A market authorization for radio products in Japan is granted on the basis of the Japanese Radio Law as well as the Japanese Telecommunication Business Law of the governmental authority Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) and is a requirement for the marketing of products in Japan.
The exact certification process for a market approval in Japan depends on the device itself or the technologies and interfaces used in the device. If the product incorporates radio technology, the certification process is required under the Radio Law.
Products with radio technologies must be tested and approved for marketing in Japan in accordance with the requirements of the Japanese Radio Law. This includes the following technologies:
In this case, the product, including construction and design, is certified on the basis of representative samples. MIC approval is granted if the product complies with the technical standards specified in paragraph 24 of article 38 of the Radio Law. This approval process is particularly suitable for manufacturers of radio products that are produced in large quantities.
The equipment is tested for conformity in accordance with the standards defined in Section 38(6)(6) of the Radio Law. Testing and certification are carried out for each product. This process is primarily designed for equipment that is only produced in small batches (typically less than 100 units).
If the manufacturer is the owner of suitable measuring equipment, the test reports drawn up there can be used for a declaration of conformity. In this case, however, a local Japanese representative must apply for approval from the MIC.
The Telecommunication Business Law is an additional hurdle for the market approval of technical equipment in Japan and must be seen separately from an approval according to the Radio Law. A consideration of the requirements of the Business Law relates primarily to products that can be connected to the state communications network in Japan. It is irrelevant whether this connection is wired or wireless:
Devices that connect directly or indirectly to the public network (and these are both carrier networks and the public Internet) must comply with Article 9 of the Telecommunications Law. This is a requirement aimed at providing a minimum Quality of Service (QoS) to users of the public networks.
Products that fall into this category are mobile phones, fax machines, fixed-line telephones and WLAN routers.
Manufacturers who wish to approve this type of technology or equipment in Japan are therefore required to implement the approval in accordance with the requirements of the Radio Law and Telecommunication Business Law. For both ways, it makes sense for manufacturers to activate a so-called Registered Certification Body (RCB).
In an effort to make the certification process related to the Radio Law and/or Telecommunications Business Law more efficient for manufacturers in and outside Japan, MIC has appointed so-called Registered Certification Bodies (RCB). An RCB has the authority to process an application for certification submitted by a customer on behalf of MIC and then issue a certificate after successful examination.
As part of the marketing authorization for Japan, manufacturers must also comply with the MIC requirements for electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and electrical safety. While VCCI certification certifies that the device conforms to EMC requirements, PSE approval in Japan stands for compliance with the electrical safety requirements of the Product Safety Electrical Appliance and Material Safety Law.
We as CETECOM offer our customers all services required for an approval in Japan. We can perform all tests (including VCCI and PSE) necessary for MIC certification in our ISO 17025 accredited laboratories or in our partner network. We can take over the project handling for you during the entire test and certification process and thus ensure an efficient approval process and a fast approval for the Japanese market with all services from one source.
We are also officially listed with NANDO (New Approach Notified and Designated Organisations) as RCB for the “Sectoral Annex on Radio Equipment” sector for the following areas:
