Procedures for Mercury Emission Facilities

Last Updated April 10, 2024

Following the entry into force of the Minamata Convention on Mercury, mercury emission regulations were started on April 1, 2018 due to the revision of the Air Pollution Control Law.
Provides an overview of notification procedures and regulatory standards based on the Air Pollution Control Law for mercury emission facilities.

1 Outline of the notification procedure

When installing or changing mercury emission facilities, or when the corporate representatives listed in the notification of mercury emission facilities are changed, a notification procedure based on the Air Pollution Control Law is required. Mercury emission facilities may require procedures based on other laws and regulations. For details, please refer to the section in charge.

Laws and regulations

Air Pollution Control Law

Facilities

Mercury Emission Facilities

Procedures

Notification

Installation, change, name change, succession, abolition, etc.

2 Regarding regulatory standards, etc.

It is necessary to comply with emission standards pertaining to mercury emission facilities stipulated in the Air Pollution Control Law. For details, please refer to the Mercury Emission Facilities and Regulations.

3. Notification procedures for mercury emission facilities

For details on reports, etc., be sure to check in advance at the section in charge. For the notification, please fill out the prescribed form with required items and submit the attached documents explaining the details. Also, please unify the size of the registration form documents to A4 and fold large drawings to A4.
In addition, we may not be able to accept documents if there are incomplete documents, so please allow enough time for submission.

（１） Notification of installation of mercury emission facilities (including existing ones)

Overview of Notification
Subsidiary provisions	Article 18-28 of the Air Pollution Control Law
Style	Installation of mercury emission facilities (use, change) registration form [Form 3-6] (outside site)
Number of copies submitted	2 copies of primary and secondary copies
Submission deadline	Installation work cannot be performed until 60 days have passed since the date the notification was received. However, depending on the results of the examination after receiving the notification, the implementation restriction period may be shortened. (Article 18-36 of the Air Pollution Control Act)
Remarks	In the case of notification, be sure to consult with the section in charge in advance.

attached documents

Depending on the content of the notification, in addition to the materials shown here, there may be cases where it is necessary or unnecessary, so please check at the counter at the time of notification. In addition, multiple contents may be summarized in one drawing, but be careful not to make the contents difficult to understand.

attached documents
Documents	Remarks
Overview of the contents of the notification	In addition to the reasons for notification, please summarize how to use mercury emission facilities, an overview of mercury generation and its treatment methods, and an overview of the production process (flowsheets, etc.).
Guide map	Attach a map that shows the location of the establishment where the mercury emission facility is installed.
Floor plan of business sites	Mark mercury emission facilities, flues, chimneys, etc. with a color pen, etc., and enter the facility number, facility name, and chimney number.
Layout of mercury emission facilities (floor plan, elevation)	Mark the target facility with a color pen, etc., and enter the facility number and facility name.
Structure of Mercury Emission Facilities
Specifications, catalogs, etc. of mercury emission facilities	Attach a document that can confirm the scale requirements of the mercury emission facility (burner fuel combustion capacity, heat transfer area, rated capacity of the transformer, etc.).
Fuel piping diagram	Specify the position of the flow meter. Attention: About flow meter Please install the flow meter for each facility.
Flue diagram	Show the flue from the mercury emission facility to the chimney. Please specify the inner diameter of the flue.
Structure diagram of the chimney	Specify the height and inner diameter of the outlet from the ground.
Position map of the measuring port	Specify the position and size of the measurement port for mercury, etc., and also specify the inner diameter of the flue at the location where the measurement port is installed. Attention: About measuring mouth The measurement port should be installed for each mercury emission facility. If there are multiple discharge outlets, in principle, all discharge outlets must be provided with measurement outlets. Avoid the bent part of the flue and make sure that the exhaust gas from other facilities does not join. In principle, the size and shape of the measuring port should be a flange with an inner diameter of about 100 mm.
Statement on emissions	Please attach a statement of emissions from mercury emission facilities.
Warranty or statement of calculation for mercury concentration	Attach a manufacturer's warranty regarding the mercury concentration in the exhaust gas of mercury emission facilities. If a warranty is not issued, attach a statement of mercury concentration in exhaust gas. Create a warranty or statement so that the following concentrations can be confirmed. Total mercury Gas-like mercury Particle mercury For those that are stipulated to be converted to oxygen concentration, the emission concentration converted to the standard oxygen concentration determined for each mercury emission facility should be understood.
Mercury Treatment System Diagram	Make sure that the flow of mercury is understood.
Layout of mercury treatment facilities (floor plan, elevation)	Please state the name of the main equipment.
Structural diagram of mercury treatment facilities
Specifications, calculations, catalogs, etc. of mercury treatment facilities	Attach a document that shows the performance (processing efficiency, etc.) of the mercury treatment facility.
Destination of documents, etc.	Your contact information will be sent to you after the registration form review. Attach the name, postal code, location, and address (department section name, person in charge) of the destination.
Others	Please attach necessary instructions according to the content of the notification.

（２） Notification of changes to mercury-generated facilities

Overview of Notification
Subsidiary provisions	Article 18-30 of the Air Pollution Control Law
Style	Installation of mercury emission facilities (use, change) registration form [Form No. 3-6] (outside site)
Number of copies submitted	2 copies of primary and secondary copies
Submission deadline	Changes cannot be made until 60 days have passed since the date the notification was received. However, depending on the results of the examination after receiving the notification, the implementation restriction period may be shortened. (Article 18-36 of the Air Pollution Control Act).
Remarks	In the case of notification, be sure to consult with the section in charge in advance.

attached documents

Depending on the content of the notification, in addition to the materials shown here, (1) the same thing as the attached documents of the notification of the installation of mercury emission facilities may be required or may not be required. Please check at the counter at the time of notification.

（３） Notification of change in name, etc.

Overview of Notification
Subsidiary provisions	Article 18-36, Paragraph 2 of the Air Pollution Control Act
Style	Name Change registration form (outside site)
Number of copies submitted	2 copies of primary and secondary copies
Submission deadline	Within 30 days from the date of change
Details of notification	Changes related to the following: Name or name and in the case of Address or a corporation, the name of the representative Name and location of a factory or business site

（４） Notification of abolition of mercury emission facilities

Overview of Notification
Subsidiary provisions	Article 18-36, Paragraph 2 of the Air Pollution Control Act
Style	Abolished use of mercury emission facilities registration form [Form No. 5] (outside site)
Number of copies submitted	2 copies of primary and secondary copies
Submission deadline	Within 30 days from the date of abolition
Details of notification	Abolition of mercury emission facilities
Remarks	Make sure that all mercury emission facilities installed at the establishment have been abolished or some mercury emission facilities have been abolished. If necessary, please attach a document that shows the new situation associated with the abolition of the facility (such as what the facility is to be updated).

（５） Notification of succession of mercury emission facilities

Overview of Notification
Subsidiary provisions	Article 18-36, Paragraph 2 of the Air Pollution Control Act
Style	Succession registration form (outside site)
Number of copies submitted	2 copies of primary and secondary copies
Submission deadline	Within 30 days from the date of succession
Details of notification	Succession of mercury emission facilities
Remarks	Make sure that all mercury emission facilities installed at the establishment are succeeded or some mercury emission facilities are succeeded. In the case of succession of some facilities, please attach a document that can identify the facilities that have been succeeded as necessary.

4. Obligation to measure mercury concentrations

The installer of a mercury emission facility must measure the mercury concentration emitted from the mercury emission facility, record the results, and save it. (Article 18-35 of the Air Pollution Control Act)

Measurement frequency, etc.Article 16-18 of the Air Pollution Control Law Enforcement Regulations (outside site)Please check it out.
Recording of measurement results must be kept for 3 years. (Article 15, Paragraph 2 of the Enforcement Regulations of the Air Pollution Control Law)

5. Responsibilities of Business Operators

Businesses should grasp the status of mercury and other emissions into the atmosphere due to business activities, take necessary measures to control the emission, and implement the government's implementation of mercury and other emissions into the atmosphere. You must cooperate with measures to control emissions. (Article 18-38 of the Air Pollution Control Act)

6 Notification Address and Inquiries

Please check the information on the inquiry and notification window.
In addition, depending on the content of the notification and consultation, it may take some time to confirm, so please come with plenty of time.