The “voluntary” Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS) mark, administered by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) applies to nearly 600 different industrial products, and consists of over 8,500 standards.

The setting of standards in Japan is the responsibility of the Japanese Industrial Standards Committee (JISC), a grouping of national committees, under the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). The various product standards requirements then flow down through various accreditation bodies, some of the principal ones being:

· JASC -- The Japan Accreditation System for Product Certification Bodies of JIS Mark

· IAJapan – International Accreditation Japan

· JAB – Japan Accreditation Board for Conformity Assessment

· AIST – National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology

· NMIJ – National Measurement Institute of Japan – operates as part of the National Institute of Advanced industrial Science and Technology (AIST).

The Japan Agricultural Standards (JAS) mark is another “voluntary” but widely-used product quality and labeling mark for agricultural products.

There is a general trend in Japan of aligning its products standards with prevailing international standards.

For more information on Japanese product standards, check the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) website: www.jetro.go.jp/en/market/regulations.