Electrical Appliances and Materials Safety Act

The Electrical Appliances and Materials Safety Act is Japan’s safety law regulating the manufacture, import and sale of designated electrical appliances and materials.

The Act is intended to prevent hazards such as fire, electric shock, overheating, smoke emission and other risks caused by electrical products. When covered electrical products are sold in Japan, importers and sellers may need to confirm technical conformity, business notification, inspection records and proper PSE Mark labeling.

For import practice, this law is especially important when electrical products manufactured overseas are sold in Japan. A product that is legally sold overseas may still be prohibited from sale in Japan if it does not satisfy the requirements under the Electrical Appliances and Materials Safety Act.

Overview

The Electrical Appliances and Materials Safety Act imposes obligations on manufacturers, importers and sellers of covered electrical appliances and materials.

Covered products may include many types of electrical goods such as power cords, plugs, AC adapters, chargers, household appliances, lighting equipment and other products using electricity, depending on the designated product category.

The Act divides covered electrical appliances and materials into two broad groups: Specified Electrical Appliances and Materials and Electrical Appliances and Materials other than Specified Electrical Appliances and Materials, referred to in this article as non-specified electrical appliances and materials.

Specified Electrical Appliances and Materials are generally regarded as higher-risk products due to their structure, usage conditions or potential hazards. They may require conformity assessment by a registered conformity assessment body before sale.

Why It Matters for Imported Goods

Imported electrical products often create practical compliance issues because the importer may rely too heavily on overseas certifications or supplier explanations.

Even if a product has been certified under overseas standards such as CE, UL or other foreign schemes, this does not automatically mean that the product satisfies Japan’s Electrical Appliances and Materials Safety Act.

Importers should confirm whether the product is covered by the Act, whether it falls under the specified or non-specified category, whether technical standards have been checked, and whether the required PSE Mark and labeling information can be properly affixed before sale.

Customs Clearance and Domestic Sale Are Different Questions

Customs clearance and lawful domestic sale are different questions.

An imported electrical product may pass customs procedures as cargo, but still require PSE-related confirmation before it can be sold or displayed for sale in Japan.

If a covered product lacks the required PSE Mark or related labeling, the importer or seller may face sales suspension, product recall, relabeling, inspection work, retailer claims or administrative response.

Specified and Non-Specified Electrical Products

Under the Act, covered electrical products are generally divided into:

• Specified Electrical Appliances and Materials
• Non-specified electrical appliances and materials

Specified Electrical Appliances and Materials are subject to stricter requirements. Depending on the product, conformity assessment by a registered conformity assessment body and preservation of the certificate may be required.

Non-specified electrical appliances and materials are still subject to legal obligations. The importer may need to confirm conformity with technical standards, conduct required inspection, preserve records and affix the proper PSE Mark.

Importers should not assume that only large appliances are covered. Power cords, plugs, adapters, chargers and accessories may themselves be covered products.

PSE Mark

The PSE Mark is the safety mark used under the Electrical Appliances and Materials Safety Act.

There are two main types of PSE Mark:

• Diamond-shaped PSE Mark: used for Specified Electrical Appliances and Materials
• Circular PSE Mark: used for non-specified electrical appliances and materials

The PSE Mark is not merely a design mark. It is affixed after the required procedures are completed, such as business notification, confirmation of technical standards, inspection, record keeping and, where required, conformity assessment.

As a general rule, covered electrical products without the required PSE labeling cannot be sold or displayed for sale in Japan.

Importer Check Points

Importers should check the following points before selling electrical products in Japan:

• Whether the imported product is covered by the Electrical Appliances and Materials Safety Act
• Whether it is a specified electrical appliance or a non-specified electrical appliance
• Whether business notification as an importer is required
• Whether conformity with Japanese technical standards has been confirmed
• Whether inspection and preservation of inspection records are required
• Whether a conformity assessment certificate is required for specified products
• Whether the PSE Mark, business name, rated voltage, rated current and other required labeling are correct
• Whether instruction manuals and warning labels are suitable for Japanese users

The importer should not simply accept a foreign supplier’s certificate without checking whether it satisfies Japanese requirements.

AC Adapters, Chargers and Accessories

In import practice, AC adapters, chargers, plugs, power cords and other accessories often create separate PSE issues.

Even if the main product itself is not covered, an attached AC adapter, charger or power cord may fall within the scope of the Act.

Therefore, importers should check the main product and accessories separately. A product set may face sales problems if the accessory does not satisfy PSE requirements.

Overseas Specifications and Japanese Requirements

Electrical products made for overseas markets may not match Japanese voltage, frequency, plug shape, safety standards, labeling language or instruction requirements.

Japan commonly uses 100V power supply, and the frequency differs by region. Products designed only for another market may create safety or usability problems if imported without checking.

Importers should confirm whether the product is suitable for Japanese use and whether the product labeling, rating information, instruction manual and warning information are appropriate for Japan.

E-Commerce and Imported Electrical Products

Products sold through e-commerce platforms or online marketplaces are not exempt from the Electrical Appliances and Materials Safety Act.

When overseas electrical products are sold in Japan through an online marketplace, the importer or seller should still confirm product scope, PSE Mark applicability, technical conformity, labeling and post-sale safety response.

Online sales may create greater practical risk because products can be sold quickly and widely before compliance issues are discovered.

Used Goods, Samples and Test Products

Used electrical products, samples and test products may still require careful confirmation depending on how they are imported, used and sold.

If the product is sold or displayed for sale in Japan, the Act may become relevant even if the product is not new.

Importers should check whether the product is for commercial sale, internal testing, sample evaluation, personal use or resale. The practical treatment may differ depending on the purpose and distribution route.

Forwarder and Customs Broker Practical Notes

Forwarders and customs brokers are not normally responsible for judging detailed PSE compliance.

However, if the invoice, packing list, product description, HS code or product photos show electrical products, AC adapters, chargers, power cords, LED lighting, household appliances or battery-powered products, it is useful to remind the importer to check PSE requirements before sale.

This is especially important for first-time imports, overseas e-commerce sourcing, crowdfunding products, OEM products, imported electrical accessories and products newly introduced into Japan.

If PSE issues are discovered only after arrival, the importer may need to arrange inspection, relabeling, manual correction, warehouse holding, return shipment, sales postponement or recall preparation.

Relationship with Product Accidents and Recall

Electrical products may cause fire, overheating, smoke emission, electric shock or other accidents if they are defective or unsuitable for the Japanese market.

If accidents or defects are discovered after sale, serious product accident reporting, recall, free repair, warning notice, sales suspension or consumer communication may become necessary.

Importers should prepare product information, sales records, lot tracking, supplier contacts and recall procedures before sale. PSE compliance before sale and product safety response after sale should be managed together.

Relationship with Other Japanese Regulations

The Electrical Appliances and Materials Safety Act may overlap with other Japanese regulations depending on the product.

Products with wireless functions may also require checking under the Radio Act. Products connected to telecommunications networks may require checking under the Telecommunications Business Act. Consumer products may also involve the Consumer Product Safety Act, Product Accident Reporting System, Product Safety Pledge or household goods labeling rules.

Therefore, imported electrical products should not be checked only from the viewpoint of customs clearance. Product safety, PSE, radio certification, telecom certification, labeling, instruction manuals and recall readiness may all become relevant.

Documents and Information to Check

• Product specification sheet
• Product photos
• Electrical rating information
• Instruction manual
• Warning labels
• Product category confirmation under the Act
• PSE Mark applicability check
• Technical conformity documents
• Inspection records
• Conformity assessment certificate, where required
• Importer business notification information
• Supplier and manufacturer information
• Sales channel information
• Recall and consumer contact procedure

Common Problems

• The importer assumes that CE or UL certification is enough for Japan.
• PSE applicability is checked only after the goods arrive in Japan.
• The main product is checked but the AC adapter or power cord is overlooked.
• The wrong PSE Mark type is used.
• The product lacks required business name or rating information.
• Inspection records or conformity documents are not preserved.
• The product is listed on an e-commerce platform before PSE confirmation.
• Japanese instruction manuals or warning labels are insufficient.
• After-sale accident response and recall procedures are not prepared.

These problems may lead to sales suspension, relabeling, inspection work, return shipment, recall, retailer claims, administrative response, warehouse holding costs or reputational damage.

Practical Notes for Shipments to Japan

For Japan-bound electrical products, origin-side suppliers and forwarders should understand that import customs clearance is only one part of the process.

The practical question is not only whether the product can enter Japan, but whether the product, accessories, labels, manuals, PSE Mark and safety documents are suitable for sale in Japan.

Early confirmation helps avoid warehouse holding, relabeling, inspection delays, sales postponement and recall-related problems after arrival.

Key Takeaway

The Electrical Appliances and Materials Safety Act is a core Japanese product safety law for imported electrical products.

Importers and sellers should check product scope, specified or non-specified category, PSE Mark requirements, technical conformity, inspection records, labeling, accessories, manuals and after-sale safety response before selling electrical products in Japan.

Forwarders and customs brokers do not guarantee PSE compliance, but they can help prevent delays and disputes by reminding importers to check PSE requirements early, especially for electrical appliances, chargers, AC adapters, plugs, cords and online marketplace products.