2nd Report of the Market Access Ombudsman Council (March 14, 1995)

3-(2) Establishment of classification standards for X-ray film

1. Complainant: German Embassy

2. Ministry concerned: Ministry of International Trade and Industry

3. Complaint:

X-ray film for industrial use is used for non-destructive inspection such as, for photographing welded portions of gas pipelines.

In Japan, standard for X-ray film for industrial use is JIS (Japan Industrial Standards) K7618, which is harmonized with ISO (International Standardization Organization) 7004. However, neither JIS nor ISO specify classification standards for X-ray film, and the ISO/TC135 (technical committee on non-destructive testing) of the ISO is at present discussing classification standards to make international standards on classification standards.

The following complaint has been made.

In Japan, naming there is usually the custom in a deal that purchaser orders a product manufactured by a specific company by stating "XX or the equivalent" on specifications for X-ray film used in non-destructive testing.

However, since "the equivalent" is not defined, it is difficult for users (companies doing non-destructive testing) to clarify the definition of "the equivalent" under the situation that there are no classification standards in JIS, and in fact the stated product is used.

This makes it difficult for companies other than those named to enter the Japanese market of X-ray film for industrial use.

In Europe, X-ray film for industrial use is classified according to the newly-introduced EN-584-1 in European standards (December 1994. To become effective in March 1995.).

Accordingly, in Japan, JIS should make classification standards for X-ray film for industrial use.

4. Results of deliberation:

As part of measures to improve access to Japan's market for X-ray film for industrial use, the following measures should be taken to establish classification standards for X-ray film in Japan at an early date.

The ISO/TC 135 committee is at present discussing to make international standard for X-ray film. The ministry is planning to make active efforts to participate in the committee and even before international standards will be made up, to start work to harmonize JIS with the Draft International Standard which is based on the committee draft that is scheduled to be made by October 1995. By expediting this work, the ministry should make classification standards harmonizing with international standards in JIS, when international standard on classification standards will be made.

Further, in reference to the complaint that although European classification standards of X-ray film for industrial use were established in December 1994, the fact that Japan has no classification standards puts foreign products into disadvantage condition in a deal. The ministry states that approximately 31% of domestic demanded (1993) are supplied by imported products and that foreign products have achieved sufficient access to Japanese market. However, given the complainant's assertion that foreign products are at a disadvantaged condition in a deal, the ministry should continue to exchange views, including discussions on possible ways of dealing with the situation, with concerned parties as necessary, in order to gain the understanding of the complainant.

Government decision (March 28, 1995)

3-(2) Establishment of classification standards for industrial- use X-ray film

Regarding international standards on classification standards for industrial-use X-ray film, Japan is actively participating in discussion of the TC135 (technical committee on non-destructive tests) of the International Standardization Organization (ISO). Once a draft of international standards is made, classification standards harmonized with the draft of international standards will be made in JIS at that stage, without waiting for formal adoption of the international standards.

Follow-up (May 27,1996)

3-(2) Establishment of classification standards for X-ray film

(1) The ministry is actively participating in discussions of the SC5 (X-ray testing sub-committee) of ISO/TC135.

The SC5 prepared its draft report in October 1995, which was approved to examine as DIS.

According to the Industrial Standards Law, examination at the Japan Industrial Standards Examination Committee is required to draw up JIS. Measures have been taken to set up an expert committee (June 1995) for JIS on classification standards for X-ray film for industrial use within the Committee, and when the DIS is prepared, JIS harmonizing with this will be created. The complainant has also been appointed to the expert committee.

(2) In discussions with the complainant after the report was drawn up, the ministry explained to the complainant that it would be drawn up JIS to harmonize with international standards when the DIS is drawn up, in order to expedite the process, instead of waiting to draw up JIS when the ISO's international classification standards for X-ray film for industrial use are drawn up, as has been the case up to now, and gained the complainant's understanding.

Further Follow-up (May 12, 1997)

3-(2) Establishment of classification standards for X-ray film

JIS K7627 (X-ray film for industrial use Part 1: classification of film systems for X-ray film for industrial use), harmonizing with Draft International Standards (DIS 1169-1) for X-ray film for industrial use, was established in February 1997. When international classification standards are established, JIS classification standards harmonizing with international standards will be established.