Before starting Japanese Radio Law Giteki certification (commonly called Giteki), understand this: "MIC certification" is an industry abbreviation – MIC (Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications) is the regulator, not the certificate name. The official certificate has two types, as explained below.

Many people think "TELEC" is the certificate name – TELEC is just one of many RCBs (Registered Certification Bodies). JRF, JPA, etc., are even less relevant – mixing them up only causes confusion.

1. MIC Certification Path – Two Routes, Completely Different Applications

1.1 工事設計認証 (Construction Design Certification) – the mainstream mass-production route
This is type approval – one certification covers all models with the same design. Most head units, modules, and consumer electronics exported to Japan take this route. When people say "TELEC Giteki certification," they are usually referring to Construction Design Certification.

If you use a module that already holds Construction Design Certification, and the end product does not change the RF circuit, antenna, or RF firmware parameters, you can use the derivative assessment path – no full retesting – the most practical cost-saving route.

1.2 技術基準適合証明 (Technical Standards Conformity Certification) – unit-by-unit certification
This is one certificate per unit – each device independently certified. Suitable only for small quantities, custom devices, or special-purpose low-volume products – not the preferred route for mass exports.

Costs and timelines for the two routes are vastly different – choosing the wrong route makes budget and schedule estimates unreliable.

  2. MIC Certification – Pre-Certification Preparation

-RCB Selection
There are over a dozen RCBs in Japan – JQA, TÜV Rheinland Japan, DSP Research, TELEC, etc. – each with different review timelines and fee structures.

Overseas lab report acceptance: there is a hard prerequisite – the lab must be ISO 17025 accredited, test items must fully follow ARIB Japanese standards with Japanese limits properly recorded. You cannot simply submit an FCC or CE report for review. Many RCBs only use FCC/CE reports for document assessment – that does not mean they accept them – in some cases, retesting in a Japanese-designated lab is required.

-Product Classification and Applicable Standards

·Wi‑Fi/Bluetooth → 2.4 GHz low-power data communication systems → ARIB STD-T66.

·5 GHz → ARIB STD-T71.

·5 GHz DFS: Japan's DFS requirements differ from FCC – not just thresholds – but also available channel lists, quiet periods, and channel availability check cycles – directly reusing FCC DFS data will likely be rejected by the RCB.

·Cellular devices may also require JATE (Telecommunications Business Law) assessment – two independent certifications – both required.

-Japanese Local Agent Appointment
Overseas manufacturers cannot submit applications directly to an RCB – you must appoint a Japanese local agent. The agent is the statutory recipient for the certification process.

Document retention obligation: from the date production ceases – at least 5 years – not from the certification issue date – many misunderstand this. The agent must not only store documents but also receive MIC market-surveillance notifications and handle compliance inquiries. If the agent is dissolved or changed, you must notify the RCB promptly – otherwise certificate validity is at risk.

  3. MIC Certification – Test Execution

-Radio Law Test Items
Transmit power, occupied bandwidth, spurious emissions, frequency deviation – Japan's power limits differ from FCC and CE. 2.4 GHz power levels and EIRP calculations must strictly follow ARIB standards.

RF single-item test fees (excluding RCB review fees, agent annual fees, and translation):

·2.4 GHz Bluetooth/Wi‑Fi, first-pass: RMB 6,000–12,000.

·5 GHz adds DFS – additional cost.

-802.11b Ch14 – Special Japanese Band
Japan's 2.4 GHz Wi‑Fi allows Ch14 (2484 MHz) – a channel not available in most countries. If your product's Wi‑Fi firmware enables Ch14 – regardless of Bluetooth – Wi‑Fi Ch14 tests are required. BLE has no Ch14 channel – no Bluetooth-side testing needed.

Common trap: composite devices with Wi‑Fi + Bluetooth – if Wi‑Fi has Ch14 enabled, you cannot skip it just because the product also has Bluetooth – Wi‑Fi Ch14 testing is unavoidable.

-EMC and Safety

·EMC follows the VCCI voluntary certification system – not mandated by the Radio Law. However, Japanese retailers and e‑commerce platforms generally expect VCCI – technically voluntary, practically a market requirement – we recommend not skipping it.

·Safety follows PSE (Diamond or Circle mark) – completely separate from Radio Law certification.

  4. RCB Review and Certificate Issuance

RCB review runs two parallel tracks: technical review (test data completeness/compliance) and administrative review (application forms, agent authorisation). Standard review: 2–4 weeks.

Certificate validity: no statutory fixed period – conditional on:

·Hardware unchanged.

·Applicable standards not repealed.

·Japanese local agent status continuously valid.

Firmware upgrades that change transmit power, operating bands, channel configuration, or DFS logic – treated as hardware changes – the original certification is invalidated – a change assessment must be submitted to the RCB. Many manufacturers mistakenly believe software-only changes do not need reporting – this is the biggest blind spot.

For MIC certification steps, contact BlueAsia at 13534225140 (King) or king.guo@cblueasia.com.