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

5-(2) Improvement of the JIS Yearbook and enhancement of harmonization between JIS and International Standards

1. Complainant: Australian and New Zealand Chamber of Commerce

2. Ministry concerned: Ministry of International Trade and Industry

3. Complaint:

JIS Yearbook has description on Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS) which are of interest to foreign business organization.

It was pointed out by the Complainant that effort should be made to elevate the harmonization rate between International Standards and JIS standards, and to present the relation of the two standards (more specifically as to whether the harmonized standards exist or not), as well as the future plan for progressing harmonization between them.

4. Results of deliberation:

At present, 66 percent of JIS standards corresponding to International Standards are harmonized. Utmost attention has being paid to progressing harmonization between International Standards and JIS standards at the time of establishment and revision of JIS standards at the ministry and agencies concerned. Still more stringent attention will be paid to make progress of harmonization from the perspective of international harmonization at the time of review of JIS, excluding that relating to the fields specified as exceptions in the GATT Standards Code. Based on this inquiry, efforts will be made to improve the contents of the JIS Yearbook.

This attitude should be appreciated, and not only to promote harmonization between JIS standards and International Standards, but also to maximize the benefit and usability of the foreign users, expedited action should be taken to present the relation between the two standards in the yearbook.

Government decision (June 24, 1994)

5-(2) Promoting international harmonization of JIS standards and Improving of JIS year book

More stringent attention will be paid to make progress of harmonization from the perspective of international harmonization at the time of review of JIS standards, excluding that re1ating to the fields specified as exception in the GATT Standards Code.

The JIS Yearbook will be revised during fiscal 1994 to clarify the relationship between JIS and international standards.

Follow-up (June 5, 1995)

5-(2) Improvement of the JIS Yearbook and Enhancement of Harmonization between JIS and International Standards

For the convenience of users abroad, the JIS Yearbook published in August 1994 indicated the relationship of harmonization between JIS standards and international standards.

Based on the WTO/TBT Agreement (Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade), efforts will be made to harmonize JIS with international standards, except in certain areas affected by climatic or geographical factors.

In order to promote harmonization with international standards, a study of the state of harmonization of JIS standards with international standards will be undertaken in FY 1995, and based on the study's findings, the necessary measures will be taken to achieve harmonization with international standards within three years.