Exhibits arylsulfatase activity towards the artificial substrate 4-methylumbelliferyl sulfate (PubMed:7720070, PubMed:9497243). May be essential for the correct composition of cartilage and bone matrix during development (PubMed:7720070). Has no activity toward steroid sulfates (PubMed:7720070). . This is the function of ARSL (arylsulfatase L, ENSG00000157399).