Report of Market Access Ombudsman Council (May 13, 1994)

2-(5) Harmonization of Standards for Motorized Wheelchairs with International Standards

1. Complainant: British Embassy

2. Ministry concerned: Ministry of International Trade and Industry

3. Complaint:

JIS standard of motorized wheelchairs specified two types for "indoor/outdoor use" and for "outdoor use." The ISO also has standards for motorized wheelchairs which may be used indoors. With regard to the dimensions for motorized wheelchairs, JIS standards for motorized wheelchairs for "indoor/outdoor use" and for "outdoor use" and ISO standards (for maximum dimensions in all cases) set identical items required in standards.

The complainant states that although JIS is a voluntary regulation, Japanese businesses are reluctant to deal in products which do not meet JIS standards, and that British-made motorized wheelchairs, which are basically made to be used outdoors, and are thus difficult to sell in Japan because British made motorized wheelchairs are larger than the JIS-specified dimensions. Accordingly, in order to remove this barrier, the complainant requires that JIS-specified dimensions for motorized wheelchairs for "outdoor use" should be changed to larger figures or eliminated altogether.

4. Results of deliberation:

JIS standards for motorized wheelchairs for "outdoor use" are meant for "motorized wheelchairs intended to cover medium distances mainly out of doors," and are set to allow wheelchair users to negotiate doors, slopes and elevators inside public facilities without encumbrance.

Products like the wheelchairs in this complaint, which are manufactured to be used mainly outdoors, were not considered when JIS standards were established. However, with regard to standards for dimensions, JIS standards state that "However, excepting where particularly specified" and thus allow dimensions larger than those set down in the items required in JIS standards. This means that the motorized wheelchairs mentioned in this complaint are not excluded from JIS standards. The ministry concerned has ruled that when other required items in the JIS corresponding standard are met, there is no problem in declaring for manufacturers and others that the motorized wheelchairs in question meet JIS standards. This matter of meeting the content of JIS standards for motorized wheelchairs has already been explained to the complainant, and if there are other problems concerning sales of this product, the parties concerned should continue to study the matter.

Government decision (June 24, 1994)

2-(5) JIS standards for motorized wheelchairs

The content of JlS standards for motorized wheelchairs has been explained to the complainant. We are currently referring to the complainant whether there are other problems in sales, and if there are other problems in sales, the parties concerned will appropriately continue to meet the matter with the cooperation of them.

Follow-up (June 5, 1995)

2-(5) Harmonization of Motorized Wheelchair Standards with International Standards

Regarding the "maximum dimensions" desired by the complainant in JIS (Japanese Industrial Standards) for motorized wheelchairs, since JIS state that "however, excepting where particularly specified," those standards do not exclude motorized wheelchairs with dimensions other than those specified in the standards. Accordingly, if the motorized wheelchairs in question meet the other requirements of the JIS standards, there is no problem with manufacturers and others declaring that such wheelchairs meet JIS. This matter has already been explained to the complainant, and if there are other problems concerning sales, appropriate measures will be taken. The complainant has not mentioned any problems with sales so far.