Start of System of Pollution Control Managers

Japan enjoyed remarkable economic growth in the post-war period. At the same time, however, its developing industries created various pollution problems that posed a serious threat to the public health and culture. In 1970, the National Diet took up the issue of pollution, amended the basic law against pollution, and amended or newly established 14 other laws covering air pollution, water pollution, etc.

Most factories newly required to observe toughened controlled levels, however, were not sufficiently organized to control pollution (in terms of personnel).

Therefore, in June 1971, a new law was established requiring the establishment of pollution control organizations in certain factories. This required personnel with expert knowledge regarding pollution control to be stationed in individual factories. The enforcement of this law started the system of pollution control managers.

"Specified Factories"

The "Specified Factories" which are required under the above-mentioned law to station pollution control personnel (select pollution control managers) are factories which:

[1] Belong to one of the following industries:

1. Manufacturing (including processing),
2. Electric power supply,
3. Gas supply, and
4. Heat supply, and

[2] Have installed any of the following facilities specified under the law:

1. Facilities generating soot
2. Facilities generating certain types of dust
3. Facilities generating general types of dust
4. Facilities discharging polluted water
5. Facilities generating noise
6. Facilities generating vibration
7. Facilities generating dioxins

Pollution Control Organizations

The "pollution control organizations" specified by the law may basically be divided into those for "certain factories of more than a certain size" and those for "other certain factories" and are comprised of the following three types of managers.

1. Supervisor of Pollution Control
A supervisor supervises and manages the work relating to control of pollution in factories. A higher level manager such as the factory manager is suitable. No specific qualifications are required.

2. Chief Manager of Pollution Control
A chief manager assists the supervisor of pollution control and directs the pollution control managers. A higher level manager such as a department or section manager is envisioned. Special qualifications are required.

3. Pollution Control Managers
A manager inspects the operation, maintenance, and management of the pollution generating facilities or pollution control facilities, the fuel, and raw materials. The persons directly in charge of these facilities are envisioned. Special qualifications are required.

(Notes)

1. "More than a certain size" means factories generating more than 40,000m³ of soot per hour and discharging an average of more than 10,000m³ of wastewater per day.
2. Chief Manager of Pollution Control are required by law to be appointed in factories of more than a certain size.
3. Supervisor of Pollution Control are not required in certain factories with no more than 20 full-time employees.
4. Pollution control managers must be appointed for each type of pollution generating facility.

Types of Pollution Control Managers

At the present time, there are 13 types of pollution control managers, including Chief Manager of Pollution Control (listed below).

Air Pollution Control Manager
(First grade, Second grade, Third grade, Fourth grade)

Water Pollution Control Manager
(First grade, Second grade, Third grade, Fourth grade)

Noise and Vibration Abatement Manager

Specific Dust Pollution Control Manager

General Dust Pollution Control Manager

Dioxins Pollution Control Manager

Chief Manager of Pollution Control