Is the process for obtaining the PSC mark a certification system?
Q: Is the process for obtaining the PSC mark a certification system?
A: Yes, the PSC mark (Consumer Product Safety Act) is a ‘certification system.’
However, depending on the product classification, it is divided into products where Third-party Certification is mandatory and products where Self-confirmation is sufficient.
The PSC mark system is fundamentally based on “Third-party Certification.”
The PSC (Product Safety / Consumer Product Safety) mark is a system based on the Consumer Product Safety Act, which is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). For Special Specific Products and Specific Products, certification by a designated inspection body is mandatory.
Unlike the “Self-Declaration of Conformity” system of the PSE (Electrical Appliance and Material Safety Act), PSC products cannot be sold without certification under this explicit certification system.
①PSC Product Classifications and Differences in Obligations
| Category | Examples | Inspection by Certification Body | Necessity of Certification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Special Specific Products (Red PSC) | Infant beds, Portable laser devices, etc. | Mandatory | Certification Required |
| Specific Products (Green PSC) | Lighters, Helmets, Bathtub water circulators, etc. | Mandatory | Certification Required |
| General Products (Non-PSC) | General consumer products other than the above | Not Required | Not Required |
② The Inspection Body is a “Registered Certification Body”
PSC certification is conducted by third-party certification bodies registered by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI).
List of Registered Third-Party Certification Bodies (Examples):
- JQA (Japan Quality Assurance Organization)
- JET (Japan Electrical Safety & Environment Technology Laboratories)
- TÜV Rheinland Japan
- SGS Japan
These organizations conduct the following process:
Type Testing
↓
Inspection
↓
Issuance of Certificate of Conformity (Certification)
Without this certificate, it is prohibited to display the PSC mark or sell the product.
③ Differences from PSE (Common Points of Confusion)
| Item | PSE (Electrical Appliance and Material Safety Act) | PSC (Consumer Product Safety Act) |
|---|---|---|
| System Type | Self-Declaration of Conformity (Testing is mandatory for some items) | Third-Party Certification is Mandatory |
| Role/Mechanism | Business operator declares technical conformity and displays the mark | Certification body confirms conformity and issues certification |
| Responsibility | Business Operator Responsibility | Certification + Business Operator Responsibility |
| Display | PSE Mark | PSC Mark (Red / Green) |
The PSC system is a distinct Certification System.
④ Flow of Certification (General Process for Specific Products)
- Submission of Product Specifications
- Type Testing at a Registered Inspection Body (Sample Testing)
↓ - Factory Audit (Manufacturing & Quality Control) Depends on the product
↓ - Issuance of Certificate of Conformity (= Certification)
↓ - Notification of Manufacturing/Import Business
↓ - Display of PSC Mark → Sales Can Begin
Summary
When overseas EC companies sell Special Specific Products (Red PSC) or Specific Products (Green PSC) in Japan, certification by a designated inspection body is mandatory.
