How Japan Defines “Basel Items” and “Non-Basel Items” in Plastic Waste Exports.

Since 2021, Japan has implemented export rules for used plastics based on the Basel Law Criteria for Determining Applicability to Plastic Waste Exports, established by the Ministry of the Environment.

Under the Basel Convention, each country is required to set its own detailed rules. Japan’s rules are internationally recognized for their clarity and high standards.

A distinctive feature of Japan’s system is the clear separation of pre-consumer plastics (generated at manufacturing sites) and post-consumer plastics (collected after use) at the pre-export stage.

Pre-consumer plastics: Clean, uncontaminated, single-resin materials are treated as non-Basel items and may be exported without restriction.

Post-consumer plastics: Items such as EPS ingots and PET bottle flakes, when processed using dedicated recycling machines to remove dirt and ensure single-resin quality, are also treated as non-Basel items.

For all other plastics, exporters must file a notification with the Ministry of the Environment, and such materials are treated as Basel items subject to official approval.

In other words, the Japanese government has established a system that explicitly distinguishes between “non-Basel items” and “Basel items”, and allows export accordingly.

Understanding for Overseas Stakeholders

The Resource Plastic Association aims to help stakeholders in importing countries understand the criteria by which Japan classifies used plastics as Basel items or non-Basel items.

Even when classified as Basel items, plastics that are clearly identifiable in origin, uncontaminated, and single-resin may be exported if approval is granted by the Ministry of the Environment.

Countries are gradually referencing Japan’s approach and working toward harmonized rules, with the shared goal of enabling the global circulation of high-quality recycled plastics.

The Need for Careful Handling

Plastics classified as Basel items—those with possible contamination or mixed resins—require cautious treatment at the international level.

We believe that restricting all used plastics uniformly as “recycled materials” is unreasonable, both from the standpoint of economic rationality and from the principle of valuing resources.

Reference Documents

The following two official documents from Japan’s Ministry of the Environment form the foundation of these rules. The Resource Plastic Association has prepared English translations.
For readers who understand Japanese, we recommend reviewing the original versions linked below.

▶ Basel Law Criteria for Determining Applicability to Plastic Waste Exports
https://www.env.go.jp/press/files/jp/114830.pdf

▶ FAQ on the Basel Law Applicability Criteria
https://www.env.go.jp/recycle/yugai/basel_r021104.html

Criteria for Determining Whether Plastic Exports Fall under the Basel Act.pdf

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FAQ- Basel Act Applicability Criteria for Plastic Exports .pdf

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