Suggestion: Watch the 10 minutes video tutorial before reading this article
Product compliance becomes increasingly important as cross-border eCommerce and global trade increase rapidly.
Unions and countries typically have administrative marking for electronics and safety products, including the CE mark in the EU and the CCC mark in China.
It’s crucial that you apply for and make sure that you have relevant certifications before selling into a foreign market. If not, your goods might be seized and you can be subject to hefty fines, for example.
As you probably know by now, Japan’s quality certification mark is called the JIS mark and something that I will cover in greater detail in this article.
Topics covered:
- What is the JIS-mark?
- Products That Need the JIS Mark
- The Application Process
- Costs to Apply for the JIS Mark
- FAQ
What is the JIS-mark?
- What is the JIS-mark?
- Products That Need the JIS Mark
- The Application Process
- Costs to Apply for the JIS Mark
- FAQ
What is the JIS-mark?
As mentioned, the JIS-mark is a Japanese quality certification mark and needed for many different kinds of products. JIS is an acronym for “Japan International Standards” and the mark is managed by the committee with the same name, JISC (Japan International Standards Committee).
The same as for the CE mark, it’s mainly used for industrial products, but also for some consumer goods and other products as well.
The mark is issued by the Japanese Standards Association Group (JSA) that is responsible for developing draft JIS, management techniques, standardization, and conformity assessment.
The authority was created in 1945 and plays an important role in the management and development of quality standards.
Free Webinar: How to Sell Online To China & Southeast Asia
- Selling on Tmall & Lazada
- Logistics & fulfillment options
- Payment gateways
- Incorporation & trademarks
Products that Need the JIS-mark
It would take me hours and countless of pages to list all the products that need the JIS-mark. Instead, I created a list that shows a selection of products that typically need the mark:
- Textiles
- Electrical products
- Furnitures
- Office equipment
- Tools
- Instruments
The Application Process
It takes time to apply for certification marks, require costs and I doubt you can manage it without raising one or two questions. You can clarify issues and ask questions with a certification company that helps you with the certification.
1. Find an authorized certification company
You can find certification companies on JISC’s website (see link above). If the information isn’t sufficient, you can contact Trade Commissions as they are often willing to support exporters that have questions.
When you search for a certification company, it’s important that they are capable to perform the tests and conformity assessments needed for the products you plan to export.
To verify the credibility, I’d say you have three options: You can check their website and contact them by email or phone. The website should contain the following information at a minimum: Estimated costs for testing, certification procedures, and test methods.
A financial statement can show you the formal record of the company’s financial activities of the business and proves its credibility.
2. Submit the application
The next step is to submit your application. In most cases, you receive feedback and correct minor items. The following points need to be included in your application:
- Your name and address
- The name and location of the factory
- The numbers and names of the JIS-standards your products must conform to
- Information and the name of your product
A benefit is that the application can be written in English and you don’t necessarily need help from a third party.
3. An auditor performs a factory inspection
Factory audits are often compulsory to receive certification marks. It’s rarely heard of that certification marks that can be issued prior to factory audits. Looking at the JIS-mark, the audit can be performed in accordance with ISO 9001.
4. Perform Testing of the Products According to the JIS-standards
Your products must be tested to secure that they are safe. The tests can be performed in four different ways as listed below:
- The certification company performs the tests in its own lab
- An authorized third party performs the tests (assigned by the certification company)
- Staff from the certification company performs the tests in the exporter’s factory’s lab
- Your staff performs the tests with witnesses from the certification company
- The tests are performed by a third party assigned by you (and approved by the certification company)
5. Approval or Rejection
The certification company makes a final evaluation after the factory audit and the product tests. You better prepare a celebration if your products are in compliance with the JIS-standards and pass the tests.
6. Agreement on Usage of the JIS-Mark
Now it’s time to set up an agreement for the usage of the JIS-mark. There are regulations explaining how to affix the mark and how to use it. You can also include the JIS-mark on your business card.
You can affix the mark on the products or the batches before ship out. The certification company chooses the best affix method for your products and the frequency of re-certification.
7. Follow-Up Audits by the Auditor
The certification company is obliged to request a re-certification at least 6 months before your certification expires.
You submit an application for re-certification, later the certification company issues an audit plan. Your products will be tested and your factory re-audited again.
Costs to Apply for the JIS Mark
This article wouldn’t be completed without information about the costs to apply for the JIS-Mark.
The fees include:
- Application fee – ¥70,000: Administrative costs that are charged only for the first application
- The factory audit fee – On-site audit ¥140,000 (per person-day) or ¥20,000 (per person-hour): Administrative costs when your documents are reviewed and costs that arise when the auditors visit the factory
- Product testing fee – Estimated individually
- Certification costs – ¥150,000: Costs for arranging the audit, evaluate and issue the certificate
- Renewal of the certification fee – ¥50,000 (per year): To be paid within the same month as the certificate was issued, every year
- Travel fees for the certification company: You are obliged to pay for accommodation, daily allowances and transportation fees
Keep in mind that fees can change and that the above information is just for your general information only. It’s important that you contact the related authorities and/or a third-party certification company to get the latest fees.
FAQ
Below I have included some commonly asked questions and our replies. If there’s anything else you wonder about, feel free to write a comment below.
What happens if a company is no longer authorized to perform audits and to issue JIS-marks?
If the certification company is removed from the list of being a “credential company”, your JIS-mark will no longer be valid.
As a result, you are not allowed to export any parts to Japan until you find a new certification company that performs new product testing and a new factory audit.
The certification company is obliged to inform it’s loss of its authorization 6 months in advance.
How long time is needed for the certification company to make a judgment?
It generally takes 3-6 months but should be confirmed by the certification company. You can contact them directly and sometimes find the information on their websites.
What should I do if anything in the factory has changed?
First of all, it depends on the magnitude of the change. Thus, discuss with the certification company and request to receive more information.
You need to apply for a new certification in the case where the production factory is changed. Again, it also depends on the changes made.
Summary
- The exporter applies for the JIS mark (submission of documents)
- An authorized laboratory certifies your products (Product testing and factory audit)
- Everyone from retailers, manufacturers and exporters can apply for the JIS-mark
- The auditor performs the certification through factory audits and product testing
- The auditor and valid JIS-standard set the criteria
- You must renew your certification once every third year
I hope you found this article and useful. Compliance becomes increasingly important that we will most likely see more stringent import requirements in the future, for the protection of humans, animals, and property.
Before you start exporting your products to Japan, you must confirm what quality standards and certification are needed for your products.
This can be done by a third-party, who can do a preliminary assessment and the following testing. If you want to get in touch with Japanese certification companies, you can contact us by email and we will come back earliest possible.
