Chemitoqs Launches Biodegradability Assessment Services for Wildfire Extinguishing Agents

Chemitoqs Launches Innovative Biodegradability Assessment Services

In a significant development for environmental safety, Chemitoqs, a leading testing organization based in Ota, Tokyo, has announced the introduction of their biodegradability assessment services specifically designed for wildfire extinguishing agents. This initiative aligns with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications' established guidelines for evaluating these substances, which took effect on June 30, 2026.

Background on the New Guidelines

The newly formed guidelines stipulate that wildfire extinguishing chemicals must be evaluated from several perspectives: fire extinguishment efficacy, health and environmental impacts, and physical properties. Particularly crucial is the understanding of how these agents affect environments, especially when deployed in natural settings. This necessitates a comprehensive assessment of their impact post-application, recognizing that the mere effectiveness of a product is not enough.

Among the assessment criteria, the guidelines specify that biodegradability testing is essential for foam agents, wetting agents, and gel agents, in adherence with the internationally accepted OECD TG301 standards. This globally recognized methodology assesses a substance’s rate and extent of degradation under aerobic conditions, providing an accurate picture of its environmental impact.

Chemitoqs’ Biodegradability Services

Chemitoqs offers this service in response to the outlined requirements, leveraging its rare ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation in Japan to assure the reliability of its testing data. The organization has over 50 years of experience operating as a third-party testing body, specializing in numerous safety evaluations, including combustion assessments. Chemitoqs is fully equipped to provide a one-stop solution to manufacturers, aiding them from confirming environmental performance during the development phase of their products to gathering assessment data aligned with the new guidelines. This includes specialized equipment for conducting thermal exposure and combustion suppression tests.

Comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessments

In addition to biodegradability, the new guidelines outline a need for evaluations related to mammalian toxicity, irritancy tests, and aquatic toxicity tests. Chemitoqs is prepared to offer these ecological toxicity assessments in collaboration with accredited external testing facilities, allowing them to provide a comprehensive suite of tests for fire extinguishing agents. This arrangement simplifies the process for manufacturers, who can consult with Chemitoqs on all required environmental evaluation tests outlined in the guidelines.

About Chemitoqs

Since its founding in September 1975, Chemitoqs has been dedicated to providing testing and certification support for product development across various industries. Their broad service offerings include evaluations of polymer materials’ properties, biodegradability tests, environmental analyses of hazardous chemicals, and compliance consulting with international standards for a vast range of products, including those for the railway industry, aircraft, construction materials, and food contact materials.

Chemitoqs continues to remain a pivotal resource for companies navigating the complexities of safety and compliance in today’s environmentally conscious market.

For inquiries regarding biodegradability and other testing services, you can contact:

Chemitoqs Shinjo Testing Center
Contact Person: Yutaro Tamiya
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 0233-25-2011
Address: 4102-8 Takadai Nitta, Shinjo, Yamagata, Japan 999-5103

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Through these actions, Chemitoqs is setting new benchmarks in the field of environmental safety and product testing, ensuring that fire extinguishing products not only perform well but also protect our ecosystems.