A Shenzhen-based headphone manufacturer, due to a misunderstanding of the latest documentation requirements when preparing for Japanese market access, had its technical documents rejected three times, unexpectedly extending the entire project cycle by two months.
Japan MIC Certification, often referred to as TELEC or "Technical Conformity" Certification, is a mandatory compliance pass for wireless products to enter the Japanese market. For content creators and cross-border sellers, accurately grasping its latest documentation requirements and time planning is the key to project success. This guide will break down the core points by combining the latest 2025 policies.
Before delving into details, it is necessary to clarify several easily confused core concepts. This will help you determine the correct work direction from the start and avoid resource waste.
Japan MIC Certification is a general term referring to the radio device compliance certification system overseen by Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. Its most common specific implementation form is TELEC Certification, which is carried out by MIC-authorized institutions (such as the Telecommunication Engineering Center).
Another commonly mentioned certification is JATE Certification, which mainly targets terminal devices accessing Japan’s public telephone network. An important principle is that for most purely consumer-grade wireless products (such as Bluetooth headsets and Wi-Fi routers), only TELEC Certification is usually required.
The "Giteki Mark" affixed to products in the end is the visual proof of certification approval and must be clearly and permanently marked on the product.
Documentation List for Japan MIC Technical Conformity Certification
Preparing certification documents is like preparing a meticulous answer sheet. 2025 requirements place greater emphasis on product life-cycle management and cybersecurity. The following are the core documents that must be prepared.
All documents must be submitted in English or Japanese.
1.First, core technical documents, which form the basis of the review. These include detailed circuit block diagrams, schematic diagrams, PCB layout drawings, and Bill of Materials (BOM), where all RF-related components must be clearly labeled.
2.An antenna specification sheet is also essential, including gain, radiation pattern, and dimension drawings. For products using wireless modules that have already obtained certification, providing the module’s TELEC certificate can simplify the process.
3.Testing and certification documents. The core is a complete test report issued by an MIC-accredited laboratory, covering RF performance (e.g., frequency, power, bandwidth) and Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) testing.
4.A key point to note in 2025 is that if the product is an IoT device, an additional Cybersecurity Measures Conformity Declaration may need to be submitted, detailing its measures in access control, data encryption, etc.
5.Marking and instruction documents are crucial for final market launch. A Japanese user manual must be provided, including statutory warnings, instructions on the location of the "Giteki" mark, and a clear prohibition on user modification. The label design drawing must clearly show the certification mark and number to be permanently marked on the product.
6.Finally, administrative and legal documents. For non-Japanese manufacturers, this is a mandatory requirement: a "Domestic Representative" with a legal business address in Japan must be appointed, and an official power of attorney must be submitted. In addition, the manufacturer’s ISO9001 quality management system certificate or a quality control statement is usually required.
Sample Requirements and MIC Certification Process Timeline
In addition to paper documents, physical samples are the entities for completing tests. You need to prepare 2-3 fully functional prototypes, at least one of which must be a "fixed-frequency prototype" that can be locked to operate in a specific frequency band for accurate testing.
The entire certification process is like a relay race, with each link taking time. The total cycle varies greatly depending on the product’s technical complexity, ranging from one month to one quarter.
1.The preparation and testing phase has the largest variability. In the laboratory, your product will undergo multiple tests including RF and EMC, a process that usually takes 2 to 4 weeks. The more complex the technology—for example, a router supporting the 5GHz band that requires DFS (Dynamic Frequency Selection) radar detection—the longer the testing time will be.
2.The submission and review phase is relatively fixed. Test reports, along with all technical documents, are submitted by your Japanese agent to the certification body (e.g., TELEC) for final review. The institution reviews document compliance, with a cycle generally of 1 to 2 weeks.
For customers with urgent needs, some institutions offer expedited services, which may reduce the review time to 1 week, but this usually incurs additional expedited fees.
Certification Cycle for Different Products
There is no standard answer for the certification cycle; it is highly dependent on the product’s technical architecture. The certification journey of a single-mode Bluetooth headset is completely different from that of a 5G CPE device supporting multiple frequency bands and the latest protocols.
1.For devices such as Bluetooth headsets and speakers, with relatively simple technologies, the standard certification cycle is usually around 3 to 4 weeks. For Wi-Fi routers, especially models supporting the 5GHz band, the cycle will extend to 6 to 8 weeks due to more test items (such as mandatory DFS testing).
2.The most complex are multi-frequency, multi-function devices such as smartphones and 5G CPEs, whose certification processes can take as long as 8 to 12 weeks.
When clearing Japan MIC-certified products through Japanese customs, officials will proficiently check whether the device is clearly affixed with the "Giteki Mark". BLUEASIA (+86 13534225140) provides professional certification consulting services.
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