NATIONAL PROFILE on Chemicals Management - UNITAR

7 2 Details on the coordination and cooperationstructure among ministries and agencies, etc.7 2.1 Inter-Ministerial Directors’ Committee forCooperation on Endocrine Disrupting ChemicalsThe Committee convenes at their discretion to exchange information on matters related toendocrine disrupting chemicals among relevant ministries and agencies, and seeks strategicand effective cooperation among them.DiagramInter-Ministerial Cooperation on Endocrine Disruptors● The Ministry of the Environment (MOE)From the viewpoint of environmental conservation- Investigate environmental pollution and its effects onliving organisms in the environment- Conduct risk assessment in view of environmentalpollution- Develop methods of studying reproductive toxicity forpesticides● The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW)From the viewpoint of human health effects- Investigate human exposure, clarify actionmechanisms, investigate effects on human health- Develop methods of evaluating the toxicity ofendocrine disruptorsFrom the viewpoint of occupational health and safety- Investigate occupational endocrine disruptors● The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Scienceand Technology (MEXT)From the viewpoint of promotion of academic research- Promote fundamental research at universitiesFrom the viewpoint of comprehensive promotion ofresearch and development- Conduct fundamental research and development bycooperation among industries, academia andgovernments● The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries(MAFF)From the viewpoint of quality improvement and stablesupply of food- Investigate effects on agricultural, forestry and marineanimals- Clarify behaviours of chemicals in the environmentInter-MinisterialDirectors' Committeefor Cooperation onEndocrine DisruptingChemicals(Executive Board)● The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI)From the viewpoint of promotion of industrial activities- Develop screening methods, etc. for endocrinedisrupting effects- Survey on the production and use of chemicalsubstances● The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport(MLIT)From the viewpoint of conservation of aquaticenvironment and housing environment- Survey and research on rivers, sewage, and housingFrom the viewpoint of prevention of marine pollution- Survey and research on marine pollution- Identification of chemical substances with endocrine disrupting effects, establishment of testing/evaluation methods, etc.- Understanding of the current environmental pollution, clarification of behaviours and mechanisms of chemicals in the environment, evaluation of humanhealth effect, environmental risk assessment, etc.- Establish preventive measures against effects on human health and livingorganisms in the environment(MHLW, MAFF, METI, MILT, MOE)- Establish measures for rivers, sewage and housing (MILT)- Establish safety measures for food, food containers and household products(MEXT, MHLW, MAFF)- Ensure pesticide safety, conduct guidance for their appropriate use (MAFF)- Control chemical emissions into the environment (MOE)- Ensure occupational safety (MHLW)- Conduct technical guidance for the industry and develop substitutes(MAFF, METI)49