Schließen
Amendments to Japan’s Product Safety Laws Introduce New Obligations for Overseas Sellers
Amendments to Japan’s Four Product Safety Acts, including the Electrical Appliances and Materials Safety Act (PSE) and the Consumer Product Safety Act (PSC), took effect on December 25, 2025. The revised framework establishes clearer responsibilities for foreign businesses that sell regulated products directly to consumers in Japan, particularly through cross-border e-commerce platforms. Overseas sellers that import and distribute products subject to PS Mark requirements are now classified as “Specified Importers” when conducting business involving designated goods. These entities must fulfill obligations comparable to those imposed on domestic manufacturers and importers, including filing notifications with the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and ensuring compliance with applicable technical safety standards. Products regulated under PSE/PSC usually require PSE certification/PSC certification in order to be approved for import and sale in Japan.
To strengthen regulatory oversight, Specified Importers are required to appoint a Domestic Administrator in Japan. This representative must maintain a registered address in Japan, be capable of communicating in Japanese, and enter into a written agreement defining delegated responsibilities. The regulatory scope covers multiple product categories under the Four Acts, including electrical appliances such as AC adapters under PSE, consumer goods such as infant toys, baby beds, and laser pointers under PSC, as well as gas appliances and LPG-related equipment regulated under PSTG and PSLPG. Within the PSE framework, designated electrical appliances bearing the diamond-shaped PSE mark are subject to mandatory conformity assessment by a Registered Conformity Assessment Body and require a Certificate of Conformity prior to market entry, while non-designated items bearing the circular PSE mark are not subject to mandatory third-party assessment but must still comply with technical standards.
Feel free to contact us any time if you need assistance or have any questions re-garding Japanese certifications like PSC Certification, PSE Certification, TELEC Certification, JIS Certification and the VCCI Mark Certification.
Tel. Europe: +49-69-271 37 69 258
Tel. US: +1 773 654-2673
Email: info@certification-japan.com
For more information you can download our free brochure “Japan Certification Made Easy – The Booklet”.
Japan Steps Up Safety and Recycling Measures Amid Rise in Lithium-Ion Battery Fires
Japan is facing heightened safety concerns as incidents involving lithium-ion battery-powered products continue to rise, driven in part by extreme summer heat and year-round use of rechargeable devices. Authorities note that batteries used in common items such as smartphones, mobile power banks, electric-assist bicycles, handheld fans, and heated clothing are sensitive to heat, impact, and overcharging, which can trigger fires. The growing circulation of low-cost, low-quality products has further amplified these risks. Data from national agencies indicate thousands of battery-related accidents over recent years, prompting increased attention to product safety, recall monitoring, and consumer awareness. Li-Ion Battery related equipment and components usually require PSE certification in order to be approved for import and sale in Japan.
In addition to accidents during use, improper disposal of lithium-ion batteries has caused fires in garbage trucks and waste-processing facilities, resulting in equipment damage and operational shutdowns. To address this, Japanese authorities are strengthening guidance on disposal practices, emphasizing separate collection and recycling through designated channels, while acknowledging that sorting remains difficult for consumers due to product design and varying municipal rules. Regulatory bodies have expanded the scope of designated recyclable products to include smartphones, mobile batteries, and heated tobacco devices, placing new collection and recycling obligations on manufacturers from next year. Multiple government agencies have also established a coordination framework to develop comprehensive preventive measures, with a focus on public outreach, recall awareness, and safer handling of lithium-ion batteries.
Feel free to contact us any time if you need assistance or have any questions re-garding Japanese certifications like PSC Certification, PSE Certification, TELEC Certification, JIS Certification and the VCCI Mark Certification.
Tel. Europe: +49-69-271 37 69 258
Tel. US: +1 773 654-2673
Email: info@certification-japan.com
For more information you can download our free brochure “Japan Certification Made Easy – The Booklet”.
We are part of the CERTANIA-Group.