Japan's Ministry of the Environment sets standards for bear deterrent sprays

Japan's Ministry of the Environment, in collaboration with the Consumer Affairs Agency and the National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan, has released recommended performance requirements for bear deterrent sprays. This move follows a rise in human-bear encounters and a growing demand for protection products.

Testing conducted on 12 different products circulating in the domestic market revealed significant variations in performance, such as spray distance and duration. To ensure consumer safety, the Ministry has established guidelines for manufacturers and sellers. Recommended standards include a capsaicin concentration of approximately 1–2%, a spray distance of at least 7.5 meters, a spray duration of at least 6 seconds, a fine mist spray pattern, and the inclusion of a safety device.

Authorities are urging consumers to carefully check product labels for these performance specifications before purchasing to ensure the sprays are effective in deterring bear attacks.