clothes
    • Water-repellent floor coverings and oil-repellent floor coverings 

A link to the Regulation is below: 

https://www.meti.go.jp/english/press/2025/1212_001.html

If you have further questions, please contact Dr. Kathy Leung (Kathy.Leung@intertek.com) or Dr. Ben Cheng (Ben.PS.Cheng@intertek.com)

If you have any questions, please contact:

Dr. Kathy Leung

Senior Technical Director, Global Softlines

Dr. Kathy Leung has over 20 years of experience in the quality assurance industry, specializing in hazardous restricted substances testing for consumer goods, materials, and chemical formulations. She holds a PhD in Analytical and Environmental Chemistry. Dr. Leung actively contributes to industry standards as a member of LabTAC for AFIRM Group, the RSL Taskforce for AAFA, and the ZDHC Laboratory Advisory Group, sharing her expertise to enhance safety and compliance in the field.

Email: kathy.leung@intertek.com

Dr. Ben PS Cheng

Technical Manager, Global Softlines

With over 10 years of experience in the testing, inspection, and certification industry, Ben possesses extensive hands-on expertise in quality management and laboratory testing across various consumer product categories, including apparel and footwear. He has provided education and support to buyers and retailers on Restricted Substances Lists (RSL) and Manufacturing Restricted Substances Lists (MRSL), helping them develop effective product safety and compliance programs in line with industry best practices and the evolving legislative and regulatory landscape.

 Email: ben.ps.cheng@intertek.com

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