What is the PSE Mark? Essential Knowledge for Safe Appliance Shopping

When choosing electrical appliances, one thing we especially want you to pay attention to is the presence of the PSE mark.
This mark indicates that a product meets the safety standards set by Japanese law, making it an essential indicator for choosing safe products.

Here, we will explain step by step why safety marks are needed for electrical appliances, what “conformity” indicated by the PSE mark specifically means, the benefits for consumers of checking the mark, its relationship with the Electrical Appliance and Material Safety Act, and the potential risks of products without the mark.

Why safety marks are necessary for electrical appliances

While electrical appliances enrich and convenience our lives, depending on their construction and usage, they have the potential to cause serious accidents such as fires and electric shocks.
In particular, home appliances used daily and electrical equipment used for long periods often harbor invisible risks.
To prevent such accidents and ensure consumers can use products safely, a “safety mark” indicating compliance with government-established safety standards is indispensable.
The PSE mark serves as an important landmark for this purpose.

What the PSE mark indicates

The PSE mark indicates that an electrical appliance complies with the technical standards set forth in Japan’s “Electrical Appliance and Material Safety Act.”
PSE stands for “Product Safety Electrical appliance & materials.”

The important point is that this mark is not an “certification” where the government inspects individual products, but rather a “conformity mark” displayed under the responsibility of the manufacturer or importer who has carried out the procedures required by law (such as business notification, technical standard compliance confirmation, and inspections).
In other words, it is proof that the business operator declares, “This product meets Japan’s safety standards.”

The PSE mark serves as a reliable guide for choosing safe products.

Benefits to consumers of checking the PSE mark

The greatest benefit for consumers in checking the PSE mark is that they can identify electrical appliances with high safety.
Products with the mark have cleared safety standards stipulated by Japanese law, so risks such as fire and electric shock are considered to be reduced.

Especially nowadays, when a wide variety of products are sold via online shopping and other channels, building a habit of checking not only price and design, but also the presence of the PSE mark, allows you to avoid inferior or dangerous products.
Even in the unlikely event that an accident occurs due to a product, having a product with a PSE mark increases the likelihood that responses based on the Product Liability (PL) Act will proceed smoothly.

Relationship with the Electrical Appliance and Material Safety Act

The PSE mark is operated based on a law called the “Electrical Appliance and Material Safety Act.”
The main purpose of this law is to prevent dangers and obstacles caused by electrical appliances.

The Electrical Appliance and Material Safety Act regulates numerous electrical appliances sold within Japan (a total of 457 item categories as of 2023), obligating manufacturers and importers to comply with government-set safety standards and display the PSE mark.

In other words, the PSE mark is an important system for guaranteeing the safety of electrical appliances within the legal framework of the Electrical Appliance and Material Safety Act.

Potential risks of products without the mark

Electrical appliances that lack the PSE mark despite being products subject to the law may harbor serious safety risks.
The absence of a PSE mark means that it has not been confirmed whether the product meets Japanese safety standards.

Such products have a high risk of causing serious accidents such as smoke generation, ignition, and electric shock during use due to design defects or poor component quality.
Furthermore, because they are products where the business operator has failed to fulfill obligations stipulated by law, there is also a possibility that appropriate compensation cannot be received in the unlikely event of an accident.

The basics of the PSE mark: The difference between “diamond” and “circle” shapes

You may have noticed PSE marks when choosing electrical appliances, but did you know there are actually two types?
The meaning differs depending on the shape of the mark, and understanding this difference is extremely important when choosing safe products.

Here, we will explain in detail the diamond-shaped PSE mark indicating Specified Electrical Appliances and the circle-shaped PSE mark indicating electrical appliances other than Specified Electrical Appliances.
Furthermore, we will delve into differences in safety assurance levels, differences in business obligations, and differences in displayed information depending on the mark.
Please also refer to the comparison table below to see which mark is attached to which type of product.

Item	Diamond PSE Mark	Circle PSE Mark
Target Category	Specified Electrical Appliances	Electrical appliances other than Specified Electrical Appliances
Number of Items	116 items	341 items
Main Characteristics	Products requiring particularly high safety	A wide range of electrical appliances other than specified electrical appliances
Inspection Requirements	Conformity inspection by a third-party organization is mandatory
Displayed Information	Mark + Business Name + Inspection Organization Name	Mark + Business Name
Main Product Examples	AC adapters, electric water heaters, motorized toys	Portable chargers, LED light bulbs, humidifiers

The shape of the mark indicates the level of safety required for that product and the difference in obligations that business operators must fulfill.

Diamond-shaped PSE mark indicating Specified Electrical Appliances

Specified Electrical Appliances refer to electrical appliances determined under the Electrical Appliance and Material Safety Act to have a high risk of causing danger or obstacles based on their structure or usage.
These products display a diamond-shaped PSE mark.

There are 116 item categories subject to this, including, for example, electric water heaters that may be used for long periods without supervision, motorized toys that infants and toddlers might touch, and AC adapters for smartphones that we use daily.
Because these are considered to carry a relatively high risk of electric shock and fire, stricter safety standards are imposed.

Item	Details
Target Products	Specified Electrical Appliances (116 items)
Characteristics	Products considered to have particularly high risks
Main Examples	AC adapters, power cords, electric water heaters, electric massagers, motorized toys
Inspection Obligation	Conformity inspection by a government-registered inspection organization is mandatory
Display Obligation	Diamond PSE mark, Notified business name, Registered inspection organization name

The diamond-shaped PSE mark indicates that the product has gone through a rigorous process of conformity inspection by a third-party organization, where safety is particularly emphasized.

Circle-shaped PSE mark indicating electrical appliances other than Specified Electrical Appliances

Electrical appliances other than Specified Electrical Appliances refer to those among the 457 item categories stipulated by the Electrical Appliance and Material Safety Act, excluding Specified Electrical Appliances (subject to the diamond mark).
These products display a circle-shaped PSE mark.

Target items span a wide range of 341 categories, including many electrical appliances around us.

Examples include humidifiers, electric kettles, electric fans, LED light bulbs, and portable chargers (lithium-ion secondary batteries) which have become widespread in recent years, all of which you may be considering purchasing.
Although not to the extent of Specified Electrical Appliances, these are electrical appliances that are required to meet safety standards.

Item	Details
Target Products	Electrical appliances other than Specified Electrical Appliances (341 items)
Characteristics	A wide range of electrical appliances not falling under Specified Electrical Appliances
Main Examples	Portable chargers, LED bulbs/LED lighting fixtures, humidifiers, electric kettles, electric fans, electric blankets
Inspection Obligation	Technical standard conformity confirmation and voluntary inspection by the business operator (Third-party inspection is not mandatory)
Display Obligation	Circle PSE mark, Notified business name

The circle-shaped PSE mark indicates that while not classified as a Specified Electrical Appliance, the product’s safety has been voluntarily confirmed by the business operator based on the Electrical Appliance and Material Safety Act.

Differences in safety assurance levels by mark

The difference between the diamond and circle PSE marks directly reflects the difference in the strictness of procedures required by law to ensure safety.
Both marks indicate that the criteria of the Electrical Appliance and Material Safety Act are met, but their verification processes differ.

The biggest difference is that in the case of the diamond mark (Specified Electrical Appliances), in addition to voluntary inspections, business operators are required to undergo a “conformity inspection” by a third-party inspection organization registered by the government, and to obtain and retain its certificate.

On the other hand, for the circle mark (electrical appliances other than Specified Electrical Appliances), such third-party organization inspections are not mandatory, and business operators are required to independently confirm compliance with government technical standards and conduct voluntary inspections.

Mark Type	Main Requirements for Safety Assurance Level
Diamond PSE	Government technical standard conformity + Conformity inspection by a third-party inspection organization is mandatory
Circle PSE	Government technical standard conformity + Voluntary inspection by business operator (Third-party inspection is optional)

From this difference, it can be said that products displaying the diamond PSE mark have entered the market through more objective and rigorous checks.

Checking the display near the PSE mark provides a clue to understanding which category the product falls under and through what process its safety was verified.

Familiar products and how to check for the PSE mark

Let’s examine the relationship between electrical appliances around us and the PSE mark by citing specific product examples.
It is important to build a habit of checking whether the PSE mark to protect safety is displayed even on products you use casually in daily life.
Here, we will explain the handling of the PSE mark in charging-related equipment such as AC adapters and portable chargers, as well as home appliances like humidifiers and LED lighting.
Furthermore, we will touch upon how to check on products and packages, precautions for online shopping, and penalties if there is a violation of display obligations.

PSE marks on AC adapters and chargers

AC adapters and chargers, which are indispensable for charging smartphones and laptops, are in many cases classified as “Specified Electrical Appliances.”
These products play an important role in converting electricity from household outlets into voltages and currents suitable for devices, and because they require particularly high safety considering the risk of heat generation and short circuits during that process.

Mark Type	Target Category	Obligation	Display Example
Diamond PSE	Specified Electrical Appliances	Conformity inspection by a third-party organization	Diamond mark, business name, inspection organization name

When choosing a product, let’s verify that these three items—the diamond mark, the notified business name, and the name of the registered inspection organization that performed the conformity inspection—are clearly displayed on the rating plate of the product body.

Mandatory PSE labeling for portable chargers

Portable chargers, which are convenient for charging smartphones and other devices, became subject to regulation under the Electrical Appliance and Material Safety Act on February 1, 2019, following reports of ignition accidents involving built-in lithium-ion batteries both domestically and internationally, making the display of the PSE mark mandatory.
These are classified as “electrical appliances other than Specified Electrical Appliances” and are subject to the circle-shaped PSE mark.

Mark Type	Target Category	Obligation	Display Example
Circle PSE	Electrical appliances other than Specified Electrical Appliances	Technical standard conformity confirmation and voluntary inspection by business operator	Circle mark, business name

Portable chargers manufactured or imported on or after the enforcement date of the regulations are required to display the circle-shaped PSE mark and the notified business name.
Please be sure to check at the time of purchase.

General home appliances such as humidifiers and electric kettles

Many common home appliances such as humidifiers, which are active in dry seasons, electric kettles for boiling water, and electric fans are also subject to the Electrical Appliance and Material Safety Act.
Most of these are classified as “electrical appliances other than Specified Electrical Appliances” and are required to display the circle-shaped PSE mark.

Mark Type	Target Category	Obligation	Display Example
Circle PSE	Electrical appliances other than Specified Electrical Appliances	Technical standard conformity confirmation and voluntary inspection by business operator	Circle mark, business name

When purchasing these home appliances, checking whether the circle-shaped PSE mark and the notified business name are displayed on the product body or package is the first step in choosing safe products.

LED lighting fixtures and the PSE mark

Energy-saving and long-lasting LED lighting fixtures are also largely subject to the circle-shaped PSE mark as “electrical appliances other than Specified Electrical Appliances.”
Bulb-type LED lamps commonly used at home and LED desk lamps used by connecting to an outlet fall under this.
However, some straight-tube LED lamps that require installation work by an electrical contractor may be exempt.

Mark Type	Target Category	Target Examples	Exemption Examples
Circle PSE	Electrical appliances other than Specified Electrical Appliances	LED bulbs, LED stands with outlets	Certain straight-tube LED lamps requiring installation work

When choosing LED light bulbs or lighting fixtures for home use, we recommend checking whether the circle-shaped PSE mark and business name are displayed.

Examples of electrical appliances exempt from the PSE mark

While the Electrical Appliance and Material Safety Act covers a wide variety of electrical appliances, not all electrical appliances are subject to regulation.

For instance, computer main units, monitors, remote controls that are accessories to televisions (battery-operated), and certain small electronic devices drawing power from USB ports (those satisfying specific conditions such as extremely low rated voltage or simple structure) are considered exempt from the Electrical Appliance and Material Safety Act.

Examples of Exempt Products	Reason / Remarks
Computer main units, monitors	May be subject to regulation under specific standards or other laws (e.g., VCCI, Radio Act)
Television remote controls	Normally battery-powered and not directly connected to AC power
Certain USB-powered devices	When rated voltage or structure does not fall under standards defined by the Electrical Appliance and Material Safety Act
Equipment not via AC adapters	E.g., toys operated solely by dry-cell batteries (though some motorized toys are subject)

Since determining whether a product is subject or exempt depends on its specifications, it is safest to check the manufacturer’s product information or the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) website if you are unsure.

Where to check for labeling on the product body or package

The PSE mark and notified business name are important clues for us consumers to check product safety.
These displays can normally be verified through シール (stickers) called rating plates attached to the back or side of the product body, or engravings on the body itself.

They may also be displayed on the package (box) in which the product came.

If you cannot find the PSE mark or business name, the safety of that product cannot be verified, so we recommend refraining from use or inquiring with the store or manufacturer before purchase.

Precautions when purchasing via online shopping

In online shopping, because you cannot directly touch and check products before purchase, you need to carefully check for the presence of the PSE mark.
Choose reliable sales sites, and be sure to check whether phrases such as “PSE mark acquired” or “Compliant with Electrical Appliance and Material Safety Act,” as well as images of the PSE mark itself, are displayed on the product description page or posted product images.

Check Point	Precautions
Product Description / Images	Presence/absence of PSE mark (diamond/circle) description and notified business name / images
Price	Consider that products extremely cheaper than market prices may not meet safety standards or could be counterfeit
Seller Information	Confirm whether it is a reliable seller with clear contact info and location
Unclear Points	Inquire with the seller about the presence and details of the PSE mark before proceeding with purchase

Referring to reviews or choosing products from manufacturers with official domestic distributors also leads to selecting safe products.

Penalties for violating display obligations

To ensure the safety of electrical appliances, the Electrical Appliance and Material Safety Act obligates business operators to display the PSE mark on subject products, and strict penalties are established for violations.
If Specified Electrical Appliances or other electrical appliances are manufactured, imported, or sold domestically without displaying the PSE mark, in addition to being subject to sales suspension orders and product recall orders from the government, violating businesses may be subject to imprisonment of up to 1 year, a fine of up to 1 million yen, or both (or a fine of up to 100 million yen for corporations).

Violating Act	Penalty / Measure Details
Manufacturing, importing, or selling subject products without a PSE mark	Sales suspension order, product recall order, imprisonment (up to 1 year), fine (individuals: up to 1 million yen, corporations: up to 100 million yen)

For us consumers, checking the PSE mark also leads to choosing reliable business operators who comply with the law and provide products with safety in mind.

Precautions regarding the PSE mark

Relationship with overseas safety certification marks

When looking at electrical appliances, you may sometimes see various marks other than the PSE mark.
Particularly famous ones include the CE mark used in Europe and the UL mark which is an American safety standard.
These indicate that safety standards in their respective countries or regions are met.

However, what requires attention is that even if these overseas safety certification marks are attached, it does not mean that the standards of Japan’s Electrical Appliance and Material Safety Act are met.
To sell electrical appliances subject to the Electrical Appliance and Material Safety Act within Japan, it is legally mandatory to display the PSE mark after going through procedures based on Japanese law.

Mark Type	Main Target Region / Country	Governing Law / Standard	Validity within Japan
PSE mark	Japan	Electrical Appliance and Material Safety Act	Mandatory for domestic sales of target products
CE mark	EU member states, etc.	EU Directives	Cannot be sold in Japan with this alone (PSE mark separately required)
UL mark	United States	UL Standards (Underwriters Laboratories Inc.)	Cannot be sold in Japan with this alone (PSE mark separately required)

Therefore, especially when purchasing imported products from overseas, regardless of the presence of CE or UL marks, ensuring that the PSE mark is displayed is the most important thing when choosing safe products.

Action to take when the mark is not found

What should you do if the PSE mark cannot be found despite the product supposedly being subject to the Electrical Appliance and Material Safety Act?
It makes you anxious whether it’s safe to use as is.

First, what we would like you to try is to check every corner of the product body and package once again.
The PSE mark may be displayed on the back or side of the product, the base of the power cord, the AC adapter body, or in the instruction manual or outer box.
Displays can be particularly small on compact products.

If you still cannot find the mark, it is unknown whether the product meets Japanese safety standards, and safety is not guaranteed.
In such cases, we strongly recommend refraining from use.

Points for choosing electrical appliances with peace of mind

We have looked at various information regarding the PSE mark, and finally, let’s summarize specific points for choosing electrical appliances with peace of mind.
Because these are things used in daily life, we want to pay special attention to safety.

The most important thing is to verify that the PSE mark is displayed before purchasing.

In addition, it is also important to purchase from reliable retailers.
Caution is required for products that are extremely cheap or from unknown sources.
When using online shopping, it is also a good idea to check whether there is a description regarding the PSE mark in the product details and whether the seller’s information is clear.

Check Item	Confirmation Details
Presence of PSE Mark	Whether a diamond or circle PSE mark is displayed on the product body or package
Display of Notified Business Name	Whether the name of the business that manufactured or imported is listed near the PSE mark
(If Diamond) Inspection Organization Name	Whether the name of the registered inspection organization is listed near the diamond PSE mark
Seller Reliability	Whether you are purchasing from a reliable seller in both physical and online stores
Product Information Confirmation	Especially in online shopping, check if there are descriptions about the PSE mark in product details, specs, reviews, etc.

The PSE mark is an important landmark for choosing safe electrical appliances.
By correctly understanding the meaning of this mark and building a habit of checking it at the time of purchase, you can reduce the risk of accidents caused by electrical appliances and protect the safety of yourself and your family.
Acquire the correct knowledge and choose products safely.

Thank you for reading to the end!

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This article was originally written in Japanese and has been translated.