Japanese Regulation
Concerning Japanese regulation (Positive List System) of agricultural chemicals for green coffee beans（Brief Summary）
Provisional Translation by All Japan Coffee Association
Original：Japanese
Concerning Japanese regulation (Positive List System) of agricultural chemicals for green coffee beans (Brief Summary) (Notified on Nov. 29, 2005；Enforced on May 29．2006)
Green Coffee Beans containing agricultural chemicals over the uniform limit or the maximum residue limits cannot be imported, distributed, or processed in Japan.
1. Agricultural chemicals to which the regulation is applied
All the following agricultural chemicals (except exempted substances)
Fungicides, insecticides, and other chemicals used for control of fungi, nematodes, mites, insects, rodents, or other animals and plants or viruses which are injurious to crops (including trees and agricultural and forestry products) and growth accelerators and germination depressors and other chemicals used for promotion or depression of physiological functions of the crops. (Agricultural Chemicals Regulation Law, Article 1-2, Paragraph 1.)
[Exempted substances]
Substances defined by the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare as having no potential to cause damage to human health. See ANNEX 1.
2. Residue of agricultural chemicals remaining in foods
Uniform limit
The amount (0.01 ppm) established by the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare as not posing any adverse health effects. The uniform limit is applied to all the agricultural chemicals for which a maximum residue limits are not established.
Maximum residue limits
- Substances used as ingredients of agricultural chemicals whose limits are specified as "not detected" in foods. See ANNEX 2.
- Maximum residue limits for green coffee beans. See ANNEX 3.
3. Judgment of compliance with the standard limits
Compliance should be determined by calculating a test value to one more digit than required and rounding it off to the nearest digit and by comparing the obtained value with the corresponding standard limit.
4. Import Tolerance System
A request can be made from outside Japan to the Japanese government to establish or amend maximum residue limits in Japan for agricultural chemicals whose use is newly approved for green coffee beans that might be exported to Japan. (PFSB/DFS Notification No. 0205001, Feb. 5, 2004)
[For your information]
Handling of processed foods (roasted beans, instant coffee, extract, etc.)
In principle, processed foods made of materials that meet maximum residue limits can be distributed. Compliance will be examined when any chemical remaining in processed food exceeds the uniform limit of 0.01 ppm.
** Positive List System for Agricultural Chemical Residues in Foods **
Analytical Methods for Residual Compositional Substances of Agricultural Chemicals, Feed Additives, and Veterinary Drugs in Food
** Positive List System for Agricultural Chemical Residues in Foods **