What is the PSE Mark required for electrical products?

―The True Nature of the Legal Mark You Cannot Avoid When Handling Electrical Products in Japan―
1. What is the PSE Mark?
The PSE Mark is an abbreviation for "Product Safety Electric Appliance and Materials," and is a conformity mark whose display is mandated for certain electrical products based on Japan's Electrical Appliance and Material Safety Law (DENAN Act). When manufacturing, selling, or importing specific electrical products in Japan, the acquisition and display of this PSE Mark are legally required.
The DENAN Act aims to prevent accidents such as electric shock and fire and to ensure user safety, and the PSE Mark certifies this conformity. If products are distributed in the market without proper inspection or confirmation of conformity to technical standards, administrative measures such as sales suspension or recall orders may be taken.
2. Applicable Products and Mark Types
The PSE Mark is not required for all electrical products. Under the DENAN Act, electrical products are classified into the following two types, and different marks apply to each.
Specified Electrical Appliances and Materials (Specified Items)
This category includes 91 items with relatively high risk. Examples include electric heaters, hair dryers, and power cords. These require the "Diamond PSE Mark." Before manufacturing or importing, testing and certification by a third-party conformity assessment body registered with the government are mandatory.
#Non-Specified Electrical Appliances and Materials (General Items)
Examples include LED lighting fixtures, PC adapters, and extension cords. These require the "Circular PSE Mark." Self-confirmation of conformity assessment and retention of technical documents are mandatory.
3. Practical Flow for Acquiring the PSE Mark
To acquire the PSE Mark, the following steps must be taken:
1. Product Classification Confirmation
Confirm whether the product is a Specified Electrical Appliance and Material. The list of items can be checked on the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) website.
2. Implementation of Testing and Evaluation
For Specified Electrical Appliances and Materials, type confirmation testing by a third-party certification body is required. For General Items, confirmation of conformity to technical standards based on self-testing and documentation are required.
3. Notification and Record Management
Manufacturers or importers are required to record product specifications, test results, etc., and retain them for at least three years.
4. Mark Display
The appropriate PSE Mark and the business operator's name must be displayed on the product itself or its packaging.
4. Risks and Countermeasures in Case of Violation
If electrical products are sold without the PSE Mark, risks such as sales suspension orders, fines, and administrative guidance may arise. Especially for imported goods, the presence or absence of the PSE Mark is often questioned during customs clearance, and if the necessary documents are incomplete, customs clearance may be suspended, or the goods may be disposed of or returned.
Furthermore, as legal revisions and updates to technical standards may occur, it is necessary to regularly check the latest information from official announcements by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and other sources, and to establish a system for continuously verifying whether the products handled by your company meet legal requirements.