July 13, 2022 Solicitation of Opinions concerning Draft Cabinet Orders/Ministerial Orders for the Partial Revision of the Order for Enforcement of the Act for Implementation of the Mutual Recognition between Japan and Foreign States in Relation to Results of Conformity Assessment Procedures of Specified Equipment (Cabinet Order No. 355 of 2001)

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) drafted cabinet orders/ministerial orders concerning the partial revision of the Order for Enforcement of the Act for Implementation of the Mutual Recognition between Japan and Foreign States in Relation to Results of Conformity Assessment Procedures of Specified Equipment, as part of efforts to build domestic frameworks in connection with the execution of the Agreement between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Japan for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership. Accordingly, MIC will solicit opinions on the draft cabinet orders/ministerial orders from Thursday, July 14 through Friday, August 12, 2022.

1. Background

Japan has entered into agreements with foreign states for the mutual recognition of the results of conformity assessment procedures of specified equipment (terminal equipment, radio equipment, and electrical products), and has established domestic laws and regulations necessary for the implementation of the international agreements, such as the Act for Implementation of the Mutual Recognition between Japan and Foreign States in Relation to Results of Conformity Assessment Procedures of Specified Equipment (hereinafter collectively referred to as the "MRA Laws and Regulations"). In addition to the agreements with the European Union, the Republic of Singapore, and the United States of America, Japan executed the "Agreement between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Japan for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership" on October 23, 2020 (hereinafter referred to as the "Japan-U.K. Agreement"), which came into force from January 1, 2021. As both Japan and the U.K. are required to establish frameworks for the appropriate implementation of the Japan-U.K. Agreement, a protocol concerning the mutual recognition of specified equipment under the Japan-U.K. Agreement shall enter into force from the day separately agreed on by the two countries.
In light of this situation, in order to implement the Japan-U.K. Agreement in an appropriate way, MIC has formulated and solicits opinions for draft cabinet orders/ministerial orders relating to the partial revision of the Order for Enforcement of the Act for Implementation of the Mutual Recognition between Japan and Foreign States in Relation to Results of Conformity Assessment Procedures of Specified Equipment (Cabinet Order No. 355 of 2001), including the addition of the Japan-U.K. Agreement to MRA Laws and Regulations.

2. Procedure for solicitation of opinions

1. Subject

Draft Cabinet Order for the Partial Revision of the Order for Enforcement of the Act for Implementation of the Mutual Recognition between Japan and Foreign States in Relation to Results of Conformity Assessment Procedures of Specified Equipment
Draft Ministerial Order for the Partial Revision of the Ministerial Order concerning Designated Evaluation Bodies under the Act for Implementation of the Mutual Recognition between Japan and Foreign States in Relation to Results of Conformity Assessment Procedures of Specified Equipment and the Regulation for Enforcement of the Act for Implementation of the Mutual Recognition between Japan and Foreign States in Relation to Results of Conformity Assessment Procedures of Specified Equipment
Draft Ministerial Order for Repealing the Ministerial Order for Designation of Designated Evaluation Bodies under Article 14, Paragraph (1) of the Act for Implementation of the Mutual Recognition between Japan and Foreign States in Relation to Results of Conformity Assessment Procedures of Specified Equipment
MIC will post the draft revisions on the "press release" page of MIC's website and the "public comment" page of the e-Gov, and also distribute them at the contact point.

2. Period for submission of opinions

From Thursday, July 14, through Friday, August 12, 2022

3. Future schedule

In consideration of public comments, MIC will promptly promulgate the regulations.

4. Regulatory impact analysis

With respect to the draft cabinet order for partial revision of the Order for Enforcement of the Act for Implementation of the Mutual Recognition between Japan and Foreign States in Relation to Results of Conformity Assessment Procedures of Specified Equipment, MIC has conducted a regulatory impact analysis prior to the solicitation of opinions.

5. How to obtain reference information

MIC will make the reference information available for viewing and obtaining copies at the Electromagnetic Environment Division, Radio Department, Telecommunications Bureau, MIC (10th Floor, MIC). The reference information will also be posted on the public comment page of the e-Gov.

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  The published materials are in Japanese only.