How to Find a METI Number for a Substance

A METI number (usually in the format x-xxxx) is the registration number of a substance in the CSCL inventory of existing chemicals (ENCS). A substance that does not have a METI number (also known as Class reference number) will be regarded as a new substance in Japan and require notification under CSCL. METI numbers are also required for displaying composition info in the section 3 of SDSs in Japan.

It is not easy to search ENCS on CHRIP to get a METI number because ENCS listings are not based on CAS numbers. Each ENCS listing identified by one METI number may cover a number of similar substances. If you could not find a METI number on CHRIP or J-check, that does not mean your substance is new.

In this article, we will show you how to find a METI number for a substance with mineral oil as an example. If you are unfamiliar with the Japanese inventory of existing and new chemical substances (Japan ENCS) or CHRIP, please click here.

How to find a METI Number for White Mineral Oil?

White mineral oil (petroleum) (CAS 8042-47-5) is a very common chemical substance used in in a wide variety of industrial, professional and consumer applications like pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and food processing.

Assuming that you now need to check its inventory status in Japan and prepare SDSs, normally you will go to CHRIP or J-CHECK and search the ENCS by keyword (mineral oil) or by CAS number. In this case, this is what you will get.

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How to Find a METI Number for a Substance