Report of the OTO Advisory Council (April 12, 1993)

2-(4) Improving method of inspection of gas dryers by the Japan Gas Equipment Inspection Association

1. Complainant: Keidanren

2. Ministry concerned: Ministry of International Trade and Industry

3. Complaint:

The Japan Gas Equipment Inspection Association (JIA), at the request of gas equipment manufactures, carries out model inspection of gas appliances and inspection of manufacturing plants (follow-up inspections) and issues certificates for products passing both inspections. Submitting products for inspection by the Association is voluntary, but gas appliances bearing these certificates are partially exempted from inspection under the Fire Prevention Law, and manufacturers intending to sell gas appliances usually submit their products for inspection. An inspection fee (several hundred thousand yen per year) is required, and two units of the same model must be supplied for dismantling.

The complainant states that anyone intending to import and sell gas dryers is essentially obliged to pass the JIA inspection but that since only a small number of gas dryers are imported, the inspection costs make this unprofitable. Therefore, gas dryers meeting U.S. safety standards should be treated the same as those passing the JIA inspection.

4. Results of deliberation:

Regarding following-up inspection, since 1991 the JIA and the AGA (American Gas Association) have adopted a reciprocal certification system whereby U.S. manufacturers' products exported to Japan undergo inspection by the AGA at the request of the JIA.

Regarding model inspection, no reciprocal certification system has adopted, mainly because of product liability concerns on the part of the U.S. manufactures, but reciprocal certification should be encouraged, not only with the U.S. but with other countries as well.

Additionally, even if reciprocal certification is difficult, the JIA is planning to implement a system to honor test results of foreign inspection organizations if specific technical requirements are met, and doing so would lessen the burden imposed by inspection.

Government decision (May 27, 1993)

The Japan Gas Appliances Inspection Association (JIA) should promote a reciprocal certification system among countries concerned and implement a system to honor test results of foreign inspection organizations if specific technical requirements are met in order to lessen the burden imposed by inspection.