Japan's Mandatory Safety Marks and What Changed in December 2025
Why Product Compliance Matters for IOR
Clearing customs is only half the import challenge. Even with a perfect ACP setup, your goods will be stopped if they don't meet Japan's product safety regulations. And since December 2025, foreign sellers face new obligations that extend Japanese safety law beyond the border.
The Regulatory Landscape
Regulation
Authority
Covers
Mark
Electrical Appliance & Material Safety Act (DENAN)
METI
Electronic/electrical products
PSE
Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA)
METI
Non-electronic consumer products
PSC
Food Sanitation Act
MHLW
Food, food-contact materials, kitchenware
—
Radio Act (電波法)
MIC
Wireless devices (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc.)
TELEC
Pharmaceutical & Medical Device Act
MHLW
Cosmetics, medical devices, pharmaceuticals
—
1. PSE — Electrical Products
Two Categories
🔷 Category A — Specified Products
⚪ Category B — Non-Specified Products
Risk level
High
Standard
PSE Mark
♦ Diamond shape
● Round shape
Certification
Third-party (METI-registered body)
Self-declaration
Factory audit
✅ Required + annual follow-up
❌ Not required
Products
Cables, power supplies, lithium batteries, etc. (~116 items)
Household appliances, electronics, etc. (~341 items)
Certificate of Conformity
✅ Mandatory — must retain original
❌ Not required
PSE Compliance Flow
① Identify product category (A or B)
│
② Test against JIS / IEC standards (with JP deviations)
│
├── Category A: Submit to registered conformity body → audit → certificate
│
└── Category B: Self-inspection per technical standards
│
③ Apply PSE mark + nameplate (manufacturer/importer name, ratings)
│
④ File business notification (届出) with METI
│
⑤ Import via ACP → customs clearance
Lighters, hot water equipment, oil heaters, oil water heaters
🆕 December 2025 Reform — Child PSC Mark
🔴 Effective 25 December 2025: All toys intended for children under 3 years (36 months) must carry the Child PSC Mark. This is a new mandatory certification — products without the mark cannot legally be sold in Japan.
Requirement
Detail
Scope
Toys for children under 36 months
Testing
Mechanical safety, physical hazards, flammability
Standards
Japanese technical standards (aligned with ISO 8124 / ST2025)
Mark
Child PSC Mark on product and/or packaging
Age warning
Must be displayed in Japanese
Registration
Business notification to METI required
3. December 2025 — Extra-Territorial Obligations for Foreign Sellers
What Changed
Previously, only Japanese importers bore compliance obligations under the Four Product Safety Acts. The December 2025 amendment extends these obligations to foreign sellers who sell regulated products directly to Japanese consumers (e.g., via e-commerce platforms).
Obligation
Before Dec 2025
After Dec 2025
Business notification to METI
JP importer only
Foreign seller too
Domestic Representative (国内管理人)
Not required for foreign sellers
Mandatory
PS Mark display
JP importer's responsibility
Foreign seller's responsibility
Accident reporting
JP importer
Foreign seller too
Product recall
JP importer
Foreign seller too
Record retention
JP importer
Foreign seller too
Domestic Representative Requirement
Foreign sellers of PSE/PSC-regulated products must now appoint a Domestic Representative (国内管理人) in Japan — a JP-resident individual or entity that:
Domestic Representative (国内管理人)
├── Receives METI communications on behalf of foreign seller
├── Assists with accident reports
├── Coordinates product recalls if needed
├── Named in business notification
└── Acts as point of contact for regulatory authorities
💡 Some ACP providers now offer combined ACP + Domestic Representative services, creating a single compliance partner for customs and product safety.
4. Food & Food-Contact Products
Food Sanitation Act (食品衛生法)
Product Type
Requirement
Food products
Import notification to MHLW quarantine station before or at import
Food additives
Must be on Japan's positive list
Food-contact materials (kitchenware, packaging)
Material safety testing per MHLW standards
Designated toys (for children who may mouth them)
Chemical safety testing (paints, coatings, adhesives)
Import Flow for Food Products
① Prepare product documentation + test reports
│
② Submit import notification (輸入届出) to quarantine station
│
③ Quarantine inspection (document check / physical inspection / lab test)
│
④ Receive import notification certificate (if passed)
│
⑤ Customs clearance via ACP/IOR
│
⑥ Distribution
⚠️ Labeling: All food products sold in Japan must carry Japanese-language labels with ingredients, allergens (27 specified items), nutritional information, expiry date, and the name/address of the importer.
5. Radio Act (電波法) — Wireless Devices
Certification Type
Scope
Authority
TELEC (技術基準適合証明)
All radio-emitting devices (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular, etc.)
MIC (Ministry of Internal Affairs & Communications)
SRE (特定無線設備)
Specified radio equipment
MIC-designated body
Extremely low power
Very low power devices
Self-declaration (recommended testing)
Key Points for Non-Residents
A Japanese legal representative is required to apply for TELEC certification
Testing must cover Japan-specific frequency allocations (may differ from US/EU)
MIC announcements are primarily in Japanese — monitoring requires local support
Compliance Decision Matrix
What are you importing?
│
┌────┴────────────────────────┐
│ │
Electronic? Non-electronic?
│ │
▼ ▼
PSE required Consumer product?
(+ TELEC if wireless) │
┌────┴────┐
│ │
For kids Other
under 3?
│ │
▼ ▼
Child PSC Check PSC
Mark categories
required
ALL PRODUCTS: Check Food Sanitation Act if food/food-contact
✅ Product Compliance Checklist
Identify which regulations apply to your product (PSE / PSC / Food / Radio / Pharma)
Determine product category (A or B for PSE and PSC)
Obtain required testing and certification (JIS/IEC standards)
Apply correct marks and nameplates (in Japanese)
File business notification with METI (if PSE/PSC)
Appoint Domestic Representative (if selling direct to JP consumers from overseas)
