For wireless device manufacturers looking to enter the Japanese market, MIC Technical Conformity Certification is an unavoidable compliance threshold. In 2025, Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) has made several key adjustments to the certification process and technical standards, such as DFS testing requirements for the 5.6GHz band and dynamic management rules for certificate validity. Failure to fully understand these new regulations can easily delay product launch cycles during the certification phase. Combining the latest 2025 official requirements, this article explains the full MIC certification process, validity logic, and practical pitfalls, which can be directly applied by both new and experienced practitioners.
The first step in MIC certification is to clarify product classification, as compliance paths vary greatly for different categories. In 2025, official classification definitions place greater emphasis on "parameter adaptability" rather than simple product category division.
1.Class A Devices (Mandatory Certification, No Exemptions) are mainly wireless devices with high power and wide coverage characteristics, such as 5G terminals, Wi-Fi 6 routers, and Bluetooth gateways. It should be noted that low-power IoT modules are not uniformly classified as Class A; they need to be judged based on transmit power and the annual official exemption list. In the 2025 exemption list, micro-modules with transmit power ≤10mW and only supporting point-to-point short-range transmission can apply for a simplified process, while modules with multi-node networking functions still need to undergo complete Class A certification.
2.Class B Devices (Partial Exemptions, Self-Conformity Declaration) are mainly low-power short-range devices, such as 13.56MHz NFC access control readers, wireless chargers with power ≤15W, and low-power wireless modules built into children’s toys. These devices do not require complete testing by third-party institutions, but manufacturers must issue a self-conformity declaration and retain relevant technical documents for inspection—there is no complete exemption from compliance obligations.
Additionally, if a product has both wireless functions and a power supply module (such as a Bluetooth smart socket), in addition to MIC certification, it must also complete PSE safety certification. However, test data from both can be partially reused, saving 1-2 weeks of certification cycle.
2025 Full MIC Certification Process
Step 1: Finalize Partners
This step is the core threshold for 2025 certification, especially since agent qualification reviews are stricter than in previous years.
·Certification Body: Must be a third-party institution registered with MIC, such as Japan’s local JQA, TELEC, or domestic laboratories with mutual recognition qualifications with MIC (e.g., Shenzhen BLUEASIA). Test reports issued by non-registered institutions will be directly invalidated.
·Japanese Local Agent: Must be appointed by overseas manufacturers, and the agent must provide a physical office address in Japan (virtual addresses are not recognized). Complete enterprise identity information (such as business license and legal person information) must be submitted in the application materials. Currently, the official does not provide a publicly searchable "agent registration number", only requiring that agent information be truly traceable. Before cooperation, it is recommended to ask the agent to provide successful past service cases and MIC document submission receipts to confirm their compliance.
Step 2: Prepare Application Documents
The completeness of documents directly affects review progress. In 2025, official requirements for document details are more stringent. Core documents include:
·Technical Documents: Can be submitted in English or Japanese (there is no need to prioritize Japanese; an accurate English version can avoid translation errors). Specifically, technical specifications (frequency band range must be specified, e.g., only channels 1-13 can be used in the 2.4GHz band, and channel 14 remains prohibited in 2025), circuit diagrams (marking the model and supplier of key components such as RF chips), PCB layout drawings, and BOM (with compliance numbers of components noted).
·Test Report: Issued by an MIC-accredited laboratory. In 2025, for devices operating in the 5.6GHz (W56) band, additional Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS) testing has been added, requiring devices to respond to and avoid radar signals within 200ms, with a frequency error ≤±0.1ppm. In addition, devices used close to the human body (such as Bluetooth headsets and smart watches) must complete SAR testing (limit ≤1.6W/kg), which is not a new requirement in 2025 but a mandatory standard based on device usage scenarios.
·Supporting Documents: ISO9001 certificate (without a certificate, an internal enterprise quality control statement with an official seal can be submitted), multi-language user manual (must include a Japanese version and indicate the query path for the Giteki Mark and certification number), and a power of attorney signed and sealed by both the agent and the manufacturer (defining the agent’s service scope).
Step 3: Complete Testing and Review—Reasonable Estimation of Cycle and Cost
Testing cycles and costs depend on product complexity. In 2025, due to the addition of DFS testing, cycles for complex devices have been slightly extended:
·Regular Devices: For example, single-band Bluetooth speakers, the testing + review cycle is about 4-6 weeks, with costs ranging from 500,000 to 1,000,000 yen. If issues such as excessive RF spurious signals occur, rectification will add an additional 2-3 weeks.
·Complex Devices: For example, multi-band 5G routers, which need to complete multiple tests including RF, EMC, and DFS, have a cycle of 8-12 weeks, with costs rising to 1,500,000 to 3,000,000 yen, of which DFS special testing adds approximately 100,000 yen in costs.
Step 4: Post-Certification Compliance Maintenance—Labeling and Document Retention Requirements
·Labeling: The Giteki Mark must be permanently marked on the product body, with dimensions ≥5mm×5mm. For micro-devices, etching or non-removable printing can be used; for some large devices, after confirmation by the certification body, permanently affixed labels can be used (ensuring they cannot be easily torn off by users). The 10-digit certification number must also be printed on the packaging to facilitate consumers’ verification on the MIC official website.
·Document Retention: Certification-related test reports, conformity declarations, and other documents must be retained for at least 5 years for subsequent MIC inspections. There is no need to submit an annual self-inspection report to the official, but enterprises must establish an internal compliance ledger to record production quantities, component changes, user complaints, etc., to reduce the risk of market sampling inspections.
MIC Certification Validity Period: No Fixed Term, but Three Invalidation Conditions
MIC certificates do not have a fixed validity period of 3 or 5 years; their validity is dynamic. Once any of the following conditions are triggered, the certificate will be immediately invalidated:
1.Product Design Changes: Any hardware changes affecting RF performance (such as changing antenna suppliers) or core software changes (such as firmware upgrades adjusting transmit power) require reapplication for certification. If products with unreported changes are detected, fines and product recalls will be imposed.
2.Regulatory Standard Updates: This is the core maintenance obligation for manufacturers. When MIC updates technical standards (such as the 2025 W56 band DFS new regulations), enterprises must complete product adaptation within the transition period specified by the official and apply to the certification body for standard conformity confirmation. After the transition period, certifications under the old standards will be automatically invalidated.
3.Unqualified Market Sampling Inspections: MIC conducts irregular market sampling inspections. If it is found that products on sale are inconsistent with their certified state or do not meet technical standards, certification qualifications will be directly revoked, and the enterprise will not be allowed to apply for certification for similar products within 3 years.
Three Key Practical Pitfall Reminders for 2025
1.Do Not Reverse the Certification Order: For products involving both MIC and PSE certification, it is recommended to complete MIC certification first. Its EMC and RF performance test data can be reused for PSE certification, saving 2-3 weeks of time.
2.Focus on the 5.6GHz Band: In 2025, the W56 band has been incorporated into Annex45 standards. In addition to DFS testing, Automatic Frequency Coordination (AFC) compatibility requirements must also be met. It is recommended to conduct pre-testing in advance to identify risks.
3.Choose Full-Process Agent Services: When selecting an agent, prioritize those that can provide follow-up compliance support (such as assisting with standard updates and coordinating sampling inspections). Although service fees will be 50,000-80,000 yen higher per year, they can avoid losses caused by subsequent compliance loopholes.
For wireless device manufacturers, the core of MIC certification is "keeping up with new regulations + detailed compliance". As long as the process is completed in accordance with 2025 official requirements, the access to the Japanese market can be smoothly opened. For specific types of devices (such as industrial-grade IoT gateways), you can consult BLUEASIA (+86 13534225140) in advance for professional certification consulting services.
相关新闻
