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MIC Certification

Market approval in Japan

The exact certification process for 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.

Japanese Radio Law

Products with radio technologies must be tested and approved in accordance with the Japanese Radio Law for market approval in Japan. These include, but are not limited to, the following technologies:

  • Bluetooth / WLAN
  • Cellular technologies (2G, 3G, 4G, 5G)
  • RFID (2.4 GHz, 920 MHz)
  • Ultra wideband Technology

Radio Law offers three certification processes, ranging from self-declaration to third-party certification:

Certificate of Construction Design or Type

In this case, the product including the construction and design is certified on the basis of representative samples. MIC approval is granted when 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.

 

Technical Regulations Conformity Certification

The equipment is tested for conformity in accordance with the standards defined in Section 38(6)(6) of the Radio Law. Testing and certification is performed for each product. This process is primarily designed for devices that are only produced in small batches (typically less than 100 units).

 

Declaration of Conformity (DoC)

If the manufacturer is the owner of suitable measuring equipment, the test reports prepared there can be used for a declaration of conformity. In this case, the manufacturer must still apply to MIC for approval. The manufacturer will receive the certification number from MIC after a successful evaluation of the submitted documentation.

 

Japanese Telecommunication Business Law

The Telecommunications Business Law is an additional hurdle for the market approval of technical equipment in Japan and should be viewed separately from approval under the Radio Law. Consideration of the requirements of the Business Law relates primarily to products that can be connected to the state communications network in Japan. It does not matter whether this connection is wired or wireless:

Devices that connect directly or indirectly to the public network (and that includes both carrier networks and the public Internet) must meet the technical requirements in Article 52 (2) of the Telecommunications Law. This law aims to provide a minimum Quality of Service (QoS) to the users of the public networks.

Products that fall into this category are cell phones, fax machines, landline phones and WLAN routers.

Manufacturers wishing to approve these types of technologies or devices in Japan are therefore required to implement the approval in accordance with the Radio Law and the Telecommunications Business Law. For both ways, the involvement of a so-called Registered Certification Body (RCB). is useful for manufacturers.

The role of the RCB in MIC certification

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.

EMC and Safety Approvals

As part of the market approval for Japan, manufacturers must also comply with the MIC specifications for electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and electrical safety. While the VCCI certification certifies the conformity of the device in terms of EMC, the PSE approval in Japan stands for compliance with the electrical safety specifications according to the “Product Safety Electrical Appliance and Material Safety Law”.

Our services

We as cetecom advanced offer our customers all services for an approval in Japan. We can perform all tests necessary for MIC certification (including VCCI and PSE) in our ISO 17025 accredited laboratories or in our partner network. We can handle project handling for you throughout the testing and certification process, ensuring an efficient approval process and rapid approval to the Japanese market with all services from a single source.

We are also officially listed with NANDO (New Approach Notified and Designated Organizations) as RCB for the Sectoral Annex on Radio Equipment for the following areas:

  • Article 38-2-2 Paragraph (1) Item i) of Radio Law (License not required)
  • Article 38-2-2 Paragraph (1) Item ii) of Radio Law (Radio stations prescribed in Artide27-2(i).Radio Law)
  • Article 38-2-2 Paragraph (1) Item iii) of Radio Law (Others) (All of the Specified Radio Equipment)

 

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