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FAQ

This website aims to respond to any inquires concerning the JISC by providing as much information as possible. The following are frequently asked questions.
If you have any further inquires, please contact us by way of the e-mail address below. (Please provide us with your name and affiliated organization.)

E-mail address of the JISC’s management office: jisc@meti.go.jp

For inquiries on the JIS Mark Certification System based on the Industrial Standardization Act (including consultations on transition), please use the following e-mail address.
   E-mail address: newjis@meti.go.jp

Please be aware that it may take some time to respond to your inquiries in cases where confirmation from related parties is necessary.

In the case of urgent matters, please contact us directly via the following telephone numbers. However, please be aware that an immediate answer to all inquiries may not be possible in cases where the person in charge is attending a meeting.

  • For the contents of standards: 03-3501-9245
  • For conformity assessments: 03-3501-9473
  • For accredited certification bodies based on the Industrial Standardization Act: 03-3501-9222
  • For JIS Mark Certificate System based on the Industrial Standardization Act: 03-3501-6734 or 9473
  • For the Japan National Laboratory Accreditation System (JNLA) based on the Industrial Standardization Act: 03-3481-1939 (National Institute of Technology and Evaluation, Accreditation Center)
  • For international standardization: 03-3501-9471
  • For matters related to intellectual infrastructure: 03-3501-9279
  • For other matters related to standard certification: 03-3501-9232

 

Contents

·         Matters related to JIS

o        General

o        Matters related to JIS access

o        Matters related to JIS standard documents

o        Matters related to revision and abolition of JIS

o        Matters related to explanations of TS and TR

o        Matters related to JIS copyrights

o        Other matters

·         Matters related to JIS Mark Certification System

·         Matters related to intellectual infrastructure

·         Matters related to international standardization

·         Matters related to JISC

 

Matters related to JIS

General

 

Matters related to JIS access

 

Matters related to JIS standard documents

 

Matters related to revision and abolition of JIS

 

Matters related to explanations of TS and TR

 

Matters related to JIS copyrights

 

Matters related to JIS (Other matters)

 

Matters related to JIS Mark Certification System

 

Matters related to intellectual infrastructure

 


Please make inquiries by phone (03-3501-9272) or by e-mail (jisc@meti.go.jp)

 

Matters related to international standardization

Matters related to JISC

 

 

Matters related to JIS (General)

[Q1] What is the official name of JIS?

A. JIS is the abbreviation of the Japanese Industrial Standard.

 

[Q2] What is industrial standardization?

A. Industrial standardization is the nationwide standardization or simplification of industrial products. For details, see “Industrial standardization.”

 

[Q3] What is the purpose of JIS?

A. JIS aims to improve the quality of industrial products, enhance production efficiency, rationalize production, make transactions simple and fair, streamline utilization and consumption, and contribute to the promotion of public welfare. For details, see “Industrial standardization.”

 

[Q4] What kinds of JIS are there? What are their contents?

A. JIS can be classified into the following three categories according to their contents:

  • Basic standards (specifying terms, marks, and units, etc.)
  • Method standards (specifying methods of testing, analyzing, inspecting, and measuring, etc.)
  • Product standards (specifying shapes, sizes, materials, quality, performance, and functions, etc. of products)

Alphabetical designations such as “JIS G 3102” indicate fields (for example, “A” refers to civil engineering and construction, and “B” refers to general machinery). For details, see “Classification of JIS.”

 

[Q5] Is the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry responsible for establishing, revising and abolishing JIS standards?

A. In most cases, the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry performs such functions, but the ministers in charge of contents covered by respective JIS standards have the authority in their respective fields. Specifically, the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare, the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, as well as the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry carries out such tasks.

 

[Q6] How are JIS standards established and revised?

A. When an issue to be standardized by the government or an industry is selected due to social needs, etc., investigation and research is carried out with a view to collecting necessary data for standardization. Based on the results, a committee charged with discussing JIS draft proposals (which consists of interested parties related to the issue) compiles JIS drafts. These JIS drafts are ultimately discussed at the JISC, pursuant to the Industrial Standardization Act, and the minister in charge establishes or revises JIS standards.
For details, see “Process of establishing JIS.”

 

[Q7] What are we to do when we want to have a JIS standard established or revised?

A. Any interested party can create a draft of a JIS standard which he/she would like to establish or revise and submit it to the minister in charge.
In most cases, certain industry groups or academic societies that have an interest in said JIS standard exist, and the JIS draft committees of such incorporations compile and submit draft proposals.
For details, see “Submission of JIS drafts.” Before starting work on a draft, please confirm in advance that the same JIS is not scheduled for introduction or revision.

 

[Q8] How long does it take to have a JIS standard established or revised?

A. In the case where basic data on new technologies, etc. needs to be collected with regard to an issue to be standardized, investigation and research aimed at collecting basic data usually requires two to three years.
After collecting basic technological data, it usually takes one year to hold a draft preparation committee with interested parties with a view to preparing a JIS draft.
After the JIS draft has been compiled, it takes at least half a year for the minister in charge to establish or revise the JIS standard. This is due to necessary procedures such as deliberations on the compiled JIS draft by the JISC and public announcements for the purpose of comment reception (for 60 days) based on the WTO/TBT Agreement.
The periods required for preparing drafts differ according to specific circumstances, but generally constitute approximately two years.

 

[Q9] What is the date of confirmation?

A. The JISC conducts deliberations on each JIS standard within five years after its establishment or revision, so as to ensure that the contents have not become obsolete or no longer appropriate. If there is no need for revision or abolition, it is “confirmed” that the JIS standard may be retained. The date of confirmation is the day on which the “confirmation” is made in published form.

 

[Q10] I want to obtain information on the establishment and revision of JIS standards.

A. The establishment and revision of JIS is published in the official gazette, so generally speaking these are to be consulted.
Although it takes a little more time, information is available in the “Standardization Journal,” which the Japanese Standards Association issues every month.

 

[Q11] I want to know the schedule of the establishment and revision of JIS standards.

A. When any schedule of the establishment and revision of a JIS standard is published, said JIS standard can be at any of the following stages. To ensure transparency in the procedures, the following established procedures and revision are published at every stage of the process.

 

[Q12] Are there any pamphlets that explain JIS standards in an easy-to-understand manner?

A. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry issues pamphlets explaining JIS standards for general consumers in an easy-to-understand manner. These pamphlets are available by way of “Enrichment of life through understanding of JIS.”

 

Matters related to JIS access

[Q1] Where can I see the contents of JIS?

A. There are three major methods to see JIS standards as follows.

  • You can browse them by way of the database (“JIS search”) of the JISC’s website

(1) Click on “JIS search” from “Database search” on the top page of the JISC’s website, and shift to the “JIS search” screen (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Position of “JIS search” on the top page of the JISC’s website


(2) Input the standard number in half-width Roman characters into the column on the right side of “JIS standard number: JIS” in the JIS standard number search section. Be sure to correctly input all digits of the standard number including hyphens, if there are any. Do not input any blanks between the mark and the standard number (Figure 2).

Figure 2. Search method for the “JIS search” screen (e.g. searching “JIS X 0213”)



  • You can view the JIS contents at the Standard Accreditation Unit of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Bureaus of Economy, Trade and Industry, and the Economy and Industry Department of the Okinawa General Bureau
  • You can view the JIS contents at the Japanese Standards Association

 

[Q2] I tried to see the JIS contents on the JISC’s website but was unable to do so. How can I access them?

A. The following reasons are possible. Please refer to the respective countermeasures depending on the circumstances in question.

  • Your PC settings are not compatible with JAVAscript.
    →(Countermeasures) Enable JAVAscript.
  • The dialogue screen for confirmation is hidden, waiting for your confirmation.
    →(Countermeasures) Push the OK button on the dialogue screen and start the download.
  • The download of a PDF file is taking too much time, causing a time-out error.
    →(Countermeasures) In order to shorten the time it takes to download, improve your PC’s capacity or Internet connection or change the connection settings so as not to cause a time-out error.

Not only is it possible to gain access to the information through the website, but it is also possible to do so by way of standard documents (see “How to gain access to JIS”). Please try other methods as well.

 

[Q3] I can view the standards on the screen by searching through the website but I cannot print or download them. How do I go about printing or downloading the standards?

A. In order to protect copyrights, the website is set up so as not to allow the printing or downloading of the contents. You are only allowed to view them on the screen.
If by chance you have successfully printed or downloaded the contents of the website, please dispose of- or delete said documents immediately instead of using or disseminating them.

 

[Q4] In the case where the PDF file of the standards uploaded on the website is revised, when does the latest PDF file (revised version) become available?

A. In principle, the latest PDF file is published on the day of- or immediately following the publication of the established or revised JIS standard in the official gazette. However, as the replacement can be delayed for any reason, please confirm whether the PDF file is the latest one by checking the date of revision.

 

[Q5] Are there any rules for the time period for updating PDF files?

A. There are no special rules, but in principle the updated PDF file is published on the day of- or immediately following the publication of the established or revised JIS standard in the official gazette.

 

[Q6] I want to know whether there are any standards concerning XXX.

A. You can search related JIS standards by inputting the keywords in the “JIS search” box and checking whether there are any related standards or not.

 

[Q7] I want to see the explanations of JIS-XXX. How do I access them?

A. The explanations are included in the standard documents issued by the Japanese Standards Association and are not a part of the standard, so you cannot see them. In order to obtain these explanations, please contact the Japanese Standards Association.

Japanese Standards Association, Distribution Department
TEL: 03-3583-8002
FAX: 03-3583-0462
http://www.jsa.or.jp/ (linked to the external website)

 

Matters related to JIS (Related to JIS standard documents)

[Q1] I want to obtain documents pertaining to JIS-XXX. How much do they cost?

A. JIS standards are published by the Japanese Standards Association in the form of A-4 size “standard documents.” As prices differ according to standards, please inquire at the distribution source, the Japanese Standards Association.

[Distribution source]
Japanese Standards Association, Distribution Department
TEL: 03-3583-8002
FAX: 03-3583-0462
http://www.jsa.or.jp/ (linked to the external website)

 

[Q2] Is there an English version of JIS-XXX?

A. Respective ministers are in charge of establishing JIS standards, but English versions are not produced.
However, the Japanese Standards Association independently translates and publishes not all but some JIS standards. For details, please inquire at the Japanese Standards Association.

[Distribution source]
Japanese Standards Association, Distribution Department
TEL: 03-3583-8002
FAX: 03-3583-0462
http://www.jsa.or.jp/ (linked to the external website)

 

[Q3] What are JIS Appendixes (regulations)?

A. Appendixes (regulations), which consist of provisions of the same sort found in the main JIS texts, are created when it is more appropriate to compile such provisions at the end of the main text due to the structure of the standards.
Appendixes (reference) are formulated and compiled simply for reference purposes and do not constitute a part of the provisions.

 

[Q4] What are supplements?

A. Adding supplements is one of the procedures in the revision of standards wherein only the revised points are shown. In cases wherein the revised points represent only a specific part of the standard or corresponding international standards are revised by supplements, JIS standards can be revised by way of adding supplements.

 

Matters related to JIS (Related to revision and abolition of JIS)

[Q1] I want to view and obtain an abolished JIS standard.

A. With regard to abolished JIS standards, you can obtain information thereon, such as the date of abolition, by perusing them through the “Old standards/abolished standards search,” but you cannot view their contents.
Those that have been abolished in recent years can be viewed at the Japanese Standards Association. For details, please contact the Japanese Standards Association.

Japanese Standards Association, Distribution Department
TEL: 03-3583-8002
FAX: 03-3583-0462
http://www.jsa.or.jp/ (linked to the external website)

 

[Q2] I want to know the new standard number, etc. for an abolished standard that was transferred due to a merger, etc.

A. The system is not set up to search for information such as which standards have been transferred from old or abolished standards.
The “JIS Handbook, JIS Catalogue,” which is published by the Japanese Standards Association, contains numbers and titles of abolished standards, and in regards to standards transferred to other standards, it displays new standard numbers next to their titles.
Please send an e-mail to the JISC’s management office or call the Industrial Science and Technology Policy and Environment Bureau, Standards Planning Office of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

E-mail address of the JISC’s management office: jisc@meti.go.jp
Industrial Science and Technology Policy and Environment Bureau, Standards Planning Office of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry: 03-3501-9245

 

[Q3] I want to view an old standard prior to revision.

A. You can view JIS standards revised in recent years at the Japanese Standards Association. For details, please contact the Japanese Standards Association.

Japanese Standards Association, Distribution Department
TEL: 03-3583-8002
FAX: 03-3583-0462
http://www.jsa.or.jp/ (linked to the external website)

 

[Q4] I want to know which sections differ between an old standard and its revised version.

A. Generally, JIS standard documents contain explanations that outline the reasons for revision and the major revised points. The explanations are not available on this website. Please purchase the JIS standard documents published by the Japanese Standards Association.

[Distribution source]
Japanese Standards Association, Distribution Department
TEL: 03-3583-8002
FAX: 03-3583-0462
http://www.jsa.or.jp/ (linked to the external website)

 

[Q5] Until when does an old standard remain valid?

A. Old standards become invalid upon revision and are replaced by revised standards. However, old JIS standards that are cited in other standards including JIS remain valid for a further year for said other standards.

 

Matters related to JIS (Related to explanations of TS and TR)

[Q1] What are TS (Technical Specifications) and TR (Technical Reports)? What are the differences between TS/TR and the JIS standards?

A. The system was revised in 2003, and TS (Technical Specifications) and TR (Technical Reports) were introduced to the JIS system. TSs are published when a specification fails to obtain a sufficient consensus to be established as a JIS standard but is recognized to have such potential in the future. TRs are published when standardization-related information or data, which cannot be established as a JIS standard fundamentally, is recognized as helpful for promoting standardization. For details, see “TS/TR system.”

 

[Q2] What are the relations between the JIS and their explanations?

A. JIS standards are specified by competent ministers including the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry (the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry), while their explanations are private documents prepared primarily by way of draft preparation groups (committees), which oversee the process of preparing standards, ascertaining their purpose and points for revision, etc.

 

Matters related to JIS (Related to JIS copyrights)

[Q1] Explain JIS copyrights.

A. JIS standards are works protected by the Copyright Act.
In the case where the government (more specifically the competent minister) prepares a draft, the government holds the copyright. In the case where a draft is prepared based on a proposal by an interested party (Article 12 of the Industrial Standardization Act), the proponent retains the copyright unless said copyright was transferred upon proposal or a draft was amended through discussion on the part of the JISC. For details, see “Treatment of copyrights concerning Industrial Standards, etc. (Word file; 49kB).”
In both of the above-mentioned cases, with regard to revised standards, the copyrights of the old standards prior to the revision retain certain links. Furthermore, the consistency between JIS and international standards has been increasing in importance, and copyrights on both sides have influenced each other in JIS adoption of international standards (including drafts) or the proposing of international adoption of JIS standards. Therefore, it is necessary to protect the copyrights of international standards as well as the original copyrights of JIS standards.
TSs and TRs are also works protected by the Copyright Act.

 

[Q2] I want to refer to/reprint JIS, etc. (JIS, TS, or TR, or any combination of the three). To whom am I to make a request for a copyright license?

A. You need to request a copyright license from the owner of the copyright.
When the official owner of the copyright is not known, inquire at the agency that issues the JIS standard documents, the department in charge of the government (relevant competent ministry or agency), or the JISC’s management office.
When applying for a copyright license, you are required to clarify the following points:

  • Relevant JIS, etc. and the scope of its provisions
  • Purpose and manner of intended use of JIS standard
  • Information on the person who seeks to obtain a copyright license including his/her contact address

(Note) JIS, TS, or TR, or the combination thereof

 

[Q3] In the case where there is a patent related to JIS contents, how am I to handle it?

A. As a result of standardization activities in the field with active technical innovations, industrial standards involving patent rights, etc. sometimes need to be established as JIS standards.
When the existence of a patent right is recognized in the process of preparing a draft but related parties still seek to establish it as a JIS standard, they are required to obtain a statement from the owner of the parent right to the effect that “he/she shall grant a license under reasonable and non-discriminatory (RAND) conditions.” For details, see “Procedures Concerning Establishment of JIS, Including Patent Rights, etc. (PDF file; 99kB).”

 

Matters related to JIS (Other matters)

[Q1] I want to know how JIS-XXX is used for other JIS standards. What am I to do?

A. For how JIS standards are cited, please consult the “Information on cited standards.”

 

[Q2] How can I check whether JIS-XXX is cited in compulsory legislation?

A. You can examine how JIS standards are cited in compulsory legislation by using “Information on compulsory legislation” (search by way of the standard number, and the compulsory legislation in which the relevant JIS standard is cited is displayed in a list).

 

[Q3] Where am I to make inquiries regarding the contents of specific JIS standards?

A. In the case where you have a JIS standard document wherein the JIS standard has been established or revised in recent years, the person who prepared (or assisted in preparing) the draft in question and the contact address for inquiries on the standard are written on the back of the front page of the document. Please send inquiries directly to said address.
In other cases, search said JIS standard on the “JIS search” screen to check the minister or the boards in charge of the establishment of the standard, and submit inquiries to the ministry or agency involved in the establishment of the standard.
Among JIS standards established by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, for those covered by the Standards Board, please contact the Industrial Science and Technology Policy and Environment Bureau, Standards Planning Office of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and for those covered by the Conformity Assessment Board, please contact the Conformity Assessment Division (id.).

Industrial Science and Technology Policy and Environment Bureau, Standards Planning Office of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry: 03-3601-9245
Conformity Assessment Division (id.): 03-3501-9473
E-mail address of the JISC’s management office: jisc@meti.go.jp

 

[Q4] How can I examine the relations between JIS and international standards?

A. You can examine the consistency between JIS standards and international standards by using “Information on conformity between JIS and international standards,” and the connections by which international standards are cited by using “Information on cited standards.”
As regards remarks, the column for the scope of applying individual standards contains the numbers and titles of corresponding international standards and marks indicating their consistency with respective JIS standards. Where differences between JIS standards and corresponding international standards exist, such differences are shown in the comparison at the end of the standards.

 

[Q5] Is there any glossary that explains terminology used for JIS?

A. For each technical field, there is a glossary wherein terms used in the field and definitions thereof are compiled. When you want to know the definition of a specific term, input the keywords in question into the “JIS search” box and you can search and view all JIS standards that feature said term. You can examine the definition of the term by looking for the JIS that defines said term.
Furthermore, the Japanese Standards Association publishes a JIS terminological dictionary that encyclopedically compiles JIS term standards, terms specified by each JIS standard, and their definitions.

[Distribution source]
Japanese Standards Association, Distribution Department
TEL: 03-3583-8002
FAX: 03-3583-0462
http://www.jsa.or.jp/ (linked to the external website)

 

[Q6] I want to paste a link to the JISC’s website. How do I go about doing this?

A. As is shown on the “About this site” screen, linking to the website of the JISC is unrestricted in principle. However, linking is disallowed if the contents of the site in question are deemed as (a) offensive to public order and morals, (b) in violation or likely to cause violation of laws and regulations, and (c) for purposes of profit.
  You do not have to contact in advance. However, please inform us at jisc@meti.go.jp of your URL immediately upon linking your site to this website.

 

Matters related to JIS Mark Certification System

[Q1] What relations exist between JIS and JIS marks?

A. JIS is roughly divided into three categories; basic standards that specify terms and marks, etc.; method standards that specify methods of testing and measuring, etc.; and product standards that specify the quality and performance, etc. of products. JIS marks only cover product standards, certifying products that meet the requirements of the relevant JIS standard. However, product standards that only specify sizes of products are not covered by JIS marks in order to avoid causing confusion among consumers. JIS standards concerning only specific aspects of products, defined by way of an announcement by the minister concerned, can be covered by JIS marks concerning specific aspects, but no such standards exist at present.

 

[Q2] What goods are certified with JIS marks?

A. There are three kinds of JIS Marks: Product JIS marks to display on industrial products or their packaging, etc.; Processing Technology JIS marks to display on processed industrial products or their packaging, etc.; and Specific Aspect JIS marks to display on products bearing specific characteristics and their packaging, etc. Business entities who received permission under the Old Industrial Standardization Act are not allowed to display old JIS marks on October 1, 2008 and onward. However, as said business entities are not prohibited from shipping their inventories, products bearing old JIS marks and products bearing new JIS marks are both in distribution in the marketplace for the time being.

 

[Q3] What are the characteristics of the JIS Mark Certification System?

A. The JIS Mark Certification System is a system wherein business entities receive certification from government- registered accreditation organizations (registered accreditation organizations) and can display JIS marks on their products or their packaging material so as to show specifically that they fit in with the relevant JIS. Under the old Industrial Standardization Act (hereinafter referred to as the “Old Act”), only domestic and overseas manufacturers and processors could display JIS marks. However, under the Industrial Standardization Act enacted on October 1, 2005 (hereinafter referred to as the “Revised Act”), domestic and overseas retailers and importers and exporters are also newly allowed to use JIS marks. Under the Old Act, only business entities capable of manufacturing JIS products in a stable and sustainable manner were allowed to use JIS marks, but the Revised Act enables business entities to receive certification only for specific production quantities.

 

[Q4] What am I to do in order to make the transition to the new system?

A. See this (PDF).

 

[Q5] How can I inspect factories certified with old JIS marks?

A. Old JIS marks are allowed to display on 576 different articles/items (526 articles/categories (including 10 categories) by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, 16 articles by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, and 34 articles by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism as of the end of March 2005). As the business entities that receive certification from designated certification bodies began displaying the new JIS marks from October 1, 2005, the number of products with JIS marks will further increase.
For factories certified with old JIS marks involved in the production of articles/categories in relation to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, see “JIS Factory List.”

[Back to Q]

 

Matters related to international standardization

[Q1] How can I access international standards?

A. You can purchase international standards directly from the website of the ISO and the IEC. In Japan, only the Japanese Standards Association distributes ISO and IEC standards documents. You can examine and purchase these standards from the following JSA web store. A (http://www.webstore.jsa.or.jp/webstore/Top/index.jsp?lang=jp)

 

Matters related to JISC

[Q1] What is the official name of the JISC?

A. The JISC is the abbreviation of the Japanese Industrial Standards Committee.

 

[Q2] What are the functions of the JISC?

A. The JISC is a committee established within the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and conducts research and deliberations on industrial standardization based on the Industrial Standardization Act. Specifically, the JISC conducts deliberations on the establishment and revision of JIS (Japanese Industrial Standards) and has the authority to submit recommendations to related ministers and publish reports in response to advisories for promoting industrial standardization, such as the development of industrial standards, the JIS Mark Certification System, and the Japan National Laboratory Accreditation System (JNLA).
Furthermore, the JISC participates in the development of international standards as the only member of the ISO and the IEC in Japan.
For details, see “JISC.”

 

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