Last Updated:	2006-08-16
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Introduction

Japan's recycling and other product stewardship laws cover a wide-spectrum of electrical and electronic equipment, including many components. Voluntary initiatives and mandatory legal measures applicable to these items are described in many of the Sections in the Japan Country Page. Thus, for an understanding of all of the components subject to Japan's product stewardship measures, EIA members should review the other sections in the Japan Country Pages. Particular focus should be given to the Product Take-Back and Recycling, DfE and Product Stewardship, and Energy Efficiency Requirements sections.

EIA members may also wish to refer to the passage describing Green Procurement in the Design for Environment and Product Stewardship Section for the Japan Country Pages. This describes a number of criteria that apply to components, including recommendations that certain products not include cadmium, zinc, or mercury alloys unless batteries including these alloys are collected, reused or recycled without fail, and/or are properly processed.

This Section highlights specific regulations and requirements pertaining to batteries under the regime for the Law for the Promotion of the Effective Utilization of Resources (Law No. 48) (1991) (as amended, 2002) that address battery take-back, labeling, and reuse. The Ministerial Orders under this regime (or "Ordinances") provide EIA members with specific details on the types of labels, battery-powered products, take-back programs, specified under the Law for Promotion of Effective Utilization of Resources. For a more complete understanding of the terms used in these Ordinances, EIA members may also wish to refer to the Fundamental Law for Establishing a Sound Material-Cycle Society (2000).

It is also worth observing that the Battery Association of Japan has developed a voluntary color-coding scheme to facilitate battery sorting and recycling activities. The color-coding scheme is based on the battery chemistries and includes color-code schemes for nickel-cadmium, lead-acid, lithium-ion and nickel metal hydride chemistries. The scheme requires that these different battery types be identified using specific colors and that the chasing arrow symbol be applied to batteries and recyclable battery packaging. Additionally, the Japan Battery Recycle Center (JBRC) exists as an organisation made up of battery and appliance makers, that facilitates and advises industry and consumers on battery recycling issues.