Japan Electrical Conformity (PSE) Certification

PSE (Product Safety Electrical Appliance & Material) is the mandatory conformity regime under Japan's Electrical Appliance and Material Safety Act (DENAN). Products are divided into two groups: 'Specified Products' carry a diamond-shaped PSE mark and require third-party certification; other designated products carry a round PSE mark, and the manufacturer can self-declare.

• Manufacturers exporting electrical products to Japan
• Manufacturers of power supplies, adaptors and chargers
• Manufacturers of household electrical appliances and cable
• Firms that will operate as an importer in Japan

Mandatory for products within scope. A distinctive feature of the regime is that the obligation falls on the Japan-based importer or manufacturer: a foreign manufacturer cannot be the responsible party directly, and the importer in Japan must notify METI. For diamond PSE products, a conformity certificate from an accredited body is additionally obtained.

• Determining whether the product is in the Specified (diamond PSE) or Non-specified (round PSE) category
• Testing against the applicable Japanese technical specifications (J standards)
• Taking grid conditions into account: 100 V, and the regional 50/60 Hz difference
• Plug and cable requirements (using PSE-approved cable and plug)
• Factory audit and certification by an accredited body for diamond PSE
• Notification to METI by the importer/manufacturer in Japan
• Showing the PSE mark and responsible-party information on the label

1. 1Application and Product DescriptionThe product family, model list, technical specifications and target market are determined. The applicable standard and certification route become clear at this step.
2. 2Technical File ReviewDesign documents, the bill of materials, critical-component certificates and the instructions for use are examined.
3. 3Product TestingThe tests the relevant standard requires are carried out. The test report is the fundamental basis for the certification decision.
4. 4Factory AuditIf the scheme requires it, the continuity of manufacturing and factory production control (FPC) are verified on site.
5. 5Issuing the Certificate and MarkingOnce conformity is verified, the certificate is issued; the marking rules for the product and packaging are applied.
6. 6Follow-up AuditsDepending on the scheme, periodic factory audits and/or follow-up testing on samples taken from the market are carried out.

The validity period varies by scheme: some product certificates are indefinite and rely on periodic factory audits, while some schemes (e.g. country market marks) require annual or per-shipment renewal. Every design change to the product requires the certificate to be reviewed.

• The list of product models and variants
• Technical drawings, diagrams and the bill of materials
• Certificates for critical components
• The instructions for use and a sample label
• Existing test reports, if any
• Production-site details

There is no fixed list price; the cost is calculated based on the following variables and provided in writing in the quote.

• The number of models and variants in the product family
• The test scope the applicable standard requires
• Whether a factory audit is required
• The number of target markets and whether each requires separate testing
• Whether existing test reports can be accepted

Product certification is carried out under ISO/IEC 17065; The tests that form the basis for certification are carried out in laboratories with ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation. The two scopes are separate. Recognition between accreditation bodies is provided through IAF and ILAC agreements.

The scope under which this scheme can be offered varies according to your product and activity; it is confirmed in writing at the quote stage.

• KCKorea Conformity
• CCCChina Compulsory Certification
• BISIndia Conformity
• BSMITaiwan Conformity
• RCMAustralia/New Zealand
• CEEU Product Conformity
• UKCAUnited Kingdom Conformity
• ENECElectrical Product Safety