Legal Metrology System in Japan

Japan Measuring Instruments Federation 2021/3/25

Measurement Act（English version）

http://www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jp/law/detail/?vm=04&re=01&id=82

＊translation is not authentic

Legal units of measurement

Legal units of measurement are provided based on the SI unit system and the use of non-statutory measurement units is prohibited.

Examples of SI unit system

Units are provided for 65 physical quantities such as length (meter), mass (kg), time (second)

The definition of the four base units namely, kilogram, ampere, Kelvin and mole and has been changed from being linked to artefacts to being based on the fundamental constants on nature from 20th May, 2019.

Chapter 2. Regulations regarding measurement units

Chapter 3. Obligation to supply accurate measurement

Measurement regulations regarding sales of commodities

Article 12 Paragraph 1 Obligation of accurate measurement of specified commodities

When one measures and sells specified commodities, they

shall be measured without causing a measurement error to

exceed the quantity tolerance

When one sells commodities whose length, mass, or volume is to be measured by sales, one is obliged to make effort to indicate such quantities in legal units of measurement.

Article 11 Obligation to make effort to indicate length, etc. clearly

When designated commodities out of specified

commodities are sold in containers, their content quantities are required to be indicated

Article 12 Paragraph 2

When specific commodities excluding specific

commodities specified in Article 13, Paragraph 1 are

sealed and their content quantities are indicated, they

are required to be measured without causing measurement errors to exceed the quantity tolerance.

Article 13 Paragraph 2When certain specified commodities designated by

the cabinet orders are sealed and sold, they are

required to be measured without causing

measurement errors to exceed the quantity tolerance,

and their content quantities as well as the addresses

and the names of their manufacturers are required to be indicated

Article 13 Paragraph 1 Commodities with obligation of indication of quantities

・Commodity quantification system

In making transactions or certifications with legal units of measurement, one is obliged to make

effort to measure accurately.

Chapter 3. Obligation to supply accurate measurement

A designated periodic inspection bodies designated by the

prefectural governor can carry out periodic inspections.

When using a specified measuring instruments for trade or certification which are deemed to be

appropriate to be inspected on a regular basis pertaining to its performance and instrumental error in

consideration of its structure, conditions for use, actual use status, etc, it must undergo periodic inspection.

Article 19 Periodic inspection of specified measuring instruments

Performed in the Interval of inspection specified by

the Cabinet Order for each specified measuring

instruments

Article 21 Interval of inspection

Periodic inspections are exempted when a certified

measurer conducts an inspection and reports it within the

specified period and by the specified method.

Article 25 Inspection by certified measurers

・A periodic inspection mark is attached

・Meeting technical standards

・Instrumental error is within the operating tolerances

Article 23 Passing conditions

Article 20 Periodic inspection bodies

・Periodic inspection

Measurement regulations regarding Periodic inspection

manufacturing business

operatorRepair business operator

Those who wish to conduct manufacturing

business shall notify the Minister of Economy,

Trade and Industry (in case of electric meters,

the Director of Regional Bureau of Economy,

Trade and Industry)

Except electric meters, notifications shall be

made through the governors of the prefectures in

which their main offices are located.

Those who wish to conduct repair business shall

notify the prefectural governors who are in

charge of the places where their main offices are

located (in case of electric meters, the Director of

Regional Bureau of Economy, Trade and

Industry）

Those who wish to sell specified measuring

instruments specified by cabinet orders (non-

automatic scales, weights) shall notify the

prefectural governors who are in charge of the

places where their offices are located

Notification

Duty to inspect

Manufacture and repair of specified

measuring instrumentsRepair of specified

measuring instruments

The following compliance rules are provided by

ministerial ordinances

➢ To make efforts to obtain knowledge

necessary for conducting appropriate

measuring regarding performance, usage,

laws and regulations, etc.

➢ To explain to purchasers what is necessary

to conduct appropriate measuring

Compliance rules

Notification SystemThe system aims to provide accurate specified measuring instruments by having business

operators, who intend to manufacture, or repair specified measuring instruments or to sell specified

measuring instruments specified by cabinet orders, make notification in advance.

Specified measuring instruments have to be manufactured or repaired with one

hundred percent inspections following the standards specified by ministerial

ordinances

Sales of specified

measuring instruments

Sales business operator selling

specified measuring

instruments specified by

cabinet orders

Chapter 4. Providing accurate specified measuring instruments

Special container

manufacturing business

Restrictions on transfer, etc.

Obligation to undergo

certification for specified

measuring instruments

Obligation to comply with

standards for household

specified measuring

instruments

Weighing can be omitted by

using a special container with

a constant relationship

between the internal volume

and height.

Manufacturers, repairers, and

importers of thermometers and

sphygmomanometers must not

transfer unless they have a

certification mark

Manufacturers and importers

of scales, scales for infants,

and cooking scales must

comply with technical

standards and have a following

markings on their scales.

(Declaration of self-conformity)

The seller must not sell

anything without a following

markings.

Verification mark Standard conformity mark Home measuring instrument seal

Chapter 4. Providing accurate specified measuring instruments

Chapter5．Process of verification and inspection

Self-declaration

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Pressure gauge, thermometer, etc（当道府県・指定製造事業者）検定証印等の表示

Gas meteGas meter, water meter,

fuel meter for motor vehicles, etc.

r, water meter, fuel meter for motor

vehicles, etc.府県・指定製造事業者）検定証印等の表示

Taxi meter証印等の表示

Non-automatic scale, weight, hide and leather planimeter当道府県・指定製造事業者）検定証印等の表示

Clinical thermometer, blood pressure monitor府県・指定製造事業者）検定証印等の表示

Specified measuring instrument for

household use (weight scale, baby

scale, cooking scale)

Verification, etc. at the time of transfer only

Without verification expiration date

With verification expiration date

Verification

markStandard

conformity mark

Fitting

inspection

mark

”Verification mark”: Items which passed verification tests

“Standard conformity mark”: Items manufactured by designated manufacturing business operators and passed in-house verification tests

“Fitting inspection mark”: In case of taximeters, instruments need to not only verification tests but also instrument inspections.

(inspections conducted while instruments are actually installed in taxis).

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Periodic

inspection

• Type approval systemIn this system, structural inspection is considered to be carried out by testing and evaluating structure of an identical

type instead of carrying out one hundred percent verification of structure and instrumental errors (→ One hundred

percent verification of instrumental errors is necessary)

➢ Business operators (domestic or foreign manufacturing business operators or import business

operators) shall apply to the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (in case

of electric meters, the Japan Electric Meters Inspection Corporation) with samples of measuring

instruments to be manufactured, designs, etc.

①Application

②Test

③Approval ➢ If it is confirmed that the measuring instrument is compatible to structural technical standards, the type shall be approved.

➢ The approval is valid for 10 years.。

➢ Samples shall be tested and assessed by compatibility tests for

structural technical standards (structure, material, performance,

etc.) specified by ministerial ordinances.➢ Tests can be contracted out to designated verification bodies

[Durability test]

• Test of influence by aging

[Test against electrical disturbance]

• Test of influence of external radio waves on

measured values

[Basic performance test]

• Influence and operation test assuming the

operating environment

Chapter5．Process of verification and inspection

[Material test]

• Shock resistance test

[Confirmation test for descriptions, etc.]

• Confirmation of used units, names of manufacturing business

operators, etc., confirmation of visibility of descriptions

[Instrumental error performance test]

• Test of measured values within the measurement range

Example of test items of a type test

• Designated manufacturing business operator systemThis system designates domestic and foreign manufacturing business operators with superior

quality control ability (by each factory or place of business) and approves in-house inspection

instead of verification

The manufacturing business operator (by each factory or place of business) shall apply to

the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry.

https://www.meti.go.jp/policy/economy/hyojun/techno_infra/33_files/20170818Shiteiseizou.pdf

①Application

②Test

③Designation

④ImplementationDesignated manufacturing business operators are able to attach standard conformity

marks (with the same legal consequences as verification marks) if voluntary inspections

show that the products meet the technical standards within the scope of the type approval

they have received

If the result of the inspection shows that the operator meets the technical standards of

ministerial ordinances, the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry shall designate the

operator as a designated manufacturing business operator.

The manufacturing business operator shall undergo inspection of the prefecture (in case

of electric meters, the Japan Electric Meters Inspection Corporation) concerning the

technical standards [quality control system (equivalent to ISO9000), manufacture result

of the past three months, etc.] specified by ministerial ordinances. It is possible to

undergo inspection by a designated verification body.

List of Designated manufacturing business operator.

Procedure of designating a designated manufacturing business operator

Chapter 5．Process of verification and inspection

• Verification standard system

Inspection based on the technical

standards of structure and instrumental

errors specified by ministerial

ordinances

Applicant

Inspection body

Notifying manufacturing business

operator, designated manufacturing

business operator, prefecture,

designated verification body, certified

measurer, proper measurement control

business place, etc.

National Institute of Advanced Industrial

Science and Technology, prefecture,

Japan Electric Meters Inspection

Corporation

• Verification standard inspection

marks shall be attached to

verification standards

• Certificate of inspection of

verification standards shall be issued

with the period of validity.Used for inspection, verification, e.t.c.

Passed

Chapter5．Process of verification and inspection

The period of validity of verification

standards (example)

Type of verification standards Period of

validity

Verification standard for inspection of taximeter

instrument

4 years

Mass verification standard

(a) Standard test weight made of cast iron

or mild steel

1 year

(b) Standard test weight except (a)

(excluding special class standard test

weights)

5 years

(c) All except (a) and (b) 3 years

Temperature verification standard 5 years

Electricity verification standard

(a) Reference current meter, reference

voltage meter, and 3rd class reference

electric power meter

6 months

(b) Reference voltage generator, reference

resistor, 1st class reference electric

power meter, and 2nd class reference

electric power meter

1 year

Illuminance verification standard 5 years

Noise verification standard 2 years

Vibration verification standard 4 years

The system aims for supply of accurate specified measuring instruments by allowing only the measurement standards

(verification standards) which meet the technical standards to be used for verification, inspection, etc. of instrumental errors

such as verification and inspection of specified measuring instruments.

• Measurement certification business system

This system requires business operators, who wish to carry out measurement certification business, to register with the governor of the prefecture in which each business place is located.

Chapter6. Measurement certification business

This mark can be attached to measurement certificates

General measurement certification business

・Length, mass, area, volume or heat value

Environment measurement certificate business

・Concentration, sound pressure level, vibration acceleration

level

• Outline of measurement certification business system

Chapter6. Measurement certification business

Prefectural governor

Designated measurementCertification inspection organization

Measurement certification

Business operator

Users who make request

For measurement

Public offices, government and

municipal offices, customers, etc

Registration

Request for

measurement

Inspection of measuring

Instrument used for

Measurement certification

Designation

Issue of measurement

certificate

Usage (example)

• Measurement certification inspection

Measurement certification inspection is a system in which specified measuring instruments, which measurement certification business operators use, shall be inspected at regular interval concerning their quality and instrumental errors in order to guarantee appropriate measurement certification business

Chapter 6. Measurement certification business

Specified measuring instrument Period in which

measurement certification

inspection should be made

Period in which

measurement certification

inspection does not need to

be made

Non-automatic scale, weight 2 years 1 year

Hide and leather planimeter 1 year 6 months

Noise meter 3 years 6 months

Vibration level meter 3 years 6 months

Concentration meter* 3 years 6 months

*Excluding glass electrode hydrogen ion concentration detector and alcohol meter

Chapter6. Measurement certification business

The mark can be attached to

measurement certificates.

Specified measurement certification business

Operators which carry out measurement certification involving

measurement of extremely small amount which requires high

technique such as dioxins are required to register with the

Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry as specified

measurement certification business operators.

・Certified measurer system

The certified measurer system gives a certain qualification to a person who has specialized knowledge and skills related to measurement and makes the person take charge of duties in a certain field. It aims to promote self-management of measuring instruments and ensure proper weighing.

Chapter 7. Proper weighing management

・Main duties of a certified measurer

Qualification Example of certified measurers’ duites

Certified general

measurer

Measurement management such as quality control and measurement

plan formulation / implementation of measuring instruments such as

length meters, mass meters, volume meters, and thermometers used

in production factories, department stores, and supermarkets.

Certified environmental

measurer（Concentration）

Measurement and measurement management of harmful substances,

malodorous substances, etc. contained in soot and wastewater

discharged from factories, environment (air / water area), and soil

such as factory sites.

Certified environmental

measurer（Noise, vibration）

Noise measurement and measurement management of factories with

noise sources such as presses and blowers, construction work, roads

(automobiles), railways, and aircraft

How to become a certified measurer（1）

Chapter 7. Proper weighing management

National Certified Measurer Examination course

Qualification STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3

Certified general

measurer

Pass the

National

Certified

Measurer

Examination

1 year or more of

practical experience

Application Registration

Certified

environmental

measurer

(Concentration)

(Noise,vibration)

Pass the

National

Certified

Measurer

Examination

1 year or more of

practical experience

or

Meet other

conditions

prescribed by the

ordinance of the

Ministry of Economy,

Trade and Industry

Application Registration

How to become a certified measurer （2）

Chapter 7. Proper weighing management

Certified measurer qualification course

Qualification STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3

Certified general

measurer

Finish a certain

course by the

National Institute

of Advanced

Science and

Technology

2 years or

more of

practical

experience

Document

review

Application Registration

Certified

environment

measurer

(Concentration)

(Noise,vibration)

Finish a certain

course by the

National Institute

of Advanced

Science and

Technology

2 years or

more of

practical

experience

Document

review

and

Oral

examination

Application Registration

・Proper measurement control business placesA business place certified by the national or prefectural governor as having proper measurement management is designated as a proper weighing control business place.

Chapter 7. Proper measurement control

Sign of proper measurement control business placeFeatures

（1）Specified measuring instruments are exempted from periodic

inspection If voluntary inspection is conducted（2）Repairs within the scope of simple repair of specified measuring

instruments are permitted（3）The sign of proper measurement control business place can be

displayed

Main conditions for designation（1）Certified measurers conduct inspection periodically

（2）Proper measurement management chief or measurer is assigned as

many as necessary（3）Employees, etc. receive guidance about measurement control from

certified measurers（4）Measurement control rules have been established, etc

This system externally certifies the accuracy of measuring instruments by calibrating measuring instruments by unbroken chains of comparison using the highest-grade measurement standards in Japan (national measurement standards) as a

benchmark.

Chapter 8. Measurement Standards

・National Measurement Standards Provision System (JCSS)

JCSS: Japan Calibration Service System

National Institute of Advanced Industrial

Science and Technology

Japan Electric Meters Inspection Corporation

Comparison

Calibration service

providers

Assessment

Registration

Provision of measurement standards with uncertainty explicitly indicated (called

specified secondary standard instruments, etc.) (calibration or certification)

General user

Calibration certificates with

uncertainty explicitly indicated shall

be issued.

Chapter 8. Measurement Standards

National Institute of Advanced

Industrial Science and Technology

Measurement standard research

institutes all over the world

Traceability of Japan Calibration Service System

Flow of calibration taking "length" as an example (JCSS of "length")

[Subject] National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science

and Technology

[Specified standard instrument]

Optical frequency comp apparatus

【主体】

【特定二次標準器】長さ測定用レーザ装置

↓ Calibration

↓ Calibration

↓ Calibration

[Subject] National Institute of

Advanced Industrial Science

and Technology

[Specified standard

instrument]

Optical frequency comp

apparatus

[Subject] Registered calibration

service provider

[Specified secondary standard

instrument]

Laser apparatus for measuring

length

[Subject] User

[Functional standard instrument]

Example) Gauge block

[General measuring instrument]

Vernier caliper, etc.

Chapter 8. Measurement Standards

Penalties related to the Measurement Law

Violation of obligation to report business, etc.• When business is performed without notification of registration/ renewal /

change / cancellation / abolition of the business related to weighing,

such as measurement certification business, designated organization,

weigher, etc.

Violations of restrictions on use• If you do not comply with the restrictions on the transfer of products, such as prohibiting the use of non-

statutory unit of measure, strict adhering to use in places where type approval and use of certified products are stipulated.

Transaction violations• A manufacturer, repair, or importer of a specific measuring instrument shall not transfer, rent, or repair the

specific weighing instrument to the entrusted person unless it is marked with a certification certificate, etc.

Violation of duty to comply with standards• If the designated manufacturer neglects to perform inspections at a

specified measuring instrument manufactured at a designated location and to create and store inspection records。

Violation of improvement and conformity orders• In the event of a recommendation or request from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry to report

on improvement requests, matters pointed out, books, etc., the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry

shall respond promptly.

※For more details, please refer to Articles the 170th to the 180th "Penalties" of the Measurement Law.

The penalties related to the Measurement Law, provided for Articles the 170th to the

180th of the Measurement Law, are broadly summarized in the following five items.

Penalties• Depending on the content of the

penalties, a minimum fine of

100,000 yen will be charged from

imprisonment for not more than 1

year or a fine of not more than

1,000,000 yen.