Japan to fine JIS violators up to 100 million yen
Jiji -- Jan 11
Japan's industry ministry decided Wednesday to increase the maximum penalty on companies that violate the law on Japanese Industrial Standards from one million yen to 100 million yen.

The ministry presented the policy at a meeting of the JIS Committee. It plans to introduce a bill to revise the industrial standardization law, including the increased penalty, to the ordinary Diet session starting on Jan. 22.

The ministry started discussing strengthening fines for JIS violators following a series of quality data falsification scandals at major Japanese companies, including Kobe Steel Ltd. <5406>.

Last year, JIS certification for some Kobe Steel plants was canceled.

The increased penalty will affect companies that use JIS symbols for their products without obtaining certification. Shipments of products that fail to meet JIS standards may breach contracts between companies but will not violate the law under the proposal.

News source: Jiji