8th Revision: February 2016
Application to TIIS for Type Approval of
Electrical Equipment for Use in Explosive Atmospheres
1. Ex-Certification Scheme in Japan
1.1 General
Under the current Industrial Safety and Health Act and the related regulations in Japan, any explosion-protected electrical equipment (referred to as “Ex-equipment”) to be used in potentially explosive atmospheres of general industry shall not be transferred, leased or installed, should it not meet the relevant standards promulgated by the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan (hereinafter referred to as “the Minister”).
1.2 Regulation and Standard of Ex-equipment
“Structural Code for electrical equipment to be used in potentially explosive atmospheres” (referred to as “the Structural Code”) of notification No.16 was issued for Ex-equipment from the Minister in 1969. The Article 5 of the Structural Code defines that an electrical equipment manufactured based on international standards and proved by tests and so on to have Ex-protection capabilities which are required for by the Code is deemed to be one complied with the Code. This time, Notification Kihatsu 0831 No.2 was issued from the Mistry on 31th August 2015. It says that “The Technical Recommendations of the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health”: JNIOSH-TR-46 is the standards conforming to the Article 5. JNIOSH-TR-46 contains IEC 60079 series. See Annex 7. for detail.
| Note 1: |
JNIOSH-TR-46 is provided on the web site of National Institute of Occupational
Safety and Health. The contents are Japanese translation of IEC 60079 series. |
| https://www.jniosh.go.jp/publication/tr.html |
| Note 2: |
JNIOSH-TR-46 contains translation version of IEC 60079-33. But it is out of scope
of the Article 5. So it is not allowed to apply type “s” equipment based on the
IEC 60079-33 in Japan. |
| Note 3: |
Ex-equipment of Group I is not subjected to mandatory certification scheme
under the Industrial Safety and Health Act, but are required to comply with
technical standards specified by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
(METI). The standards are identical to applicable JIS or equivalent IEC
Standards. At present there is only one coal mine working on commercial base in
Japan. |
1.3 Application
Industrial Safety and Health Act stipulates in Article 44-2 that any manufacturer or any importer of Ex-equipment shall apply to the Japanese testing/certification body registered by the Minister for a certificate on its equipment. Currently, so far TIIS is the sole registered body in the area of Ex-equipment.
| Note 1: |
Ex Equipment cable gland, Ex blanking Element, Ex thread adapter and Ex
component are out of scope of Ex-certification scheme in Japan. However, TIIS
issues a certificate for these components. TIIS’s component certificate can be
used for Ex-equipment certificate scheme and treated like IECEx system or
ATEX. If there are a TIIS’s component certificate number, type identification
code and outline drawing, no detail drawing and test report are required in the
process of Ex-certification. Any manufacturer or importer can apply to TIIS to
get TIIS’s component certificate. |
| Note 2: |
Any certificate issued on Ex-equipment, Ex Equipment cable gland, Ex blanking
Element, Ex thread adapter or Ex component by a foreign authority or test house
has no legal validity in Japan, and the equipment shall be tested and certified by
TIIS before placing it on market in Japan. |
| Note 3: |
Junction boxes/connection boxes and similar fittings used for electrical wiring
purpose only are outside of the scope of the mandatory certification scheme on
Ex-equipment. However, they are required to have explosion protection features
appropriate to the areas in which they are to be installed. TIIS issues certificates
on such fittings, upon request, on voluntary base. |
1.4 Certificates
After successful completion of examination of the application documents and tests on the sample products, TIIS issues a certificate of conformity in Japanese to the applicant in a form of a hard copy.
| Note 1: |
English translation of an original certificate will be available, for reference
purpose only, upon request of the applicant, with extra charge. Please contact
TIIS. |
| Note 2: |
TIIS certificate and approved drawings are issued in a form of a hard copy. No
electrical media type of the certificate and drawings are provided to applicant. |
2. Documentation and Test Samples for New Certification
2.1 Essential Documents
When making an application to TIIS, an applicant (i.e. a manufacturer or an importer) shall submit those documents stated in 2.1.1 to 2.1.7 below:
| Note: |
The documents in 2.1.2 to 2.1.5 are stamped with a specific TIIS tally seal and
returned back to the applicant as integral parts of the certificate issued by TIIS. |
2.1.1 An application form, prepared in Japanese except for the applicant’s name and address, in the form of Annex 1.
| Note: |
When the applicant needs a proof of acceptance of application by TIIS, he/she is
required to submit a duplicate copy of the application form, together with postage
stamps (or the equivalent) for sending it back. |
2.1.2 One copy of a list of any variants of the equipment specified in the application
form, in Japanese, as exemplified in Annex 2.
| Note 1: |
“Variant” denotes a variation range of products whose explosion-protected
features are considered equivalent to those of the samples to be tested, based only
on test results of the samples and also on common technical understandings. Such
variations would be included in one certificate. Where additional testing is
deemed necessary, such products shall not be included in one certificate, and
separate certificate(s) would be applied.
TIIS conducts tests/evaluation only on test samples, whose type identification
code is specified by the applicant in the application form.
For further information on acceptable variations, please contact TIIS engineers. |
| Note 2: |
In most cases, variations of products covered by a certificate issued by any
foreign certification body may not be accepted by TIIS because of differences in
certification system. Remind that most of certification time for foreign products
are, in fact, spent for discussion on “the range of variations”. The applicant is
required to explain clearly differences in detail between the test samples and the
variations to them, in terms of electrical ratings, constructional details and
materials used. This will result in the reduction of processing time for
certification. |
| 2.1.3 |
One copy of a list of the drawings, in Japanese, as exemplified in Annex 3.
Descriptions in original language may be accepted in some cases (see 2.1.4). |
| 2.1.4 |
One copy of a set of drawings, bound in the order of a list given in 2.1.3, each
drawing with a title and other details translated into Japanese, alongside the
original. Incorporate a drawing(s) of variants, if any, where these are to be included
in one application, i.e. in one certificate (see 2.1.2). |
| Note 1: |
The applicant is particularly requested to ensure that the sample products
conform to the drawings and descriptions in the application form. This is critical
to avoid delays incurred in testing and certification work by TIIS. |
| Note 2: |
Drawings described in original language may be accepted in a case where
Japanese translation is provided alongside each original description, upon the
request of TIIS. |
| Note 3: |
Each drawing shall carry a title and an identification number, which coincide
with the list referred to in 2.1.3. The name of the applicant is also essential in
each drawing, for the purpose of applicant identification. |
| Note 4: |
Additionally, a drawing is also required, which describes the items specified in
the Japanese standards to be marked on each product. Material and dimensions of
a marking label and a method of fixing it on the product shall also be shown in
that drawing.
The marking in a label shall include, at least, the following:
a) Ex coding
“Ex” + Type of protection + Group + Temperature class, and EPL as exemplified below:
Ex e II T3 Gb
Ex d IIB T4 Gb
Ex ia IIC T6 Ga
Ex IIIB T130°C DB
b) Specified ambient temperature, where appropriate
c) Type identification code of the product
d) Name of the manufacturer
e) In case of IS-equipment, such essential parameters as Uo, Io, Po, etc., as well as identification of the definitive documents to be referred to by users
|
| Note 5: |
In a case where the applicant desires to make full use of a test report or test data
issued by a foreign body designated by the Minister, the applicant shall submit a
whole set of copy of drawings listed, or cited, in the test report. |
| Note 6: |
Only clear and easy-to-read drawings are acceptable. Any duplicated drawings
with excessively reduced scale will be rejected because of photo-electronic
recording system used by TIIS. |
| Note 7: |
External dimensions of the equipment (other than IS-equipment) shall be shown
in one of the drawings, based on which certification fee is calculated by TIIS. In
case of IS-equipment, drawings shall be prepared in such a manner that makes
TIIS to count up the whole number of electronic and electric components
involved in the test samples. |
| Note 8: |
In case of IS-equipment or associated equipment, additional drawing may be
required to know its system configuration, which shows the location and mutual
electrical connection of relevant equipment in hazardous and non-hazardous area. |
2.1.5 One copy of each of the following documents, in Japanese:
| 1) |
A list of equipment/facilities to be possessed and used by the manufacture when
manufacturing, inspecting and testing the products (see Annex 4). |
| 2) |
The name and qualifications of a person responsible for manufacturing the Ex- products
concerned. |
| 3) |
An applicant’s organization chart, which identifies departments or sections responsible
for inspection and testing of Ex-products concerned. |
| 4) |
The applicant’s procedures or manuals for inspection and testing of the products before
placing them on the market, so as to ensure the quality of those products. |
Important note:
A copy of Ex-certificate on the products, or a quality assurance certificate on the manufacturing process of the products concerned, issued by a reputable foreign certification body, may be accepted in place of all the documents required in 2.1.5.
| 2.1.6 |
One copy of a document, in Japanese (or in English in case of well-known electrical
equipment), that provides the testing/certification personnel of TIIS with
information necessary for conducting adequate tests/evaluation, including
explosion- protection features, performance and operation of the product, together
with the titles and editions of the Ex-standards on which the products are based. A
copy of a manual for users on the products may be used for this purpose, if
appropriate. |
| 2.1.7 |
One copy of results of preliminary testing carried out on the products by the
applicant him-/herself, in accordance with the Japanese standards. In addition, the
result of routine tests is required if the implementation of routine tests is prescribed
in JNIOSH’s Technical Recommendations. Factory Audit Report, for example
QAR of IECEx, is treated as the result of routine tests. |
Important note:
If the applicant submits a copy of a complete test report issued by a foreign testing body which is designated by the Minister and the test report includes all required test data, such test report will be accepted as a substitute for test results prepared by the applicant him-/herself. In this case, some of the relevant tests will be waived by TIIS, provided that the test report satisfies the conditions of designation specified by the Minister and also proves the compliance of the products with the Minister’s standards.
In addition, a test report issued by an ExCB under IECEx system will also be accepted in accordance with the rules of IECEx system. Any shortage of test data from the requirements of Japanese standards shall be fulfilled upon the request of TIIS, or be followed by supplementary testing by TIIS.
2.2 Additional Documents
In addition to documents cited in 2.1, an applicant is required to submit such documents in Japanese, as described in 2.2.1 to 2.2.3, in order to assist TIIS in performing efficient and prompt certification work:
| 2.2.1 |
One copy of an explanatory description of type identification codes applied to all
products included in the application, in which the meaning of each alphabetical or
numerical character, or of their combination, shall be explained. |
| 2.2.2 |
One copy of a document explaining the applicant’s opinion as to why variants, if
any, can be assessed to have the level of safety equal to the sample products, based
only on the results of tests conducted on the sample products (see Notes of 2.1.2). |
| 2.2.3 |
One copy of a list of contact persons whom TIIS will communicate with, or ask
inquiries about the documents and/or sample products. Facsimile number and e-
mail address will be helpful. Where any agent is used by the applicant, TIIS needs
to be informed of contact persons of the agent (see Clause 8). |
Note: All documents described in 2.1 and 2.2 shall be in A4-size, excepting those in
2.1.4; drawings of larger sizes shall be folded to A4-size.
2.3 Sample Products
| 2.3.1 |
As a rule, relevant number of test samples required by the test standards shall be
submitted at the time of application. TIIS may request additional samples or parts/
components of the equipment, so as to carry out adequate testing/evaluation. Where
the equipment has been certified by any foreign body, the test samples shall carry a
label which identifies the name of certification body and the reference certificate
number. |
| 2.3.2 |
Cable entries for external connections or blanking plugs for entries, shall be
specified in the drawings and be incorporated in the test samples. Remind that only
the completed electrical equipment is accepted for testing/evaluation. Test samples
without cable glands or blanking plugs are never acceptable. |
| 2.3.3 |
As regards the shipping and customs clearance processes for test samples, TIIS
regrets that it can provide no information and assistance. The applicant shall pay
import tax, which is not included in certification fee. |
3. Certification Fees and Other Associated Expenses
3.1 General
Certification fees are listed on Fees of Examination. Any shortage or overpayment of fee may result in delayed acceptance of the application.
3.2 Expenses for Witness Testing
An applicant is required to pay additional expenses, when he/she desires witness testing at the manufacturer’s or end-user’s premises. In case of witness testing conducted at places outside Japan, the following expenses are charged based on TIIS’s rules.
Daily allowances;
| 1) |
Accommodation fees, which depend on the area/city where the hotel locates, and are
charged also for overnight staying in airplane; |
| 2) |
Air fares and other travel expenses including local transportation expenses to airport;
air fares are proposed by TIIS, taking into account the most direct flight. Air tickets
arranged by the applicant may, in most cases, be accepted by TIIS. |
| 3) |
Other expenses may be charged, depending on cases, so as to compensate the
opportunity cost of TIIS engineer(s) due to their absence from the office. |
3.3 Sending-back of Certification Documents and Samples
The certificate and attached documents are sent back to the applicant upon request, if the applicant pays the cost for mailing, in advance.
The cost and arrangements for sending-back test samples shall be borne by the applicant.Applicants are obliged to pick up sample products as soon as possible after the completion of tests by TIIS.
3.4 Remittance of Certification Fee
Certification fee shall be paid in Japanese Yen only, at the time of, or prior to, the application. The remittance shall be made to the following bank account, taking into consideration the bank charge for currency exchange:
Bank account of TIIS
– Name of bank: MIZUHO CORPORATE Bank, SHIN-TOKOROZAWA Branch
– Bank account: savings account No. 4012659
– SWIFT CODE/BIC (BANK IDENTIFIER CODE) MHCBJPJT
– Remittee: Technology Institution of Industrial Safety
| Note: |
Other associated expenses, such as the expenses of witness testing or sending-
back test samples, are to be paid to separate bank account because of TIIS
accounting reason. Please contact TIIS, where appropriate. |
4. Change/Modification of Application
4.1 Change/Modification at the Acceptance of Application
The application may be requested to correct or modify at the request of TIIS, so that the application conforms to TIIS requirements and is covered by the scope of certification of Japan.
4.2 Change/Modification after the Acceptance
Changes/modifications of the following items are not acceptable, in principle, after the acceptance registration of the application, and are never acceptable after starting of tests/evaluation process by TIIS:
1) Sample products
2) Group (IIA, IIB, IIC, IIIA, IIIB, IIIC) of the equipment
3) Temperature class (T1 to T6) and/or the specified ambient temperature
4) Maximum surface temperature for Group III (e.g. T 90°C, T500320°C)
5) EPL (Ga, Gb, Gc, Da, Db, Dc)
6) Ratings
7) Materials and constructional details
5. Follow-up of Certification
There is no follow-up of certification in the TIIS approval system; as a general rule, no factory inspection and audit are performed.
| Note 1: |
The documents in 2.1.5 are required to ensure the quality of certified products. |
| Note 2: |
TIIS is authorized, at its discretion, to inspect the manufacturer’s quality
management system, in accordance with those documents in 2.1.5. |
| Note 3: |
Inspectors of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare inspect the compliance
of Ex-products used in industrial sites with conditions of Japanese certification. |
6. Renewal Certification and Other Processes
6.1 Renewal Certification
The term of validity of TIIS certificate on Ex-equipment is three years. If a manufacturer or an importer holding a certificate desires to continue to manufacture or import the products after the end of validity term of the certificate, it is necessary to apply for renewal certification before expiration of the validity term. Renewal certification offers two options, giving an opportunity for the addition of new variants, with or without changing the validity term cycle. Those options are described below. Certification fee renewal is also listed on Fees of Examination.
| 6.1.1 |
If a manufacturer or an importer holding a certificate wishes to add any variants to
the certificate, it can be applied to TIIS at the time of renewal certification; in this
case, the certificate including the new variants are valid for a further period of 3
years thereafter. |
| 6.1.2 |
In a case where a certificate holder needs to add any variants well in advance of the
end of validity term of the certificate, apply for a renewal certification at any time
before the expiration date; in this case, the validity term of the certificate that
includes the new variants starts on the issuing date of the renewed certificate. |
| 6.1.3 |
The concept of “variant” is exactly the same as that for new certification. |
| 6.1.4 |
Application form and required documents for renewal certification are somewhat
different from those for new certification. Please contact TIIS for advice. No test is
applied to renewal certification, and test samples are, as a rule, not required. If the
implementation of routine tests is prescribed in JNIOSH’s Technical
Recommendations, submission of the result of routine tests is required. |
| Note: |
Factory Audit Report, for example QAR of IECEx system, is treated as the result
of the routine tests. |
6.2 Amendments to Issued Certificate and Re-Issue of Certificate
| 6.2.1 |
In a case where a certificate holder(an applicant), or a manufacturer specified in
the certificate, has changed the name or address, the certificate holder shall send the
certificate, not later than two weeks after the change, to TIIS for amendment(s)of
the certificate, so as to maintain validity of the certificate. |
| Note: |
“Change of the name” is not applicable to changes in its name due to “merger or
acquisition”. In the case of a change in juridical situation of the certificate holder
or manufacturer, the certificate loses its validity. A new application will be
accepted, in most cases, and a new certificate will be issued in a shorter time. |
| 6.2.2 |
Lost or impaired certificate can be re-issued upon request of the certificate holder. |
| 6.2.3 |
Certification fee for amendments to a certificate or re-issue of a certificate are listed
on Fees of Examination. Regarding the application form and required documents, please contact
with TIIS. |
7. Certification Label
Before putting into service or placing on market in Japan, any Ex-product certified by TIIS shall be attached with a label which denotes that the product has been certified in Japan. The form and colour of the label shall be in accordance with the relevant ministerial ordinance (see Annex 6).
8. Authorization of Agent
An agent (or a company), particularly residing in Japan, may act on behalf of the applicant for application procedures. In such a case, the applicant, shall submit to TIIS a letter or a “power of attorney”, in which the applicant declares the jobs entrusted to the agent; one of the most important matters of TIIS concerned is whether the agent is entrusted with handling of the applicant’s documents and drawings of the equipment, or they shall not be disclosed to the agent. TIIS specifies no fixed form of the power of attorney.
Note: An application form shall be signed by the applicant himself. No agent is entitled
to sign on an application form on behalf of the applicant.
9. Designated Foreign Bodies
TIIS has been required by the Minister to accept a test report issued by either one of the bodies designated by the Minister, and to make full use of it in issuing TIIS certificate, provided that the report proves compliance of the product with Japanese standards.
If the applicant submits a satisfactory test report at the time of application, TIIS will omit tests on the sample products, except for the inspection to identify the sample products being the same as described in the test report. Designated bodies are obliged to submit a business report each year, and to apply for renewal of designation for every 3 years, so as to maintain the status of designation. TIIS refrains from listing the names of designated bodies here, because the list will not be correct when this Brief Guide is read. Any applicant, who wishes to make full use of a test report issued by the designated body, is advised to ask the body if it is currently designated or not (see also “Important note” to 2.1.7).
10. Guidebook for Application Procedures
The details of application procedures are described in the “Guidelines on the application for certification of Ex-equipment”. Although the Guidelines are available only in Japanese, they will be helpful in accelerating the certification process.
Note: The guidelines can be downloaded from TIIS web site.
11. National Differences
Japanese National Differences compared with IEC standards are shown on TIIS web site.
Explanatory remarks on Annexes 1 to 3
Explanatory remarks to Annex 1 to Annex 3, and advices for filling-in each column are described below:
○ Size of each column will be at the discretion of the applicant.
○ English descriptions are translation of corresponding Japanese language.
○ Name/address of company/personnel shall be in original language.
Annex 1 (Application Form)
| *1 |
A marking to identify that the application is for New Standards. |
| *2 |
Put a common name of the equipment. No commercial name is acceptable. |
| *3 |
Put the identification code of the sample products to be tested/evaluated by TIIS. Any variants
included in the application shall be appear in a separate sheet(s). |
| *4 |
Put this sentence only when any variants in terms of type identification code are included in the
application. |
| *5 |
When the equipment is composed of different types of protection, the type of protection applied
to each portion shall be specified respectively. |
| *6 |
In case of IS-equipment, all relevant parameters shall be stated here.
Put the specified ambient temperature in this column, only if it is below -20 °C or over 40 °C. |
| *7 |
Put this sentence only when any variations of rating are included in the application. |
| *8 |
*8 This column is filled when witness testing is proposed by the applicant, who is required to show
that the same level of tests as TIIS will be conducted at the proposed site. How-to-fill the column
in Japanese will be advised by TIIS. |
| *9 |
“Applicant name” should include the name of company and the name of responsible person
together with his/her position in the company. |
Annex 2 (Schedule of Variants)
Those descriptions enclosed in rectangular shall be in exact coincidence with descriptions in the application form shown in Annex 1.
Annex 3 (List of Drawings)
Name or title of each drawing, whether in Japanese or in the original language, shall be identical to that appeared in the corresponding drawing.
