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Series "PSE" Part 1: "What is PSE?"
This is the first installment in a series that clearly explains what "PSE" means in AC/DC power adapters — both desktop & wall-mount types — and in switching power supplies.
An In-Depth Explanation of the Electrical Appliances and Materials Safety Act and PSE
One closely related topic concerning the AC/DC Power Adapters — Desktop & Wall-Mount that our company handles is “PSE.”
Although it is not a term that often comes up in everyday conversation, some of you may have heard it in passing.
In this series, we would like to explain “PSE” from the perspective of dealing with AC/DC Power Adapters — Desktop & Wall-Mount.
First of all, what is “PSE”?
Those who are somewhat familiar with the topic may understand “PSE” as an abbreviation for the Electrical Appliances and Materials Safety Act.
According to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry’s website on the Electrical Appliances and Materials Safety Act, it is described as follows:
- “PSE” stands for “P” and “S” meaning “Product Safety,” and “E” for “Electrical Appliances & Materials.”
- The English translation of the Electrical Appliances and Materials Safety Act is “Electrical Appliances and Materials Safety Act.”
In short, the abbreviation for the Electrical Appliances and Materials Safety Act in Japanese is “電安法,” and “PSE” refers to the product safety standards based on this act. However, it is commonly referred to as “Electrical Appliances and Materials Safety Act (PSE),” so in this newsletter we will treat “PSE” and the Act as interchangeable.
If You Violate PSE
The Electrical Appliances and Materials Safety Act came into force in April 2001, replacing the previous Electrical Appliance and Material Control Law. Article 1 (Purpose) states that the law “regulates the manufacture, import, and sale of electrical appliances and promotes voluntary activities of private businesses to ensure their safety in order to prevent accidents and hazards caused by electrical appliances.”
Manufacturers and importers of electrical appliances are obligated to comply with the regulations set by PSE to ensure product safety.
If these regulations are violated, penalties may include imprisonment for up to one year, a fine of up to 1 million yen, or both, depending on the nature of the violation.
Since electrical appliances are closely tied to daily life, their safety is particularly important. For this reason, strict standards are set by law, and violations result in penalties based on the severity of the issue.
History of the Electrical Appliances and Materials Safety Act System
The table below shows the transitions in the full legal system of the Electrical Appliance and Material Control Law and the Electrical Appliances and Materials Safety Act.
Transition of the Electrical Appliances and Materials Safety Act system
| Electrical Appliance Control Regulations (Ministry of Communications Ordinance) | Electrical Appliances and Materials Safety Act | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Enactment & Enforcement | Enacted in 1935 | Enacted in 1961 | Enforced in January 2001 |
| Responsible Ministry | Ministry of Communications | Ministry of International Trade and Industry | Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry |
| Mark |  |  |   |
| Business Operator System | Registration system | Registration system | Notification system |
| Product Safety | Government Certification System | Government Certification System | Self-Certification System |
Before the Electrical Appliances and Materials Safety Act, businesses were subject to a registration system and products to a government certification system.
Since the enactment of the Electrical Appliances and Materials Safety Act, deregulation has been implemented by delegating authority from the government to the private sector. As a result, a notification system for businesses and a self-certification system for product safety were introduced.
Our company has been importing and selling electrical appliances since the era of the Electrical Appliance and Material Control Law, before the enforcement of the Electrical Appliances and Materials Safety Act.
We diligently carry out the procedures and inspections required by law to provide safe and reliable products.
In the next issue, we will explain “About Electrical Appliances.”