Article 9(1)The competent minister is to establish and publicize standards of judgment for manufacturers, etc. of fluorocarbons with regard to measures to be taken by them for the manufacture, etc. of substances alternative to fluorocarbons and other rational uses of fluorocarbons, in order to promote the rational use of fluorocarbons.

(2)The standards of judgment prescribed in the preceding paragraph are to be established in line with the guidelines referred to in Article 3, paragraph (1) and taking into consideration the status of development of substances alternative to fluorocarbons and other circumstances, and are to be revised if necessary depending on any changes in these circumstances.

(3)When the competent minister intends to establish the standards of judgment prescribed in paragraph (1), the minister must confer in advance with the Minister of the Environment. The same applies when the competent minister intends to change or abolish the standards of judgment.

(4)When the Minister of the Environment finds it necessary to promote the reduction in emissions of fluorocarbons, the minister may state opinions to the competent minister on the standards of judgment prescribed in paragraph (1).

Article 10When the competent minister finds it necessary to promote the rational use of fluorocarbons, the minister may provide manufacturers, etc. of fluorocarbons with necessary guidance and advice on measures for the manufacture, etc. of substances alternative to fluorocarbons and other rational uses of fluorocarbons, taking into consideration the standards of judgment prescribed in paragraph (1) of the preceding Article.

Article 11(1)When the competent minister finds that the status of measures taken by a manufacturer, etc. of fluorocarbons (limited to one which manufactures, etc. fluorocarbons the production or import volume of which satisfies the requirements specified by order of the competent ministry; hereinafter the same applies in this Article) for the manufacture, etc. of substances alternative to fluorocarbons and other rational uses of fluorocarbons are significantly inadequate in light of the standards of judgment prescribed in Article 9, paragraph (1), the minister may recommend that the manufacturer, etc. of fluorocarbons take necessary measures for the manufacture, etc. of substances alternative to fluorocarbons and other rational use of fluorocarbons, giving the grounds for the minister's judgment.

(2)If a manufacturer, etc. of fluorocarbons which has received a recommendation as prescribed in the preceding paragraph does not follow the recommendation, the competent minister may publicize this fact.

(3)If a manufacturer, etc. of fluorocarbons which has received a recommendation prescribed in paragraph (1) still does not take the recommended measures without reasonable grounds after the competent minister has publicized the fact that it has not followed the recommendation pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, and the minister finds that the rational use of fluorocarbons will be significantly affected, the minister may order the manufacturer, etc. of fluorocarbons to take the recommended measures after hearing the opinions of councils, etc. (meaning organs prescribed in Article 8 of the National Administrative Organization Act (Act No. 120 of 1948)) specified by Cabinet Order.

Article 12(1)With respect to designated products, the competent ministers are to establish and publicize standards of judgment for manufacturers, etc. of designated products with regard to the reduction of the environmental impact of fluorocarbons used in each designated product, in order to promote the rational use of fluorocarbons.

(2)The standards of judgment prescribed in the preceding paragraph are to be established in line with the guidelines referred to in Article 3, paragraph (1) and taking into consideration the environmental impact of fluorocarbons used in the designated product which has the least environmental impact of fluorocarbons used, future prospects for technological development with regard to reduction in the environmental impact of fluorocarbons used in the designated product and other circumstances, and are to be revised if necessary depending on any changes in these circumstances.

(3)When a competent minister intends to establish, revise or abolish the standards of judgment prescribed in paragraph (1), the minister must hear opinions of the Minister of the Environment and the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry.

(4)When the Minister of the Environment and the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry find it particularly necessary to reduce emissions of fluorocarbons, they may state opinions to the competent minister about changing the standards referred to in the preceding paragraph.

Article 13(1)When the competent ministers find it necessary to significantly reduce the environmental impact of fluorocarbons used in designated products which a manufacturer, etc. of designated products (limited to one which manufactures, etc. designated products the production or import volume of which satisfies the requirements specified by order of the competent ministry; hereinafter the same applies in this Article) manufactures, etc. in light of the standards of judgment prescribed in paragraph (1) of the preceding Article, they may indicate reduction goals to the manufacturer, etc. of designated products and recommend that it reduce the environmental impact of fluorocarbons used in the designated products.

(2)The provisions of Article 11, paragraphs (2) and (3) apply mutatis mutandis to a recommendation prescribed in the preceding paragraph.In this case, the term "manufacturer, etc. of fluorocarbons" in these provisions is deemed to be replaced with "manufacturer, etc. of designated products".

Article 14With respect to designated products, the competent ministers are to establish the following matters for each designated product, and give public notice thereof, in order to promote the rational use of fluorocarbons:

Article 15(1)If the competent ministers find that a manufacturer, etc. of designated products has not provided indications of the environmental impact of fluorocarbons used in accordance with the public notice made pursuant to the provisions of the preceding Article with respect to designated products which the manufacturer, etc. of designated products manufactures, etc., the ministers may recommend that the manufacturer, etc. of designated products provide indications of the environmental impact of fluorocarbons used in the designated products in accordance with the public notice made pursuant to the provisions of the Article.

(2)The provisions of paragraphs (2) and (3) of Article 11 apply mutatis mutandis to a recommendation prescribed in the preceding paragraph.In this case, the term "manufacturer, etc. of fluorocarbons" in these provisions is deemed to be replaced with "manufacturer, etc. of designated products".

Article 16(1)The competent ministers are to establish and publicize standards of judgment for managers of class I specified products with regard to measures to be taken by them during the use, etc. of class I specified products to be managed (meaning class I specified products the use, etc. of which managers of class I specified products have the responsibility to manage; hereinafter the same applies in this Section) for the appropriate management of the fluorocarbons, in order to promote the appropriate management of fluorocarbons used in class I specified products.

(2)The standards of judgment prescribed in the preceding paragraph are to be established in line with the guidelines referred to in Article 3, paragraph (1) and taking into consideration the status of use, etc. of class I specified products, the impact on the depletion of the ozone layer and global warming caused by fluorocarbons emitted during the use, etc. of class I specified products, the status of development of products which use substances alternative to fluorocarbons and other circumstances, and are to be revised if necessary depending on any changes in these circumstances.

Article 17When a relevant municipal or prefectural governor finds it necessary to promote the appropriate management of fluorocarbons used in class I specified products, the governor may provide managers of class I specified products with necessary guidance and advice on the use, etc. of class I specified products, taking into consideration the standards of judgment prescribed in paragraph (1) of the preceding Article.

Article 18(1)If a relevant municipal or prefectural governor finds that the use, etc. of class I specified products to be managed by a manager of class I specified products (limited to a manger satisfying the requirements specified by order of the competent ministry, taking into consideration the type and quantity of class I specified products to be managed and other circumstances; hereinafter the same applies in this Article) is significantly inadequate in light of the standards of judgment prescribed in Article 16, paragraph (1), the governor may recommend that the manager of class I specified products take necessary measures for the use, etc. of the class I specified products to be managed, giving the grounds for the minister's judgment.

(2)If a manager of class I specified products who has received a recommendation as prescribed in the preceding paragraph does not follow the recommendation, the municipal or prefectural governor may publicize this fact.

(3)If a manager of class I specified products who has received a recommendation prescribed in paragraph (1) still does not take the recommended measures without reasonable grounds after the municipal or prefectural governor has publicized the fact that the manager has not followed the recommendation pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, and the governor finds that the appropriate management of fluorocarbons used in class I specified products will be significantly affected, the governor may order the manager to take the recommended measures.

Article 19(1)A manager of class I specified products (limited to a manager specified by order of the competent ministry as a business operator the calculated amount of leaked fluorocarbons (meaning the amount of leaked fluorocarbons calculated in the manner specified by order of the competent ministry as the amount of fluorocarbons emitted during the use, etc. of class I specified products; the same applies hereinafter) of which is considerably large; hereinafter the same applies in this Section) must report the calculated amount of leaked fluorocarbons and other matters specified by order of the competent ministry to the ministers with jurisdiction over the business of the manager of class I specified products (hereinafter referred to as "ministers with jurisdiction over the business" in this Section and Article 100) every fiscal year pursuant to the provisions of an order of the competent ministry.

(2)With respect to a business operator engaged in business in which it authorizes the use of specific trademarks, trade names or other indications, specifies the manner of selling goods or providing services, and gives guidance on management on an ongoing basis pursuant to standard general conditions which provide for matters specified by orders of the competent ministries with regard to the use, etc. of class I specified products to be managed, for which products a person who participates in the business (hereinafter referred to as a "franchisee" in this paragraph) will become the manager of class I specified products (a business operator engaging in this type of business is hereinafter referred to as a "chain business operator" in this paragraph), the provisions of the preceding paragraph apply by deeming the franchisee's use, etc. of class I specified products to be managed as the chain business operator's use, etc. of class I specified products to be managed.

(3)When a minister with jurisdiction over the business receives a report pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1), the minister for the business is to notify the Minister of the Environment and the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of the matters reported.

Article 20(1)The Minister of the Environment and the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry are to record the matters of which notice is given pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (3) of the preceding Article in a file stored on a computer, pursuant to the provisions of an Order of the Ministry of the Environment and an Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

(2)When the Minister of the Environment and the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry record matters pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, they are to notify, without delay, the ministers with jurisdiction over the business of the matters recorded in the file referred to in the paragraph (hereinafter referred to as "matters recorded in the file" in this Section) which pertain to managers of class I specified products engaged in business under the jurisdiction of the ministers with jurisdiction over the business, and are to notify the relevant municipal or prefectural governor of the matters recorded in the file which pertain to the places of business located in the municipal or prefectural areas under the jurisdiction of the municipal or prefectural governor, respectively, pursuant to the provisions of an Order of the Ministry of the Environment and an Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

(3)The Minister of the Environment and the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry are to aggregate, without delay, the matters recorded in the file pursuant to the provisions of an Order of the Ministry of the Environment and an Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

(4)The Minister of the Environment and the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry are to notify, without delay, the ministers with jurisdiction over the business and the municipal or prefectural governor of the results of the aggregation pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, and publicize the results.

(5)Upon receiving a notice pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (2), the ministers with jurisdiction over the business and the municipal or prefectural governor may aggregate the matters contained in the notice and publicize the results.

Article 21(1)Upon publication pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (4) of the preceding Article, any person may request the competent ministers to disclose the matters recorded in the file which have been publicized and which are possessed by the competent ministers, on or after the day of the publication.

(2)A request referred to in the preceding paragraph (hereinafter referred to as a "disclosure request" in this paragraph and the following Article) must be made by clarifying the following matters:

Article 22When the competent ministers receive a disclosure request, they must promptly disclose to the person making the disclosure request the matters recorded in the file which pertain to the disclosure request.

Article 23(1)Managers of class I specified products may provide the ministers with jurisdiction over the business with information on the status of changes in the calculated amount of leaked fluorocarbons and other information pertaining to the report pursuant to the provisions of orders of the competent ministries, together with a report pursuant to the provisions of Article 19, paragraph (1), in order to contribute to further understanding of the information publicized pursuant to the provisions of Article 20, paragraph (4) or disclosed pursuant to the provisions of the preceding Article.

(2)A minister with jurisdiction over the business is to notify the Minister of the Environment and the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of any information provided pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph.

(3)The Minister of the Environment and the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry are to record any information contained in a notice given pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph in the file prescribed in Article 20, paragraph (1), pursuant to the provisions of an Order of the Ministry of the Environment and an Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

(4)When the Minister of the Environment and the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry record any matters pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, they are to notify, without delay, the ministers with jurisdiction over the business of the matters recorded in the file specified in the paragraph which pertain to managers of class I specified products engaged in business under the authority of a minister with jurisdiction over the business, and are to notify the relevant municipal or prefectural governor of the matters recorded in the file which pertain to the places of business located in the municipal or prefectural areas under the authority of the municipal or prefectural governor, respectively, pursuant to the provisions of an Order of the Ministry of the Environment and Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and publicize the matters.

(5)The provisions of the preceding two Articles apply mutatis mutandis in the case of a publication made pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph.

Article 24The competent ministers are to provide managers of class I specified products with necessary technical advice, information and other assistance in order to contribute to ensuring appropriate calculation of amounts of leaked fluorocarbons or voluntarily reduction in emissions of fluorocarbons, and promoting other appropriate management of fluorocarbons used in class I specified products.

Article 25A person to whom matters recorded in the file are disclosed must pay, pursuant to the provisions of a Cabinet Order, fees for the disclosure in an amount specified by Cabinet Order, determined by taking the actual costs into consideration.

Article 26(1)A minister with jurisdiction over the business may accept reports pursuant to the provisions of Article 19, paragraph (1) on magnetic disks (including any object capable of securely recording certain matters in an equivalent manner; the same applies in the following paragraph), pursuant to the provisions of an order of the competent ministry.

(2)The competent ministers may accept requests pursuant to the provisions of Article 21, paragraph (1) (including when applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 23, paragraph (5)) or make disclosures pursuant to the provisions of Article 22 (including when they are applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 23, paragraph (5)) on magnetic disks, pursuant to the provisions of orders of the competent ministries.

Article 27(1)Any person intending to engage in class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operations must be registered with the relevant municipal or prefectural governor with jurisdiction over the areas where the operations are to be conducted.

(2)Any person seeking a registration referred to in the preceding paragraph must submit to the relevant municipal or prefectural governor an application containing the following information, with documents specified by order of the competent ministry appended thereto:

Article 28(1)If an application for registration is filed pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (2) of the preceding Article, the relevant municipal or prefectural governor must record the matters set forth in paragraph (2), items (i) through (iii) of the preceding Article, the registration date, and the registration number in the registry of class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operators, except when the governor denies the registration pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) of the following Article.

(2)If the relevant prefectural or municipal governor has completed a registration pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the governor must notify the applicant of this fact without delay.

Article 29(1)If a person seeking a registration referred to in Article 27, paragraph (1) falls under any of the following items, if the matters set forth in Article 27, paragraph (2), item (iv) pertaining to an application for registration pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (2) of the Article are found not to comply with the standards specified by order of the competent ministry as sufficient to appropriately fill class I specified products with fluorocarbons and appropriately and securely recover fluorocarbons with which class I specified products are filled as a refrigerant, or if an application or appended document includes a false statement on any important matter or fails to state a material fact, the relevant municipal or prefectural governor must deny the registration:

(2)If the relevant municipal or prefectural governor has denied a registration pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the governor must notify the applicant of this fact without delay, indicating the reason for denial.

Article 30(1)Unless the registration referred to in Article 27, paragraph (1) is renewed every five years, it ceases to be effective upon the expiration of the relevant five-year period.

(2)The provisions of Article 27, paragraph (2), Article 28 and the preceding Article apply mutatis mutandis to the renewal set forth in the preceding paragraph.

(3)If an application has been submitted for the renewal referred to in paragraph (1), and no disposition has been made on the application by the day on which the period referred to in the same paragraph (hereinafter referred to as the "effective period of registration" in this Article) expires, the previous registration remains in force until a disposition is made, even after the effective period of registration has expired.

(4)In a case referred to in the preceding paragraph, if the registration is renewed, the effective period of registration is calculated from the day following the day on which the previous effective period of registration expired.

Article 31(1)If there has been a change (excluding a minor one specified by an order of the competent ministry) in any of the matters set forth in the items of Article 27, paragraph (2), the class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operator must notify the relevant municipal or prefectural governor of that fact, appending the documents specified by order of the competent ministry, within thirty days from the date of the change.

(2)The provisions of Articles 28 and 29 apply mutatis mutandis if a notification is submitted pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph.

Article 32The relevant municipal or prefectural governor must make the registry of Class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operators available for public inspection.

Article 33(1)If any of the following items apply to a class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operator, the person specified in the relevant item must notify the relevant municipal or prefectural governor (in the case of item (v), the relevant municipal or prefectural governor who has registered the class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operator related to the class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operations discontinued) of this fact within thirty days from the date of occurrence thereof:

(2)If a class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operator has come to fall under any of the items of the preceding paragraph, its registration as a class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operator ceases to be effective.

Article 34If a registration ceases to be effective pursuant to the provisions of Article 30, paragraph (1) or paragraph (2) of the preceding Article, or if a registration is rescinded pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) of the following Article, the relevant municipal or prefectural governor must cancel the registration of the relevant class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operator.

Article 35(1)If a class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operator falls under any of the following items, the relevant municipal or prefectural governor may rescind its registration, or order it to suspend all or part of its business for a period set by the governor not exceeding six months:

(2)The provisions of Article 29, paragraph (2) apply mutatis mutandis if a disposition is made pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph.

Article 36Beyond what is provided for in Article 27 through the preceding Article, necessary matters concerning the registration of class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operators is prescribed by order of the competent ministry.

Article 37(1)In maintaining class I specified products, if it is necessary to fill the class I specified products with fluorocarbons as a refrigerant, a class I specified products maintenance operator must entrust a class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operator with the filling of class I specified products with fluorocarbons; provided, however, that this does not apply if the class I specified products maintenance operator is a class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operator, and fills the class I specified products with fluorocarbons itself.

(2)In entrusting the filling of class I specified products with fluorocarbons prescribed in the main clause of the preceding paragraph, a class I specified products maintenance operator must notify the class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operator of the name and address of the manager of class I specified products who ordered the maintenance of class I specified products, of whether the manager of class I specified products uses an input-output device which connects to a computer used by an information processing center prescribed in Article 76, paragraph (1) (hereinafter referred to as an "information processing center" in this Section) through an electronic telecommunication line, and if an input-output device is used, of the name of the information processing center, pursuant to the provisions of an order of the competent ministry.

(3)A class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operator (including a class I specified products maintenance operator that fills class I specified products with fluorocarbons itself pursuant to the provisions of the proviso to paragraph (1); the same applies in the following paragraph, paragraph (1) of the following Article, paragraphs (1) through (3) of Article 47, and paragraphs (1), (2), (5) and (7) of Article 49) must comply with the standards for filling of class I specified products with fluorocarbons prescribed by order of the competent ministry if it fills class I specified products with fluorocarbons after being entrusted with the filling of class I specified products with fluorocarbons as prescribed in the main clause of paragraph (1) or fills class I specified products with fluorocarbons pursuant to the provisions of the proviso to the paragraph.

(4)If the class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operator has filled class I specified products with fluorocarbons after being entrusted with the filling of class I specified products with fluorocarbons as prescribed in the main clause of paragraph (1) or has filled class I specified products with fluorocarbons pursuant to the provisions of the proviso to the paragraph, it must enter the matters specified by order of the competent ministry in a document attesting to the filling of class I specified products with fluorocarbons (hereinafter referred to as a "filling certificate" in this paragraph and paragraph (1) of the following Article), and deliver the filling certificate to the manager of class I specified products who ordered the maintenance of class I specified products related to the fluorocarbons, pursuant to the provisions of an order of the competent ministry.

Article 38(1)Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (4) of the preceding Article, if a class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operator (limited to one using an input-output device which is connected to a computer used by an information processing center (limited to the information processing center the notice of the name of which has been given pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (2) of the preceding Article; hereinafter the same applies in this paragraph through paragraph (3)) through an electronic telecommunication line) fills class I specified products with fluorocarbons and registers the amount filled and other matters specified by order of the competent ministry with the information management center, for each type of fluorocarbon, using an electronic data processing system, within the period specified by order of the competent ministry after the class I specified products have been filled with the fluorocarbons with the approval of the manager of the class I specified products pursuant to the provisions of an order of the competent ministry, the class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operator is not required to deliver a filling certificate.

(2)If a registration has been made pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the information processing center is to give notification, without delay, of the matters registered to the manager of class I specified products who ordered the maintenance of class I specified products related to the fluorocarbons for which the registration has been made, using an electronic data processing system.

(3)The information processing center must record the information registered pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) in a file stored on a computer it uses, and retain the information for the period specified by order of the competent ministry from the date of registration.

(4)Beyond what is provided for in the preceding three paragraphs, necessary matters concerning electronic data processing systems are prescribed by order of the competent ministry.

Article 39(1)In maintaining class I specified products, if it is necessary to recover fluorocarbons with which the class I specified products are filled as a refrigerant, a class I specified products maintenance operator must entrust the recovery of the fluorocarbons to a class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operator; provided, however, that this does not apply if the class I specified products maintenance operator is a class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operator, and recovers the fluorocarbons itself.

(2)In entrusting the recovery of fluorocarbons prescribed in the main clause of the preceding paragraph, a class I specified products maintenance operator must notify the class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operator of the name and address of the manager of class I specified products who ordered the maintenance of the class I specified products, of whether the manager of class I specified products uses an input-output device which connects to a computer used by an information processing center through an electronic telecommunication line, and if an input-output device is used, of the name of the information processing center, pursuant to the provisions of an order of the competent ministry.

(3)A class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operator (including a class I specified products maintenance operator that recovers fluorocarbons itself pursuant to the provisions of the proviso to paragraph (1); the same applies in paragraph (6), paragraph (1) of the following Article, Article 46, Article 47, paragraphs (1) through (3), Article 48, Article 49, paragraphs (1), (2) and (5) through (7), Article 59, paragraphs (1) and (2), Article 60, paragraph (2), Article 62, paragraphs (3) and (5), Article 69, paragraphs (1) and (5), Article 70, paragraphs (1) and (2), Article 71, paragraph (2), Article 73, paragraphs (2) and (4), and Article 75) must comply with the standards for recovery of fluorocarbons prescribed in Article 44, paragraph (2) if it recovers fluorocarbons after being entrusted with the recovery of fluorocarbons as prescribed in the main clause of paragraph (1) or recovers fluorocarbons pursuant to the provisions of the proviso to the paragraph.

(4)If a class I specified products maintenance operator has caused a class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operator to recover fluorocarbons with which class I specified products are filled as a refrigerant pursuant to the provisions of the main clause of paragraph (1), and there are fluorocarbons among them other than those with which the class I specified products have been filled again as a refrigerant pursuant to the provisions of the main clause of Article 37, paragraph (1), it must deliver those other fluorocarbons to the class I specified products maintenance operator.

(5)If a class I specified products maintenance operator is requested by a class I specified products maintenance operator to collect the fluorocarbons prescribed in the preceding paragraph, it must collect the fluorocarbons, except when there are reasonable grounds for not doing so.

(6)If a class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operator has recovered fluorocarbons after being entrusted with the recovery of fluorocarbons prescribed in the main clause of paragraph (1) or has recovered fluorocarbons pursuant to the provisions of the proviso to the paragraph, it must enter the matters specified by order of the competent ministry in a document attesting to the recovery of fluorocarbons (hereinafter referred to as a "recovery certificate" in this paragraph and paragraph (1) of the following Article), and deliver the recovery certificate to the manager of class I specified products who ordered the maintenance of the class I specified products related to the fluorocarbons, pursuant to the provisions of an order of the competent ministry.

Article 40(1)Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (6) of the preceding Article, in maintaining class I specified products, if a class I specified products filling and recovery operator recovers fluorocarbons with which class I specified products are filled as a refrigerant (limited to when the input-output device used by the manager of class I specified products who ordered the maintenance of the class I specified products is connected to a computer used by an information processing center (limited to an information processing center notice of the name of which has been given pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (2) of the preceding Article; hereinafter the same applies in this paragraph and paragraphs (2) and (3) of Article 38 as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to the following paragraph) through an electronic telecommunications line) and registers the amount recovered and other matters specified by an order of the competent ministry with the information management center, for each type of fluorocarbon, using an electronic data processing system, within the period specified by order of the competent ministry after it has recovered the fluorocarbons with the approval of the manager of class I specified products pursuant to the provisions of an order of the competent ministry, the class I specified products filling and recovery operator is not required to deliver a recovery certificate.

(2)The provisions of paragraphs (2) through (4) of Article 38 apply mutatis mutandis to the registration pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph.In this case, the term "the preceding three paragraphs" in paragraph (4) of the Article is deemed to be replaced with "Article 40, paragraph (1) and the preceding two paragraphs".

Article 41A manager of class I specified products that intends to undertake the disposal, etc. of class I specified products (hereinafter referred to as a "person undertaking the disposal, etc. of class I specified products") must deliver the fluorocarbons with which the class I specified products are filled as a refrigerant to a class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operator itself or by entrusting the delivery to another person.

Article 42(1)A person engaged in construction business (meaning the construction business prescribed in Article 2, paragraph (2) of the Construction Business Act (Act No. 100 of 1949)) and intending to conclude a contract for construction work directly with a manager of class I specified products that intends to place an order for construction work (excluding construction work for which the manager of class I specified products has been contracted by another person) to demolish all or part of a building or other structure (excluding any building or other structure in which class I specified products are clearly not in place) (the manager of class I specified products intending to place such an order is hereinafter referred to as a "party ordering the specific demolition work" in this Article and Article 100, paragraph (1), item (i)) (the person intending to conclude a contract for such work is hereinafter referred to as a "primary contractor for the specific demolition work") must confirm whether class I specified products are in place in such building or other structure, and explain the results of the confirmation to the party ordering the specific demolition work by delivering documents containing the matters specified by order of the competent ministry.

(2)In a case referred to in the preceding paragraph, the party ordering the specific demolition work must cooperate with the primary contractor for the specific demolition work in confirming whether class I specified products are in place.

Article 43(1)If a person undertaking the disposal, etc. of class I specified products delivers fluorocarbons with which its class I specified products are filled as a refrigerant to a class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operator itself, it must deliver a document containing the following information to the class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operator, pursuant to the provisions of an order of the competent ministry:

(2)If a person undertaking the disposal, etc. of class I specified products entrusts another person with the delivery to a class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operator of fluorocarbons with which its class I specified products are filled as a refrigerant (except when, in the case of the transport of class I specified products related to the fluorocarbons in order to deliver the fluorocarbons, the person undertaking the disposal, etc. of class I specified products only entrusts the transport of the class I specified products), and has concluded a contract entrusting the delivery, the person must deliver a document containing the following information (hereinafter referred to as a "written confirmation of entrustment" in this Article and paragraph (1) of the following Article) to the person entrusted with the delivery, without delay, pursuant to the provisions of an order of the competent ministry:

(3)When a person undertaking the disposal, etc. of class I specified products delivers a document pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) or a written confirmation of entrustment pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the person must retain a copy of the document or of the written confirmation of entrustment for the period specified by order of the competent ministry from the date of delivery.

(4)If a person to which a person undertaking the disposal, etc. of class I specified products entrusts the delivery to a class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operator of fluorocarbons with which class I specified products are filled as a refrigerant (including any other persons to whom an already-entrusted delivery of fluorocarbons to a class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operator is subsequently further entrusted; hereinafter referred to as a "person entrusted with the delivery of class I fluorocarbons") intends to further entrust that delivery of fluorocarbons (except when, in the case of the transport of class I specified products related to the fluorocarbons in order to deliver the fluorocarbons, the person only entrusts the transport of the class I specified products), the person must clearly explain the name and address of the person to which the delivery will be further entrusted to the person undertaking the disposal, etc. of class I specified products, and receive in advance a document which indicates that the person undertaking the disposal, etc. of class I specified products approves of the further entrustment of the delivery (limited to a document containing the matters specified by order of the competent ministry). In this case, the person undertaking the disposal, etc. of class I specified products or the person entrusted with the delivery of class I fluorocarbons must retain a copy of the document which it has delivered or the document which it has received for the period specified by order of the competent ministry from the day on which it delivered the document or the day on which it received the document.

(5)When a person entrusted with the delivery of class I fluorocarbons has concluded a contract to further entrust that delivery of fluorocarbons, it must, without delay, enter the name and address of the person to which it has further entrusted the delivery and other matters specified by order of the competent ministry in the written confirmation of entrustment for the fluorocarbons, and circulate the written confirmation of entrustment to the person who has been further entrusted with the delivery, pursuant to the provisions of an order of the competent ministry.

(6)When a person entrusted with the delivery of class I fluorocarbons delivers the fluorocarbons to a class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operator, it, must enter the matters specified by an order of the competent ministry in the written confirmation of entrustment for the fluorocarbons, and circulate the written confirmation of entrustment to the class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operator, pursuant to the provisions of an order of the competent ministry.

(7)After a person entrusted with the delivery of class I fluorocarbons that circulates a written confirmation of entrustment pursuant to the provisions of the preceding two paragraphs, it must retain a copy of it for the period specified by an order of the competent ministry from the day on which it circulated the copy.

Article 44(1)When a class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operator is requested by a person undertaking the disposal, etc. of class I specified products to collect the fluorocarbons prescribed in Article 41 directly or via a person entrusted with the delivery of class I fluorocarbons, it must collect the fluorocarbons, except when a document has not been delivered pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) of the preceding Article, a written confirmation of entrustment has not been circulated pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (6) of the same Article, or when there are other reasonable grounds for not doing so.

(2)In collecting fluorocarbons pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, a class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operator must recover the fluorocarbons in accordance with the standards for recovery of fluorocarbons specified by order of the competent ministry.

Article 45(1)When a class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operator has collected fluorocarbons directly from a person undertaking the disposal, etc. of class I specified products, it must enter the matters specified by order of the competent ministry in a document attesting to the collection of fluorocarbons (hereinafter referred to as a "collection certificate" in this Article), and deliver it to the person undertaking the disposal, etc. of class I specified products, pursuant to the provisions of an order of the competent ministry.In this case, the class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operator must retain a copy of the collection certificate for the period specified by order of the competent ministry from the day on which it delivered it.

(2)When a class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operator has collected fluorocarbons from a person undertaking the disposal, etc. of class I specified products via a person entrusted with the delivery of class I fluorocarbons, it must enter the matters specified by order of the competent ministry in a collection certificate, deliver the collection certificate to the person entrusted with the delivery of class I fluorocarbons pursuant to the provisions of an order of the competent ministry, and send, without delay, a copy of the collection certificate to the person undertaking the disposal, etc. of class I specified products related to the fluorocarbons.In this case, the class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operator must retain a copy of the collection certificate which it has delivered for the period specified by orders of the competent ministries from the day on which it delivered it.

(3)If a collection certificate has been delivered to a person undertaking the disposal, etc. of class I specified products pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) or a copy of a collection certificate has been sent to a person undertaking the disposal, etc. of class I specified products pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the person undertaking the disposal, etc. of class I specified products must confirm with the collection certificate or the copy of the collection certificate that the delivery of fluorocarbons has been completed, and retain the collection certificate or the copy of the collection certificate for the period specified by order of the competent ministry from the day on which the collection certificate was received by it or the day on which it received the copy of the collection certificate.

(4)If a collection certificate has not been received by a person undertaking the disposal, etc. of class I specified products pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) or a copy of a collection certificate has not been received by a person undertaking the disposal, etc. of class I specified products pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (2) within the period specified by order of the competent ministry, or if a collection certificate or a copy of a collection certificate which does not contain the matters prescribed in paragraph (1) or (2) or a collection certificate or a copy of a collection certificate which contains a false statement has been received by a person undertaking the disposal, etc. of class I specified products, the person undertaking the disposal, etc. of class I specified products must report that fact to the relevant municipal or prefectural governor pursuant to the provisions of an order of the competent ministry.

(5)When a person entrusted with the delivery of class I fluorocarbons has received a collection certificate pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (2), it must retain the collection certificate for the period specified by order of the competent ministry from the day on which the collection certificate was delivered to it.

(6)Beyond what is provided for in the preceding paragraphs, necessary matters concerning collection certificates are prescribed by order of the competent ministry.

Article 46(1)When a class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operator has recovered fluorocarbons related to class I specified products pursuant to the provisions of the proviso to Article 39, paragraph (1), and there are fluorocarbons among them other than those with which the class I specified products have been filled again as a refrigerant pursuant to the provisions of the proviso to Article 37, paragraph (1), or when a class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operator has collected fluorocarbons pursuant to the provisions of Article 39, paragraph (5) or Article 44, paragraph (1), it must deliver the fluorocarbons to a class I fluorocarbon recycling operator or a fluorocarbon destruction operator, except when it recycles the fluorocarbons itself pursuant to the provisions of the proviso to Article 50, paragraph (1) and in other cases specified by order of the competent ministry.

(2)In delivering fluorocarbons pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, a class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operator (including a person who is entrusted by the class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operator to transport fluorocarbons) must transport fluorocarbons in accordance with the standards for transport of fluorocarbons specified by order of the competent ministry.

Article 47(1)Pursuant to the provisions of an order of the competent ministry, a class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operator must prepare a record of the amount of fluorocarbons with which class I specified products were filled as a refrigerant and the amount of fluorocarbons recovered in the case of the maintenance of class I specified products (excluding the amount of fluorocarbons with which the class I specified products have been filled again as a refrigerant after the recovery; the same applies in paragraph (3)), the amount of fluorocarbons recovered in the case of the disposal, etc. of class I specified products, the amount of fluorocarbons recycled if it engages in class I fluorocarbon recycling operations pursuant to the provisions of the proviso to Article 50, paragraph (1), the amount of fluorocarbons delivered to class I fluorocarbon recycling operators, the amount of fluorocarbons delivered to fluorocarbon destruction operators, and other matters specified by order of the competent ministry, for each type of fluorocarbon, and retain the record at the place of business where it conducts its business operations.

(2)If a class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operator has received a request from a manager of class I specified products who ordered the maintenance of class I specified products, a class I specified products maintenance operator, a person undertaking the disposal, etc. of class I specified products or a person entrusted with the delivery of class I fluorocarbons to inspect their records maintained pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operator must not refuse the request without reasonable grounds.

(3)Pursuant to the provisions of an order of the competent ministry, a class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operator must report, every fiscal year, to the relevant municipal or prefectural governor the amount of fluorocarbons with which class I specified products were filled as a refrigerant and the amount of fluorocarbons recovered in the case of the maintenance of class I specified products, the amount of fluorocarbons recovered in the case of the disposal, etc. of class I specified products, the amount of fluorocarbons recycled if it engages in class I fluorocarbon recycling operations pursuant to the provisions of the proviso to Article 50, paragraph (1), the amount of fluorocarbons delivered to class I fluorocarbon recycling operators and the amount of fluorocarbons delivered to fluorocarbon destruction operators in the preceding fiscal year, and other matters specified by order of the competent ministry, for each type of fluorocarbon.

(4)When the relevant municipal or prefectural governor has received a report pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the governor must notify the competent ministers of the reported matters, pursuant to the provisions of orders of the competent ministries.

Article 48If the relevant municipal or prefectural governor finds it necessary to ensure that the entrustment of filling of class I specified products with fluorocarbons pursuant to the provisions of the main clause of Article 37, paragraph (1), the entrustment of recovery of fluorocarbons pursuant to the provisions of the main clause of Article 39, paragraph (1), the delivery of fluorocarbons pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (4) of the Article, Article 41, or Article 46, paragraph (1), the collection of fluorocarbons pursuant to the provisions of Article 39, paragraph (5), or Article 44, paragraph (1), or the confirmation and explanation pursuant to the provisions of Article 42, paragraph (1) are appropriately conducted, they may provide a class I specified products maintenance operator, a person undertaking the disposal, etc. of class I specified products, a primary contractor for specific demolition work or a class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operator with necessary guidance and advice on the entrustment of filling or entrustment of recovery, or on the delivery, collection, or confirmation and explanation.

Article 49(1)If the relevant municipal or prefectural governor finds that a class I specified products maintenance operator or a class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operator has failed to comply with the provisions of Article 37, paragraph (2) or (4), or Article 39, paragraph (2) or (6), the governor may recommend that it take necessary measures.

(2)If the relevant municipal or prefectural governor finds that a class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operator has failed to comply with the provisions of Article 38, paragraph (1) or Article 40, paragraph (1) upon its registration pursuant those provisions, the governor may recommend that the class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operator take necessary measures.

(3)If the relevant municipal or prefectural governor finds that a person undertaking the disposal, etc. of class I specified products or a person entrusted with the delivery of class I fluorocarbons has failed to comply with the provisions of Article 43, the governor may recommend that it take necessary measures.

(4)If the relevant municipal or prefectural governor finds that a person undertaking the disposal, etc. of class I specified products, a person entrusted with the delivery of class I fluorocarbons, or a class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operator has failed to comply with the provisions of Article 45, paragraphs (1) through (5), the governor may recommend that it take necessary measures.

(5)If a municipal prefectural governor finds that a class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operator has failed to comply with the standards for filling of class I specified products with fluorocarbons prescribed in Article 37, paragraph (3) or the standards for collection of fluorocarbons prescribed in Article 44, paragraph (2), or that a class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operator (including a person who is entrusted by the class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operator to transport fluorocarbons; hereinafter the same applies in this paragraph) has failed to comply with the standards for transport of fluorocarbons prescribed in Article 46, paragraph (2), the governor may recommend that the class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operator comply with the standards within the time limit set by the governor.

(6)The relevant municipal or prefectural governor may recommend that a class I specified products maintenance operator, person undertaking the disposal, etc. of class I specified products or class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operator that fails to engage in the entrustment of filling or entrustment of recovery, or in the delivery or collection prescribed in the preceding Article without reasonable grounds engage in the entrustment of filling or entrustment of collection, or in the delivery or collection within the time limit set by the governor.

(7)If a class I specified products maintenance operator, a person undertaking the disposal, etc. of class I specified products, person entrusted with the delivery of class I fluorocarbons, or class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operator that has received a recommendation pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraphs fails to take the recommended measures without reasonable grounds, the municipal or prefectural governor may order it to take the recommended measures.

Article 50(1)A person intending to engage in class I fluorocarbon recycling operations must obtain a license from the competent ministers for each place of business where the person will conduct its business operations; provided, however, that this does not apply if a class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operator engages in class I fluorocarbon recycling operations through facilities or equipment used for recycling of fluorocarbons (hereinafter referred to as "class I fluorocarbon recycling facilities, etc.") and specified by orders of the competent ministries, pursuant to the provisions of orders of the competent ministries.

(2)A person seeking a license set forth in the preceding paragraph must submit an application containing the following information to the competent ministers, with the documents specified by orders of the competent ministries appended thereto, pursuant to the provisions of orders of the competent ministries:

Article 51A competent minister may not grant a license set forth in paragraph (1) of the preceding Article unless the minister finds that the application for the license set forth in the same paragraph conforms to the following items:

Article 52(1)Unless a license referred to in Article 50, paragraph (1) is renewed every five years, it ceases to be effective upon the expiration of the relevant five-year period.

(2)The provisions of Article 50, paragraph (2) and the preceding Article apply mutatis mutandis to the renewal set forth in the preceding paragraph.

(3)If an application has been submitted for renewal referred to in paragraph (1), and no disposition has been made on the application by the day on which the period referred to in the paragraph (hereinafter referred to as the "effective period of the license" in this Article) expires, the previous license remains in effect until a disposition is made, even after the effective period of the license has expired.

(4)In a case referred to in the preceding paragraph, if the license is renewed, the effective period of the license is to be calculated from the day following the day on which the previous effective period of the license expired.

Article 53(1)If a class I fluorocarbon recycling operator intends to change any of the matters set forth in Article 50, paragraph (2), items (iii) through (v), it must obtain permission from the competent ministers, pursuant to the provisions of orders of the competent ministries; provided, however, that this does not apply if the change is a minor one specified by orders of the competent ministries.

(2)The provisions of Article 51 apply mutatis mutandis to the permission set forth in the preceding paragraph.

(3)If a minor change specified by orders of the competent ministries as referred to in the proviso to paragraph (1) has occurred, or there has been a change in any of the matters set forth in Article 50, paragraph (2), item (i) or (ii), or other matters specified by orders of the competent ministries, the class I fluorocarbon recycling operator must notify the competent ministers of this fact within thirty days after the date of change.

Article 54(1)If a class I fluorocarbon recycling operator has come to fall under any of the following items, the person specified in the relevant item must notify the competent ministers of this fact within thirty days after the date of occurrence thereof:

(2)If a class I fluorocarbon recycling operator falls under any of items (i) through (v) of the preceding paragraph, the license granted to the class I fluorocarbon recycling operator set forth in Article 50, paragraph (1) ceases to be effective.

Article 55If a class I fluorocarbon recycling operator falls under any of the following items, the competent ministers may rescind its license, or order it to suspend all or part of its business operations for a period set by the ministers not exceeding six months:

Article 56The competent ministers must maintain a registry of class I fluorocarbon recycling operators that lists the matters set forth in Article 50, paragraph (2), items (i) through (iii), the license date and the license number, and make the registry available for public inspection.

Article 57Beyond what is provided for in Article 50 through the preceding Article, necessary matters concerning licenses granted to class I fluorocarbon recycling operators are prescribed by orders of the competent ministries.

Article 58(1)When a class I fluorocarbon recycling operator has collected fluorocarbons from a class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operator pursuant to the provisions of Article 46, paragraph (1) and recycles the fluorocarbons, it must recycle the fluorocarbons in accordance with the standards for recycling of fluorocarbons specified by order of the competent ministry.

(2)When a class I fluorocarbon recycling operator has recycled fluorocarbons pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, and there are fluorocarbons among them which have not been recycled, it must deliver them to a fluorocarbon destruction operator.

(3)The provisions of Article 46, paragraph (2) apply mutatis mutandis to the delivery of fluorocarbons pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph.In this case, "a class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operator" in paragraph (2) of the Article is deemed to be replaced with "a class I fluorocarbon recycling operator".

Article 59(1)When a class I fluorocarbon recycling operator has recycled fluorocarbons, it must enter the matters specified by order of the competent ministry in a document attesting to the recycling of fluorocarbons (hereinafter referred to as a "recycling certificate" in this Article), and deliver it to the class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operator that has collected the fluorocarbons, pursuant to the provisions of an order of the competent ministry.In this case, the class I fluorocarbon recycling operator must retain a copy of the recycling certificate for the period specified by order of the competent ministry from the day on which it delivered the recycling certificate.

(2)When a class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operator has received a recycling certificate pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, it must circulate the recycling certificate to the person specified in the following items for the categories of cases set forth respectively in those items without delay..In this case, the class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operator must retain a copy of the recycling certificate which it circulated for the period specified by order of the competent ministry from the day on which it circulated the recycling certificate:

(3)If a recycling certificate has been circulated to a class I specified products maintenance operator pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the class I specified products maintenance operator must circulate, without delay, the recycling certificate to the manager of class I specified products who ordered the maintenance of the class I specified products related to fluorocarbons.In this case, the class I specified products maintenance operator must retain a copy of the recycling certificate which it circulated for the period specified by order of the competent ministry from the day on which it circulated it.

Article 60(1)Pursuant to the provisions of an order of the competent ministry, a class I fluorocarbon recycling operator must prepare a record of the amount of fluorocarbons recycled, the amount of fluorocarbons delivered to a fluorocarbon destruction operator, and other matters specified by order of the competent ministry, for each type of fluorocarbon, and retain the record at the place of business where it conducts its business operations.

(2)If a class I fluorocarbon recycling operator has received a request from a manager of class I specified products who ordered the maintenance of class I specified products, a class I specified products maintenance operator, a person undertaking the disposal, etc. of class I specified products, a person entrusted with the delivery of class I fluorocarbons, or a class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operator to inspect their records maintained pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the class I fluorocarbon recycling operator must not refuse the request without reasonable grounds.

(3)Pursuant to the provisions of an order of the competent ministry, a class I fluorocarbon recycling operator must, every fiscal year, report to the competent ministers the amount of fluorocarbons recycled and the amount of fluorocarbons delivered to fluorocarbon destruction operators in the previous fiscal year, and other matters specified by orders of the competent ministries, for each type of fluorocarbon.

Article 61If the competent ministers find it necessary to ensure that the delivery of fluorocarbons pursuant to the provisions of Article 58, paragraph (2) is appropriately conducted, they may provide a class I fluorocarbon recycling operator with necessary guidance and advice on the delivery.

Article 62(1)If the competent ministers find that a class I fluorocarbon recycling operator has failed to comply with the standards for recycling of fluorocarbons prescribed in Article 58, paragraph (1), they may recommend that the class I fluorocarbon recycling operator comply with the standards within the time limit set by the ministers.

(2)If the competent ministers find that a class I fluorocarbon recycling operator (including any person entrusted by the class I fluorocarbon recycling operator to transport fluorocarbons; hereinafter the same applies in this paragraph and paragraph (5)) has failed to comply with the standards for transport of fluorocarbons prescribed in Article 46, paragraph (2) as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 58, paragraph (3), the ministers may recommend that the class I fluorocarbon recycling operator comply with the standards within the time limit set by the ministers.

(3)If the competent ministers find that a class I specified products maintenance operator, a class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operator, or a class I fluorocarbon recycling operator has failed to comply with the provisions of Article 59, the ministers may recommend that it take necessary measures.

(4)If a class I fluorocarbon recycling operator fails to conduct the delivery prescribed in the preceding Article without reasonable grounds, the competent ministers may recommend that the class I fluorocarbon recycling operator conduct the delivery within the time limit set by the ministers.

(5)If a class I specified products maintenance operator, a class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operator, or a class I fluorocarbon recycling operator that has received a recommendation pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraphs fails to take the recommended measures without reasonable grounds, the competent ministers may order it to take the recommended measures.

Article 63(1)A person intending to engage in fluorocarbon destruction operations must obtain a license from the competent ministers for each place of business where the person will conduct its business operations.

(2)A person seeking a license as set forth in the preceding paragraph must submit an application containing the following information to the competent ministers, with the documents specified by order of the competent ministries appended thereto, pursuant to the provisions of orders of the competent ministries:

Article 64The competent ministers must not grant a license as set forth in paragraph (1) of the preceding Article unless the minister finds that the application for the license set forth in the same paragraph conforms to the following items:

Article 65(1)Unless a license set forth in Article 63, paragraph (1) is renewed every five years, it ceases to be effective upon the expiration of the relevant five-year period.

(2)The provisions of Article 63, paragraph (2) and the preceding Article apply mutatis mutandis to the renewal set forth in the preceding paragraph.

(3)If an application has been submitted for renewal as set forth in paragraph (1) and no disposition has been made on the application by the day on which the period set forth in the paragraph (hereinafter referred to as the "effective period of the license" in this Article) expires, the previous license remains in force until a disposition is made, even after the effective period of the license expired.

(4)In any case referred to in the preceding paragraph, if the license is renewed, the effective period of the license is calculated from the day following the day on which the previous effective period of the license expired.

Article 66(1)If a fluorocarbon destruction operator intends to change any of the matters set forth in Article 63, paragraph (2), items (iii) through (v), it must obtain permission from the competent ministers, pursuant to the provisions of orders of the competent ministries; provided, however, that this does not apply if the change is a minor one specified by orders of the competent ministries.

(2)The provisions of Article 64 apply mutatis mutandis to the permission set forth in the preceding paragraph.

(3)If a minor change specified by order of the competent ministry as referred to in the proviso to paragraph (1) has occurred, or there has been a change in any of the matters set forth in Article 63, paragraph (2), item (i) or (ii), or other matters specified by order of the competent ministry, the fluorocarbon destruction operator must notify the competent ministers of this fact within thirty days of the date of change.

Article 67If a fluorocarbon destruction operator falls under any of the following items, the competent ministers may rescind its license, or order it to suspend all or part of its business operations for a period set by the ministers not exceeding six months:

Article 68The provisions of Articles 54, 56 and 57 apply mutatis mutandis to fluorocarbon destruction operators.In this case, the term "recycling of" in Article 54, paragraph (1), items (v) and (vi) is deemed to be replaced with "destruction of", the term "Article 50, paragraph (1)" in paragraph (2) of the same Article is deemed to be replaced with "Article 63, paragraph (1)", the term "Article 50, paragraph (2), item (i)" in Article 56 is deemed to be replaced with "Article 63, paragraph (2), item (i)", and the term "Article 50" in Article 57 is deemed to be replaced with "Article 63".

Article 69(1)When a fluorocarbon destruction operator is requested by a class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operator to collect fluorocarbons pursuant to the provisions of Article 46, paragraph (1), it must collect the fluorocarbons, except when there are reasonable grounds for not doing so.

(2)When a fluorocarbon destruction operator is requested by a class I fluorocarbon recycling operator to collect fluorocarbons pursuant to the provisions of Article 58, paragraph (2), it must collect the fluorocarbons, except when there are reasonable grounds for not doing so.

(3)When a fluorocarbon destruction operator receives an offer from a vehicle manufacturer, etc. or a designated recycling organization (meaning a designated recycling organization prescribed in Article 105 of the End-of-Life Vehicles Recycling Act; the same applies in paragraph (5) and Article 71, paragraph (2)) for the entrustment of destruction of fluorocarbons pursuant to the provisions of Article 26, paragraph (1) of the End-of-Life Vehicles Recycling Act, it must not refuse the offer without reasonable grounds.

(4)When a fluorocarbon destruction operator has collected fluorocarbons pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) or (2), or if it has been entrusted with the destruction of fluorocarbons pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, it must destroy the fluorocarbons in accordance with the standards for destruction of fluorocarbons specified by order of the competent ministry.

(5)A fluorocarbon destruction operator may request a class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operator, class I fluorocarbon recycling operator, vehicle manufacturer, etc. or designated recycling organization to pay reasonable fees in relation to the costs required to destroy fluorocarbons pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph.In this case, the class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operator, the class I fluorocarbon recycling operator, the vehicle manufacturer, etc. or the designated recycling organizations must pay the reasonable fees in response to the request from the fluorocarbon destruction operator.

Article 70(1)When a fluorocarbon destruction operator has collected fluorocarbons pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) of the preceding Article and has destroyed them, it must enter the matters specified by order of the competent ministry in a document attesting to the destruction of fluorocarbons (hereinafter referred to as a "destruction certificate" in this Article), and deliver the destruction certificate to the class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operator that has collected the fluorocarbons, pursuant to the provisions of an order of the competent ministry.In this case, the fluorocarbon destruction operator must retain a copy of the destruction certificate for the period specified by order of the competent ministry from the date of delivery.

(2)The provisions of Article 59, paragraphs (2) and (3) apply mutatis mutandis to destruction certificates.In this case, the term "the preceding paragraph" in paragraph (2) of the Article is deemed to be replaced with "Article 70, paragraph (1)".

Article 71(1)Pursuant to the provisions of an order of the competent ministry, a fluorocarbon destruction operator must prepare a record of the amount of fluorocarbons destroyed and other matters specified by order of the competent ministry, for each type of fluorocarbon, and retain the record at the place of business where it conducts its business operations.

(2)If a fluorocarbon destruction operator has received a request from a manager of class I specified products ordering the maintenance of class I specified products, a class I specified products maintenance operator, a person undertaking the disposal, etc. of class I specified products, a person entrusted with the delivery of class I fluorocarbons, a class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operator, a class I fluorocarbon recycling operator, a person who has delivered an end-of-life vehicle (meaning an end-of-life vehicle prescribed in Article 2, paragraph (2) of the End-of-Life Vehicles Recycling Act; the same applies in Article 87, item (ii)) to a collection operator, a collection operator, a class II fluorocarbon recovery operator, a vehicle manufacturer, etc. or a designated recycling organization to inspect their records retained pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the fluorocarbon destruction operator must not refuse the request without reasonable grounds.

(3)Pursuant to the provisions of an order of the competent ministry, a fluorocarbon destruction operator must report, every fiscal year, to the competent ministers the amount of fluorocarbons destroyed in the previous fiscal year and other matters specified by orders of the competent ministries, for each type of fluorocarbon.

Article 72If the competent ministers find it necessary to ensure the collection of fluorocarbons pursuant to the provisions of Article 69, paragraph (1) or (2), the acceptance of the entrustment of destruction of fluorocarbons pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (3) of the Article, or the destruction of fluorocarbons pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (4) of the Article, the ministers may provide a fluorocarbon destruction operator with necessary guidance and advice on the collection, acceptance of the entrustment of destruction, or destruction.

Article 73(1)If the competent ministers find that a fluorocarbon destruction operator has failed to comply with the standards for destruction of fluorocarbons prescribed in Article 69, paragraph (4), they may recommend that the fluorocarbon destruction operator comply with the standards within the time limit set by the ministers.

(2)If the competent ministers find that a class I specified products maintenance operator, a class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operator, or a fluorocarbon destruction operator has failed to comply with the provisions of Article 70, paragraph (1) or Article 59, paragraph (2) or (3) as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to paragraph (2) of the Article, the ministers may recommend that it take the necessary measures.

(3)If a fluorocarbon destruction operator fails to collect fluorocarbons, fails to accept the entrustment of destruction of fluorocarbons, or fails to destroy fluorocarbons as prescribed in the preceding Article without reasonable grounds, the competent ministers may recommend that the fluorocarbon destruction operator collect fluorocarbons, accept the entrustment of destruction of fluorocarbons, or destroy fluorocarbons within the time limit set by the ministers.

(4)If a class I specified products maintenance operator, a class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operator, or a fluorocarbon destruction operator that has received a recommendation pursuant to the provisions of the preceding three paragraphs has failed to take the recommended measures without reasonable grounds, the competent ministers may order the fluorocarbon destruction operator to take the recommended measures.

Article 74(1)When a class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operator intends to accept the entrustment by a class I specified products maintenance operator of the recovery of fluorocarbons prescribed in the main clause of Article 39, paragraph (1), or is requested by a person undertaking the disposal, etc. of class I specified products to collect fluorocarbons as prescribed in Article 41, it may request the class I specified products maintenance operator or the person undertaking the disposal, etc. of class I specified products to pay reasonable fees in relation to the costs required for the recovery of fluorocarbons, transport of fluorocarbons to deliver them to a fluorocarbon destruction operator or a class I fluorocarbon recycling operator, and destruction or recycling of fluorocarbons (hereinafter referred to as the "costs of recovery, etc. of fluorocarbons" in this Article).

(2)When a class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operator has requested payment of fees pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, and is asked by a class I specified products maintenance operator or a person undertaking the disposal, etc. of class I specified products to explain the fees in relation to the costs of recovery, etc. of fluorocarbons, it must explain to the person asking for the explanation the fees in relation to the costs of recovery, etc. of fluorocarbons and other matters specified by order of the competent ministry.

(3)A class I specified products maintenance operator or a person undertaking the disposal, etc. of class I specified products is to bear the costs of recovery, etc. of fluorocarbons by paying reasonable fees in response to the request of a class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operator pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1).

(4)When a class I specified products maintenance operator has paid fees pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, it may request the person ordering the maintenance of the relevant class I specified products to pay an amount equivalent to the amount of the fees.

(5)When a class I specified products maintenance operator has recovered fluorocarbons itself pursuant to the provisions of the proviso to Article 39, paragraph (1), it may request the manager of class I specified products who ordered the maintenance of the class I specified products to pay reasonable fees in relation to the costs of recovery, etc. of fluorocarbons.

(6)A person ordering the maintenance of class I specified products is to bear the costs of recovery, etc. of fluorocarbons by making payments in response to the request of a class I specified products maintenance operator pursuant to the provisions of the preceding two paragraphs.

Article 75(1)A class I fluorocarbon recycling operator may request a class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operator to pay reasonable fees in relation to the costs required to recycle fluorocarbons pursuant to the provisions of Article 58, paragraph (1).In this case, the class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operator is to pay reasonable fees in response to the request of the class I fluorocarbon recycling operator.

(2)When a class I fluorocarbon recycling operator or a fluorocarbon destruction operator is requested by a class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operator to quote fees payable by the class I fluorocarbon filling and recovery operator upon delivery of fluorocarbons pursuant to the provisions of Article 46, paragraph (1), it must respond to the request without delay.

Article 76(1)The competent ministers may designate a general incorporated association or a general incorporated foundation that is found to be able to perform operations prescribed in the following Article appropriately and securely as an information processing center upon receiving an application therefrom.

(2)Upon designation pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the competent ministers must give public notice of the name, address, and location of the office of the information processing center.

(3)If an information processing center intends to change its name or address or the location of its office, it must notify the competent ministers of this fact in advance.

(4)If the competent ministers have received a notification pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, they must give public notice of the matters related to the notification.

Article 77An information processing center is to perform the following operations:

Article 78(1)If an information processing center performs any of the operations set forth in the items of the preceding Article (hereinafter referred to as "information processing operations"), it must establish rules for information processing operations with regard to matters concerning the methods of performance of and the fees for use of information processing operations and other matters specified by an order of the competent ministry (hereinafter referred to as the "rules of operations" in the following paragraph and Article 85, paragraph (1), item (iii)) before commencing the operations, and obtain approval from the competent ministers. The same applies to cases where changes are made to the rules of operations.

(2)If the competent ministers find that the rules of operations to which the minsters have given approval referred to in the preceding paragraph have become inappropriate to perform information processing operations appropriately and securely, the ministers may order that the rules of operations be changed.

Article 79(1)Each fiscal year, an information processing center must prepare a business plan document and an income and expenditure budget for information processing operations, and obtain approval from the competent ministers pursuant to the provisions of orders of the competent ministries. The same applies to cases where changes are made to the document or budget.

(2)After the end of each fiscal year, an information processing center must prepare a business report and an income and expenditure statement for information processing operations, and submit them to the competent ministers pursuant to the provisions of orders of the competent ministries.

Article 80An information processing center must not suspend or abolish the whole or part of its information processing operations without obtaining permission from the competent ministers.

Article 81A person who is or was an officer or employee of an information processing center must not divulge any secret which has been obtained in connection with information processing operations.

Article 82An information processing center must keep books, enter matters specified by order of the competent ministry with regard to information processing operations in the books, and retain the books pursuant to the provisions of an order of the competent ministry.

Article 83(1)The competent ministers may, to the extent necessary to ensure appropriate operation of information processing operations, have an information processing center make necessary reports concerning the status of information processing operations or assets, or have an official of the ministry enter the office of the information processing center and inspect the status of information processing operations, or books, documents or other objects.

(2)An official who conducts an on-site inspection pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph must carry the official's identification card and present it to the people concerned.

(3)The authority to conduct on-site inspections pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) must not be construed as having been granted for criminal investigations.

Article 84The competent ministers may, to the extent necessary to enforce the provisions of this Section, give an information processing center orders necessary for supervision with regard to information processing operations.

Article 85(1)If an information processing center falls under any of the following items, the competent ministers may rescind its designation pursuant to the provisions of Article 76, paragraph (1) (hereinafter referred to as "designation" in this Article):

(2)When a competent minister has rescinded a designation pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the minister must give public notice of that fact.