🇯🇵 Asia · Japan

Japan MIC / PSE Certification Guide

Japan's certification system is rigorous and independent. Wireless products require MIC certification, mains-powered products require PSE certification. Technical documentation requirements are high, and a Japanese local representative is usually required.

Certification Overview

Certification	Regulator	Scope	Mandatory
MIC Technical Conformity Certification	Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC)	Products with wireless transmitters	Mandatory
PSE Electrical Appliance Safety Law	Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI)	Specified electrical appliances that are mains powered	Mandatory
VCCI	VCCI Association	IT / multimedia equipment	Voluntary

MIC Wireless Certification in Detail (formerly TELEC)

Applicable Standards

Ordinance No. 88 (2.4GHz low-power data communications), Ordinance No. 157 (5GHz low-power data communications), etc.

Test Items

Frequency deviation / tolerance, occupied frequency bandwidth, antenna power (transmit power), spurious emission intensity, antenna gain and directivity

Key Information

Sample quantity	1-2 units
Certification timeline	3-6 weeks
Certificate validity	Long-term valid
Japanese representative	Required (domestic representative in Japan)
Factory inspection	Not required
Mark	Japanese technical conformity mark + certification number

Note: On the relationship between TELEC and MIC — it was formerly handled by TELEC (the Telecommunications Technology Center), but the regulation is now officially called MIC (Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications) technical conformity certification. The industry still habitually calls it TELEC, but the official name has changed.

PSE Safety Certification in Detail

Diamond vs Round: Finished consumer electronics (Bluetooth earphones, speakers, etc.) are usually round PSE, which allows self-declaration. Safety-critical components such as power cords, fuse holders and current limiters are diamond PSE, which requires third-party certification.

Round PSE (Category B)

Scope: most consumer electronics and home appliances

Method: self-declaration allowed (but most importers require third-party test reports)

Timeline: 3-5 weeks | Factory inspection: not required

Diamond PSE (Category A / specified)

Scope: power cords, fuses, current limiters and other safety-critical parts

Method: must be certified by a METI-recognized third party

Timeline: 6-10 weeks | Factory inspection: required

Applicable Standards

Technical standards (Ordinance Item 1 / Item 2), referencing JIS standards (e.g., JIS C 6950, JIS C 6065, etc., now trending toward IEC 62368-1)

Environment & Energy Efficiency

Regulation	Restrictions / requirements	Scope
J-MOSS	Lead/mercury/cadmium/hexavalent chromium/PBBs/PBDEs	7 categories of electrical and electronic products, Japan's RoHS
Chemical Substances Control Law (CSCL)	Notification required for specific chemical substances	All products
Top Runner Program	Best-in-class energy efficiency levels	Home appliances, office equipment, etc.

Other Key Requirements

PSE mark

The round/diamond PSE mark must be displayed on the product body, together with the manufacturer name, rated voltage/current/power. It cannot be printed on the packaging only.

Technical conformity mark

The wireless product label must include the technical conformity mark + certification number, in Japanese format.

Japanese manual

The manual must include Japanese, and safety warnings must be in Japanese. English can be supplementary but should not replace Japanese.

Voltage / plug

100V/50-60Hz, NEMA 1-15 type (two flat pins, no ground). Compatible with US 110V.

Importer

A Japanese local company must act as the importer and be responsible for PSE. This is a legal requirement, not optional.

Timeline note

Japan's certification timeline starts when samples arrive at the Japanese laboratory, excluding shipping time (about 3-5 days). During peak season, queuing may take 3-4 weeks.

FAQs

How do I distinguish round PSE from diamond PSE?

Finished consumer electronics (Bluetooth earphones, speakers, etc.) are usually round PSE. Safety-critical components such as power cords, fuse holders and current limiters are diamond PSE. Round allows self-declaration; diamond requires third-party certification.

Can low-power Bluetooth products skip MIC certification?

Japan has an exemption for "ultra-low power" equipment, but the threshold is extremely low. Most Bluetooth products do not meet the exemption conditions and still require MIC certification. We do not recommend trying to use the exemption — it causes problems.

Does PSE certification require a factory inspection?

Round PSE does not. Diamond PSE does, and there is follow-up periodic inspection afterward.

Are DC-powered or built-in battery products subject to PSE?

Usually not. PSE mainly targets mains (AC) powered products. Pure DC battery-powered products (without an AC adapter) generally can submit a structural analysis letter arguing they are not subject to PSE; submit it when listing on Amazon.

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