Japan RoHS: What Manufacturers Need to Know About Compliance

In today’s global marketplace, ensuring your products meet environmental regulations is not just about avoiding penalties, it’s about maintaining trust, market access, and supply chain resilience. One key regulation for manufacturers selling into Japan is Japan RoHS.

This article breaks down what Japan RoHS is, who it applies to, and how companies can streamline compliance through smarter automation tools like GoCompliance.

What Is Japan RoHS?

Japan RoHS is the informal name for Japan’s J-Moss (JIS C 0950) regulation, introduced in 2006. Much like the European Union’s RoHS Directive, J-Moss aims to restrict hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment (EEE).

What Are The Japan RoHS Requirements?

The regulation requires manufacturers to:

• Disclose hazardous substances (if present above thresholds) in their products.
  
  
• Provide labeling on specific product categories to inform consumers about substance content.
  
  
• Maintain documentation to prove compliance.

Unlike EU RoHS, which focuses primarily on restricting substances, Japan RoHS emphasizes transparency and labeling, allowing consumers to make informed choices.

What Substances Are Restricted by Japan RoHS?

Japan RoHS covers the same six hazardous substances as the EU directive:

• Lead (Pb)
  
  
• Mercury (Hg)
  
  
• Cadmium (Cd)
  
  
• Hexavalent Chromium (Cr(VI))
  
  
• Polybrominated Biphenyls (PBB)
  
  
• Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDE)

Manufacturers must declare whether these substances are present above threshold values. If so, product labeling is required under J-Moss.

What Products Are Covered by Japan RoHS?

Japan RoHS applies to seven categories of consumer electronics:

1. Personal computers
   
   
2. Unit-type air conditioners
   
   
3. Television sets
   
   
4. Refrigerators
   
   
5. Washing machines
   
   
6. Microwaves
   
   
7. Clothes dryers

Manufacturers of these products must ensure clear labeling on hazardous substances. However, even companies producing outside these categories should pay attention—Japanese customers often expect broader compliance across electronic goods.

What Are The Key Compliance Requirements?

To comply with Japan RoHS, manufacturers must:

• Label products: Use the standardized “green mark” if substances are below thresholds, or the “orange mark” if above.
  
  
• Disclose material content: Provide a content declaration sheet (commonly in the form of a table available online).
  
  
• Maintain documentation: Keep records of supplier declarations, material testing, and labeling proof.

Failure to comply can lead to reputational damage, customer rejection, or loss of access to the Japanese market.

What Compliance Challenges Are There For Global Manufacturers?

Many companies find Japan RoHS challenging because:

• Supplier data is often incomplete or outdated.
  
  
• Tracking hazardous substance content across complex Bills of Materials (BOMs) is time-consuming.
  
  
• Manual data collection leads to errors, delays, and audit risks.
  
  

For multinational companies already handling EU RoHS, REACH, or other global regulations, Japan RoHS adds another layer of complexity.

How GoCompliance Simplifies Japan RoHS

At GoCompliance, we recognize that automation and data accuracy are the keys to managing global environmental regulations like Japan RoHS.

With our solution, you can:

• Automate supplier outreach: Collect declarations without manual follow-ups.
  
  
• Validate data instantly: AI-powered validation reduces human error and ensures accuracy.
  
  
• Maintain a single source of truth: Keep compliance records organized and ready for audits.
  
  
• Integrate with Oracle Cloud PLM and other systems: Ensure compliance data flows seamlessly into your existing product lifecycle workflows.

By embedding compliance directly into your processes, companies can reduce risk, accelerate product launches, and maintain consumer trust in highly regulated markets like Japan.

Why Japan RoHS Compliance Matters in 2025 and Beyond

Global supply chains are under increasing scrutiny. As ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) reporting becomes standard, customers and regulators expect more transparency than ever.

Complying with Japan RoHS isn’t just about ticking a box—it’s about:

• Strengthening brand reputation in a sustainability-focused market.
  
  
• Avoiding costly product delays due to compliance issues.
  
  
• Future-proofing operations against evolving global regulations.
  
  

Conclusion

Japan RoHS may appear less restrictive than its European counterpart, but its focus on consumer transparency and labeling makes it a vital regulation for electronics manufacturers. Non-compliance can mean losing credibility with Japanese customers—and losing market access altogether.

With GoCompliance, companies can transform Japan RoHS from a compliance burden into a competitive advantage. By combining automation, data validation, and Oracle-native integration, GoCompliance ensures your compliance processes are faster, more reliable, and more cost-effective.

Ready to simplify Japan RoHS compliance? Book a Demo with GoCompliance today