What kinds of restrictions are there on toxic substances included as household products? How should we handle harmful substances such as formaldehyde contained in underclothes and so on ? 

Twenty types of substances including vinyl chloride are designated as harmful substances and should not be contained in household products above certain standards.

(Law for the Control of Household Products Containing Harmful Substances)

1. Manufacturers and importers of household products are required to know about the effects on human health for substances contained in household products they manufacture or import to prevent health hazards from arising.

2. The Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare may set standards on the content of harmful substances and containers, etc. for household products containing harmful substances when deemed necessary from the viewpoint of public health and sanitation. The sale of household products not meeting these standards is prohibited. Twenty substances are designated as harmful substances up to now.

3. For example the standards are established on formaldehyde contained in 1) diapers, diaper holders, bibs, underclothes, nightclothes, gloves, socks, inner clothes, overclothes, hats and bedclothes of textile products for baby not older than 24 months old, 2) underclothes, nightclothes, gloves, socks and Japanese socks (tabis) of textile products, and 3) adhesive agents of general household products (for wigs, false eyelashes, false beards, or garters.)

(Exemplification of Restrictions)
Example 1: Vinyl chloride:
1) Household products covered: Household aerosol products
2) Standards: Substance must not be detected
3) Reasons for establishment of standards: Vinyl chloride (monomer) is carcinogenic, so use in household products is not allowed.

Example 2: Sodium hydroxide
1) Household products covered: Liquid household detergents
2) Standards: The Alkaline content must not be more than 5 percent and the container must be a predetermined strength.
3) Reasons for establishment of standards: To prevent injury to human body from contents leaked out from broken containers.