Chapter 13
Information Flow System for Chemicals
in Products (CiP) with Adequate
Attention to the Social Dimension: The
Japanese Challenge and the Way
Forward
Makiko Kohno and Masahiko Hirao
Abstract In Japan, a new information flow system for chemicals in products (CiP),
named chemSHERPA, was initiated in 2016. This system provides the name of
a chemical, its Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) number, and its proportion by
weight in each part of a product, combined with legal information covering upstream
to downstream companies. ChemSHERPA may be the first major step to control CiP
of various kinds, as it incorporates a database other than IEC 62474. However, future
steps should be considered. We reviewed the conceptual background for information
systems such as chemSHERPA and considered how it could be modified. Most
systems stress efficiency, wherein chemical management issues are considered at the
beginning of system development; this attitude leads to the circular economy (CE).
However, some warnings have been made about the CE. For example, the CE is
such a young field with many definitions that there is a risk of overlooking the social
dimension. In response to this warning, adequate attention should be paid to the
social dimension and construction of a “closed loop”, remembering that the disposal
of hazardous chemical wastes should be avoided. We examined how chemSHERPA’s
information content may be improved, especially from a legal perspective focusing
on the final waste management. In this context, we analysed legal systems in Japan,
the US and EU, and compiled a list of landfill criteria. Finally, we propose a sample
list to be added to chemSHERPA. This revision enables the control of hazardous
substance emissions, strongly related to the social dimension of sustainability.
Keyword Chemical management · Chemicals in products · Circular economy ·
ChemSHERPA · Landfill
M. Kohno (B) · M. Hirao
Department of Chemical System Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
e-mail: kono@pse.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021
Y. Kishita et al. (eds.), EcoDesign and Sustainability II, Sustainable Production, Life
Cycle Engineering and Management, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-6775-9_13
191
Information Flow System for Chemicals
in Products (CiP) with Adequate
Attention to the Social Dimension: The
Japanese Challenge and the Way
Forward
Makiko Kohno and Masahiko Hirao
Abstract In Japan, a new information flow system for chemicals in products (CiP),
named chemSHERPA, was initiated in 2016. This system provides the name of
a chemical, its Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) number, and its proportion by
weight in each part of a product, combined with legal information covering upstream
to downstream companies. ChemSHERPA may be the first major step to control CiP
of various kinds, as it incorporates a database other than IEC 62474. However, future
steps should be considered. We reviewed the conceptual background for information
systems such as chemSHERPA and considered how it could be modified. Most
systems stress efficiency, wherein chemical management issues are considered at the
beginning of system development; this attitude leads to the circular economy (CE).
However, some warnings have been made about the CE. For example, the CE is
such a young field with many definitions that there is a risk of overlooking the social
dimension. In response to this warning, adequate attention should be paid to the
social dimension and construction of a “closed loop”, remembering that the disposal
of hazardous chemical wastes should be avoided. We examined how chemSHERPA’s
information content may be improved, especially from a legal perspective focusing
on the final waste management. In this context, we analysed legal systems in Japan,
the US and EU, and compiled a list of landfill criteria. Finally, we propose a sample
list to be added to chemSHERPA. This revision enables the control of hazardous
substance emissions, strongly related to the social dimension of sustainability.
Keyword Chemical management · Chemicals in products · Circular economy ·
ChemSHERPA · Landfill
M. Kohno (B) · M. Hirao
Department of Chemical System Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
e-mail: kono@pse.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021
Y. Kishita et al. (eds.), EcoDesign and Sustainability II, Sustainable Production, Life
Cycle Engineering and Management, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-6775-9_13
191