Technical Conformity Mark and the purchase and use of radio equipment

Most of the radio equipment in general use is affixed with the mark of technical regulations conformity certification (Technical Conformity Mark) for specified radio equipment.

Please be very careful when purchasing or using radio equipment that does not have the markaffixed as it is possible that it is unlicensed or illegal.

Technical Conformity Mark and the purchase and use of radio equipment

Q1

What is the Technical Conformity Markfor?

A1

The Technical Conformity Mark is there as proof that the radio equipment conforms to the technical regulations specified in the Radio Law, and it is affixed on each and every piece of radio equipment.

NB: When applying for a radio equipment license, the procedure is greatly simplified if the Technical Conformity Mark is already affixed.

In addition, specified low power transceivers, home-use wireless LANs and cordless telephones do not require a radio station license if they have the Technical Conformity Mark affixed.

Q2

Where is the Technical Conformity Mark affixed?

A2

In most cases, it is displayed in the identification plate that describes the model name and manufacturer of the radio equipment.

As to wireless LANs, the Mark is printed on the bottom face if it is stationary-type equipment, and it is printed in the identification plate in the case of card-type equipment.

In the case of mobile phones, it is printed in the area where the built-in battery is removed. The Technical Conformity Mark is printed in the same way on cordless telephones and PHS ( Personal Handy-phone System) .

Q3

What should be done if the Technical Conformity Markis not affixed?

A3

It can be an infringement of the Radio Law if you use radio equipment which has no Technical Conformity Mark affixed. Please inquire at your nearest Bureau of Telecommunications for details. (When making the inquiry, please have documentation that permits identification of the type of radio equipment, such as the user's manual for the radio equipment, ready.)

Q4

Is it illegal if the Technical Conformity Mark is not affixed?

A4

It can be an infringement of the Radio Law if you use radio equipment which has no Technical Conformity Mark affixed. Please inquire at your nearest Bureau of Telecommunications for details. (When making the inquiry, please have documentation that permits identification of the type of radio equipment, such as the user's manual for the radio equipment, ready.)

Q5

What happens if one uses radio equipment which does not have the Technical Conformity Mark affixed?

A5

With the exception of some radio equipment, use of radio equipment to which the Technical Conformity Mark is not affixed may be an infringement of the Radio Law.

In addition, there are certain types of radio equipment (amateur radio, personal radio etc.) for which it is necessary to obtain a license from the Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications to set up a radio station, even if the Technical Conformity Mark is affixed, so please pay close attention to its use.

(Establishing or operating a radio station without a license constitutes an infringement of the Radio Law, and it shall be guilty of an offense and liable to penal servitude for a term not exceeding one year or to a fine not exceeding one million yen. Also, in cases where there has been interference to highly public radio stations, it shall be guilty of an offense and liable to penal servitude for a term not exceeding five years or a fine not exceeding two and a half million yen.)

Q6

Why is it not possible to use radio equipment which does not have the Technical Conformity Mark affixed?

A6

Many people use radio waves and they are now an essential part of our society. Since the availability of frequencies is limited, these need to be used efficiently and so it is necessary to set up various rules such as in-use channels, their output power, and technical regulations for radio equipment.

Much of the equipment that does not have the Technical Conformity Mark affixed does not conform to these rules. In using this type of radio equipment, it is possible to cause interference to other people inadvertently and so possibly bring confusion at a social level.

Please take care not to purchase or use radio equipment which does not have the Technical Conformity Mark affixed.

Q7

Does the simple fact that the Technical Conformity Mark is affixed make the product OK?

A7

The following possibilities can be considered

1. In the case of products such as specified low power transceivers, home-use wireless LANs and cordless telephones, these can be used without a license from the Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications to establish a radio station, as long as the Technical Conformity Mark is affixed.
2. Radio equipment other than the above (such as amateur radio and personal radio) requires a license from the Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications to establish a radio station.
   (Establishing or operating a radio station without obtaining a license constitutes an infringement of the Radio Law and it shall be guilty of an offense and liable to penal servitude for a term not exceeding one year or to a fine not exceeding one million yen.)
3. If the radio equipment is rebuilt, the Technical Conformity Mark must be revoked, but there are cases where this might not be possible. In such cases, there is fear that the equipment cannot be used.
   For details, please make inquiries at your nearest Bureau of Telecommunications.

Q8

Is it OK if the Technical Conformity Mark is affixed but the design is different?

A8

The Technical Conformity Mark has been changed, as shown below. The old type of Technical Conformity Mark remains valid.

Q9

What should one look out our for when purchasing radio equipment?

A9

Since most radio equipment for general use comes with the Technical Conformity Mark affixed, please make sure that the equipment you plan to buy has the Technical Conformity Mark affixed.

In addition, since there are certain types of radio equipment (such as amateur radio s and personal radio s ) that also require a license from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications MIC to set up a radio station even if the Technical Conformity Mark is affixed, please make inquiries to the store.

Q10

What happens if one rebuilds radio equipment that has the Technical Conformity Mark affixed?

A10

If one rebuilds radio equipment that has the Technical Conformity Mark, the Technical Regulations Conformity Certification becomes invalid, and it should be treated like radio equipment that does not have the Technical Conformity Mark affixed.

If one uses this type of radio equipment, it could constitute an infringement of the Radio Law.

For details, please make inquiries at your nearest Bureau of Telecommunications.

Q11

How can one obtain a license for a radio station?

A11

An application for a license must be made to the Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications. The license is granted following an examination by Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.

For details, please make inquiries at your nearest Bureau of Telecommunications.

Q12

I am concerned as to whether the radio equipment I own is OK.

A12

Even if the Technical Conformity Mark is affixed, certain types of equipment require a license.

For details, please make inquiries at your nearest Bureau of Telecommunications.

Q13

I am not sure I understand, so who do I need to make inquiries to?

A13

Please don't hesitate to contact your nearest Bureau of Telecommunications.

Q14

My telephone also has a Technical Conformity Mark affixed. What is that about?

A14

It is a mark that is affixed to products, such as telephones, that conform to regulations (Technical Regulations Conformity Certification for Terminal Equipment) for connecting to telecommunications lines (wired lines etc.). It is the same design as the Technical Conformity Mark.

Q15

In what way do the Technical Conformity Mark and the Certification Mark differ?

A15

They are the same.

Until now, the mark displayed on equipment that had obtained the Technical Regulations Conformity Certification for specified radio equipment was called a "Certification Mark."This has been changed to Technical Conformity Mark in order to give it a name with greater impact.

If you have questions or issues about the Technical Conformity Mark that are not covered by the above, please make inquiries at the "Q&A on Technical Conformity Mark" desk of your nearest Bureau of Telecommunications.

Also, explanations can be given to you concerning the radio equipment you own at the "Q&A on Technical Conformity Mark"desk of your nearest Bureau of Telecommunications.