Amended Consumer Product Safety Act(Effective 2025)
― A Simple Guide to New Regulations for Overseas E-commerce Businesses ―

1. Background of the Amendment (Why is it changing?)
In recent years, cross-border online sales have surged, leading to an influx of products with unverified safety reaching Japanese consumers. Accidents involving children’s products, in particular, have occurred, highlighting the following issues:
- Unclear responsibility of overseas business operators.
- Limited safety regulations for children’s products in Japan.
→ Legal reform became necessary to strengthen consumer protection.
2. Applicable Laws (What are the “4 Product Safety Acts”?)
- Consumer Product Safety Act
- Gas Business Act
- Electrical Appliance and Material Safety Act
- Act on the Securing of Safety and the Optimization of Transaction of Liquefied Petroleum Gas
For overseas e-commerce businesses, the relevant laws are primarily the “Consumer Product Safety Act” and the “Electrical Appliance and Material Safety Act” .
3. Summary of Key Amendment Points (Effective December 25, 2025)
1. Clarification of Overseas Businesses (Specified Importers) as Regulated Entities
Companies (e.g., from China, South Korea, etc.) that sell directly to Japan via online malls are now defined as “Specified Importers.”
Overseas businesses selling directly to Japanese consumers are newly subject to regulation.
→Requirement to appoint and notify a “Domestic Andinistrator” (Representative in Japan).

https://www.meti.go.jp/policy/consumer/seian/shouan/contents/tokuteiyunyu_kaisei_English.pdf
2. Establishment of the Domestic Administrator System
This position serves as the “proxy within Japan” for overseas business operators.
Requirements for Domestic Administrators
- Must have a domicile (address) within Japan.
- Must be able to communicate in Japanese.
- Must have a contract with the overseas business operator stipulating necessary matters.
Duties of Domestic Administrators
- Periodic confirmation of the communication structure with the Specified Import Business Operator.
- Prior reporting in the event of contract termination to prevent a “vacancy” (unappointed state).
- Understanding and reporting on the status of legal compliance.
➡ The Domestic Administrator effectively bears the responsibility for ensuring safety.
【Obligations】
- Obligation to preserve copies of inspection records.
- Obligation to accept orders for the collection of reports, on-site inspections, and product submission.
【Reports Required from Domestic Administrators】
- Every year following the date the Specified Import Business Operator submits a notification, the Domestic Administrator is required to report the following:
* Phone number and email address of the notified business operator.
* Status of the communication structure. - If the Domestic Administrator intends to terminate the contract with the Specified Import Business Operator, they must report this at least 30 days prior to the scheduled date of termination.
3. Strengthening Obligations for Transaction Digital Platforms (DPF)
“Transaction DPF Providers” such as Amazon and Rakuten will also bear a certain level of responsibility.
- They will be required to take measures such as suspending the listing of problematic products.
- If there is a risk of harm, the government can request the deletion of listings.
4. Regulations for Specified Products for Children (Newly Established)
A new classification for “Specified Products for Children” has been added. Initially, the following two products are subject to this regulation (Figure 2):
- Toys for infants and toddlers (intended for children under 3 years old)
- Beds for infants and toddlers

https://www.meti.go.jp/policy/consumer/seian/shouan/contents/toys_kaisei_Japanese.pdf
Attention to Business Operators: Procedures Required by the Four Product Safety Acts (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry)
https://www.meti.go.jp/english/policy/economy/consumer/product_safety/index.html
Infant Toys
After December 25, 2025, all manufactured and imported products will be required to bear the round “Children’s PSC Mark” .
Infant Beds
- Old marks must be replaced with the diamond-shaped Children’s PSC Mark.
- Transitional Measures: Products bearing the old mark will no longer be available for sale after March 25, 2027.

https://www.meti.go.jp/product_safety/consumer/pdf/2025Jan_block_setumei.pdf
Attention to Business Operators: Procedures Required by the Four Product Safety Acts (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry)
https://www.meti.go.jp/english/policy/economy/consumer/product_safety/index.html
4. Actions Required by Business Operators (Checklist)
■ Overseas Business Operators (Specified Import Business Operators)
- Appoint a Domestic Administrator and submit the required notification.
- Design products that conform to technical standards.
- Affix the PSC mark, etc., in accordance with labeling obligations.
- Report any serious accidents within 10 days of occurrence.
■ Domestic Administrators
- Maintain a communication structure with the overseas business operator.
- Support compliance with laws/regulations and submit reports.
- Provide prior reporting when terminating the contract.
■ Domestic Sellers / E-commerce Malls
- Prohibited from selling products without PS/PSC marks.
- Must comply with measures such as removing product listings based on government requests.
5. Impact on Consumers
- Strengthened safety labeling for children’s products.
- Ensuring the safety of products from overseas business operators.
- Early removal of dangerous products from transaction platforms.
6. Implementation Schedule
- Effective Date: December 25, 2025
- Regarding infant beds with the old mark: Sales prohibited on or after March 25, 2027.
7. Overall Summary

https://www.meti.go.jp/policy/consumer/seian/shouan/contents/tokuteiyunyu_kaisei_English.pdf