The Cabinet Office, government of Japan ＞ Top page of OTO ＞ Reorganization of the Office of the Trade and Investment Ombudsman
(Provisional Translation)
Policy Actions on Market Access Issues as concerns the Standards, Certification and Others (December 15, 1998)
December 15, 1998
Office of Market Access
Respecting the "Proposals on Market Access issues as Concerns Standards, Certification and Others" (Comprehensive Review by the Market Access Ombudsman Council, December 7, 1998) to the greatest extent possible, the following policy actions will be taken to further improve market access.
1. Relaxing the regulations of the Pharmaceutical Affairs Law
(1) Comprehensive review of regulations on cosmetics
The proposals of the "Final Report on Regulation of Cosmetics" will be steadily implemented after a detailed schedule and procedures for implementation are drawn up. In addition, where the requirement for physical plant and assignment of technicians responsible when applying for an import sales license is concerned, the status of quality control will be evaluated at an early date and this requirement comprehensively reviewed including its necessity.
(2) Determining a category for nutritional supplements
1) Details of new categories for nutritional supplements will be made during FY1999.
2) Restrictions on shape will be eliminated or substantially loosened, by putting the standards into law.
3) The standards will be put into law to permit labeling which indicates appropriate dosage, nutritional supplement benefits and precautions to allow consumers to choose products they need in an appropriate manner.
(3) Establishing a new category for in-vitro diagnostics
In order to study the issue of establishing a new category for in-vitro diagnostic products under the Pharmaceutical Affairs Law, a study group including outside experts and others will be established during the first half of FY1999 and a deadline will be set for completion of study of this matter.
2. Relaxing regulation in the areas of physical distribution and road traffic
(1) Tall containers
1) Carrying out a cost-benefit analysis of relaxing height restrictions
The cost-benefit analysis of loosening height restrictions for maritime containers will incorporate the macroeconomic perspective of benefits to the overall domestic economy and the perspective of planned deregulation. The study will be delegated to a private sector body, with a deadline of the end of FY1999 for presenting study findings, and the issue of loosening height restrictions will be studied based on those findings.
2) Speeding up improvement of a road network capable of handling fully loaded containers
The extension to 60,000 km of the road network over which fully loaded maritime containers may transit, scheduled to be completed by the end of FY2002, will be speeded up as much as possible.
(2) House trailers
1) Establishing a working group to study regulations affecting camping trailers.
In order to study the regulations affecting camping trailers, and reach an early conclusion, the Secretariat of the OTO will discuss with the ministries concerned, and establish a working group for study which will make a report to MAOC during 1999.
2) Carrying out a study on establishing weight classes of towing permits
A study on establishing weight classes of towing permits will be undertaken as soon as possible and a report will be made to MAOC during 1999.
(3) Motorcycles
1) Investigating and researching vehicle speed differences on expressways
A report will be made to MAOC during FY1999 concerning research and investigation into vehicle speed differences and safety measures on expressways.
3. Reviewing labeling and specifications for food products under the JAS system
(1) Steady implementation of the contents of the report by the JAS Research Committee
In order to steadily implement the contents of the "Revision of JAS standards and Food Labeling system" measures will be taken to review the specifications and the application of the system. Immediate measures will also be taken to review institutional matters, where this is necessary.
(2) Review labeling guidelines and actively put guidelines into law
The labeling guidelines for organic produce and marine products will be reviewed in accordance with demand by consumers, and measures to put guidelines into law will be taken where needed.
4. Promoting acceptance of foreign test data
(1) Concluding a mutual recognition agreement with the EU at an early date
The ministries concerned will begin the necessary preparations for drawing up proposed amendments to the relevant domestic laws soon and will endeavor to achieve early ratification of a cooperation agreement on mutual recognition between Japan and the EU.
5. Speeding up and simplifying import procedures
(1) Shortening the time needed between entry into port to declaration
The time needed between entry into port to declaration will be shortened as much as possible by encouraging the parties concerned to make more efforts to keep ports operating on a level comparable with that of other countries, on holidays. Introduction of a system ensuring appropriate Customs clearance and contributing to more efficient physical distribution will also be considered, referring to examples of Customs clearance procedures used in the United States and Europe as models.
(2) Further streamlining of the import procedure system
Efforts to computerize and offer one-stop service, in order to further simplify and speed up import/export and port-related procedures, will continue. Additionally, introducing an upgraded computer system that processes all import procedures in a integrated system will be considered.
6. Making active efforts to tackle so-called private sector regulation
(1) Investigate and publicize the status of, barriers constituted by, private sector regulations
The status of, and barriers constituted by, private sector regulations will be investigated from various perspectives, and findings will be reported in an easily understood manner using various media outlets.
(2) Encourage the public to report to the Fair Trade Commission
The Fair Trade Commission will take measures to encourage the public to report on private sector regulations.
(3) The OTO will respond as effectively as possible
When the OTO receives complaints concerning private sector regulations, it will make any effort to solve them. Furthermore, the establishment of a coordination and liaison framework concerning private sector regulations among the ministries concerned, if necessary will be considered.
7. Expanded publicity
(1) Actions taken to improve market access will be actively publicized in a clear, easily understood manner.
(2) Renewed efforts will be made to publicize the activities of the OTO in a clear, easily understood manner.