The objective of this Law is to optimize and rationalize construction and management of waterworks, to ensure an abundant and cheap supply of clean water by systematically consolidating waterworks and promoting water services, thereby to contribute to the improvement of public health and the human environment.
(2) OUTLINE OF THE LAW AND SYSTEM
The water supplier can refuse to supply or accept the request for supply of water from a party whose water service installation does not comply with the standard described by the cabinet order with respect to the structure and materials of the water service installation, the water supplier shall be allowed to stop or suspend the supply of water until the party will comply with the standards(Article 16).
(3) CABINET ORDERS AND MINISTERIAL ORDINANCES
Enforcement Order of the Waterworks Law
Enforcement Regulations of the Waterworks Law
(4) OUTLINE OF THE CONTROL
1) Items Covered
Instruments and unit type equipment utilized in water supply equipment
2) Outline of Specifications, Standards and Inspections, etc.
i. Content of the Control
Since "Standards for structure and materials of water service installation" is established for domestic water supply equipment in accordance with Article 5 of the Enforcement Order, manufacturers of domestic water supply equipment should provide products conforming to standards for this performance to general consumers or waterworks establishments.
ii. Certification System
As for a conformity certification of water supply equipments is conducted on the basis of self-certification by manufacturers. Furthermore, if products meet the above-mentioned standards, the same applies to "self-certified products" or "products labeling JIS".
(Third-party inspection agencies):
Japan Water Works Association (JWWA)
Japan Heating Appliances Inspection Association, Inc. (JHIA)
Japan Electrical Safety & Environmental Technology Laboratories (JET)
Japan Gas Appliances Inspection Association (JIA)
UL Apex Co., Ltd.
(Outline of each certification system)
(5) HIGHLIGHTS OF THE RECENT AMENDMENT
Performance requirement and its testing methods have been revised in April 2004 in accordance with amendment of the Ministerial Ordinance of the Standards for Structure and Material of Water Service Installation and the Ministerial Ordinance of Technical Standards for Water Supply Facilities( pursuant to the amendment of water quality standards).