Japanese officials have given the green light to reform the country’s import registration system, making bringing cosmetics and quasi-drugs into the country less onerous for traders.

Thanks to concerted lobbying over several years from the European Business Council’s Cosmetics and Quasi-Drugs Committee, working closely with counterparts at the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan and the Cosmetic Importers Association, the government has signalled its intention to abolish the current import notification system for cosmetics, quasi drugs and medical devices.

The import application process will also be streamlined, eliminating duplicate paperwork and speeding up the process of importing products to Japan.

The committee is also calling for greater regulatory transparency and alignment of product standards, removing further barriers to imports.