Provisional Translation
| OTO No. | 393 | Classification | MOC-13 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of Acceptance | January 19, 1990 | Ministry/Agency Receiving Complaint | Economic Planning Agency |
| Responsible Ministries | Ministry of Construction | Related Laws | Building Standards Law |
| Complainant | Korean firm | Exporting Countries | South Korea |
| Subject | Regarding the participation of foreign firms in the system for steel structure approval, 1. Acceptance of application for approval under the designation system for steel structure fabrication works. 2. Acceptance of foreign qualification and easing of the regulations in the approval standards of the system. |
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| Details of Measures | Japanese regulation specifies standard operating procedures for steel structures so as to ensure prime quality and structural safety. Among these standard operation procedures are the provisions under Ministry of Construction Notification 1103 of 1981 that (1) the main items inspected for each construction undertaken and (2) those works that the Japan Steel Constructors Association and the Japan Steel Rib Fabricators Association have independently certified and shall be certified by the Minister of Construction. The certification standards set by these two associations are standards applying to works within Japan, including builder qualifications, facilities and quality control methodology. They are not intended to be applied to overseas works, and it would be necessary to review the certification standards and their application before it would be possible to certify overseas works. In this specific case, the two Japanese associations and the Korean industry association (the Korea Association of Machinery Industry) have been consulting on this since March 1990 and have been reviewing the certification standards on the basis of the information regarding Korean certifications standards as submitted by the Korean association. In December 1990, the Korea side was told during a plant inspection visit that the Japanese associations intend to amend their certification standards and to accept applications for certification from foreign works beginning in fiscal 1991. While watching these negotiations, the Ministry of Construction has instructed the two Japanese industry associations to make the necessary arrangements so as to be able to inspect foreign works as soon as possible. In May 1991, the two associations revised their certification regulations and standards so as to include provision for inspection of foreign steel fabrication works, and they are reportedly ready to process any application that might be filed. |
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| Classification of Processing | A | Directions | I-b |
| Remarks | |||