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Regulation on Safety of Containers

Order of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry No. 50 of May 25, 1966

Chapter I General Provisions

(Scope of Application)

Article 1This Regulation provides for safely handling containers to be filled with high pressure gas, capable of being transported at ground level, pursuant to the provisions of the High Pressure Gas Safety Act (Act No. 204 of 1951; hereinafter referred to as the "Act") and the Order for Enforcement of the High Pressure Gas Safety Act (Cabinet Order No. 20 of 1997) (excluding containers to which the Regulation on Safety of Containers Relating to International Mutual Recognition (Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry No. 82 of 2016) applies; hereinafter simply referred to as a "container").

(Definition of Terms)

Article 2In this Regulation, the terms set forth in the following items have the meanings set forth in those respective items:

(i)the term "seamless container" means a container without any welded area inside (excluding the bottom connecting area of a container manufactured by way of joining the bottom part to it) which is exposed to pressure exceeding zero pascal (hereinafter referred to as "pressure-resistant part") (excluding those set forth in items (iii), (vi), (vii) and (xiv));

(ii)the term "welded container" means a container with a welded area on its pressure-resistant part (excluding those set forth in the following item, items (vi), (vii) and (xiv));

(iii)the term "ultra-low-temperature container" means a container capable of being filled with gas not exceeding -50°C in temperature, which is designed in a manner to prevent the gas temperature inside from rising above the normal operating temperature by way of covering it with thermal insulating materials (excluding a container set forth in item (xiv));

(iv)the term "low-temperature container" means a container to be filled with liquefied gas, which is designed in a manner to prevent the gas temperature inside from rising above the normal operating temperature by way of covering it with thermal insulating materials or cooling it with refrigerating equipment (excluding those set forth in the preceding item and item (xiv));

(v)the term "brazed container" means a container which the pressure-resistant part is joined by brazing (excluding a container set forth in the following item);

(vi)the term "non-refillable container" means a container manufactured as a container incapable of being filled with high pressure gas after being filled with high pressure gas once;

(vii)the term "fiber-reinforced plastic composite container" means a container with a combined structure that has a liner winded with resin-impregnated continuous fibers only in a circumferential direction, or both in an axial direction and a circumferential direction;

(viii)the term "hoop-wrapped container" means a container having a liner winded with resin-impregnated continuous fiber only in hoop winding (meaning a method of winding a liner cylindrical part with fibers in a direction almost perpendicular to its axis);

(ix)the term "full-wrapped container" means a container having a liner winded with resin-impregnated continuous fiber in helical winding (meaning a method of winding a liner cylindrical and dome parts with fibers in a spiral way) or in-plane winding (meaning a method of winding a liner cylindrical part and a dome part with fibers in a linear way);

(x)the term "general seamless container" means a seamless container other than a compressed natural gas container for automobile fuel systems, a compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems, and an aluminum alloy seamless container for scuba diving;

(xi)the term "general FRP composite container" means a fiber-reinforced plastic composite container, other than a compressed natural gas container for automobile fuel systems, a compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems, a GTR-compliant compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems, a compressed hydrogen container for two-wheeled motor vehicle fuel systems, and a compressed hydrogen container for transportation automobiles;

(xi)-2the term "general FRP composite container for liquefied petroleum gas" means a plastic liner general FRP composite container to be filled with liquefied petroleum gas (limited to gas primarily composed of hydrocarbon of carbon number 3 or 4; the same applies hereinafter) (the container is limited to a container having a casing);

(xii)the term "compressed natural gas container for automobile fuel systems" means a container set forth in the following (a) or (b):

(a)a compressed natural gas seamless container for automobile fuel systems, which is defined as a seamless container to be filled with compressed natural gas for fuel systems of automobiles (meaning automobiles provided for in Article 2, paragraph (2) of the Road Transport Vehicle Act (Act No. 185 of 1951), and excluding motorcycles; the same applies hereinafter); and

(b)a compressed natural gas composite container for automobile fuel systems, which is defined as a fiber-reinforced plastic composite container to be filled with compressed natural gas for fuel systems for automobiles;

(xiii)the term "compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems" means a container set forth in the following (a) or (b) (excluding a container set forth in item (xiii)-3);

(a)a compressed hydrogen seamless container for automobile fuel systems, which is defined as a seamless container to be filled with compressed hydrogen for fuel systems for automobiles; or

(b)a compressed hydrogen composite container for automobile fuel systems, which is defined as a fiber-reinforced plastic composite container to be filled with compressed hydrogen for fuel systems for automobiles;

(xiii)-2the term "low filling cycle compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems" means a container for compressed hydrogen automobile fuel systems to be fitted on a private vehicle for passengers set forth in Article 61, paragraph (2), item (ii) of the Road Transport Vehicle Act;

(xiii)-3the term "GTR-compliant compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems" means a fiber-reinforced plastic composite container to be filled with compressed hydrogen for fuel systems of automobiles complying with the global technical regulation registered with the global registry pursuant to the provisions of the Agreement concerning the Adoption concerning the Establishing of Global Technical Regulations for Wheeled Vehicles, Equipment and Parts which can be Fitted or be Used on Wheeled Vehicles (Public Notice of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs No. 474 of 2000) (hereinafter simply referred to as the "Global Technical Regulations");

(xiii)-4the term "low filling cycle GTR-compliant compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems" means a GTR-compliant compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems to be fitted on a private vehicle for passengers set forth in Article 61, paragraph (2), item (ii) of the Road Transport Vehicle Act;

(xiii)-5the term "compressed hydrogen container for two-wheeled motor vehicle fuel systems" means a metal liner filament-reinforced plastic composite container to be filled with compressed hydrogen for fuel systems of two-wheeled motor vehicles;

(xiv)the term "liquefied natural gas container for automobile fuel systems" means a container to be filled with liquefied natural gas for fuel systems for automobiles;

(xv)the term "liquefied petroleum gas container for automobile fuel systems" means a container to be filled with liquefied natural gas for fuel systems for automobiles;

(xvi)the term "container for trunk" means a compressed natural gas container for automobile fuel systems and a compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems that is fitted only in the trunk (limited to a location structurally designed to protect it from the risk of exposure to stone chips, rainwater or any other corrosive environment);

(xvii)the term "high-pressure gas container for transportation automobiles" means a container for transportation of high pressure gas which is fixed on a tank car (meaning a car provided for in Article 35-3, paragraph (1), item (xxiii) of the Regulation for Enforcement of the Road Transport Vehicle Act (Order of the Ministry of Transport No. 74 of 1951) or a trailer (meaning a car provided for in Article 1, paragraph (1), item (ii) of the Standards on Safety of Road Transport Vehicle (Order of the Ministry of Transport No. 67 of 1951));

(xvii)-2the term "compressed hydrogen container for transportation automobiles" means a fiber-reinforced plastic composite container which constitutes a high-pressure gas container for transportation automobiles for transportation of compressed hydrogen;

(xvii)-3the term "liquefied hydrogen container for transportation automobiles" means an ultra low-temperature container which constitutes a high-pressure gas container for transportation automobiles for transportation of liquefied hydrogen;

(xvii)-4the term "aluminum alloy seamless container for scuba diving" means a seamless container made of aluminum alloy to be filled with air or gases specified in Article 39, paragraph (1), item (iv) of the Regulation on Safety of General High Pressure Gas (Order of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry No. 53 of 1966) for scuba diving;

(xviii)the term "PG (Pressure Gas) container" means a container to be filled with helium, neon, argon, krypton or nitrogen, or mixed gas composed of two or more of these gases;

(xix)the term "SG (Special Gas) container" means a container to be filled with the following gases:

(a)monosilane;

(b)phosphine;

(c)arsine;

(d)diborane;

(e)hydrogen selenide;

(f)monogermane;

(g)disilane;

(h)mixed gas composed of two or more of the gases specified in (a) through (g);

(i)mixed gas composed of one or more of the gases specified in (a) through (h), and one or more of the gases set forth in the preceding item;

(j)mixed gas composed of one or more of the gases specified in (a) through (h) and hydrogen; and

(k)mixed gas composed of one or more of the gases specified in (a) through (h), one or more of gases set forth in the preceding item, and hydrogen;

(xx)the term "class-I FC (Fluorocarbon Gas) container" means a container to be filled with a liquefied fluorocarbon (excluding flammable gas and toxic gas) that falls under both of the following;

(a)5/3 of the pressure value at a temperature of 48°C does not exceed 3.0 megapascals; and

(b)the pressure value at a temperature of 60°C does not exceed 2.4 megapascals;

(xxi)a container to be filled with a liquefied fluorocarbon (excluding flammable gas and toxic gas) that falls under both of the following or the gases set forth in the preceding item;

(a)5/3 of the pressure value at a temperature of 48°C does not exceed 4.0 megapascals; and

(b)the pressure value at a temperature of 60°C does not exceed 3.2 megapascals;

(xxii)a container to be filled with a liquefied fluorocarbon (excluding flammable gas and toxic gas) that falls under both of the following or with the gases set forth in the preceding two items;

(a)5/3 of the pressure value at a temperature of 48°C does not exceed 5.0 megapascals; and

(b)the pressure value at a temperature of 60°C does not exceed 4.0 megapascals;

(xxiii)the term "FC container" means a class-I FC container, class-II FC container or class-III FC container;

(xxiv)the term "high-strength steel" means manganese steel, chrome molybdenum steel, nickel-chrome molybdenum steel or any other low-alloy steel (excluding stainless steel), with tensile strength exceeding 880N/mm2 in the case of manganese steel, or with tensile strength exceeding 950N/mm2 in the case of other materials;

(xxv)the term "maximum filling pressure" means pressure (meaning gauge pressure; the same applies hereinafter) set forth in the right column of the following appended table, in accordance with the categories of containers set forth in the left column of the appended table;

Category of containers	Pressure
Container to be filled with compressed gas (excluding a SG container, a GTR-compliant compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems and a compressed hydrogen container for two-wheeled motor vehicle fuel systems)	Maximum value of pressure of gas that may be filled into the relevant container at the temperature of 35°C (or 15°C, in the case of acetylene gas)
Ultra low-temperature container, low-temperature container or liquefied natural gas container for automobile fuel systems	Maximum value of normal operating pressure
Container other to be filled with liquefied gas than an ultra low-temperature container, a low-temperature container and a liquefied natural gas container for automobile fuel systems (excluding a SG container)	Value of pressure equal to 3/5 of the hydrostatic test pressure specified in the table under item (xxvi) (or 4/5 of the hydrostatic test pressure specified in item (xvii), in case of a non-refillable container)
GTR-compliant compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems and compressed hydrogen container for two-wheeled motor vehicle fuel systems	Maximum value of pressure of gas applied to the relevant container while it is filled with fuels, which is equal to 5/4 of the nominal working pressure specified in the following item
SG container	Value of pressure equal to 3/5 of the hydrostatic test pressure specified in the table under item (xxvi)

(xxv)-2the term "nominal working pressure for GTR-compliant compressed hydrogen containers for automobile fuel systems and compressed hydrogen containers for two-wheeled motor vehicle fuel systems" means the pressure value which is the reference point of operating characteristics when a container fully filled with compressed hydrogen is used at the temperature of 15°C;

(xxvi)the term "hydrostatic test pressure" means the pressure set forth in the right column of the following appended table for the containers to be filled with the category of high pressure gas set forth in the left column of the appended table (excluding the cases set forth in the following item to item (xxviii)-2);

Types of high-pressure gas				Pressure (unit: MPa)
Compressed gas	Acetylene gas			3 times the value of maximum filling pressure
	Gas other than acetylene gas			5/3 of the value of maximum filling pressure
Gas to be filled in a SG Container				24.5
Liquefied gas to be filled in an ultra low-temperature container, a low-temperature container and a liquefied natural gas container for automobile fuel systems				5/3 of the value of maximum filling pressure
Liquefied gas (excluding gases to be filled in an ultra low-temperature container, a low-temperature container and a liquefied natural gas container for automobile fuel systems)	Liquefied ethylene			22.1
	Liquefied fluorocarbon-13			20.6
	Carbon dioxide			19.6
	Liquefied dinitrous monoxide			19.6
	Liquefied ethane			19.6
	Liquefied sulfur hexafluoride			19.6
	Carbon dioxide with liquefied ethylene oxide or liquefied dinitrous monoxide added			19.6
	Liquefied polytetrafluoroethylene	A		13.7
		B		19.6
	Liquefied xenon	A		12.7
		B		19.6
	Liquefied hydrogen chloride	A		12.7
		B		15.2
	Liquefied hydrogen bromide	A		6.7
		B		7.6
	Liquefied hydrogen sulfide	A		5.2
		B		6.4
	Gas to be filled in Class-III FC Container	A		5.0
	Liquefied fluorocarbon-13B1	A		4.3
		B		5.1
	Gas to be filled in Class-II FC Container	A		4.0
	Liquefied fluorocarbon-502	A		3.0
		B		3.6
	Liquefied propylene	A		3.0
		B		3.5
	Gas to be filled in Class-I FC container	A		3.0
	Liquefied ammonia	A		2.9
		B		3.6
	Liquefied petroleum gas	Pressure at the temperature of 48°C between more than 1.53 MPa and 1.82 Mpa or less	A	3.0
			B	3.5
		Pressure at the temperature of 48°C exceeding 0.88 MPa but not exceeding 1.53 Mpa	A	2.5
			B	2.9
		Pressure at the temperature of 48°C not exceeding 0.88 Mpa	A	1.5
			B	1.8
	Liquefied fluorocarbon-22	A	A	2.9
		B	B	3.4
	Liquefied propane	A	A	2.5
		B	B	2.9
	Liquefied fluorocarbon-115	A	A	2.5
		B	B	2.9
	Liquefied chlorine	A	A	2.2
		B	B	2.5
	Liquefied fluorocarbon-500	A	A	2.2
		B	B	2.4
	Liquefied cyclopropane	A	A	2.1
		B	B	2.5
	Liquefied methyl ether	A	A	1.8
		B	B	2.3
	Liquefied fluorocarbon-12	A	A	1.8
		B	B	2.1
	Liquefied fluorocarbon-152a	A	A	1.8
		B	B	2.1
	Liquefied chloromethyl	A	A	1.6
		B	B	2.0
	Liquefied sulfurous acid gas	A	A	1.2
		B	B	1.5
	Liquefied chloroethene	A	A	1.2
		B	B	1.3
	Liquefied monomethylamine	A	A	1.0
		B	B	1.3
	Liquefied butadiene	A	A	1.0
		B	B	1.2
	Liquefied ethylene oxide	A	A	1.0
		B	B	1.2
	Liquefied butane	A	A	0.9
		B	B	1.1
	Liquefied fluorocarbon-C318	A	A	0.9
		B	B	1.1
	Liquefied butylene	A	A	0.8
		B	B	1.0
	Liquefied trimethylamine	A	A	0.6
		B	B	0.8
	Liquefied dimethylamine	A	A	0.6
		B	B	0.7
	Liquefied fluorocarbon-114	A	A	0.5
		B	B	0.7
	Liquefied hydrogen cyanide			0.6
	Other gases	A	A	5/3 of the value of pressure at the temperature of 48°C, or 24.5
		B	B	5/3 of the value of pressure at the temperature of 55°C, or 24.5
Note
"A" is a container with an internal volume of more than 500 liters, with its external surface covered with cork of 50 mm or more in thickness (or 100 mm, in case of a container with an internal volume of more than 4,000 liters) or a container with equivalent or better heat insulating measures, and a container with an internal volume of 500 liters or less. "B" is a container other than the above.

(xxvii)the term "hydrostatic test pressure for non-refillable container" means the pressure set forth in the following sub-items for the containers to be filled with the category of high pressure gas set forth in those sub-items:

(a)compressed gas: 5/4 of the maximum filling pressure;

(b)liquefied gas: 3/4 of the hydrostatic test pressure specified in the right column of the table in the preceding item for the containers to be filled with the category of high pressure gas set forth in the left column of the appended table;

(xxvii)-2the term "hydrostatic test pressures for a compressed natural gas container for automobile fuel systems, compressed hydrogen composite container for automobile fuel systems and compressed hydrogen container for transportation automobiles" means a figure equal to 3/2 of the maximum filling pressure;

(xxvii)-3the term "hydrostatic test pressure for a compressed hydrogen seamless container for automobile fuel systems" means a figure equal to 13/10 of the maximum filling pressure;

(xxviii)the term "hydrostatic test pressure for plastic liner general FRP composite container" means a pressure set forth in the following sub-items for the category of high pressure gas set forth in those sub-items:

(a)compressed gas: 3/2 of the maximum filling pressure;

(b)liquefied gas: 9/10 of the hydrostatic test pressure specified in the right column of the table in item (xxvi) for the containers to be filled with the category of high pressure gas set forth in the left column of the appended table;

(xxviii)-2the term "hydrostatic test pressure for GTR-compliant compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems and compressed hydrogen container for two-wheeled motor vehicle fuel systems" means a figure equal to 6/5 of the maximum filling pressure;

(xxviii)-3the term "number of test cycles for GTR-compliant compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems" means the number which is applied as a threshold of durable life at the initial pressure cycling test according to the Global Technical Regulation;

(xxviii)-4the term "number of test cycles for a compressed hydrogen container for two-wheeled motor vehicle fuel systems" means 11,000 times;

(xxix)the term "flammable gas" means acethylene, arsine, ammonia, carbon monoxide, ethane, ethylene, vinyl chloride, chloromethyl, ethylene oxide, hydrogen cyanide, cyclopropane, disilane, diborane, dimethylamine, hydrogen, hydrogen selenide, trimethylamine, butadiene, butane, butylene, propane, propylene, fluorocarbon 152a, phosphine, methane, monogermane, monosilane, monomethylamine, methyl ether, polytetrafluoroethylene, hydrogen sulfide and any other gas which falls under any of the following (a) or (b) (excluding liquefied fluoroolefin 1234yf and liquefied fluoroolefin 1234ze):

(a)gas of which the minimum explosive limit (meaning an explosive limit in the case of mixture with air; the same applies hereinafter) does not exceed ten percent; or

(b)gas of which the difference between the upper and lower explosive limits is 20 percent or more;

(xxx)the term "toxic gas" means sulfurous acid gas, arsine, ammonia, carbon monoxide, hydrogen chloride, chlorine, chloromethyl, arsenic pentafluoride, phosphorus pentafluoride, ethylene oxide, nitrogen trifluoride, boron trifluoride, phosphorus trifluoride, hydrogen cyanide, disilane, diborane, hydrogen bromide, hydrogen selenide, trimethylamine, fluorine, phosgene, phosphine, monogermane, monosilane, monomethylamine, sulfur tetrafluoride, tetrafluorosilane, hydrogen sulfide and any other gas that fall under the category of poisonous substances provided for in Article 2, paragraph (1) of the Poisonous and Deleterious Substances Control Act (Act No. 303 of 1950);

(xxxi)the term "type test" means a test to be performed only once for the same type of product for the type approval under Article 49-21, paragraph (1) of the Act;

(xxxii)the term "Erhardt method" means a method of manufacturing a seamless container, whereby the cylindrical part and the bottom part of the container is formed by way of extruding a metal material chunk and other means;

(xxxiii)the term "Mannesmann method" means a method of manufacturing a seamless container, whereby the bottom part of a container is formed by jointing the pipe end through a heating process (limited to a process without adding metal) or formed by way of a heating process for both of the pipe ends;

(xxxiv)the term "cupping method" means a method of manufacturing a seamless container, whereby the cylindrical part and bottom part of the container is formed by the raising of a metal plate or other means.

Chapter II Manufacturing

(Manufacturing Method Standards)

Article 3The technical standards specified by Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as referred to in Article 41, paragraph (1) of the Act are listed in the following items:

(i)a container must be manufactured by using materials appropriate to the type of high pressure gas to be filled, filling pressure, operating temperature, and operating environment;

(ii)a container must be manufactured in a manner that secures appropriate wall thickness according to the type of high pressure gas to be filled, filling pressure, operating temperature, and operating environment;

(iii)a container must be manufactured with appropriate structure and specifications according to its materials, operating temperature and operating environment;

(iv)a container must be manufactured by appropriate processing, welding and heating methods according to its materials and structure;

(v)a container must be manufactured in a manner that secures appropriate dimensional accuracy.

Chapter III Container Inspection

Section 1 Container Inspection

(Application for Container Inspection)

Article 4A person that intends to undergo a container inspection pursuant to the main clause of Article 44, paragraph (1) of the Act must submit a written application for a container inspection using Form 1 to the Director of the Regional Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry having jurisdiction over the location of the container (or to the prefectural governor having jurisdiction over the location of the container, in the case of a container with an internal volume of 500 liters or less (excluding a container to be fixed on a railroad vehicle); or to the head of the designated city referred to in Article 252-19, paragraph (1) of the Local Autonomy Act (Act No. 67 of 1947) (hereinafter referred as a "designated city"), if the container is within the designated city; the same applies in Article 9 and Article 69), the Institute, or the designated container conformity inspection body.

(Exemption from Container Inspection)

Article 5The containers for usages specified by Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as referred to in Article 44, paragraph (1), item (iii) of the Act are listed in the following items:

(i)a container for export;

(ii)a container to be used in Japan which is not to be filled with high pressure gas; and

(iii)a container to be used in Japan which is not to be distributed after being filled with high pressure gas.

(Methods of Container Inspection)

Article 6The methods specified by Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as referred to in Article 44, paragraph (1) of the Act are listed in the following items:

(i)a container inspection must be performed in a manner clearly specifying test sample, test pressure, test medium, duration, verification method and any other conditions of particulars to be identified to secure reproducibility of the test as needed;

(ii)the Japanese Industrial Standards or other normalized standards are to be used as necessary for testing procedures, test samples, testing devices, etc.;

(iii)a test or inspection relating to the material may be omitted for a container for which the material, wall thickness, structure, etc. is determined appropriate by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry and for which documents showing the quality of the material and strength of the container that are found appropriate and any other materials necessary for a container inspection are provided;

(iv)a record of container inspection results must be prepared and kept in an appropriate manner.

(Container Standards for Container Inspection)

Article 7(1)The standards of containers for each type of high pressure gas and degree of pressure specified by Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as referred to in Article 44, paragraph (4) of the Act are listed in the following items:

(i)a container must be designed in conformity with the manufacturing method standards specified in Article 3;

(ii)a container must undergo and pass a hydrostatic test under a pressure not lower than the hydrostatic test pressure;

(iii)beyond what is provided for in the preceding item, a container must have strength appropriate to its filling pressure and operating temperature;

(iv)a container must not have any defects which would be detrimental to their use;

(v)a container must have appropriate dimensional accuracy;

(vi)a container must be able to resist external load which is expected in its operating environment;

(vii)a container must have the airtightness appropriate to its filling pressure;

(viii)for a container with a potential safety risk when used for another purpose, the container must not have been used for that purpose;

(ix)for a container for which it is appropriate to restrict the type of high pressure gas, filling pressure, volume and labeling method based on its structure, material and mode of use, the container must conform to those restrictions.

(2)Notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding paragraph, for a type of container which has passed a type test, a container inspection which is identical to the test performed during the type test may be omitted, and for a type of container which has passed a container inspection, a type test which is identical to the test performed in the container inspection may be omitted.

Section 2 Stamping a Mark Containers

(Methods of Stamping a Mark)

Article 8(1)A person that intends to stamp a mark pursuant to Article 45, paragraph (1) of the Act must stamp the following particulars in a clear and indelible way on the thickest and visible part of the container, in the following order:

(i)a symbol representing the name of an inspection agency;

(ii)a name or symbol representing the container manufacturer (or if a person that has undergone the inspection is not the container manufacturer, the name or symbol representing the container manufacturer and the person that has undergone the inspection) (or only a name, in the case of a GTR-compliant compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems and a compressed hydrogen container for two-wheeled motor vehicle fuel systems);

(iii)types of high pressure gas to be filled ("PG" for a PG container; "SG" for a SG container; "FC1" for a class-I FC container; "FC2" for a class-II FC container; "FC3" for a class-III FC container; "CNG" for a compressed natural gas container for automobile fuel systems; "CHG" for a compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems, GTR-compliant compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems, compressed hydrogen container for two-wheeled motor vehicle fuel systems and compressed hydrogen container for transportation automobiles; "LNG" for a liquefied natural gas container for automobile fuel systems; or name, abbreviation or molecular formula of the relevant high pressure gas for any other container);

(iv)in the case of a compressed natural gas container for automobile fuel systems, the following categories of a compressed natural gas container for automobile fuel systems, and, if applicable, a label indicating that the container is a container for a luggage compartment, after the particulars set forth in the preceding item (Code: R):

(a)a seamless compressed natural gas container for automobile fuel systems (Code: V1);

(b)a composite metal liner container for compressed natural-gas automobile fuel systems of which the minimum burst pressure of its liner is 125% or more of the maximum filling pressure (Code: V2); or

(c)a composite metal liner container for compressed natural-gas automobile fuel systems of which the minimum burst pressure of its liner is less than 125% of the maximum filling pressure (Code: V3);

(iv)-2in the case of a compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems, the following categories of a compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems, and, if applicable, a label indicating that the container is a container for a luggage compartment after the particulars set forth in the item (iii) (Code: R):

(a)a compressed hydrogen seamless container for automobile fuel systems (Code: VH1);

(b)a composite metal liner compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems of which the minimum burst pressure of its liner is 125% or more of the maximum filling pressure (Code: VH2); or

(c)a composite metal liner compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems of which the minimum burst pressure of its liner is less than 125% of the maximum filling pressure (Code: VH3);

(iv)-2-2notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding item, in the case of a low filling cycle compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems, the categories of the containers set forth in the preceding item, a label indicating that the container is a low filling cycle compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems, and if applicable, a label indicating that the container is a container for a luggage compartment, after the particulars set forth in item (iii) (Code: R);

(iv)-2-3in the case of a GTR-compliant compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems, a label indicating that the container is a GTR-compliant compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems, after the particulars set forth in item (iii) (Code: GVH);

(iv)-2-4notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding item, in the case of a low filling cycle GTR-compliant compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems, the label specified in the preceding item and a label indicating that the container is a low filling cycle GTR-compliant compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems, after the particulars set forth in item (iii) (Code: GLC);

(iv)-2-5in the case of a compressed hydrogen container for two-wheeled motor vehicle fuel systems, a label indicating that the container is a compressed hydrogen container for two-wheeled motor vehicle fuel systems, after the particulars set forth in item (iii) (Code: TVH);

(iv)-3in the case of a compressed hydrogen container for transportation automobiles, the following categories of a compressed hydrogen container for transportation automobiles after the particulars set forth in item (iii):

(a)a metal liner compressed hydrogen container for transportation automobiles of which the minimum burst pressure of its liner is 125% or more of the maximum filling pressure (Code: TH2); or

(b)a metal liner compressed hydrogen container for transportation automobiles of which the minimum burst pressure of its liner is less than 125% of the maximum filling pressure (Code: TH3);

(iv)-4in the case of a liquefied natural gas container for automobile fuel systems, a label indicating that the container is a liquefied natural gas container for automobile fuel systems, after the particulars set forth in item (iii) (Code: VL);

(iv)-5in the case of an aluminum alloy seamless container for scuba diving, a label indicating that the container is an aluminum alloy seamless container for scuba diving, after the particulars set forth in item (iii) (Code: SCUBA);

(v)the cylinder's mark (in the case of a container to be filled with liquefied petroleum gas, a mark must consist of three or less characters) and serial number (in the case of a container to be filled with liquefied petroleum gas, a mark must consist of five or less digit numbers);

(vi)internal volume (Code: V, Unit: liter);

(vii)in the case of a container other than a liquefied petroleum gas container for automobile fuel systems (limited to a container to be filled with liquefied petroleum gas when it is fitted on an automobile), an ultra-low-temperature container, a compressed natural gas container for automobile fuel systems, a compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems, a GTR-compliant compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems, a compressed hydrogen container for two-wheeled motor vehicle fuel systems, a liquefied natural gas container for automobile fuel systems, and a compressed hydrogen container for transportation automobiles, mass of that container excluding its accessories (limited to detachable accessories) (Code: W, Unit: kilogram);

(viii)in the case of a container to be filled with acetylene gas, the mass referred to in the preceding item with the mass of its porous substance and accessories added (Code: TW, Unit: kilogram);

(ix)the year and month when the container passes a container inspection (or in the case of a container with an internal volume of 4,000 liters or more, high-pressure gas container for transportation automobiles, compressed natural gas container for automobile fuel systems, compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems and liquefied natural gas container for automobile fuel systems, the year, month and date when the container passes a container inspection);

(x)in the case of a compressed natural gas container for automobile fuel systems, compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems, GTR-compliant compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems, compressed hydrogen container for two-wheeled motor vehicle fuel systems, liquefied natural gas container for automobile fuel systems and compressed hydrogen container for transportation automobiles, the following expiration year, month and date, according to the categories of containers set forth in the following sub-items (or in the case of a GTR-compliant compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems and compressed hydrogen container for two-wheeled motor vehicle fuel systems, the expiration year and month):

(a)a compressed natural gas container for automobile fuel systems: the day on which 15 years have passed from the day preceding the day on which the container passed a container inspection (or in the case of a container manufactured as those capable of being filled with compressed natural gas for a period longer than 15 years, the day designated by the container manufacturer within a period not exceeding 20 years);

(b)a liquefied natural gas container for automobile fuel systems: the day on which 15 years have passed from the day preceding the day on which the container passed a container inspection;

(c)a compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems and a compressed hydrogen container for transportation automobiles: the day on which 15 years have passed from the day preceding the day on which the container passed a container inspection, or the day designated by the container manufacturer within a period not exceeding 15 years; or

(d)a GTR-compliant compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems and a compressed hydrogen container for two-wheeled motor vehicle fuel systems: the month in which 15 years have passed from the month preceding the month in which the container passed a container inspection;

(xi)for a container other than an ultra-low-temperature container, a compressed natural gas container for automobile fuel systems, a compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems, a GTR-compliant compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems, a compressed hydrogen container for two-wheeled motor vehicle fuel systems, a liquefied natural gas container for automobile fuel systems, and a compressed hydrogen container for transportation automobiles, the pressure applied in a hydrostatic test (Code: TP, Unit: megapascals) and the letter "M";

(xii)in the case of a container to be filled with compressed gas, an ultra-low temperature container, and a liquefied natural gas container for automobile fuel systems, its maximum filling pressure (Code: FP, Unit: megapascals) and the letter "M";

(xii)-2in the case of a GTR-compliant compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems and a compressed hydrogen container for two-wheeled motor vehicle fuel systems, its nominal working pressure (Code: NWP, Unit: megapascals) and the letter "M";

(xii)-3in the case of a GTR-compliant compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems and a compressed hydrogen container for two-wheeled motor vehicle fuel systems, the number of test cycles;

(xiii)in the case of a container made of high-strength steel or aluminum alloy (including a liner for a fiber-reinforced plastic composite container, but excluding a compressed natural gas container for automobile fuel systems, a compressed hydrogen automobile container for fuel systems, a GTR-compliant compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems, a compressed hydrogen container for two-wheeled motor vehicle fuel systems, a liquefied natural gas container for automobile fuel systems and a compressed hydrogen container for transportation automobiles), the following categories of materials:

(a)high-strength steel (Code: HT); and

(b)aluminum alloy (Code: AL);

(xiv)in the case of a container with an internal volume exceeding 500 liters (excluding a fiber-reinforced plastic composite container), the wall thickness of the cylindrical part (Code: t, Unit: millimeters); and

(xv)in the case of a fiber-reinforced plastic composite container, permissible flaw depth of the fiber-reinforced part of the cylindrical part (Code: DC, Unit: millimeters).

(2)The containers specified by Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as being difficult to be stamped on as referred to in Article 45, paragraph (1) are listed in the following items:

(i)a general seamless container, welded container, ultra-low-temperature container and liquefied natural gas container for automobile fuel systems (excluding those imported with the container fitted on an automobile) of which wall thickness of the dome part is 2 mm or less;

(ii)a brazed container;

(iii)a non-refillable container;

(iv)a metal liner general FRP composite container (limited to a full-wrapped container) and plastic liner general FRP composite container (excluding a general FRP composite container for liquefied petroleum gas);

(iv)-2a general FRP composite container for liquefied petroleum gas;

(v)a composite metal liner container for compressed natural-gas automobile fuel systems (limited to a full-wrapped container), metal liner compressed hydrogen composite container for automobile fuel systems (limited to a full-wrapped container), metal liner GTR-compliant compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems (limited to a full-wrapped container), compressed hydrogen container for two-wheeled motor vehicle fuel systems (limited to a full-wrapped container), metal liner compressed hydrogen container for transportation automobiles (limited to a full-wrapped container), plastic liner composite compressed natural gas container for automobile fuel systems, plastic liner compressed hydrogen composite container for automobile fuel systems, plastic liner GTR-compliant compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems and plastic liner compressed hydrogen container for transportation automobiles (excluding those set forth in the following item, respectively); and

(vi)a liquefied petroleum gas container for automobile fuel systems (limited to a container to be filled with liquefied petroleum gas when it is fitted on an automobile), compressed natural gas container for automobile fuel systems, compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems, GTR-compliant compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems, compressed hydrogen container for two-wheeled motor vehicle fuel systems or liquefied natural gas container for automobile fuel systems, which is imported with the container fitted on an automobile or two-wheeled motor vehicle.

(3)A person that intends to attach a marking plate to a container pursuant to Article 45, paragraph (2) of the Act must attach the marking plate to it in accordance with the method set forth in the following items, according to the categories of the containers set forth in them:

(i)the containers set forth in item (i) or (ii) of the preceding paragraph: a method of attaching a thin plate on which the particulars set forth in the items of paragraph (1) are engraved in the same order in a legible and indelible manner, to a container's shoulder or other visible part firmly by welding (limited to welding to be performed before heat processing), soldering or brazing;

(ii)the container set forth in item (iii) of the preceding paragraph: a method of attaching a label on which the following particulars are indicated in the following order in a legible and indelible manner, to the shoulder of a container or other visible part firmly:

(a)the particulars set forth in paragraph (1), items (i) through (iii);

(b)a symbol or number of the batch of the container (meaning containers manufactured from the same charge at the same manufacturing site and on the same year, month and day, with the cylindrical part having the same wall thickness, outer diameter and shape);

(c)the particulars set forth in paragraph (1), item (vi);

(d)total mass of the container including its accessories (Code: TW, Unit: kilogram); and

(e)the particulars set forth in paragraph (1), item (ix) and items (xi) through (xiii);

(iii)the containers set forth in item (iv) of the preceding paragraph: a method of inserting a label indicating the following particulars in the following order in a legible and indelible manner, onto a visible part of a hoop wrapping layer; provided, however, that it may be substituted by attaching a segment of aluminum foil on which the particulars set forth in (a), (c) and (e) (or in the case of a container using carbon fiber or aramid fiber for the outermost layer, the particulars specified in all sub-items) are stamped, to the exterior surface of the cylindrical part of the container firmly:

(a)the particulars set forth in paragraph (1), item (i);

(b)the particulars set forth in paragraph (1), item (ii);

(c)the particulars set forth in paragraph (1), item (iii);

(d)the particulars set forth in paragraph (1), item (v);

(e)the particulars set forth in paragraph (1), items (vi), (vii) and (ix);

(f)the particulars set forth in paragraph (1), items (xi) and (xii);

(g)the particulars set forth in paragraph (1), item (xiii); provided, however, that in the case of a plastic liner general FRP composite container, a label indicating that the container is a plastic liner general FRP composite container and the following categories of materials of the boss part must be indicated:

a. materials other than high-strength steel and aluminum alloy (Code: N);

b. high-strength steel (Code: N-HT); and

c. aluminum alloy (Code: N-AL);

(h)the particulars set forth in paragraph (1), item (xv);

(i)permissible flaw depth of the fiber-reinforced plastic part other than that of the cylindrical part (Code: DD, Unit: millimeters); and

(j)in the case of a plastic liner general FRP composite container, proof torque (Code: GT, Unit: newton meters);

(iii)-2the containers set forth in item (iv)-2 of the preceding paragraph: a method of attaching a segment of aluminum foil on which the following particulars are stamped in the following order in a legible and indelible manner, to the visible part of the exterior surface of the casing of the container firmly:

(a)the particulars set forth in paragraph (1), items (i) through (iii);

(b)a label indicating that the container is a general FRP composite container for liquefied petroleum gas (Code: CS);

(c)the particulars set forth in paragraph (1), items (v) through (vii);

(d)the particulars set forth in paragraph (1), items (ix) through (xi);

(e)the particulars set forth in paragraph (1), item (xv);

(f)permissible flaw depth of the fiber-reinforced plastic part other than that of the cylindrical part (Code: DD, Unit: millimeters); and

(g)proof torque (Code: GT, Unit: newton meters);

(iv)the containers set forth in item (v) of the preceding paragraph: a method of inserting a label indicating the following particulars in the following order in a legible and indelible manner, onto a visible part of a hoop wrapping layer; provided, however, that it may be substituted by attaching a segment of aluminum foil on which the particulars set forth in (a) and (c) (in the case of a container using carbon fiber or aramid fiber for the most outer layer, the particulars specified in all sub-items) are stamped or a label made of appropriate material on which those particulars are displayed, to the exterior surface of the cylindrical part of the container firmly:

(a)the particulars set forth in paragraph (1), item (i);

(b)the particulars set forth in paragraph (1), items (ii) and (iii);

(c)in the case of a compressed natural gas container for automobile fuel systems, the following classifications for a compressed natural gas container for automobile fuel systems after the particulars set forth in (b), and if the container is a container for trunk, an indication to the effect (Code: R);

a. a compressed natural gas seamless container for automobile fuel systems (Code: V1);

b. a composite metal liner container for compressed natural-gas automobile fuel systems of which the minimum burst pressure of its liner is 125% or more of the maximum filling pressure (Code: V2);

c. a metal liner container for compressed natural-gas automobile fuel systems of which the minimum burst pressure of its liner is 125% or more of the maximum filling pressure (Code: V3);

d. a plastic liner composite compressed natural gas container for automobile fuel systems (Code: V4)

(d)in the case of a compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems, the following classifications for a compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems after the particulars set forth in (b), and if the container is a container for trunk, an indication to the effect (Code: R);

a. a compressed hydrogen seamless container for automobile fuel systems (Code: VH1);

b. a composite metal liner container for compressed hydrogen automobile fuel systems of which the minimum burst pressure of its liner is 125% or more of the maximum filling pressure (Code: VH2);

c. a composite metal liner container for compressed hydrogen automobile fuel systems of which the minimum burst pressure of its liner is 125% or more of the maximum filling pressure (Code: VH3);

d. a plastic liner compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems (Code: VH4)

(e)the particulars set forth in paragraph (1), items (iv)-2-2 through (iv)-2-5;

(f)in the case of a compressed hydrogen container for transportation automobiles, the following classifications for a compressed hydrogen container for transportation automobiles after the particulars set forth in (b);

a. a metal liner compressed hydrogen container for transportation automobiles of which the minimum burst pressure of its liner is 125% or more of the maximum filling pressure (Code: TH2);

b. a metal liner compressed hydrogen container for transportation automobiles of which the minimum burst pressure of its liner is 125% or more of the maximum filling pressure (Code: TH3);

c. a plastic liner compressed hydrogen container for transportation automobiles (Code: TH4);

(g)the particulars set forth in items (v) and (vi);

(h)the particulars set forth in paragraph (1), items (ix) and (x);

(i)the particulars set forth in paragraph (1), items (xii) through (xii)-3 and item (xv); and

(j)permissible flaw depth of the fiber-reinforced plastic part other than that of the cylindrical part (Code: DD, Unit: millimeters);

(v)the liquefied petroleum gas container for automobile fuel systems set forth in item (vi) of the preceding paragraph: a method of attaching a label indicating the following particulars in the following order in a legible and indelible manner, to a visible part of the exterior surface of the container firmly:

(a)the particulars set forth in paragraph (1), items (i) through (iii);

(b)the particulars set forth in paragraph (1), items (v) and (vi);

(c)the particulars set forth in paragraph (1), items (ix) and (xi); and

(d)the particulars set forth in paragraph (1), items (xiii) and (xiv);

(vi)the compressed natural gas container for automobile fuel systems, the compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems, the GTR-compliant compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems, and the compressed hydrogen container for two-wheeled motor vehicle fuel systems set forth in item (vi) of the preceding paragraph: a method of attaching a label indicating the particulars set forth in paragraph (1), item (xiv) and the particulars set forth in item (iv), (a) through (g) in the same order in a legible and indelible manner, to a visible part of the exterior surface of the container firmly;

(vii)the liquefied natural gas container for automobile fuel systems set forth in item (vi) of the preceding paragraph: a method of attaching a label indicating the following particulars in the following order in a legible and indelible manner, to a visible part of the exterior surface of the container firmly:

(a)the particulars set forth in paragraph (1), items (i) through (iii) and item (iv)-4;

(b)the particulars set forth in paragraph (1), items (v) and (vi);

(c)the particulars set forth in paragraph (1), items (ix) and (x); and

(d)the particulars set forth in paragraph (1), items (xii) through (xiv).

(4)Notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding three paragraphs, if the container complies with the methods set forth in the following items as those which would pose no safety risk, or if the method of stamping, etc. has been approved by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, the container may have a mark stamped on it pursuant Article 45, paragraph (1) of the Act or have a marking plate attached to it pursuant paragraph (2) of that Article according to the method set forth in those items or the method approved by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry:

(i)for a container complying with Article 10 of the Civil Aeronautics Act (Act No. 231 of 1952), a label according to the standards specified in Article 14-2, paragraph (10) of the Regulation for Enforcement of the Civil Aeronautics Act (Order of the Ministry of Transport No. 56 of 1952);

(ii)for a container of which the testing or inspection has been omitted pursuant to Article 6, item (iii), the stamping, etc. of the particulars set forth in paragraph (1), items (i) through (viii); the stamping, etc. for the container which passes their first hydrostatic test implemented in its country of manufacture, or the stamping, etc. for the container which passes the most recent testing in accordance with the categories of the containers set forth in the following items (limited to the testing implemented within one year and six months from the date of application of a container inspection), if the relevant first hydrostatic testing was implemented more than one year and six months before the date of application of a container inspection; and the stamping, etc. of the particulars set forth in paragraph (1), items (x) through (xv):

(a)ultra-low-temperature container (limited to a container with a double-structured tank): pneumatic test and thermal insulation performance test;

(b)liquefied natural gas container for automobile fuel systems with an internal volume of less than 150 liters (limited to a container with a double-structured tank): leak test and thermal insulation performance test;

(c)liquefied natural gas container for automobile fuel systems with an internal volume of 150 liters or more (limited to a container with a double-structured tank): leak test, and thermal insulation performance test or cooling performance test;

(d)other containers: hydrostatic test.

(Procedures to Change the Type or Pressure of High Pressure Gas to Be Filled in Containers)

Article 9A person that intends to file an application for stamping, etc. pursuant to Article 54, paragraph (1) of the Act must submit a written application for change of type of high pressure gas or pressure using Form 2, together with documents certifying that the container still conforms to the standards under Article 7 even after the change, to the Institute, if the Institute has carried out stamping, etc.; to the designated container conformity inspection body, if the body has carried out stamping, etc.; to the Director of the Regional Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry having jurisdiction over the location of the container (or to the prefectural governor having jurisdiction over the location of the container, in the case of a container with an internal volume of 500 liters or less (excluding a container to be fitted on a railroad vehicle); hereinafter referred to as "Director of the Regional Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry or prefectural governor" in this Article), the Institute, or the designated container conformity inspection body, if the container has had a self-inspection mark, etc. stamped; or to the Director of the Regional Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry or prefectural governor in the case of any other type of containers.

Chapter IV Labeling of Containers

(Methods of Labeling)

Article 10(1)A person that intends to label a container pursuant to Article 46, paragraph (1) of the Act (excluding a manufacturer or importer of a container obviously intended to be transferred) must do so in accordance with the following items:

(i)a visible part on the external surface of the container (or in the case of a container covered with thermal insulating material, exterior surface of the thermal insulating material; the same applies in items (ii) and (iii)) is to be painted in a color set forth in the right column of the following appended table, in accordance with the categories of the high pressure gases set forth in the left column, for half or more of its surface area; provided, however, that this does not apply to a container to be filled with hydrogen gas specified in the appended table which is a compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems, GTR-compliant compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems and compressed hydrogen container for two-wheeled motor vehicle fuel systems; to a container to be filled with other type of high pressure gas specified in the appended table which is made of a non-colored aluminum, aluminum alloy or stainless steel; a container to be filled with liquefied petroleum gas; and a compressed natural gas container for automobile fuel systems;

Types of high pressure gases	Categories of painting colors
Oxygen gas	Black
Hydrogen gas	Red
Carbon dioxide	Green
Liquefied ammonia	White
Liquefied chlorine	Yellow
Acetylene gas	Brown
Other types of high-pressure gas	Gray

(ii)the following particulars are to be clearly indicated on the external surface of a container:

(a)the name of the high pressure gas that may be filled in the container;

(b)if high pressure gas that may be filled in the container is flammable gas or toxic gas, a character indicating the nature of that high pressure gas ( "燃" with the meaning "flammable" in the case of flammable gas, or "毒" with the meaning "toxic" in the case of a toxic gas);

(iii)the name, address and phone number (hereinafter referred to as "name and other identifying information" in this Article) of the container owner (or if management services for the container have been consigned to a third party, the container owner or the consignee of management services) are to be clearly indicated on the exterior surface of a container; provided, however, that this does not apply to the following containers:

(a)a liquefied petroleum gas container for automobile fuel systems, a compressed natural gas container for automobile fuel systems, a compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems, a GTR-compliant compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems, a compressed hydrogen container for two-wheeled motor vehicle fuel systems, a liquefied natural gas container for automobile fuel systems, and a high-pressure gas container for transportation automobiles that is fitted on an automobile or two-wheeled motor vehicle and whose owner is the same as the owner or transferee of the automobile or two-wheeled motor vehicle specified in a motor vehicle inspection certificate provided for in Article 58 of the Road Transport Vehicle Act (hereinafter simply referred to as a "motor vehicle inspection certificate"), light motor vehicle notification certificate provided for in Article 63-2, paragraph (3) of the Regulation for Enforcement of the Road Transport Vehicle Act, or transfer certificate provided for in Article 33 of the Road Transport Vehicle Act or other appropriate document;

(b)a liquefied petroleum gas container for automobile fuel systems, a compressed natural gas container for automobile fuel systems, a compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems, a GTR-compliant compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems, a compressed hydrogen container for two-wheeled motor vehicle fuel systems, a liquefied natural gas container for automobile fuel systems and a high-pressure gas container for transportation automobiles that is not fitted on an automobile or two-wheeled motor vehicle and is obviously intended to be transferred which is to be owned by a person that fits the container on an automobile or two-wheel motor vehicle or only transfers it;

(2)In case of any change to a name and other identifying information, the container owner that labels the container with the name and other identifying information pursuant to item (iii) of the preceding paragraph is to reflect the change to the labels without delay. In this case, the container owner is to label the container in accordance with item (iii) of the preceding paragraph.

(3)A person that intends to label a container pursuant to Article 46, paragraph (2) of the Act must do so in accordance with the method to clearly indicate the particulars set forth in paragraph (1), item (ii), (a) and paragraph (1), item (iii); provided, however, that for a container for export, it is not necessary to clearly indicate the particulars set forth in paragraph (1), item (iii).

(4)Beyond what is set forth in the preceding three paragraphs, a person that intends to label a compressed hydrogen container for transportation automobiles pursuant to Article 46, paragraph (1) or (2) of the Act must do so in accordance with the method specified by a public notice.

(5)Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs (1) through (3), if the container complies with the methods to be separately provided for by a public notice as those which would pose no safety risk, or if the labeling method has been approved by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, the labeling referred to in Article 46, paragraph (1) or (2) of the Act may be carried out in accordance with the method specified in that public notice or the method approved by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry.

(Labeling to Be Carried out by Persons Receiving Containers)

Article 11A person that intends to label a container pursuant to Article 47, paragraph (1) of the Act must do so in accordance with paragraph (1), item (iii) and paragraph (5) of the preceding Article.

(Labeling Associated with Changing the Type or Pressure of High Pressure Gas to Be Filled in Containers)

Article 12A person that intends to label a container pursuant to Article 54, paragraph (3) of the Act must do so in accordance with Article 10, paragraph (1), items (i) and (ii), and paragraph (5) of that Article.

Chapter V Standards for Accessories

(Accessories for Containers Referred to in Article 49-2, Paragraph (1) of the Act)

Article 13The accessories specified by Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as referred to in the main clause of Article 49-2, paragraph (1) of the Act are listed in the following items:

(i)a valve (limited to a valve to be fitted on a container other than a non-refillable container);

(ii)a safety valve (limited to a safety valve to be fitted on a container set forth in Article 19, item (i));

(iii)an emergency shut-off device (limited to a device to be fitted on a container set forth in Article 19, items (iii), (iv) and (v)); and

(iv)a check valve (limited to a check valve to be fitted on a GTR-compliant compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems and compressed hydrogen container for two-wheeled motor vehicle fuel systems).

(Application for Accessories Inspection)

Article 14A person that intends to undergo an accessories inspection pursuant to the main clause of Article 49-2, paragraph (1) of the Act must submit a written application for an accessories inspection using Form 3, to the Director of the Regional Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry having jurisdiction over the location of the accessories (or in the case of accessories manufactured by a manufacturer of accessories, over the location of its place of business; or in the case of imported accessories, over the place of landing of those accessories; the same applies in this Article) (or to the prefectural governor having jurisdiction over the location of the accessories, in the case of accessories fitted on a container with an internal volume of 500 liters or less (excluding a container to be fitted on a railroad vehicle); or to the head of a designated city having jurisdiction over the location of the accessories, if the accessories are within the district of a designated city, and the administrative duties for the accessories does not fall under the duties provided for in Article 22 of the Order; the same applies in Article 70), the Institute, or the designated container conformity inspection body.

(Exception of Accessories for Export)

Article 15The accessories for the usage specified by Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as referred to in Article 49-2, paragraph (1), item (iii) of the Act are accessories for export and other accessories obviously not entering into the domestic market.

(Method of Conducting Accessories Inspection)

Article 16The methods specified by Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as referred to in Article 49-2, paragraph (1) of the Act are listed in the following items:

(i)the inspection of accessories must be performed in a manner clearly specifying test sample, test pressure, test medium, duration, verification method and any other conditions of particulars to be identified to secure reproducibility of the test as needed;

(ii)for testing procedures, test sample, testing device, etc., the Japanese Industrial Standards or other normalized standards must be used as needed;

(iii)for accessories which the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry determines appropriate in terms of materials, wall thickness, structure, etc. and are equipped with documents showing quality of materials and strength of a container which are found appropriate or any other document material necessary for the inspection of accessories, a test or inspection relating to the document material may be omitted;

(iv)the records concerning the results of the accessories inspection must be properly prepared and kept in an appropriate manner.

(Accessories Standards for the Inspection of Accessories)

Article 17(1)The accessories standards for each type of high pressure gas and degree of pressure specified by Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as referred to in Article 49-2, paragraph (4) of the Act are listed in the following items:

(i)the accessories must have the strength appropriate to their operating pressure and operating temperature;

(ii)the accessories must not have any defect which would be detrimental to their use;

(iii)the accessories must be able to resist external load which can be expected in their operating environment;

(iv)the materials used for accessories must be appropriate to the type of high pressure gas to be used, operating pressure, operating temperature and operating environment;

(v)accessories must have airtightness according to their respective operating pressure;

(vi)a valve and check valve must function reliably;

(vii)a safety valve must properly function in response to pressure or temperature exceeding the scope of normal use of the container on which it is fitted;

(viii)an emergency shut-off device must be activated immediately and automatically at an appropriate temperature.

(2)Notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding paragraph, for a type which has passed a type test, an accessories inspection which is identical to the test performed during the course of the type test may be omitted, and for a type which has passed an accessories inspection, a type test which is identical to the test performed during the accessories inspection may be omitted.

(3)Notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding two paragraphs, for accessories found to be acceptable by the inspection, type test, or examination set forth in the following items (hereinafter referred to as "inspection, test, or examination" in this Article), the standards for the inspection, test, or examination are applied as standards for accessories for each type of high pressure gas and degree of pressure specified by Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as referred to in Article 49-2, paragraph (4):

(i)an inspection under Article 5 and Article 6, paragraph (3) of the Ship Safety Act (Act No. 11 of 1933) and a type test or examination under the Regulation on Type Approval for Ships (Order of the Ministry of Transport No. 50 of 1973);

(ii)an examination provided for in Article 21-2, paragraph (1) of the Fire Service Act (Act No. 186 of 1948) for accessories subject to examination specified in the paragraph; and

(iii)an inspection to be performed by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism pursuant to Article 10 of the Civil Aeronautics Act.

(Stamping a Mark for Accessories Inspections)

Article 18(1)A person that intends to stamp a mark pursuant to Article 49-3, paragraph (1) of the Act must stamp the particulars set forth in the following items (or in items (i) through (iv) and item (vii), for a fusible safety valve for an acethylene container) in a clear and indelible way on a visible part of the wall of accessories, in the same order; provided, however, that for accessories that are not suitable for stamping a mark on, it may be substituted by attaching a thin plate on which the relevant particulars are stamped, to a visible part of the accessories firmly by welding, soldering or brazing:

(i)the year, month and date when the accessories have passed the inspection (or the year and month, in the case of accessories to be fitted on a GTR-compliant compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems and a compressed hydrogen container for two-wheeled motor vehicle fuel systems);

(ii)a symbol representing the name of an inspection agency;

(iii)the name or symbol representing the accessories manufacturer (or if a person that has undergone the inspection is not the accessories manufacturer, the name or symbol representing the accessories manufacturer and the person that has undergone the inspection);

(iv)the code and serial number of accessories;

(v)the mass of accessories (limited to accessories other than those to be fitted on a liquefied petroleum gas container for automobile fuel systems (limited to a container to be filled with liquefied petroleum gas when it is fitted on an automobile), an ultra-low-temperature container, a compressed natural gas container for automobile fuel systems, a compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems, a GTR-compliant compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems, a compressed hydrogen container for two-wheeled motor vehicle fuel systems, a liquefied natural gas container for automobile fuel systems, and a compressed hydrogen container for transportation automobiles) (Code: W; Unit: kilogram);

(vi)the pressure applied in a hydrostatic test (Code: TP, Unit: megapascal) and the alphabetical letter "M";

(vii)the type of containers on which the following accessories are to be fitted:

(a)a container to be filled with compressed acetylene gas (Code: AG);

(b)a compressed natural gas container for automobile fuel systems (Code: CNGV);

(c)a compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems (Code: CHGV);

(d)a GTR-compliant compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems (Code: CHGGV);

(e)a compressed hydrogen container for two-wheeled motor vehicle fuel systems (Code: CHGTV)

(f)a compressed hydrogen container for transportation automobiles (Code: CHGT);

(g)a container to be filled with compressed gas (excluding the containers specified in (a) through (f)) (Code: PG);

(h)a container to be filled with liquefied gas (excluding the containers specified in (i) through (k)) (Code: LG);

(i)a container to be filled with liquefied petroleum gas (excluding the container specified in (j)) (Code: LPG);

(j)an ultra-low-temperature container and a low-temperature container (Code: LT); and

(j)a liquefied natural gas container for automobile fuel systems (Code: LNGV);

(viii)in the case of a safety valve to be fitted on a container for liquefied hydrogen transportation automobiles, the following safety valve type after the particulars set forth in sub-item (j) of the preceding item:

(a)a safety valve to be fitted on a container for liquefied hydrogen transportation automobiles for preventing the rupture caused by liquid seal (hereinafter referred to as a "low-pressure safety valve for liquefied hydrogen transportation automobile") (Code: L); and

(b)a safety valve to be fitted on a container for liquefied hydrogen transportation automobiles for preventing the rupture of a container caused by escalation of pressure exceeding the pressure within the normal range of use of the container (hereinafter referred to as a "high-pressure safety valve for liquefied hydrogen transportation automobile") (Code: H).

(2)Notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding paragraph, if the accessories comply with the method set forth in the following items as those which would pose no safety risk, or if the method of stamping a mark has been approved by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, a mark referred to in Article 49-3, paragraph (1) of the Act may be stamped according to the method set forth in the relevant items or the method approved by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry:

(i)for accessories to which the Ship Safety Act applies, the following methods:

(a)a method that has passed the inspection specified in Article 5 of the Ship Safety Act;

(b)for accessories that have passed the inspection specified in Article 6, paragraph (3) of the Ship Safety Act, a method of stamping a certification mark specified in Article 45, paragraph (1) of the Regulation for Enforcement of the Ship Safety Act (Order of the Ministry of Transport No. 41 of 1963); and

(c)for accessories that have passed the examination specified in Article 6-4, paragraph (1) of the Ship Safety Act, a method of stamping a certification mark specified in Article 15, paragraph (1) of the Regulation on Type Approval for Ships;

(ii)for accessories subject to examination under Article 21-2, paragraph (1) of the Fire Service Act (Act No. 186 of 1948), a method of labeling pursuant to Article 21-9, paragraph (1) of the same Act;

(iii)for accessories which comply with the provisions of Article 10 of the Civil Aeronautics Act, a method of labeling in accordance with the standards specified in Article 14, paragraph (1) of the Regulation for Enforcement of the Civil Aeronautics Act;

(iv)for accessories inspected pursuant to Article 16, item (iii), a method of stamping a mark for the accessories which pass their first pneumatic test implemented in their country of manufacture, or a mark for the accessories which pass the most recent pneumatic test (limited to a test implemented within one year and six months from the date of application of an accessories inspection) if the relevant first pneumatic test was implemented more than one year and six months before the date of application of an accessories inspection; and stamping the particulars set forth in paragraph (1), items (ii) through (vii).

Chapter VI Filling

(Accessories for Containers Other Than for Non-refillable Containers)

Article 19The containers specified by Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as referred to in Article 48, paragraph (1), item (iii) of the Act are the containers set forth in the following items, and the accessories specified by Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as referred to in Article 48, paragraph (1), item (iii) of the Act are the accessories set forth in the following items:

(i)other than those containers set forth in the following (a) through (e): safety valve (or in the case of a safety valve to be fitted on a container for liquefied hydrogen transportation automobiles, a low-pressure safety valve for liquefied hydrogen transportation automobiles, and a high-pressure safety valve for liquefied hydrogen transportation automobiles):

(a)a container to be filled with high pressure gas that may significantly deteriorate a safety valve through contact with the safety valve;

(b)a container to be filled with toxic gas for which it is inappropriate to fit a safety valve;

(c)a container to be filled with carbon dioxide (limited to a container to be fitted on a fire prevention equipment or aircraft which has passed a hydrostatic test performed under the pressure of 24.5 megapascals or more);

(d)a container which is part of a component of a life-saving equipment subject to an inspection under Article 5 or Article 6, paragraph (3) of the Ship Safety Act and a type approval and examination under the Regulation on Type Approval for Ships; and

(e)a container to be used for fire defense equipment, etc. specified in Article 17, paragraph (1) of the Fire Service Act which has passed an inspection referred to in Article 21-2, paragraph (1) of that Act;

(ii)a container fitted with a valve or safety valve that shares that valve or safety valve with other containers, a container to be filled with gas other than liquefied petroleum gas with an internal volume of 4,000 liters or more, or high-pressure gas container for transportation automobiles: an attached piping (limited to a pipe with pressure resistance and airtightness at least equivalent to those of the container on which the pipe is fitted, which is made of appropriate materials for the operating environment; the same applies in this Article);

(iii)a container to be filled with flammable gas other than liquefied petroleum gas, or with toxic gas (excluding chlorine) or liquefied oxygen gas with an internal volume of 4,000 liters or more, or high-pressure gas container for transportation automobiles: emergency shut-off device;

(iv)a container to be filled with liquefied petroleum gas with an internal volume of 4,000 liters or more, or a high-pressure gas container for transportation automobiles that has a protrusive valve, attached piping or liquid level gauge: a protector, attached pipe and emergency shut off device;

(v)a container to be filled with liquefied petroleum gas with an internal volume of 4,000 liters or more, or a high-pressure gas container for transportation automobiles that has a non-protrusive valve, attached piping or liquid level gauge: an attached pipe and emergency shut-off device;

(vi)a GTR-compliant compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems and a compressed hydrogen container for two-wheeled motor vehicle fuel systems: a check valve.

(Accessories for Non-refillable Containers)

Article 20The container specified by Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as referred to in Article 48, paragraph (2), item (iii) of the Act is a non-refillable container, and the accessories specified by Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as referred to in that item are safety valves.

(Standards for Processing Containers)

Article 21(1)The technical standards specified by Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as referred to in Article 48, paragraph (1), item (iv) of the Act are listed in the following items:

(i)a neck ring must be fitted by swaging;

(ii)a foot ring must not be fitted by welding;

(iii)if a foot ring is fitted on a container, the mass of the foot ring must be engraved on the right side of a mark or label indicating the mass of the container in a clearly distinguished manner;

(iv)processing must be implemented so that the wall thickness after the processing is not reduced below the wall thickness specified in Article 3, item (ii);

(v)if welding is to be performed for the purpose of repairing a flaw or any other defect of a welded container, an ultra-low-temperature container and a liquefied natural gas container for automobile fuel systems, the repaired areas after the processing must be free from any defect which would adversely affect its use and must have appropriate strength.

(2)Notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding paragraph, for a container complying with the standards specified in Article 14, paragraph (1) of the Regulation for Enforcement of the Civil Aeronautics Act applied by a person that has obtained an airworthiness certification pursuant to Article 10 of the Civil Aeronautics Act, the relevant standards may be applied as the technical standards specified by Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as referred to in Article 48, paragraph (1), item (iv) of the Act; and if an approval of the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry is obtained, the standards approved by the Minister may be applied as the technical standards specified by Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry referred to in Article 48, paragraph (1), item (iv) of the Act.

(Methods of Calculating the Mass of Liquefied Gas)

Article 22(1)The method specified by Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as referred to in the items of Article 48, paragraph (4) of the Act are the following formulas:

G＝V／C

In this formula, the characters "G", "V" and "C" are to represent the following values, respectively:

G: value of mass of liquefied gas (Unit: kilogram)

V: value of internal volume of a container (Unit: liter)

C: in the case of liquefied petroleum gas to be filled in a low-temperature container, ultra-low-temperature container and liquefied natural gas container for automobile fuel systems, an inverse number of a figure arrived at when the specific gravity of the liquefied gas (Unit: kg/L) at the maximum normal operating temperature of the container is multiplied by 9/10 (or in the case of a container for liquefied hydrogen transportation automobiles, an inverse number of a figure arrived at when the specific gravity of liquefied hydrogen to be filled in that container (Unit: kg/L) at the boiling point under atmospheric pressure is multiplied by 9/10); in the case of another gas set forth in the left column of the table of Article 2, item (xxvi) which is a liquefied gas to be filled in a container specified in A of the appended table of which the hydrostatic test pressure is 24.5 megapascals, the pressure at the temperature of 48°C; in the case of liquefied gas to be filled in a container specified in B of the appended table, the value of volume of one kilogram of the liquefied gas (Unit: liter) of which the pressure at the temperature of 55°C is 14.7 megapascals or below; or, in the case of other gases, the constant value set forth in the right column of the following appended table, in accordance with the types of liquefied gases as respectively set forth in the left column of the same appended table.

Type of liquefied gas	Constant value
Liquefied ethylene	3.50
Liquefied ethane	2.80
Liquefied propane	2.35
Liquefied propylene	2.27
Liquefied butane	2.05
Liquefied butylene	2.00
Liquefied cyclopropane	1.87
Liquefied ammonia	1.86
Liquefied butadiene	1.85
Liquefied trimethylamine	1.76
Liquefied dimethylamine	1.70
Liquefied methyl ether	1.67
Liquefied monomethylamine	1.67
Liquefied hydrogen chloride	1.67
Liquefied hydrogen cyanide	1.57
Liquefied hydrogen sulfide	1.47
Carbon dioxide	1.34
Liquefied dinitrous monoxide	1.34
Liquefied ethylene oxide	1.30
Liquefied fluorocarbon-152a	1.27
Liquefied chloromethyl	1.25
Liquefied chloroethene	1.22
Liquefied polytetrafluoroethylene	1.11
Liquefied fluorocarbon-500	1.00
Liquefied fluorocarbon-13	1.00
Liquefied fluorocarbon-22	0.98
Liquefied fluoroolefin 1234ze	0.96
Liquefied fluorocarbon-134a	0.94
Liquefied fluorocarbon-502	0.93
Liquefied sulfur hexafluoride	0.91
Liquefied fluorocarbon-115	0.90
Liquefied fluorocarbon-12	0.86
Liquefied xenon	0.81
Liquefied chlorine	0.80
Liquefied hydrogen bromide	0.80
Liquefied sulfurous acid gas	0.80
Liquefied fluorocarbon-13B1	0.79
Liquefied fluorocarbon-114	0.76
Liquefied fluorocarbon-C318	0.74
Liquefied petroleum gas of which the gravity at the temperature of 15 degrees Celsius (hereinafter referred to as the "gravity" in this table) is between 0.453 or more and 0.462 or less	2.78
Liquefied petroleum gas of which the gravity is between 0.463 or more and 0.472 or less	2.71
Liquefied petroleum gas of which the gravity is between 0.473 or more and 0.480 or less	2.64
Liquefied petroleum gas of which the gravity is between 0.481 or more and 0.488 or less	2.57
Liquefied petroleum gas of which the gravity is between 0.489 or more and 0.495 or less	2.50
Liquefied petroleum gas of which the gravity is between 0.496 or more and 0.503 or less	2.44
Liquefied petroleum gas of which the gravity is between 0.504 or more and 0.510 or less	2.38
Liquefied petroleum gas of which the gravity is between 0.511 or more and 0.519 or less	2.33
Liquefied petroleum gas of which the gravity is between 0.520 or more and 0.527 or lesss	2.28
Liquefied petroleum gas of which the gravity is between 0.528 or more and 0.536 or less	2.23
Liquefied petroleum gas of which the gravity is between 0.537 or moer and 0.544 or less	2.18
Liquefied petroleum gas of which the gravity is between 0.545 or more and 0.552 or less	2.13
Liquefied petroleum gas of which the gravity is between 0.553 or more and 0.560 or less	2.09
Liquefied petroleum gas of which the gravity is between 0.561 or more and 0.568 or less	2.04
Liquefied petroleum gas of which the gravity is between 0.569 or more and 0.576 or less	2.00
Liquefied petroleum gas of which the gravity is between 0.577 or more and 0.584 or less	1.97
Liquefied petroleum gas of which the gravity is between 0.585 or more and and 0.592 or less	1.93
Liquefied petroleum gas of which the gravity is between 0.593 or more and 0.600 or less	1.89
Liquefied petroleum gas of which the gravity is between 0.601 or more and 0.608 or less	1.86
Other petroleum gases	1.05 divided by the gravity of the relevant liquefied gas at the temperature of 48 degrees Celsius

(Application for Special Permission to Fill)

Article 23A person that intends to obtain a permission referred to in Article 48, paragraph (5) of the Act must submit a written application for special permission for filling using Form 4 together with a document explaining the reason to the Director of the Regional Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry having jurisdiction over the location of the place of business where the gas is filled (or to the prefectural governor having jurisdiction over the location of the place of business where the gas is filled, in the case of a container with an internal volume of 500 liters or less (excluding a container to be fixed on a railroad vehicle); or to the head of the designated city having jurisdiction over the location of the place of business where the gas is filled, if the place of business is within the district of the designated city, and the administrative duties for the place of business does not fall under the duties provided for in Article 22 of the Order).

Chapter VII Reinspection of Containers and Accessories, and Container Reinspection Stations

(Period of Container Reinspection)

Article 24(1)The period specified by Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as referred to in Article 48, paragraph (1), item (v) of the Act is the period set forth in the following items; and this period starts from the last day of the month preceding the month shown in stamping, etc., if a container has not undergone a container reinspection (hereinafter referred to as "month in which the container passed the inspection") (or starts from the date preceding the month and day shown in stamping, etc., in the case of a container with an internal volume of 4,000 liters or more, a compressed natural gas container for automobile fuel systems, a compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems, a liquefied natural gas container for automobile fuel systems, and a high-pressure gas container for transportation automobiles); or stars from the last day of the month preceding the month shown in the mark stamped under Article 37, paragraph (1), item (i) or the marking plate attached under paragraph (2), item (i) of that Article when the container passed the previous container reinspection, if a container has undergone an accessories inspection (hereinafter referred to as "month in which the container passed the reinspection") (or starts from the date preceding the month and day shown in stamping, etc., in the case of a container with an internal volume of 4,000 liters or more, a compressed natural gas container for automobile fuel systems, a compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems, a liquefied natural gas container for automobile fuel systems, and a high-pressure gas container for transportation automobiles):

(i)for a welded container, a ultra-low-temperature container and a brazed container (referred to as "welded container or other prescribed containers" in item (ii) and Article 71, and excluding a welded container or other prescribed containers specified in item (ii) and a liquefied petroleum gas container for automobile fuel systems specified in item (viii)), five years if a period of 20 years or less has passed from the date of manufacture of the container (the years that have passed from the date of manufacture are referred to as "X years old" in this Article, Article 27 and Article 71), and two years if the container is 20 years old or older;

(ii)for a welded container or other prescribed containers with an internal volume of 25 liters or less of which the hydrostatic test pressure does not exceed 3.0 megapascal (excluding a container to be filled with hydrogen cyanide, ammonia or chlorine) and has passed a container inspection specified in Article 44, paragraph (1) of the Act or a radiation inspection specified in Article 36, paragraph (1) on or after July 1955, six years if a container is less than 20 years old, and two years if a container is 20 years old or older:

(iii)for a general seamless container, five years;

(iv)for a general FRP composite container, five years;

(vi)for a GTR-compliant compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems and a compressed hydrogen container for two-wheeled motor vehicle fuel systems, four years and one month if the container is less than four years and one month old, and two years and three months if the container is more than four years and one month old;

(vii)for an aluminum alloy seamless container for scuba diving, one year and one month;

(viii)for a liquefied petroleum gas container for automobile fuel systems to be filled with liquefied petroleum gas when it is fitted on an automobile (limited to a welded container; the same applies hereinafter), six years if the container is less than 20 years old, and two years if the container is 20 years old or older.

(2)Notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding paragraph, for the first container reinspection of a liquefied petroleum gas container for automobile fuel systems to be filled with liquefied petroleum gas that is fitted on an automobile for which the effective period of a motor vehicle inspection certificate specified in Article 61 of the Road Transport Vehicle Act is one year, the period starting from the last day of the month preceding the month in which the container passed the inspection until the first inspection referred to in Article 62 of the Road Transport Vehicle Act performed on the automobile on which the relevant container is fitted after six years has passed from the relevant starting date may be applied as the period referred to in Article 48, paragraph (1), item (v) of the Act.

(3)Notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding two paragraphs, if an approval of the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry is obtained, or undergoing a container reinspection within the periods specified in those paragraphs would be difficult due to a natural disaster or other unavoidable circumstances, the approved period or the period designated by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry in consideration of those reasons may be applied as the period specified by Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as referred to in Article 48, paragraph (1), item (v) of the Act.

(Methods of Container Reinspection)

Article 25(1)The method specified by Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as referred to in Article 49, paragraph (1) of the Act is provided for by a public notice.

(2)Notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding paragraph, if an approval of the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry is obtained, the approved method may be applied as the method specified by Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as referred to in Article 49, paragraph (1) of the Act.

(Standards of Container for Container Reinspection)

Article 26(1)Among the standards for each type of high pressure gas and degree of pressure specified by Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as referred to in Article 49, paragraph (2) of the Act, the standards for a welded container, brazed container, general seamless container (excluding a container to be filled with high pressure gases for manufacturing semiconductors specified in the appended table 1 of which the dew point under atmospheric pressure is -60°C or lower and which undergoes an ultrasonic inspection as a means of a container reinspection provided for in Article 49, paragraph (1) of the Act (hereinafter referred to as a "seamless container for manufacturing semiconductors")), general FRP composite container, or aluminum alloy seamless container for scuba diving are listed in the following items; provided, however, that for the standards for an aluminum alloy seamless container for scuba diving, only those specified by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry from among those set forth in item (i) may be applied, except for the first container reinspection after four years and one month has passed from the last day of the month preceding the month in which the container passed the inspection or from the last day of the month preceding the month in which the container passed the reinspection performed in accordance with items (i) and (iii):

(i)a container must undergo and pass a visual inspection pursuant to the following:

(a)the inspection is implemented for each container;

(b)only a container free from any corrosion, crack, streak, etc. which would adversely affect its use on its interior or exterior surface (or its exterior surface in the case of an acethylene container filled with porous substance) is considered acceptable;

(c)for a container to be filled with liquefied petroleum gas with an internal volume of 15 liters or more but less than 120 liters (excluding a liquefied petroleum gas container for automobile fuel systems), only a container free from any material corrosion, wear, or deformation on its foot ring and with sufficient bottom surface interval (meaning a gap between the bottom surface of the container and the horizontal surface if it stands perpendicular to the horizontal surface) for preventing corrosion of the bottom part of that container is considered acceptable;

(ii)for a container to be filled with liquefied petroleum gas (excluding those manufactured from stainless steel, aluminum alloy or any other anti-corrosive materials, with an internal volume less than 120 liters), appropriate rust-proof painting must be applied pursuant to the provisions of the public notice;

(iii)a container must undergo and pass a hydrostatic test pursuant to the following:

(a)a hydrostatic test is performed for a container with an internal volume of two liters or less that has a wall thickness fixed in a manner so that the factor of safety against destruction be superior to 3.5 (excluding a general FRP composite container), a high-pressure gas container for transportation automobiles, and a plastic liner general FRP composite container; and a volumetric expansion test is performed for other containers;

(b)a container reinspection is implemented for each container; provided, however, that in the case of an acethylene container filled with porous substance, only one container randomly chosen among the containers made at the same manufacturing site and having the same internal volume, shape, and manufacturing month and year indicated in its stamping, etc. is to be tested, and if the chosen container has passed the test, the remaining containers are deemed to have passed the test;

(c)in a volumetric expansion test, only a container free from any leak or abnormal expansion and with a permanent increase rate not exceeding ten percent (or five percent, in the case of a general FRP composite container) is considered acceptable; and in a pressure test, only a container free from any leak or abnormal expansion is considered acceptable;

(iv)for a general FRP composite container, the container must conform to standards specified by a public notice.

(2)Among the standards provided for by Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as referred to in Article 49, paragraph (2) of the Act, the standards for ultra-low-temperature containers are listed in the following items:

(i)a container must undergo and pass a pneumatic test pursuant to the following:

(a)a pneumatic test is implemented for each container;

(b)in a pneumatic test, only a container free from leaks is considered acceptable;

(ii)a container must undergo and pass a thermal insulation performance test pursuant to the following:

(a)a thermal insulation performance test is implemented for each container;

(b)in a thermal insulation performance test, only a container with heat penetration not exceeding 2 Joules/hour/°C/liter (in the case of a container with an internal volume exceeding 1,000 liters, 8 Joules/hour/°C/liter) is considered acceptable.

(3)Among the standards provided for by Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as referred to in Article 49, paragraph (2) of the Act, the standards for seamless container for manufacturing semiconductors are listed in the following items:

(i)a container must undergo and pass a visual inspection (limited to an inspection of the exterior surface) pursuant to item (i) of paragraph (1); and

(ii)a container must pass a document inspection and an ultrasonic inspection to be conducted as prescribed by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry for each container.

(4)Among the standards provided for by Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as referred to in Article 49, paragraph (2) of the Act, the standards for a compressed natural gas container for automobile fuel systems, a compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems (excluding those set forth in the following paragraph), a GTR-compliant compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems, a compressed hydrogen container for two-wheeled motor vehicle fuel systems, and a compressed hydrogen container for transportation automobiles are listed in the following items:

(i)a container must undergo and pass a visual inspection (limited to an inspection of the exterior surface) in accordance with paragraph (1), item (i);

(ii)a container must undergo and pass a leak test pursuant to the following items:

(a)the test is implemented for each container;

(b)only a container free from any leak is considered acceptable;

(iii)a container must conform to other standards specified by a public notice.

(5)Among the standards provided for by Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as referred to in Article 49, paragraph (2) of the Act, the standards for a compressed hydrogen seamless container for automobile fuel systems for which the expiration deadline is to be extended are listed in the following items:

(i)a container must undergo and pass a visual inspection (limited to an inspection of the exterior surface) in accordance with paragraph (1), item (i);

(ii)a container must undergo and pass a leak test in accordance with paragraph (4), item (ii);

(iii)a container must pass an ultrasonic inspection to be conducted as prescribed by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry for each container; and

(iv)a container must conform to other standards specified by a public notice.

(6)Among the standards provided for by Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as referred to in Article 49, paragraph (2) of the Act, the standards for a liquefied natural gas container for automobile fuel systems are listed in the following items:

(i)a container must undergo and pass a visual inspection (limited to an inspection of the exterior surface) in accordance with paragraph (1), item (i);

(ii)a container must undergo and pass a leak test pursuant to the following items:

(a)the test is implemented for each container;

(b)only a container free from any leak is considered acceptable;

(iii)a container must pass a thermal insulation performance test or cooling performance test to be implemented pursuant to the provisions of the public notice for each container;

(iv)a container must conform to other standards specified by a public notice.

(7)Notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding paragraphs, if an approval of the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry is obtained, the approved standards may be applied as the container standards provided for by Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as referred to in Article 49, paragraph (2) of the Act.

(Period of Accessories Reinspection)

Article 27(1)The periods specified by Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as referred to in Article 48, paragraph (1), item (iii) of the Act are listed in the following items:

(i)for accessories fitted on a container (excluding those set forth in the following item through item (iii)), the period between the date on which the accessories passed an accessories inspection (or for accessories which have passed an accessories reinspection, the date on which the accessories passed the most recent reinspection; hereinafter referred to as the "day on which the accessories passed the inspection or reinspection" in this Article) and the first container reinspection performed on the container on which the accessories are fitted after two years have passed from the day on which the accessories passed the inspection or reinspection (or for an aluminum alloy seamless container for scuba diving, the first container reinspection after four years and one month have passed from the last day of the month preceding the month in which the container passed the inspection or from the last day of the month preceding the month in which the container passed the reinspection performed in accordance with paragraph (1), items (i) and (iii) of the preceding Article);

(i)-2for accessories fitted on a GTR-compliant compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems and a compressed hydrogen container for two-wheeled motor vehicle fuel systems, the period between the month in which the accessories passed an accessories inspection (for accessories which have passed an accessories reinspection, the month in which they passed the most recent reinspection; hereinafter referred to as the "month in which the accessories passed the inspection or reinspection" in this Article) and the first container reinspection performed on the container on which the accessories are fitted after two years have passed from the last day of the month preceding the month in which the accessories passed the inspection or reinspection;

(ii)for accessories fitted on a container with an internal volume of less than 4,000 liters (limited to a container to be filled with liquefied petroleum gas, and excluding a high-pressure gas container for transportation automobiles or a container fixed on a railroad vehicle), the period between the day on which the accessories passed the inspection or reinspection and the date of the first container reinspection performed on the container on which the accessories are fitted after two years have passed from the day on which the accessories passed the inspection or reinspection, if the container is less than six and a half years old; or one year, if the container is more than six and a half years old;

(iii)for accessories fitted on a liquefied petroleum gas container for automobile fuel systems to be filled with liquefied petroleum gas that is fitted on an automobile, the period between the day on which the accessories passed the inspection or reinspection and the date of the first container reinspection performed on the container on which the accessories are fitted after two years have passed from the day on which the accessories passed the inspection or reinspection, if the container is less than seven and a half years old; or one year, if a container is more than seven and a half years old;

(iv)for accessories not fitted on a container, two years.

(2)Notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding paragraph, if an approval of the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry is obtained, or undergoing an accessories reinspection within the periods specified in that paragraph would be difficult due to a natural disaster or other unavoidable circumstances, the approved period or the period designated by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry in consideration of those reasons may be applied as the period specified by Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as referred to in Article 48, paragraph (1), item (iii) of the Act.

(Method of Accessories Reinspection)

Article 28(1)The method specified by Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as referred to in Article 49-4, paragraph (1) of the Act is provided for by a public notice.

(2)Notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding paragraph, if an approval of the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry is obtained, the approved method may be applied as the method of accessories reinspection specified by Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as referred to in Article 49-4, paragraph (1) of the Act.

(Standards of Accessories for Accessories Reinspection)

Article 29(1)The standards for each type of high pressure gas and degree of pressure specified by Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as referred to in Article 49-4, paragraph (2) of the Act are listed in the following items:

(i)accessories must undergo and pass a visual inspection pursuant to the following:

(a)the inspection is implemented for each accessory;

(b)only accessories free from any corrosion, crack, streak, corrugation, deformation, etc. which would adversely affect their use are considered acceptable;

(ii)accessories (excluding those fitted on a compressed natural gas container for automobile fuel systems, a compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems, a GTR-compliant compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems, a compressed hydrogen container for two-wheeled motor vehicle fuel systems, a liquefied natural gas container for automobile fuel systems, and a compressed hydrogen container for transportation automobiles) must undergo and pass a pneumatic test pursuant to the following:

(a)the test is implemented for each accessory; provided, however, that in the case of accessories fitted on an acethylene container filled with porous substance, only one unit randomly chosen from accessories at the same accessories manufacturing site, on the same year, month and date, and from the same charge, and having the same dimension and shape, is to be tested; and if the chosen unit have passed the test, the remaining accessories fitted on a container manufactured at the same manufacturing site and having the same internal volume, shape, and manufacturing year and month indicated in their stamping, etc. are deemed to have passed the test;

(b)only accessories free from any leak or defect when under pressure of not less than the pneumatic test pressure according to the category of containers on which those accessories are fitted (or for a low-pressure safety valve for liquefied hydrogen transportation automobile, when under pressure which is 2/3 of the pressure at which the volume of liquefied hydrogen filled in a container for liquefied hydrogen transportation automobiles on which the safety valve is to be fitted represents 98% of the internal volume of the container) are considered acceptable;

(iii)accessories (limited to accessories fitted on a seamless container for manufacturing semiconductors) must pass a document inspection to be conducted as prescribed by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry;

(iv)accessories (limited to those fitted on a compressed natural gas container for automobile fuel systems, a compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems, a GTR-compliant compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems, a compressed hydrogen container for two-wheeled motor vehicle fuel systems, a liquefied natural gas container for automobile fuel systems, and a compressed hydrogen container for transportation automobiles) must undergo and pass a leak test pursuant to the following:

(a)the test is implemented for each accessory;

(b)only accessories free from any leak is considered acceptable;

(v)accessories (limited to those to be used for a compressed natural gas container for automobile fuel systems, a compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems, a GTR-compliant compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems, a compressed hydrogen container for two-wheeled motor vehicle fuel systems, a liquefied natural gas container for automobile fuel systems, and a compressed hydrogen container for transportation automobiles) must conform to the standards specified by a public notice;

(vi)a valve (excluding a valve fitted on a compressed natural gas container for automobile fuel systems, a compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems, a GTR-compliant compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems, a compressed hydrogen container for two-wheeled motor vehicle fuel systems, and a liquefied natural gas container for automobile fuel systems) must conform to the following:

(a)a valve is easy to open and close, and functions in a smooth manner;

(b)in the case of a valve to be fitted on a container to be filled with liquefied petroleum gas that has a structure with a threaded ground nut for opening and closing the valve, the ground nut is appropriately fixed on the main body of the valve by a pin or nut;

(vii)a safety valve (excluding a safety valve fitted on a compressed natural gas container for automobile fuel systems, a compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems, a GTR-compliant compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems, a compressed hydrogen container for two-wheeled motor vehicle fuel systems, a liquefied natural gas container for automobile fuel systems, and a compressed hydrogen container for transportation automobiles, and also excluding a rupture disk and a fusible plug; hereinafter the same applies in this item) must activate when under a pressure not exceeding 8/10 of the hydrostatic test pressure (or under a pressure not exceeding the hydrostatic test pressure, in the case of accessories to be fitted on a plastic liner general FRP composite container; or under a pressure of 5/7 or more of the pressure at which the volume of liquefied hydrogen to be filled in the container for liquefied hydrogen transportation automobile on which the safety valve is to be fitted represents 98% of the internal volume of the container, but not exceeding the pressure at which the volume of the liquefied hydrogen represents 98% of the internal volume of the container, in the case of a low-pressure safety valve for liquefied hydrogen transportation automobile; or under a pressure of not less than the pneumatic test pressure but not exceeding 1.3 times the maximum filling pressure, in the case of a high-pressure safety valve for liquefied hydrogen transportation automobile) according to the type of high pressure gas to be filled in the container on which the safety valve is fitted;

(viii)an emergency shut off device must be capable of being activated by remote control.

(2)Notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding paragraph, in cases separately provided for by a public notice as those which would pose no safety risk, the standards specified by that public notice may be applied as the standards specified by Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as referred to in Article 49-4, paragraph (2) of the Act; and if an approval of the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry is obtained, the approved standards may be applied as the standards specified by Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as referred to in Article 49-4, paragraph (2) of the Act.

(Procedures of Registration of a Container Reinspection Station)

Article 30(1)A person that intends to obtain a registration referred to in Article 49, paragraph (1) of the Act must submit, for each container reinspection station, a written application for registration of a container reinspection station using Form 5, together with a written description of inspection equipment, to the prefectural governor having jurisdiction over the location of the container reinspection station (or to the head of the designated city having jurisdiction over the location of the container inspection station, if the container reinspection station is within the district of a designated city, and the administrative duties for the place of business does not fall under the place of business provided for in Article 22 of the Order; the same applies in paragraph (1) of the following Article, Article 31-2, paragraph (2), Article 35, and Article 39).

(2)The particulars corresponding to the standards set forth in Article 33 must be included in the written description of inspection equipment referred to in the preceding paragraph.

(Procedures for Renewal of Registration of a Container Reinspection Station)

Article 31(1)A person who intends to obtain a renewal of registration pursuant to Article 50, paragraph (1) of the Act must submit, for each container reinspection station, a written application for renewal of registration of a container reinspection station using Form 6 to the prefectural governor having jurisdiction over the location of the container reinspection station.

(2)At the time of the application referred to in the preceding paragraph, if the inspection equipment is different from the ones used at the time of receiving a registration of the relevant container reinspection station (or at the time of receiving the previous registration, if the registration has been renewed), the applicant must attach a written description of inspection equipment to the written application referred to in the preceding paragraph.

(Persons Specified by the Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as Referred to in Article 50, paragraph (2), item (iii) of the Act)

Article 31-2(1)A person specified by the Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as referred to in Article 50, paragraph (2), item (iii) of the Act means a person who is unable to adequately carry out the cognition, decision making, and communication necessary for properly performing a container reinspection or accessories reinspection due to a mental impairment.

(2)If a person who obtained a registration referred to in Article 49, paragraph (1) of the Act or an officer of a corporation that engages in its business becomes mentally impaired and has extreme difficulty conducting an appropriate container reinspection or accessories reinspection, that person or officer or their legal representative or relative cohabitating with them must submit notification to that effect to the prefectural governor having jurisdiction over the site of the container inspection station. In this case, a doctor's written diagnosis setting forth the name of the disease, the degree of disability, the cause of the disease, catamnestic observation, the prognosis, and other remarks for reference must be attached.

(Registration Certificate of a Container Reinspection Station)

Article 32(1)When the prefectural governor or the head of the designated city has registered a container reinspection station or renewed its registration pursuant to Article 50, paragraph (3) of the Act, they must issue a registration certificate for the container reinspection station using Form 7 to the person that has received the registration or renewal.

(2)A person to whom a registration certificate for a container reinspection station referred to in the preceding paragraph has been issued must return the certificate to the prefectural governor or the head of the designated city that issued the certificate without delay if five years have passed from the date of issuance of the certificate, the person has discontinued the container reinspection service, or the person's registration is revoked pursuant to Article 53 of the Act.

(Standards of Inspection Equipment)

Article 33The technical standards specified by Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as referred to in Article 50, paragraph (3) of the Act are listed in the following items:

(i)if a container reinspection station conducts a reinspection of a welded container, brazed container, general seamless container, general FRP composite container or aluminum alloy seamless container for scuba diving, the station must be equipped with the following inspection equipment (limited to equipment appropriate to containers to be reinspected and their standards; the same applies hereinafter in this Article):

(a)equipment for removing rust off a container (excluding equipment for a low-temperature container), and equipment for cleansing and drying a container;

(b)equipment for measuring the dimensions of the flaws, corrosion, etc. of a container;

(c)equipment for checking the flaws and wall thickness of a container by conducting an ultrasonic inspection (limited to equipment for a seamless container for manufacturing semiconductors);

(d)equipment for conducting a lighting inspection of the internal surface of a container;

(e)a pressure gauge and an expansion indicator (limited to the case in which a volumetric expansion test is conducted);

(f)equipment for collecting remaining gases (limited to equipment for a container specified in a public notice);

(g)equipment for measuring painting thickness (limited to equipment for a container to be filled with liquefied petroleum gas and a seamless container for manufacturing semiconductors);

(ii)if a container reinspection station conducts reinspection of ultra-low-temperature containers, the station must be equipped with equipment for pneumatic test and thermal insulation performance test;

(iii)if a container reinspection station conducts reinspection of a compressed natural gas containers for automobile fuel systems, a compressed hydrogen containers for automobile fuel systems, a GTR-compliant compressed hydrogen containers for automobile fuel systems, a compressed hydrogen containers for two-wheeled motor vehicle fuel systems, and a compressed hydrogen containers for transportation automobiles, the station must be equipped with the following equipment:

(a)equipment for cleansing the surface of a container;

(b)equipment for conducting a lighting inspection of the external surface of a container;

(c)equipment for measuring dimensions of a flaw, corrosion, etc. of a container; and

(d)equipment for conducting a leak test;

(e)equipment for confirming container flaws and ruptures by conducting an ultrasonic inspection (limited to cases in which an ultrasonic inspection is performed);

(iv)if a container reinspection station conducts reinspection of liquefied natural gas containers for automobile fuel systems, the station must be equipped with the following inspection equipment:

(a)the equipment set forth in (a) through (d) of the preceding item; and

(b)equipment for conducting a thermal insulation performance test or cooling performance test;

(v)if a container reinspection station conducts reinspection of accessories other than those fitted on compressed natural gas containers for automobile fuel systems, compressed hydrogen containers for automobile fuel systems, GTR-compliant compressed hydrogen containers for automobile fuel systems, compressed hydrogen containers for two-wheeled motor vehicle fuel systems, liquefied natural gas containers for automobile fuel systems, and compressed hydrogen containers for transportation automobiles, the station must be equipped with inspection equipment for a pneumatic test and a performance test;

(vi)if a container reinspection station conducts reinspection of accessories fitted on compressed natural gas containers for automobile fuel systems, compressed hydrogen containers for automobile fuel systems, GTR-compliant compressed hydrogen containers for automobile fuel systems, compressed hydrogen containers for two-wheeled motor vehicle fuel systems, liquefied natural gas containers for automobile fuel systems, and compressed hydrogen containers for transportation automobiles, the station must be equipped with inspection equipment for conducting a leak test;

(vii)the inspection equipment set forth in the preceding items must conform to standards specified by a public notice.

(Qualifications of a Chief Inspector)

Article 34A person with knowledge and experience satisfying the conditions specified by Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as referred to in Article 52, paragraph (1) of the Act refers to a person set forth in any of the following items:

(i)a person who graduated from a university or college of technology under the School Education Act (Act No. 26 of 1947) or a university or professional training college under former provisions after completing the prescribed courses of chemistry, physics or engineering, and who has at least one year of practical experience in filling high pressure gas, manufacturing containers or accessories, or inspecting containers or accessories;

(ii)a person who graduated from a high school under the School Education Act or a technical school under former provisions after completing prescribed courses related to industrial technology (including those who completed the courses and the first term of a professional university specified in that Act), and who has at least two years of practical experience in filling high pressure gas, manufacturing containers or accessories, or inspecting containers or accessories;

(iii)a person who has at least three years of practical experience in manufacturing containers or accessories, or inspecting containers or accessories; or

(iv)if a container reinspection station which is dedicated to the inspection of compressed natural gas containers for automobile fuel systems, compressed hydrogen containers for automobile fuel systems (excluding cases where an ultrasonic inspection is performed), GTR-compliant compressed hydrogen containers for automobile fuel systems, compressed hydrogen containers for two-wheeled motor vehicle fuel systems, liquefied natural gas containers for automobile fuel systems and compressed hydrogen containers for transportation automobiles, or the inspection of accessories fitted on compressed natural gas containers for automobile fuel systems, compressed hydrogen containers for automobile fuel systems, GTR-compliant compressed hydrogen containers for automobile fuel systems, compressed hydrogen containers for two-wheeled motor vehicle fuel systems, liquefied natural gas containers for automobile fuel systems and compressed hydrogen containers for transportation automobiles, a person who has a qualification of a class-I large automobile maintenance engineer, class-I small automobile maintenance engineer, class-I motorcycle maintenance engineer, class-II gasoline automobile maintenance engineer, class-II diesel automobile maintenance engineer or class-II motorcycle maintenance engineer under Article 2 of the Regulation on Qualification Examination for Automobile Maintenance Engineer (Order of the Ministry of Transport No. 71 of 1951).

(Notifications of Appointment of a Chief Inspector)

Article 35A person that intends to make a notification of appointment or dismissal of a chief inspector pursuant to Article 52, paragraph (2) of the Act must submit a written notification of a chief inspector using Form 8 together with a copy of the production safety management certificate received by the chief inspector or a document certifying the qualification under the preceding Article to the prefectural governor having jurisdiction over the location of the container reinspection station; provided, however, that in the case of a dismissal, the copy or document may be omitted.

(Radiation Inspection in a Container Reinspection)

Article 36(1)A prefectural governor, the head of the designated city, the Institute, a designated container conformity inspection body or a person that obtained a registration of a container reinspection station under Article 49, paragraph (1) of the Act conducts a radiation inspection of welded containers at the time of a container reinspection under that paragraph, if so requested by the person subject to the container reinspection.

(2)A prefectural governor, the head of the designated city, the Institute, a designated container conformity inspection body or a person that obtained a registration of a container reinspection station referred to in Article 49, paragraph (1) of the Act is to indicate the character "放" with the meaning "radiation" clearly on a container that has passed the radiation inspection referred to in the paragraph by engraving it or such other way.

(Stamping a Mark on Containers Which Have Passed Container Reinspection)

Article 37(1)A person that intends to stamp a mark pursuant to Article 49, paragraph (3) of the Act must do so in accordance with the following methods:

(i)the following particulars are to be stamped below or on the right side of the mark referred to in Article 8, paragraph (1) or Article 62; provided, however, that in the case of a compressed natural gas container for automobile fuel systems, compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems (excluding those set forth in the following items), GTR-compliant compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems, compressed hydrogen container for two-wheeled motor vehicle fuel systems, or liquefied natural gas container for automobile fuel systems that is difficult to be stamped when it is fitted on an automobile or two-wheeled motor vehicle, stamping a mark referred to in Article 49, paragraph (3) of the Act may be substituted by attaching a marking plate in accordance with the method specified in item (v) of the following paragraph; and in the case of a compressed hydrogen container for transportation automobiles that is difficult to be stamped when it is fitted on an automobile, stamping a mark referred to in Article 49, paragraph (3) of the Act may be substituted by attaching a marking plate in accordance with the method specified in item (vi) of the following paragraph:

(a)a symbol representing the inspection agency;

(b)the year and month of the container reinspection (the year, month and date, for a container with an internal volume of 4,000 liters or more, a high-pressure gas container for transportation automobiles, a compressed natural gas container for automobile fuel systems, a compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems, and a liquefied natural gas container for automobile fuel systems); and

(c)for a seamless container for manufacturing semiconductors, a label indicating to that effect after the information specified in (b) (Code: UT);

(d)for a seamless container for manufacturing semiconductors which has undergone a visual inspection of the valve mounting screw after accessories were removed by the method specified by a public notice as referred to in Article 25, paragraph (1), a label indicating to that effect after the information specified in (c) (Code: VC);

(e)for an aluminum alloy seamless container for scuba diving, a label indicating the fact of implementation of a container reinspection after the information specified in (b) if that container has undergone a container reinspection pursuant to Article 26, paragraph (1), items (i) and (iii) (Code: L); and a label indicating the fact of implementation of a container reinspection after the information specified in (b) if that container has undergone a container reinspection pursuant to the proviso to that paragraph (Code: S);

(ii)for a compressed hydrogen seamless container for automobile fuel systems that passed an ultrasonic inspection, the methods set forth in (a) and (b):

(a)a mark is stamped in accordance with the preceding item; provided, however, that if it is difficult to stamp a mark on the container that is fitted on an automobile, it may be substituted by attaching a marking plate in accordance with the method specified in item (v) of the following paragraph;

(b)the date on which 15 years have passed from the day before the date of the container passing an ultrasonic inspection or the date specified by the manufacturer of the container within a period not exceeding 15 years from that day is stamped below or on the right side of the expiration date that was stamped at the time that the container passed the previous ultrasonic inspection (or a container inspection, in the case of the container that has not undergone an ultrasonic inspection; the same applies hereinafter in this item), and the expiration date stamped at the time of the previous ultrasonic inspection is to be crossed out by stamping two parallel lines over it.

(iii)if there is a change in the mass of a container from the previous container reinspection (or from a container inspection, if the container has never undergone a container reinspection; hereinafter the same applies in this item and item (ii) of the following paragraph), the mass at the time of the current container reinspection is to be stamped below or on the right side of the mass that was stamped at the time of the previous container reinspection, and the mass stamped at the time of the previous container reinspection is to be crossed out by stamping two parallel lines over it; provided, however, that this does not apply to an acethylene container filled with porous substance, a low-temperature container, or a liquefied petroleum gas container for automobile fuel systems to be filled with liquefied petroleum gas when it is fitted on an automobile.

(2)A person that intends to attach a marking plate to a container pursuant to Article 49, paragraph (4) of the Act must do so in accordance with the method set forth in the following items (i) and (iv), in the case of a container other than a seamless container for manufacturing semiconductors, a compressed natural gas container for automobile fuel systems, a compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems, a GTR-compliant compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems, a compressed hydrogen container for two-wheeled motor vehicle fuel systems, a liquefied natural gas container for automobile fuel systems, a general FRP composite container (limited to a full-wrapped container), a plastic liner general FRP composite container, and a compressed hydrogen container for transportation automobiles; the methods specified in items (i) through (iv) in the case of a seamless container for manufacturing semiconductors; the method specified in item (v) in the case of a compressed natural gas container for automobile fuel systems, a compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems, a GTR-compliant compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems, a compressed hydrogen container for two-wheeled motor vehicle fuel systems, and a liquefied natural gas container for automobile fuel systems; or the method set forth in item (vi) in the case of a metal liner general FRP composite container (limited to a full-wrapped container), a plastic liner general FRP composite container, and a compressed hydrogen container for transportation automobiles:

(i)a thin plate on which a symbol representing the name of the inspection agency and the year and month of the container reinspection (or its year, month and date, in the case of a container with an internal volume of 4,000 liters or more, and a high-pressure gas container for transportation automobiles) are engraved in a clear and indelible manner must be attached firmly below or on the right side of the mark engraved pursuant to Article 8, paragraph (3) on the marking plate referred to in that paragraph or Article 62 that was affixed to the container when it passed the container inspection;

(ii)in case of a seamless container for manufacturing semiconductors, a code referred to in item (i), (c) of the preceding paragraph must be engraved on the thin plate referred to in the preceding item in a legible and indelible manner;

(iii)in the case of a seamless container for manufacturing semiconductors that has undergone a visual inspection of the valve mounting screw after accessories were removed by the method specified by a public notice as referred to in Article 25, paragraph (1), the code referred to in item (i), (d) of the preceding paragraph must be engraved in a legible and indelible manner after the information referred to in the preceding item;

(iv)if there is a change in the mass of a container from the previous container reinspection, the mass at the time of the current container reinspection must be engraved on the thin plate referred to in item (i) in a clear and indelible manner, and the engraved mark of the mass at the time of the previous container reinspection must be crossed out by engraving two parallel lines over it; provided, however, that this does not apply to an acethylene container filled with porous substance and a low-temperature container;

(v)a certificate specified by a public notice must be affixed pursuant to the public notice; or

(vi)a segment of aluminum foil on which a symbol representing the name of the inspection agency and the year and month of the container reinspection (or its year, month and date, in the case of a compressed hydrogen container for transportation automobiles) are engraved in a clear and indelible manner must be attached firmly below or on the right side of the mark engraved pursuant to Article 8, paragraph (3) on the marking plate referred to in that paragraph or Article 62 that was affixed to the container when it passed the container inspection.

(3)Notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding two paragraphs, for a container which conforms to Article 10 of the Civil Aeronautics Act, the standard specified in Article 14-2, paragraph (10) of the Regulation for Enforcement of the Civil Aeronautics Act may be applied as stamping a mark referred to in Article 49, paragraph (3) of the Act or attaching a marking plate referred to in paragraph (4) of that Article; and if an approval of the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry is obtained, the approved standard may be applied as stamping a mark referred to in Article 49, paragraph (3) of the Act or attaching a marking plate referred to in paragraph (4) of that Article.

(Stamping a Mark on Accessories Which Have Passed Accessories Reinspection)

Article 38(1)A person that intends to stamp a mark pursuant to Article 49-3, paragraph (3) of the Act must stamp a symbol representing the name of the inspection agency and the year, month and date of the accessories reinspection (or the year and month in the case of accessories to be fitted on a GTR-compliant compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems and a compressed hydrogen container for two-wheeled motor vehicle fuel systems) below or on the right side of the mark referred to in Article 18, paragraph (1) or Article 68; provided, however, that for accessories that are not suitable for stamping a mark on it, it may be substituted using a method specified by a public notice.

(2)Notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding paragraph, for accessories which conform to Article 10 of the Civil Aeronautics Act, the standards specified in Article 14-2, paragraph (10) of the Regulation for Enforcement of the Civil Aeronautics Act may be applied as stamping a mark pursuant to Article 49-4, paragraph (3) of the Act; and if an approval of the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry is obtained, the approved standard may be applied as stamping a mark pursuant to Article 49-4, paragraph (3) of the Act.

(Notification of Discontinuance of a Container Reinspection Station)

Article 39A person that intends to make a notification of discontinuance of a reinspection service at a container reinspection station pursuant to Article 56-2 of the Act must submit a written notification of discontinuance of a container reinspection station using Form 9 to the prefectural governor having jurisdiction over the location of the container reinspection station.

Chapter VIII Registration Relating to Container Inspection and Accessories Inspection

Section 1 Standards for Registration

(Business Category Regarding Containers, etc.)

Article 40The business categories regarding containers, etc. specified by Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as referred to in Article 49-5, paragraph (1) of the Act are categories consisting of classes I to XVI set forth in the right column of the appended table 2, in accordance with the categories as respectively set forth in the left column of that appended table.

(Application for Registration)

Article 41(1)A manufacturer of a container, etc. that intends to obtain a registration referred to in Article 49-5, paragraph (1) of the Act pursuant to the provisions of that paragraph must submit a written application for registration using Form 10 to the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry (or in the case of a manufacturer of a container, etc. that has a manufacturing site or business facility for manufacturing containers or accessories only in the same jurisdictional district of the Director of the Regional Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry, to the Director of the Regional Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry having jurisdiction over the site or facility; hereinafter the same applies in this Article, Article 49, Article 51, Article 52, Article 53, Article 57, Article 59, Article 63 and Article 65).

(2)The documents specified by Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as referred to in Article 49-5, paragraph (3) of the Act are listed in the following items:

(i)articles of incorporation and a certificate of registered information;

(ii)a document including officers' names and resumes;

(iii)regulations for inspection of containers, etc.; and

(iv)a drawing of the manufacturing site or business facility.

(3)If the applicant does not attach the documents referred to in Article 46, paragraph (2) to the written application referred to paragraph (1), the applicant must submit a written application for an inspection using Form 11 to the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry.

(4)The written application referred to in paragraph (1) may be accompanied by a document certified by a person considered to be appropriate by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry in that their quality control method and organization for inspection at the manufacturing site or business facility subject to the application (hereinafter referred to as a "quality control method and organization for inspection") conform to the standard specified in the Japan Industrial Standards (hereinafter referred to as the "JIS") Z9901 (1994) or JIS Z9902 (1994) under the Industrial Standardization Act (Act No. 185 of 1949), among the technical standards specified in Article 44, paragraph (2).

(5)In the case of inspection conducted by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry or investigation conducted by the Institute or Agency for Investigating Inspection Organizations, etc. in relation to an application for registration, the portion relating to the document referred to in the preceding paragraph may be omitted.

(Manufacturing Equipment for Containers and Accessories)

Article 42The manufacturing equipment for containers, etc. specified by Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as referred to in Article 49-5, paragraph (2), item (iv) of the Act is the equipment that is necessary according to the business category regarding containers, etc., and the technical standards specified by Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as referred to in Article 49-7, item (i) of the Act are that the equipment in question has the capability to manufacture a container subject to self-inspection in an appropriate manner.

(Inspection Equipment for Containers and Accessories)

Article 43The inspection equipment for containers, etc. specified by Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as referred to in Article 49-5, paragraph (2), item (v) of the Act is the equipment that is necessary according to the business category regarding containers, etc., and the technical standards specified by Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as referred to in Article 49-7, item (ii) of the Act is that the equipment in question has the capability to inspect a container subject to self-inspection in an appropriate manner.

(Quality Control Methods and Organization for Inspection)

Article 44(1)The particulars relating to the quality control method and organization for inspection specified by Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as referred to in Article 49-5, paragraph (2), item (vi) of the Act are quality system requirements of JIS Z9901 (1994) which are necessary for ensuring appropriateness of the quality control method and organization for inspection for containers, etc. subject to self-inspection.

(2)The technical standards specified by Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as referred to in Article 49-7, item (iii) of the Act are the standards specified in the quality system requirements of JIS 9901 (1994) and the standards which are necessary for ensuring appropriateness of the quality management method and organization for inspection for containers, etc. subject to self-inspection.

(Qualifications and the Number of Inspectors)

Article 45(1)The qualifications specified by Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as referred to in Article 49-7, item (iv) of the Act are listed in one of the following items:

(i)a person who has a class A mechanical safety management certificate, class B mechanical safety management certificates or class A chemical safety management certificate, or graduated from a university or college of technology under the School Education Act or a university or professional training college under former provisions after completing the prescribed courses of physical science or engineering (including those who completed the courses and the first term of a program at a professional university specified in that Act); and who has at least one year of practical experience in inspecting containers or accessories;

(ii)a person who graduated from a high school under the School Education Act or a technical school under former provisions after completing prescribed courses of engineering, and who has at least two years of practical experience in inspecting containers or accessories; or

(iii)a person who has at least five years of practical experience in inspecting containers or accessories.

(2)The number of inspectors specified by Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as referred to in Article 49-7, item (iv) of the Act is two.

(Application for Investigation by the Institute or an Agency)

Article 46(1)A manufacturer of a container, etc. that intends to undergo an investigation referred to in Article 49-8, paragraph (1) of the Act must submit a written application for investigation using Form 12 to the Institute or an agency for investigating inspection organizations, etc. (hereinafter referred to as "the Institute or an agency").

(2)The format of the document referred to in Article 49-8, paragraph (2) of the Act is as specified in Form 13.

(Renewal of Registration)

Article 47A person that intends to renew the registration referred to in Article 49-9 of the Act must make an application in accordance with Article 41, paragraph (1).

(Registration Certificate)

Article 48The format of the registration certificate referred to in Article 49-11, paragraph (1) of the Act is as specified in Form 14.

(Notification of Changes)

Article 49A person that intends to make a notification of change referred to in Article 49-12 of the Act must submit a written notification of change using Form 15 to the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry.

(Minor Changes)

Article 50The minor changes specified by Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as referred to in Article 49-12 of the Act are listed in the following items:

(i)replacement of manufacturing equipment for containers, etc. subject to the registration with manufacturing equipment with equivalent or higher capabilities; or

(ii)replacement of inspection equipment for containers, etc. subject to the registration with inspection equipment with equivalent or higher capabilities; or

(iii)particulars relating to the quality control method and inspection organization subject to the registration, which are set forth in the following (a) and (b):

(a)change of a person exercising authorities and performing duties in place of a manager referred to in JIS Z9901 (1994), when the manager is absent; or

(b)change of suppliers of materials, parts, etc.

(Notification of Discontinuance of Business)

Article 51A person that intends to make a notification of discontinuance of the registered business pursuant to Article 49-14 of the Act must submit a written notification of discontinuance of business using Form 16 to the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry.

(Reissuance of Registration Certificate)

Article 52A person that intends to obtain reissuance of a registration certificate pursuant to Article 49-15 of the Act must submit a written application for reissuance of a registration certificate using Form 17 to the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry.

(Request for Issuance or Inspection of Certified Copy of Registry)

Article 53A person that intends to make a request for issuance or inspection of a certified copy of the registry pursuant to Article 49-20 of the Act must submit a written request for issuance (inspection) of a certified copy of the registry using Form 18 to the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry.

(Keeping Records by Electronic or Magnetic Means)

Article 53-2(1)The inspection record provided for in Article 49-24, paragraph (2) of the Act may be prepared and kept using electronic or magnetic means (meaning an electronic form, a magnetic form or any other form not recognizable to human perception).

(2)If the inspection record is kept pursuant to the preceding paragraph, it must be immediately made available as may be necessary, using a computer or any other equipment.

(3)If the inspection record is kept pursuant to paragraph (1), the person in question must endeavor to ensure compliance with the standards specified by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry.

(Application of a Foreign Manufacturer of Containers)

Article 54(1)A person that intends to obtain a registration referred to in Article 49-31, paragraph (1) of the Act must submit a written application for registration of a foreign manufacturer using Form 19 together with the documents set forth in Article 41, paragraph (2) to the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry.

(2)If the applicant does not attach the documents referred to in Article 46, paragraph (2) to the written application referred to in the preceding paragraph, the applicant must submit a written application for an inspection using Form 20 to the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry.

(3)A person that intends to undergo an investigation by the Institute or an agency pursuant to Article 49-8, paragraph (1) of the Act as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 49-31, paragraph (2) of the Act must submit a written application for investigation using Form 21 to the Institute or agency.

(4)The provisions of Article 41, paragraphs (4) and (5) apply mutatis mutandis to the application referred to in paragraph (1).

(Notification of Changes Relating to a Registered Foreign Manufacturer of Containers, etc.)

Article 55(1)A registered foreign manufacturer of containers, etc. that intends to make a notification of change pursuant to Article 49-12 of the Act as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 49-31, paragraph (2) of the Act must submit a written notification of change using Form 22 to the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry.

(2)A registered foreign manufacturer of containers, etc. that intends to make a notification of discontinuance of business pursuant to Article 49-14 of the Act as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 49-31, paragraph (2) of the Act must submit a written notification of discontinuance of business using Form 23 to the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry.

(3)A registered foreign manufacturer of containers, etc. that intends to reissue the registration certification pursuant to Article 49-15 of the Act as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 49-31, paragraph (2) of the Act must submit a written application for reissuance of a registration certificate using Form 24 to the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry.

(Application, Mutatis Mutandis)

Article 56The provisions of Article 40, Articles 42 through 45, Article 46, paragraph (2), Article 47, Article 48 and Article 53 apply to the registration referred to in Article 54, paragraph (1); and the provisions of Article 50 and Article 53-2 apply mutatis mutandis to a registered foreign manufacturer of containers, etc.

Section 2 Approval of Container Types

(Application for Approval of Container Types)

Article 57A person that intends to obtain an approval of container types pursuant to Article 49-21, paragraph (1) and Article 49-33, paragraph (1) of the Act for a container specified in those paragraphs must submit a written application for the approval of container types using Form 25 to the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry.

(Containers and Documents Required for Approval of Container Types)

Article 58(1)The quantity of containers specified by Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as referred to in Article 49-21, paragraph (3) of the Act (including as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 49-33, paragraph (2) of the Act; the same applies in the following paragraph and Article 64) is the quantity of containers necessary to ensure compliance with the container standards set forth in Article 7, paragraph (1).

(2)The documents specified by Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as referred to in Article 49-21, paragraph (3) of the Act which are related to an approval of container types are listed in the following items; provided, however, that in the case of a GTR-compliant compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems or compressed hydrogen container for two-wheeled motor vehicle fuel systems, it is not necessary to attach the documents referred to in item (ii) to the written application:

(i)a structure drawing;

(ii)a wall thickness calculation statement; and

(iii)a certificate of materials.

(Certificate for the Approval of Container Types)

Article 59When the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry approves a container type pursuant to Article 49-22 of the Act (including as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 49-33, paragraph (2) of the Act; the same applies in Article 65), the Minister is to issue an certificate for the approval of container types using Form 26.

(Application for Test)

Article 60A person that intends to undergo tests referred to in Article 49-23, paragraph (1) of the Act that are related to containers must submit a written application for a container type approval test using Form 27 to the Institute or a designated container conformity inspection body.

(Container Type Test Compliance Certificate)

Article 61If the relevant container passes the test pursuant to Article 49-23, paragraph (3) of the Act, the Institute or a designated container conformity inspection body must issue a container type test compliance certificate using Form 28.

(Methods of Stamping, etc. by Registered Manufacturers of Containers and Registered Foreign Manufacturers of Containers)

Article 62A person that intends to carry out stamping, etc. pursuant to Article 49-25, paragraph (1) or (2) (including as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 49-33, paragraph (2) of the Act) must do so in accordance with Article 8. In this case, the term "symbol representing the name of an inspection agency" is deemed to be replaced with "approval number for the type of container"; the phrase "container manufacturer (or if a party that has undergone the inspection is not the container manufacturer, the name or symbol representing the container manufacturer and the person that has undergone the inspection)" is deemed to be replaced with "registered container manufacturer"; and the phrase "the container passes a container inspection" is deemed to be replaced with "the container is manufactured".

(Application for Approval for the Type of Accessories)

Article 63A person that intends to obtain an approval for the type of accessories pursuant to Article 49-21, paragraph (1) and Article 49-33, paragraph (1) of the Act for accessories specified in those paragraphs must submit a written application for the approval for the type of accessories using Form 29 to the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry.

(Accessories and Documents Required for Approval for the Type of Accessories)

Article 64(1)The quantity of accessories specified by Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as referred to in Article 49-21, paragraph (3) of the Act is the quantity of accessories necessary to ensure compliance with the accessories standards set forth in Article 17, paragraph (1).

(2)The documents specified by Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as referred to in Article 49-21, paragraph (3) of the Act which are related to the approval for the type of accessories are listed in the following items:

(i)a structure drawing; and

(ii)a certificate of materials.

(Certificate for the Approval for the Type of Accessories)

Article 65If the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry gives approval for the types of accessories pursuant to Article 49-22 of the Act, the minister is to issue a certificate for the approval for the types of accessories using Form 30.

(Application for Tests)

Article 66A person that intends to undergo tests referred to in Article 49-23, paragraph (1) of the Act that are related to accessories must submit a written application for a type of accessories test using Form 31 to the Institute or a designated container conformity inspection body.

(Type of Accessories Test Compliance Certificate)

Article 67If the relevant accessories pass the test pursuant to Article 49-23, paragraph (3) of the Act, the Institute or a designated container conformity inspection body must issue a type of accessories test compliance certificate using Form 32.

(Stamping a Mark by Registered Accessories Manufacturers and Registered Foreign Accessories Manufacturers)

Article 68A person that intends to stamp a mark pursuant to Article 49-25, paragraph (3) of the Act (including as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 49-33, paragraph (2) of the Act) must do so in accordance with Article 18. In this case, the term "the accessories have passed the accessories inspection" is deemed to be replaced with "the accessories have been manufactured"; the phrase "symbol representing the name of an inspection agency" is deemed to be replaced with "approval number for the type of accessory"; the phrase "accessories manufacturer (or if a person that has undergone the inspection is not the accessories manufacturer, the name or symbol representing the accessories manufacturer and the person that has undergone the inspection)" is deemed to be replaced with "registered accessories manufacturer".

Chapter IX Miscellaneous Provisions

(Report of Containers Not Conforming to Standards)

Article 69If the Institute or a designated container conformity inspection body intends to make a report referred to in Article 56, paragraph (2) of the Act, it must submit a report on containers not conforming to standards using Form 33 to the Director of the Regional Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry having jurisdiction over the location of the relevant container (or to the prefectural governor having the jurisdiction over the location of the relevant container, in the case of a container with an internal volume of 500 liters or less (excluding a container to be fixed on a railroad vehicle)).

(Report of Accessories Not Conforming to Standards)

Article 70If the Institute or a designated container conformity inspection body intends to make a report referred to in Article 56, paragraph (2) of the Act as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to paragraph (4) of that Article, it must submit a report on accessories not conforming to standards using Form 34 to the Director of the Regional Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry having jurisdiction over the location of the relevant accessories (or to the prefectural governor having the jurisdiction over the location of the relevant accessories, in the case of accessories to be fitted on a container with an internal volume of 500 liters or less (excluding a container to be fixed on a railroad vehicle)).

(Books)

Article 71(1)The particulars to be entered in books under Article 60, paragraph (1) of the Act are the particulars set forth in the right column of the following appended table in accordance with the categories of the persons set forth in the left column of that appended table.

Categories of parties required to be entered in books	Matters to be entered
Container manufacturer	(i) When stamping, etc. was carried:
	The type approval number (limited to a container with a self inspection mark, etc.), the code and number of the container, the type of gas to be filled, the internal volume, the year, month, and date of manufacture, year/month/date of container inspection (excluding a container with a self inspection mark, etc.), the place and results of container inspection, and the manufacturer of materials
	(ii) When a container is transferred:
	The code and number of the container, the name of transferee, and the year, month ,and date of transfer
Party which has obtained registration of a container re-inspection station	(i) When a reinspection of container was conducted: code and number of the container, the year, month, and date of the re-inspection, and its results
	(ii) When a reinspection of accessories was conducted:
	The code and number of the accessories, the year, month, and date of the accessories reinspection, and its results

(2)A person that obtained a registration of a container manufacturer and container reinspection station pursuant to Article 60, paragraph (1) of the Act must prepare books including the particulars set forth in the preceding paragraph for each unit of containers and accessories, and must keep them for the period set forth in the following items:

(i)for a welded container or other prescribed containers (excluding those set forth in the following item and item (viii)), the period until the day on which one month has passed from the day on which five years passed from the date of entry of the particulars set forth in the preceding paragraph, if the container is less than 20 years old; or the period until the day on which one month has passed from the day on which two years passed from the date of entry of the particulars set forth in that paragraph, if the container is 20 years old or older;

(ii)for a welded container or other prescribed containers with an internal volume of 25 liters or less of which the hydrostatic test pressure does not exceed 3.0 megapascals (excluding a container to be filled with hydrogen cyanide, ammonia or chlorine) and have passed a container inspection specified in Article 44, paragraph (1) of the Act or a radiation inspection specified in Article 36, paragraph (1) on or after July 1955, the period until the day on which one month has passed from the day on which six years passed from the date of entry of the particulars set forth in the preceding paragraph, if the container is less than 20 years old; or the period until the day on which one month has passed from the day on which two years passed from the date of entry of the particulars set forth in the preceding paragraph, if the container is 20 years old or older;

(iii)for a general seamless container, the period until the day on which one month has passed from the day on which five years passed from the date of entry of the particulars set forth in the preceding paragraph;

(iv)for a general FRP composite container, the period until the day on which one month has passed from the day on which three years passed from the date of entry of the particulars set forth in the preceding paragraph;

(v)for a compressed natural gas container for automobile fuel systems, a compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems, a liquefied natural gas container for automobile fuel systems and a compressed hydrogen container for transportation automobiles, the period until the day on which one month has passed from the day on which four years passed from the date of entry of the particulars set forth in the preceding paragraph, if a container is less than four years old; or the period until the day on which one month has passed from the day on which two years passed from the date of entry of the particulars set forth in the preceding paragraph, if a container is older than four years and one month old;

(vi)for a GTR-compliant compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems and a compressed hydrogen container for two-wheeled motor vehicle fuel systems, the period until the day on which one month has passed from the day on which four years and one month passed from the date of entry of the particulars set forth in the preceding paragraph, if a container is less than four years and one month old; or the period until the day on which one month has passed from the day on which two years and three months passed from the date of entry of the particulars set forth in that paragraph, if a container is more than four years and one month old;

(vii)for an aluminum alloy seamless container for scuba diving, the period until the day on which one month has passed from the day on which five years and one month passed from the date of entry of the particulars set forth in the preceding paragraph;

(viii)for a liquefied petroleum gas container for automobile fuel systems to be filled with liquefied petroleum gas when it is fitted on an automobile, the period until the day on which one month has passed from the day on which six years passed from the date of entry of the particulars set forth in the preceding paragraph, if a container is less than 20 years old; or the period until the day on which one month has passed from the day on which two years passed from the date of entry of the particulars set forth in that paragraph, if a container is 20 years old or older;

(ix)for a non-refillable container, the period until the day on which one month has passed from the day on which six years passed from the date of entry of the particulars set forth in the preceding paragraph;

(x)for accessories fitted on a container (excluding those set forth in the following item and item (xii)), the period until the day on which one month has passed from the date of the first container reinspection after two years passed from the date of entry of the particulars set forth in the preceding paragraph (or the first container reinspection after four years and one month passed from the date of entry of the particulars set forth in the preceding paragraph, in the case of an aluminum alloy seamless container for scuba diving);

(xi)for accessories fitted on a container with an internal volume of less than 4,000 liters (limited to a container to be filled with liquefied petroleum gas, but excluding a high-pressure gas container for transportation automobiles or a container fixed on a railroad vehicle), the period until the day on which one month has passed from the date of the first container reinspection after two years passed from the date of entry of the particulars set forth in the preceding paragraph, if the accessories are less than six and a half years old; or the period until the day on which one month has passed from the day on which one year passed from the date of entry of the particulars set forth in the preceding paragraph, if the accessories are more than six and a half years old;

(xii)for accessories fitted on a liquefied petroleum gas container for automobile fuel systems to be filled with liquefied petroleum gas when it is fitted on an automobile, the period until the day on which one month passes from the date of the first container reinspection after two years passed from the date of entry of the particulars set forth in the preceding paragraph, if the accessories are less than seven and a half years old; or the period until the day on which one month has passed from the day on which one year passed from the date of entry of the particulars set forth in that paragraph, if the accessories are more than seven and a half years old;

(xiii)for accessories not fitted on a container, the period until the day on which one month has passed from the day on which two years passed from the date of entry of the particulars set forth in the preceding paragraph.

(3)Notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the period for which a person that has received a registration of a container manufacturer and a container reinspection station must prepare and keep the books including the particulars set forth in paragraph (1) for each unit of containers and accessories are as specified in the following items:

(i)for a liquefied petroleum gas container for automobile fuel systems to be filled with liquefied petroleum gas when it is fitted on an automobile referred to in Article 24, paragraph (2), which has never undergone a container reinspection, the period until the day on which one month has passed from the day on which the period specified in Article 24, paragraph (2) passed from the date of entry of the particulars set forth in paragraph (1);

(ii)if an approval of the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry referred to in Article 24, paragraph (3) is obtained, the period until the day on which one month has passed from the day on which the period approved by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry as specified in Article 24, paragraph (3) passed from the date of entry of the particulars set forth in paragraph (1);

(iii)if an approval of the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry referred to in Article 27, paragraph (2) is obtained, the period until the day on which one month has passed from the day on which the period approved by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry as specified in Article 27, paragraph (2) passed from the date of entry of the particulars set forth in paragraph (1).

(4)Notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding two paragraphs, if a container manufacturer transfers a container, the period for which the container manufacturer must prepare and keep the books including the particulars set forth in paragraph (1) for each unit of containers are as specified in the following items:

(i)for a container other than a non-refillable container, the period until the day on which one month has passed from the date of the first container reinspection date after the date of entry of the particulars set forth in paragraph (1);

(ii)for a non-refillable container, the period from the day on which six years have passed since the date of entry of the particulars set forth in paragraph (1), until the day on which one month have passed.

(Containers and Accessories Standards to Be Fitted on Railway Vehicles)

Article 72(1)Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 7 or Article 26, the standards for inspection or reinspection of a container to be fitted on a railroad vehicle are specified by a public notice of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

(2)Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 17 or Article 29, the standards for inspection or reinspection of accessories to be fitted on a railroad vehicle are specified by a public notice of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

Supplementary Provisions [Extract]

(1)This Ministerial Order comes into effect as of October 1, 1966.

Supplementary Provisions [Order of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry No. 44 of April 22, 1967]

This Ministerial Order comes into effect as of the date of its promulgation.

Supplementary Provisions [Order of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry No. 150 of November 10, 1967] [Extract]

(1)This Ministerial Order comes into effect as of November 15, 1967; provided, however, that the provisions amending Article 40, item (iii) of the Regulation on Safety of Containers come into effect as of January 1, 1968, and the provisions amending Article 43 of the Regulation come into effect as of May 1, 1968.

Supplementary Provisions [Order of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry No. 127 of December 16, 1968] [Extract]

(1)This Ministerial Order comes into effect as of the date of its promulgation; provided, however, that the provisions amending Article 42 of the Regulation on Safety of Containers come into effect as of January 1, 1969.

Supplementary Provisions [Order of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry No. 5 of February 18, 1976]

(1)This Ministerial Order comes into effect as of the enforcement date (February 22, 1976) of the Act Partially Amending the High Pressure Gas Control Act (Act No. 30 of 1975; hereinafter referred to as the "amending Act").

(2)If the mark referred to in Article 45-2, paragraph (1) of the Act is stamped on a container pursuant to Article 49, paragraph (4) of the Act as applied following the replacement of terms pursuant to Article 9, paragraph (1) of the Supplementary Provisions of the amending Act, the part of Article 36-2, item (i) of the amended Regulation on Safety of Containers (hereinafter referred to as the "new Regulation") that relates to the symbol representing the name of the inspection agency does not apply.

(3)The provisions of Article 42, item (iii) of the new Regulation do not apply until January 31, 1978 to a container with an internal volume of 5,000 liters or more which has passed a container inspection under Article 44, paragraph (1) of the Act before the enforcement of this Ministerial Order and which are filled with flammable gas other than liquefied petroleum gas, with toxic gas (excluding chlorine), or with liquefied oxygen gas (excluding a container with an internal volume of 5,000 liters or more to be filled with flammable gas other than liquefied petroleum gas that has a boiling point under atmosphere pressure of 0°C or below which is filled in the container at the temperature of 0°C or below or under the liquefied state wherein the normal operating pressure at the gas phase portion is 1 kg/cm2 or less).

(4)Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 47, item (ii)-2 and item (ii)-3 of the new Regulation, for containers that have passed the container reinspection referred to in Article 44, paragraph (1) of the Act before the enforcement of this Ministerial Order and that fall under the category of a container specified in Article 47, item (ii)-2 and item (ii)-3 of the new Regulation, the first reinspection date of the containers after the enforcement of this Ministerial Order is calculated based on the period of a container reinspection specified in Article 47, item (ii) of the Regulation on Safety of Containers before the amendment.

(5)Prior laws continue to govern the application of the provisions of Article 47, item (ii)-2 of the new Regulation to a double-phased structure container with an internal volume of 50 liters or more and less than 120 liters (limited to a container filled with liquefied petroleum gas) manufactured using the deep drawing method until otherwise provided for by law.

(6)The provisions of Article 52, item (i), sub-item (d) of the new Regulation do not apply until January 31, 1977 to inspection equipment of a container reinspection station of a person that has received a registration of a container reinspection station referred to in Article 49, paragraph (1) of the Act before the enforcement of this Ministerial Order.

Supplementary Provisions [Order of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry No. 36 of August 14, 1978]

This Ministerial Order comes into effect as of the date of its promulgation.

Supplementary Provisions [Order of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry No. 29 of August 1, 1980]

This Ministerial Order comes into effect as of the date of its promulgation.

Supplementary Provisions [Order of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry No. 23 of June 25, 1982]

This Ministerial Order comes into effect as of July 1, 1982.

Supplementary Provisions [Order of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry No. 36 of July 23, 1982]

This Ministerial Order comes into effect as of August 23, 1982.

Supplementary Provisions [Order of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry No. 2 of January 21, 1985]

(Effective Date)

(1)This Ministerial Order comes into effect as of the date of its promulgation; provided, however, that the provisions of Article 34-2, Article 36-2, Article 41 and Article 41-2 of the Regulation on Safety of Containers amended by this Ministerial Order (hereinafter referred to as the "new Regulation") come into effect as of the date on which nine months have passed from the date of its promulgation.

(Transitional Measures)

(2)The provisions of the proviso to Article 47, paragraph (1) of the new Regulation do not apply to a container that has become a specified container provided for in the proviso to Article 47, paragraph (1) of the High Pressure Gas Safety Act before the enforcement of this Ministerial Order, and has never undergone a container reinspection after the enforcement of this Ministerial Order.

Supplementary Provisions [Order of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry No. 11 of March 31, 1986]

This Ministerial Order comes into effect as of the date of its promulgation.

Supplementary Provisions [Order of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry No. 48 of September 30, 1986]

This Ministerial Order comes into effect as of October 1, 1986.

Supplementary Provisions [Order of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry No. 29 of May 11, 1992] [Extract]

(Effective Date)

Article 1This Ministerial Order comes into effect as of May 15, 1992.

(Transitional Measures Relating to the Regulation on Safety of Containers)

Article 5(1)A person that intends to return a container certificate pursuant to Article 5, paragraph (1) of the Supplementary Provisions of the amending Act is to return the certificate in accordance with the methods set forth in the following items, to the Institute in the case of the container certificate issued by the Institute; to the designated container conformity inspection body in the case of the container certificate issued by the designated container conformity inspection body; or to the administrative agency in the case of the container certificate issued by the administrative agency:

(i)in the case of a container which has passed a container reinspection (limited to a container on which the person that implemented the container reinspection is different from the person that issued the container certificate), the container certificate is returned through the person that implemented the container reinspection;

(ii)in the case of a container for which an administrative agency issued a container certificate, and on which stamping, etc. was carried out pursuant to Article 54, paragraph (2) of the High Pressure Gas Safety Act amended by the amending Act (hereinafter referred to as the "new Act") (limited to a container on which the administrative agency that carried out the stamping, etc. is different from the administrative agency that issued the certificate), the container certificate is returned through the administrative agency which carried out the stamping, etc.;

(iii)for other cases, the container certificate is returned directly by the person that has received the container certificate.

(2)If a mark referred to in Article 45, paragraph (1) of the new Act is stamped on a container or a marking plate referred to in paragraph (2) of tat Article is attached to a container pursuant to Article 49, paragraph (3) or (4) of the new Act as applied following the replacement of terms pursuant to Article 2, paragraph (1) of the Supplementary Provisions of the Cabinet Order Partially Amending the Order for Enforcement of the High Pressure Gas Control Act (Cabinet Order No. 170 of 1992), the part of Article 36-2, paragraph (1), item (i) of the amended Regulation on Safety of Containers that relates to the symbol representing the name of the inspection agency does not apply.

(3)A mark stamped on a container at the time of enforcement of this Ministerial Order pursuant to the proviso of Article 36-2, paragraph (1) of the Regulation on Safety of Containers before the amendment is deemed to be a marking plate attached to it pursuant to Article 36-2, paragraph (3) of the amended Regulation on Safety of Containers.

Supplementary Provisions [Order of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry No. 58 of July 27, 1994]

This Ministerial Order comes into effect as of the date of its promulgation; provided, however, that prior laws may continue to govern the application of the amended provisions of the Regulation for Enforcement of the Explosives Control Act, the Regulation on Safety of Containers, the Regulation on Safety of Refrigeration, the Regulation on Safety of Liquefied Petroleum Gas, the Regulation on Safety of General High Pressure Gas, the Regulation on High Pressure Gas Safety Manager, the Regulation on Safety of Industrial Complexes and the Regulation for Enforcement of the Act on the Securing of Safety and the Optimization of Transaction of Liquefied Petroleum Gas until March 31, 1995.

Supplementary Provisions [Order of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry No. 20 of March 21, 1997]

(Effective Date)

Article 1This Ministerial Order comes into effect as of April 1, 1997.

(Transitional Measures)

Article 2Notwithstanding the provisions of Articles 7 and 26, if the Minister of International Trade and Industry decided that the standards of a fiber-reinforced plastic composite container would pose no safety risk before the enforcement of this Ministerial Order pursuant to Article 6, paragraph (2), Article 11, paragraph (1), Article 36-2, paragraph (4), Article 40, paragraph (4), Article 47, paragraph (2), Article 48, paragraph (2) and Article 56-2, paragraph (3) of the Regulation on Safety of Containers before amendment by this Ministerial Order (hereinafter referred to as the "former Regulation"), and that fiber-reinforced plastic composite container is to undergo a container inspection referred to in Article 44, paragraph (1) of the Act or a container reinspection referred to in Article 49 of the Act on or after the date of enforcement of this Ministerial Order, the standards of containers in that container inspection or container resinpection for each type of high pressure gas and degree of pressure specified by Order of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry as referred to in Article 44, paragraph (4) of the Act, and the standards in that container inspection or container resinpection for each type of high pressure gas and degree of pressure specified by Order of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry as referred to in Article 49, paragraph (2) of the Act may continue to be governed by prior laws and may be the standards that the Minister of International Trade and Industry determined would pose no safety risk.

Article 3For a container belonging to the same type of container which has undergone and passed the container inspection referred to in Article 44, paragraph (1) of the Act before the enforcement of this Ministerial Order (limited to a general FRP composite container), the phrase "design verification test and batch test" in Article 7, paragraph (1), item (i), (b) of the Regulation on Safety of Containers amended by this Ministerial Order (hereinafter referred to as the "new Regulation") may be deemed to be replaced with "batch test".

Article 4(1)For a container belonging to the same type of seamless compressed natural gas container for automobile fuel systems (limited to those that have undergone and passed the container inspection referred to in Article 44, paragraph (1) of the Act before the enforcement of this Ministerial Order) and composite compressed natural gas container for automobile fuel systems (limited to those for which the Minister of International Trade and Industry determined would pose no safety risk, before the enforcement of this Ministerial Order pursuant to Article 6, paragraph (2), Article 11, paragraph (1), Article 36-2, paragraph (4), Article 40, paragraph (4), Article 47, paragraph (2), Article 48, paragraph (2) and Article 56-2, paragraph (3) of the Former Regulation) (hereinafter referred to as a "designated container"), the term "design verification test and batch test" in Article 7, paragraph (1), item (i), (b) of the new Regulation may be deemed to be replaced with "batch test", from the date of enforcement of this Ministerial Order until March 31, 1998.

(2)In the case prescribed in the preceding paragraph, if the type of the designated container has undergone and passed a design verification test within the period from the date of enforcement of this Ministerial Order to March 31, 1998, the designated container which has undergone and passed the container inspection referred to in Article 44, paragraph (1) of the Act pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph within the period from the date of enforcement of this Ministerial Order to the date on which the type of the designated container has undergone and passed the design verification test is deemed to have passed the design verification test.

(3)Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 2, items (xi) and (xii) of the new Regulation, in the case referred to in paragraph (1), for the purpose of application of the provisions of Articles 24 through 26 and Article 37 of the new Regulation, if the type of the designated container has not undergone or passed a design verification test within the period from the date of enforcement of this Ministerial Order to March 31, 1998, and the designated container has undergone and passed the container inspection referred to in Article 44, paragraph (1) of the Act pursuant to paragraph (1) within the period from the date of enforcement of this Ministerial Order to March 31, 1998, the designated container which constitutes a seamless container is deemed to be a general seamless container, and the designated container which constitutes a fiber-reinforced plastic composite container is deemed to be a general FRP composite container.

Article 5Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 8 of the new Regulation, a person that intends to carry out stamping, etc. pursuant to Article 45, paragraphs (1) and (2) of the Act may do so in accordance with prior laws until September 30, 1997.

Article 6Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 8, paragraphs (1), (3) and (4) of the new Regulation, stamping, etc. already carried out on a container pursuant to Article 36-2, paragraphs (1), (3) and (4) of the former Regulation at the time of the enforcement of this Ministerial Order is deemed to be stamping, etc. carried out pursuant to Article 45, paragraphs (1) and (2) of the Act.

Article 7The provisions of Article 10, paragraph (3) of the new Regulation may be exempted from application for the period from the date of enforcement of this Ministerial Order until March 31, 1998 to a container which has been already labeled pursuant to the provisions of Article 40, paragraph (3) of the former Regulation at the time of the enforcement of this Ministerial Order.

Article 8(1)For the type of accessories to be fitted on a compressed natural gas container for automobile fuel systems (limited to the accessories which have undergone and passed the accessories inspection referred to in Article 49-2, paragraph (1) of the Act before the enforcement of this Ministerial Order), the phrase "design verification test and batch test" in Article 17, paragraph (1) of the new Regulation may be deemed to be replaced with "batch test" for the period from the date of enforcement of this Ministerial Order to September 30, 1998.

(2)In the case prescribed in the preceding paragraph, if the type of the accessories has undergone and passed a design verification test within the period from the date of enforcement of this Ministerial Order to September 30, 1997, the accessories which have undergone and passed the accessories inspection referred to in Article 49-2, paragraph (1) of the Act pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph within the period from the date of enforcement of this Ministerial Order to the date on which the type of the accessories has undergone and passed the design verification test are deemed to have passed the design verification test.

(3)In the case referred to in paragraph (1), for the purpose of application of the provisions of Articles 27 through 29 and Article 38 of the new Regulation, if the type of the accessories has not undergone or passed a design verification test within the period from the date of enforcement of this Ministerial Order to September 30, 1997, the accessories which have undergone and passed the accessories inspection referred to in Article 49-2, paragraph (1) of the Act within the period from the date of enforcement of this Ministerial Order to September 30, 1997 pursuant to paragraph (1) are deemed to be accessories not fitted on a compressed natural gas container for automobile fuel systems.

Article 9Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 18 of the new Regulation, a person that intends to stamp a mark pursuant to Article 49-3, paragraph (1) of the Act continue to do so in accordance with prior laws until September 30, 1997.

Article 10Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 18 of the new Regulation, a mark already stamped on accessories pursuant to Article 41-11 of the former Regulation at the time of the enforcement of this Ministerial Order is deemed to be a mark stamped pursuant to Article 49-3, paragraphs (1) of the Act.

Article 11The provisions of Article 19, items (ii) through (v) of the new Regulation do not apply to a container with an internal volume of 4,000 liters or more but less than 5,000 liters which has undergone and passed the container inspection referred to in Article 44, paragraph (1) of the Act at the time of the enforcement of this Ministerial Order.

Article 12For the purpose of application of the provisions set forth in the middle column of the appended table, a container or accessories which already have passed the container inspection referred to in Article 44, paragraph (1) of the Act or the accessories inspection referred to in Article 49, paragraph (1) of the Act at the time of the enforcement of this Ministerial Order which are set forth in the left column of the following appended table are deemed to be containers or accessories set forth in the right column of the appended table.

Container or accessories	Provisions	Container or accessories
Seamless compressed natural gas container for automobile fuel systems	Articles 24 through 26 and Article 37 of the new Regulation	Seamless container
Accessories actually fitted on compressed natural gas container for automobile fuel systems	Articles 27 through 29 and Article 38 of the new Regulation	Accessories not fitted on compressed natural gas container for automobile fuel systems

Article 13Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 33, item (i) of the new Regulation, prior laws may continue to govern the inspection equipment of a person that has obtained a registration of a container inspection station referred to in Article 49, paragraph (1) of the Act at the time of the enforcement of this Ministerial Order, and reinspects a general seamless container, welded container, brazed container or general FRP composite container, from the date of enforcement of this Ministerial Order until March 31, 1997.

Article 14Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 37 of the new Regulation, stamping, etc. already carried out on a container pursuant to Article 56-2 of the former Regulation at the time of the enforcement of this Ministerial Order is deemed to be stamping, etc. carried out pursuant to Article 49, paragraphs (3) and (4) of the Act.

Article 15Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 38 of the new Regulation, a mark already stamped on accessories pursuant to Article 56-3 of the former Regulation at the time of the enforcement of this Ministerial Order is deemed to be a mark stamped pursuant to Article 49-4, paragraph (3) of the Act.

Supplementary Provisions [Order of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry No. 39 of March 27, 1997]

This Ministerial Order comes into effect as of the day of its promulgation; provided, however, that the provisions of Articles 7 through 10 and Articles 12 to 15 come into effect as of April 2, 1997.

Supplementary Provisions [Order of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry No. 107 of September 24, 1997]

This Ministerial Order comes into effect as of the date of its promulgation; provided, however, that the provisions amending Article 24, paragraph (2) come into effect as of the day on which six months have passed from the date of its promulgation.

Supplementary Provisions [Order of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry No. 125 of December 26, 1997]

Article 1This Ministerial Order comes into effect as of April 1, 1998.

Article 2Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 24, paragraph (1) of the Regulation on Safety of Containers amended by this Ministerial Order (hereinafter referred to as the "new Regulation" in the following Article), prior laws continue to govern the period of the container reinspection for a container which passed the container inspection referred to in Article 44, paragraph (1) of the Act on or before March 31, 1989.

Article 3Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 24, paragraph (1), items (i) through (v) of the new Regulation, for containers that have passed the container reinspection referred to in Article 44, paragraph (1) of the Act before the enforcement of this Ministerial Order (excluding a container specified in the preceding Article) which fall under the category of a container specified in Article 24, paragraph (1), items (i) through (v) of the new Regulation, the first reinspection date of the containers after the enforcement of this Ministerial Order is calculated based on the container reinspection period specified in each item of Article 24, paragraph (1) of the Regulation on Safety of Containers before the amendment by this Ministerial Order.

Supplementary Provisions [Order of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry No. 28 of March 27, 1998]

This Ministerial Order comes into effect as of April 1, 1998.

Supplementary Provisions [Order of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry No. 37 of March 31, 1999] [Extract]

(Effective Date)

Article 1This Ministerial Order comes into effect as of April 1, 1999.

(Transitional Measures for Partial Amendment to the Regulation on Safety of Containers)

Article 2Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 24, paragraph (1), Article 26, paragraph (4) and Article 29 of the Regulation on Safety of Containers amended by this Ministerial Order, prior laws may continue to govern a liquefied natural gas container for automobile fuel systems which has undergone and passed a container inspection under Article 44 of the Act before the enforcement of this Ministerial Order.

(Continuous Effect of Procedures)

Article 5Beyond what is provided for in Articles 2 to the preceding Article of the Supplementary Provisions, any proceedings and other acts carried out pursuant to the provisions of the respective Ministerial Orders before amendment by this Ministerial Order are deemed to have been carried out pursuant to the relevant provisions of the respective Ministerial Orders amended by this Ministerial Order.

Supplementary Provisions [Order of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry No. 87 of September 30, 1999] [Extract]

(Effective Date)

Article 1This Ministerial Order comes into effect as of October 1, 1999.

(Transitional Measures)

Article 2The provisions of Article 8, paragraph (1), items (ii) through (iv) of the amended Regulation on Safety of Liquefied Petroleum Gas do not apply to and prior laws continue to govern manufacturing facilities permitted pursuant to Article 5, paragraph (1) of the High Pressure Gas Safety Act (Act No. 204 of 1951) at the time of the enforcement of this Ministerial Order (excluding a dispenser provided for in Article 8, paragraph (1), item (iii) of the amended Regulation on Safety of Liquefied Petroleum Gas).

Article 3Prior laws continue to govern specific equipment already being manufactured at the time of the enforcement of this Ministerial Order.

Supplementary Provisions [Order of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry No. 104 of November 29, 1999]

This Ministerial Order comes into effect as of the date of its promulgation.

Supplementary Provisions [Order of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry No. 23 of March 1, 2000]

This Ministerial Order comes into effect as of the date of its promulgation.

Supplementary Provisions [Order of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry No. 130 of June 30, 2000]

This Ministerial Order comes into effect as of July 1, 2000.

Supplementary Provisions [Order of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry No. 300 of October 31, 2000]

This Ministerial Order comes into effect as of January 6, 2001.

Supplementary Provisions [Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry No. 126 of March 30, 2001]

This Ministerial Order comes into effect as of the date of its promulgation.

Supplementary Provisions [Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry No. 84 of June 10, 2002]

(Effective Date)

Article 1This Ministerial Order comes into effect as of the date of its promulgation.

(Transitional Measures)

Article 2Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 8, paragraph (1) or Article 37, paragraph (1) of the Regulation on Safety of Containers amended by this Ministerial Order (hereinafter referred to as the "new Regulation"), a mark already stamped on an aluminum alloy seamless container for scuba diving pursuant to Article 8, paragraph (1) or Article 37, paragraph (1) of the Regulation on Safety of Containers before the amendment by this Ministerial Order at the time of the enforcement of this Ministerial Order is deemed to be a mark stamped pursuant to Article 45, paragraph (1) or Article 49, paragraph (3) of the Act until September 30, 2002 (or if one year and one month has not passed from the last day of the month preceding the month in which the container passed the inspection or reinspection, until the day on which one year and one month pass from that last day), if a label clearly indicating the fact of the relevant stamping (Code: SCUBA) appears on the exterior surface of the container.

Article 3Prior laws continue to govern an aluminum alloy seamless container for scuba diving which passed the container inspection referred to in Article 44, paragraph (1) of the Act on or before March 31, 1989. In this case, the phrase "four years and one month" in Article 26, paragraph (1) and Article 27, paragraph (1), item (i) of the new Regulation is deemed to be replaced with "two years and one month".

Article 4A person that has obtained a registration of a container reinspection station under Article 49, paragraph (1) of the Act at the time of the enforcement of this Ministerial Order, and has already conducted reinspection of an aluminum alloy seamless container for scuba diving may continue to conduct the reinspection of that container until five years have not passed from the date of issuance of the registration certificate for a container reinspection station, or until December 9, 2002, whichever comes first.

Supplementary Provisions [Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry No. 34 of March 24, 2004]

This Ministerial Order comes into effect as of March 31, 2004.

Supplementary Provisions [Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry No. 14 of March 4, 2005]

This Ministerial Order comes into effect as of the date on which the Real Property Registration Act comes into effect (March 7, 2005).

Supplementary Provisions [Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry No. 21 of March 11, 2005]

This Ministerial Order comes into effect as of April 1, 2005.

Supplementary Provisions [Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry No. 39 of March 30, 2005] [Extract]

(Effective Date)

Article 1This Ministerial Order comes into effect as of March 31, 2005.

(Transitional Measures)

Article 4Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 8, paragraph (1) of the Regulation on Safety of Containers amended by this Ministerial Order, stamping, etc. already carried out on an ultra-low-temperature container pursuant to Article 8, paragraph (1) or (2) of the Regulation on Safety of Containers before the amendment by this Ministerial Order at the time of the enforcement of this Ministerial Order is deemed to be stamping, etc. carried out pursuant to Article 45, paragraph (1) of the Act until the day of the first container reinspection which the relevant container is to undergo after the enforcement of this Ministerial Order.

Supplementary Provisions [Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry No. 82 of December 1, 2008]

This Ministerial Order comes into effect as of the date on which the Act on General Incorporated Associations and General Incorporated Foundations comes into effect (December 1, 2008).

Supplementary Provisions [Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry No. 12 of March 19, 2010]

(Effective Date)

Article 1This Ministerial Order comes into effect as of March 31, 2010.

(Transitional Measures)

Article 2Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 8, paragraph (1), item (iv)-4 of the Regulation on Safety of Containers amended by this Ministerial Order, stamping, etc. already carried out on a liquefied natural gas container for automobile fuel systems at the time of the enforcement of this Ministerial Order pursuant to Article 8, paragraph (1), item (iii) of the Regulation on Safety of Containers before the amendment is deemed to be stamping, etc. carried out pursuant to Article 45, paragraphs (1) or (2) of the Act.

Article 3The provisions of Article 71, paragraph (2) of the amended Regulation on Safety of Containers apply to the keeping of books that are required to be kept pursuant to Article 60, paragraph (1) of the Act at the time of the enforcement of this Ministerial Order.

Supplementary Provisions [Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry No. 49 of August 16, 2010] [Extract]

(Effective Date)

Article 1This Ministerial Order comes into effect as of September 16, 2010.

(Transitional Measures)

Article 2Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 8, paragraph (1) or Article 37, paragraph (1) of the Regulation on Safety of Containers, a mark already stamped pursuant to Article 8, paragraph (1) or Article 37, paragraph (1) of the Regulation on Safety of Containers at the time of the enforcement of this Ministerial Order on an aluminum alloy seamless container for scuba diving filled with the gas specified in Article 39, paragraph (1), item (iv) of the Regulation on Safety of General High Pressure Gas amended by this Ministerial Order is deemed to be a mark stamped pursuant to Article 45, paragraph (1) or Article 49, paragraph (3) of the Act until December 31, 2010 (or if one year and one month have not passed from the last day of the month preceding the month in which the container passed the inspection or reinspection by that December 31, until the day on which one year and one month pass from that last day), if a label clearly indicating the fact of the relevant stamping (Code: SCUBA) appears on the exterior surface of the container.

Article 3Prior laws continue to govern an application of designation pursuant to Article 14, Article 23-2, Article 25, Article 36, Article 47, Article 57 and Article 66-3 of the Ministerial Order on Designated Test Institutes under the High Pressure Gas Safety Act before amendment by this Ministerial Order, which was filed before the enforcement of this Ministerial Order.

Supplementary Provisions [Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry No. 18 of March 28, 2012]

This Ministerial Order comes into effect as of the date of its promulgation.

Supplementary Provisions [Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry No. 23 of May 13, 2013]

This Ministerial Order comes into effect as of the date of its promulgation.

Supplementary Provisions [Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry No. 18 of March 31, 2014]

This Ministerial Order comes into effect as of the date of its promulgation.

Supplementary Provisions [Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry No. 30 of May 30, 2014]

This Ministerial Order comes into effect as of the date of its promulgation.

Supplementary Provisions [Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry No. 8 of February 24, 2015]

This Ministerial Order comes into effect as of the date of its promulgation.

Supplementary Provisions [Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry No. 82 of June 30, 2016] [Extract]

(Effective Date)

Article 1This Ministerial Order comes into effect as of June 30, 2016.

(Partial Amendment to the Regulation on Safety of Containers)

Article 2A part of the Regulation on Safety of Containers (Order of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry No. 50 of 1966) is amended as follows:

In Article 1, the phrase "hereinafter referred to as the 'Order'" is deleted, and the phrase "excluding containers to which the Regulation on Safety of Containers Relating to International Reciprocal Recognition (Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry No. 82 of 2016) applies" is added.

In Article 2, the term "item (xxviii)" is replaced with "item (xxviii)-2".

In Article 11, the term "paragraph (4)" is replaced with "paragraph (5)".

In Article 38 paragraph (2), after the phrase "Notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding paragraph", the phrase "for accessories which conform to the provisions of Article 10 of the Civil Aeronautics Act, the standards specified in Article 14-2, paragraph (10) of the Regulation for Enforcement of the Civil Aeronautics Act" is added; and the phrase "a mark may be stamped in accordance with the approved method" is replaced with "the approved standard may be applied as stamping a mark referred to in Article 49-4, paragraph (3) of the Act".

In Article 70, after the term "Director of the Regional Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry having jurisdiction over the location of the relevant accessories", the phrase "(or to the prefectural governor having the jurisdiction over the location of the relevant accessories, in case of accessories fitted on a container with an internal volume of 500 liters or less (excluding a container to be fixed on a railroad vehicle)" is added.

(Partial Amendment to the Regulation on Safety of General High Pressure Gas)

Article 3A part of the Regulation on Safety of General High Pressure Gas (Order of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry No. 53 of 1966) is amended as follows:

In Article 6, paragraph (2), item (ii), sub-item (j), the phrase "a liquefied natural gas container for automobile fuel systems or a compressed hydrogen container for transportation automobiles specified in item (xvii)-2 of that Article" is replaced with the phrase "a liquefied natural gas container for automobile fuel systems, a compressed hydrogen container for transportation automobiles specified in item (xvii)-2 of that Article or a compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems under the International Reciprocal Recognition Agreement specified in Article 2, item (iii) of the Regulation on Safety of Containers Relating to International Reciprocal Recognition (Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry No. 82 of 2016)"; the phrase "in the case of a GTR-compliant compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems specified in item (xiii)-3 of that Article (hereinafter referred to as a "GTR-compliant compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems"), the year and month of a container inspection" is deleted; the term "item (xiii) of that Article" is replaced with "Article 2, item (xii) of the Regulation on Safety of Containers"; and after the phrase "the year, month and date of the fillable period has passed", the phrase "; the year and month of the fillable period under Article 8, paragraph (1), item (x) of that Order has passed, in the case of a GTR-compliant compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems specified in Article 2, item (xiii)-3 of that Order (hereinafter referred to as a "GTR-compliant compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems"); or the month in which a 15-year passes from the month preceding the month of manufacturing of the container (meaning the month of passing a hydrostatic test performed in the course of manufacturing process thereof) has passed, in the case of a compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems under the International Reciprocal Recognition Agreement specified in Article 2, item (iii) of the Regulation on Safety of Containers Relating to International Reciprocal Recognition (hereinafter referred to as a "compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems under the International Reciprocal Recognition Agreement")" is added.

In Article 18, item (ii), sub-item (f), the phrase "(in the case of a GTR-compliant compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems, the year and month of a container inspection)" is deleted; and after the phrase "the year, month and date of the fillable period has passed", the phrase "; the year and month of the fillable period under that item has passed, in the case of a GTR-compliant compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems; or the month in which a 15-year passes from the month preceding the month of manufacturing of the container (meaning the month of passing a hydrostatic test performed in the course of manufacturing process thereof) has passed, in the case of a compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems under the International Reciprocal Recognition Agreement" is added.

In Article 46, paragraph (2), item (iv) is renumbered as item (v), and the following item is added after item (iii):

(iv)in the case of importing high pressure gas filled in a compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems under the International Reciprocal Recognition Agreement;

In Article 49, paragraph (1), item (iii), the phrase "(in the case of a GTR-compliant compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems, the year and month of a container inspection)" is deleted; and after the phrase "the year, month and date of the fillable period has passed", the phrase "; the year and month of the fillable period under that item has passed, in the case of a GTR-compliant compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems; or the month in which a 15-year passes from the month preceding the month of manufacturing of the container (meaning the month of passing a hydrostatic test performed in the course of manufacturing process thereof) has passed, in the case of a compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems under the International Reciprocal Recognition Agreement" is added.

In Article 50, item (iii), the phrase "(in the case of a GTR-compliant compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems, the year and month of a container inspection)" is deleted; and after the phrase "the year, month and date of the fillable period has passed", the phrase "; the year and month of the fillable period under that item has passed, in the case of a GTR-compliant compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems; or the month in which a 15-year passes from the month preceding the month of manufacturing of the container (meaning the month of passing a hydrostatic test performed in the course of manufacturing process thereof) has passed, in the case of a compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems under the International Reciprocal Recognition Agreement" is added.

(Partial Amendment to the Regulation on Safety of Industrial Complexes)

Article 4A part of the Regulation on Safety of Industrial Complexes (Order of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry No. 88 of 1986) is amended as follows:

In Article 5, paragraph (2), item (ii), sub-item (k), the phrase "a liquefied natural gas container for automobile fuel systems or a compressed hydrogen container for transportation automobiles specified in item (xvii)-2 of that Article" is replaced with the phrase "a liquefied natural gas container for automobile fuel systems, a compressed hydrogen container for transportation automobiles specified in item (xvii)-2 of that Article or a compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems under the International Reciprocal Recognition Agreement specified in Article 2, item (iii) of the Regulation on Safety of Containers Relating to International Reciprocal Recognition (Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry No. 82 of 2016)"; the phrase "(in the case of a GTR-compliant compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems specified in item (xiii)-3 of that Article, the year and month of a container inspection)" is deleted; the term "item (xii) of that Article" is replaced with "Article 2, item (xii) of the Regulation on Safety of Containers"; and after the phrase "the year, month and date of the fillable period has passed", the phrase "; the year and month of the fillable period under Article 8, paragraph (1), item (x) of that Order has passed, in the case of a GTR-compliant compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems specified in Article 2, item (xiii)-3 of that Order; or the month in which a 15-year passes from the month preceding the month of manufacturing of the container (meaning the month of passing a hydrostatic test performed in the course of manufacturing process thereof) has passed, in the case of a compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems under the International Reciprocal Recognition Agreement specified in Article 2, item (iii) of the Regulation on Safety of Containers Relating to International Reciprocal Recognition" is added.

(Partial Amendment to the Regulation on Inspection of Specific Equipment)

Article 5A part of the Regulation on Inspection of Specific Equipment (Order of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry No. 4 of 1976) is amended as follows:

In Article 3, item (ix) is renumbered as item (x), the following item is added after item (i), and items (ii) through (viii) are renumbered accordingly.

(ii)a container to which the Regulation on Safety of Containers Relating to International Reciprocal Recognition (Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry No. 82 of 2016) applies;

Article 6A part of the Ministerial Order on Designated Testing Institutes under High Pressure Gas Safety Act (Order of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry No. 23 of 1997) is amended as follows:

The items of Article 35, paragraph (1) are amended as follows:

(i)a general seamless container;

(ii)a seamless compressed natural gas container for automobile fuel systems;

(iii)a welded container with an internal volume of less than 4,000 liters;

(iv)an ultra-low temperature container with an internal volume of less than 4,000 liters;

(v)a welded container or ultra-low temperature container with an internal volume of 4,000 liters or more;

(vi)a brazed container;

(vii)a general FRP composite container;

(viii)a general FRP composite container for liquefied petroleum gas;

(ix)a composite compressed natural gas container for automobile fuel systems;

(x)a compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems;

(xi)a GTR-compliant compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems;

(xii)a compressed hydrogen container for automobile fuel systems under the International Reciprocal Recognition Agreement;

(xiii)a compressed hydrogen container for transportation automobiles;

(xiv)a non-refillable container; and

(xv)accessories.

In Article 66-11, paragraph (1), item (v), after the phrase "a document referred to in Article 46, paragraph (2) of the Regulation on Safety of Containers", the phrase "a document referred to in Article 36, paragraph (2) of the Regulation on Safety of Containers Relating to International Reciprocal Recognition (Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry No. 82 of 2016)" is added.

In Article 67, paragraph (8), item (v), after the phrase "a document referred to in Article 46, paragraph (2) of the Regulation on Safety of Containers", the phrase "a document referred to in Article 36, paragraph (2) of the Regulation on Safety of Containers Relating to International Reciprocal Recognition" is added.

Supplementary Provisions [Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry No. 105 of November 1, 2016] [Extract]

(Effective Date)

Article 1This Ministerial Order comes into effect as of the date of its promulgation.

(Transitional Measures)

Article 2(1)Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 7, paragraphs (1) and (2), Article 8, Article 25 and Article 43, paragraph (2) of the Regulation on Safety of Refrigeration after the revision by this Ministerial Order (hereinafter referred to as the "Revised Refrigeration Regulation"), prior laws continue to govern a person who has obtained permission under Article 5, paragraph (1) or Article 14, paragraph (1) of the High Pressure Gas Safety Act (Act No. 204 of 1951; hereinafter referred to as the "Act") or a person who has filed an application for the permission (limited to the case of installing equipment for sites for manufacturing high pressure gases by compressing or liquefying specific inactive gases for refrigeration (hereinafter referred to as a "manufacturing site")) at the time of the enforcement of this Ministerial Order.

(2)Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 12, paragraphs (1) and (2) and Article 13 of the amended Refrigeration Regulation, prior laws continue to govern a person that has submitted a notification under Article 5, paragraph (2) or Article 14, paragraph (4) of the Act (limited to the person installing equipment for a manufacturing site of high pressure gases by compressing or liquefying specific inactive gases for refrigeration) at the time of the enforcement of this Ministerial Order.

(3)Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 15 of the amended Refrigeration Regulation, prior laws continue to govern a person manufacturing high pressure gases pursuant to Article 13 of the Act (limited to a person installing equipment for a manufacturing site of high pressure gases by compressing or liquefying specific inactive gases for refrigeration) at the time of the enforcement of this Ministerial Order.

Article 3(1)Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 6, paragraphs (1) and (2), Article 8, paragraphs (1) and (2), Article 35, paragraph (1) and Article 82, paragraph (2) of the Regulation on Safety of General High Pressure Gas amended by this Ministerial Order (hereinafter referred to as the "amended Regulation"), , prior laws may continue to govern a person that has obtained permission under Article 5, paragraph (1) or Article 14, paragraph (1) of the Act or a person that has filed an application for the permission at the time of the enforcement of this Ministerial Order (limited to a person installing equipment for a manufacturing site of gases other than toxic gases provided for in Article 2, paragraph (1), item (ii) of the Regulation on Safety of General High Pressure Gas before the amendment by this Ministerial Order that are toxic gases provided for in Article 2, paragraph (1), item (ii) of the amended Regulation, or of toxic gases provided for in Article 2, paragraph (1), item (ii) of the Regulation on Safety of General High Pressure Gas before the amendment by this Ministerial Order that are gases other than the toxic gases provided for in Article 2, paragraph (1), item (ii) of the amended Regulation (hereinafter referred to as "specified toxic gases provided for in the amended Regulation")) for one year from the enforcement of this Ministerial Order.

(2)Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 11 and Article 12, paragraphs (1) and (2) of the amended Regulation, prior laws may continue to govern a person that has submitted a notification referred to in Article 5, paragraph (2) or Article 14, paragraph (4) of the Act at the time of the enforcement of this Ministerial Order (limited to a person installing specified toxic gas manufacturing facilities provided for by the amended Regulation) for one year from the enforcement of this Ministerial Order.

(3)Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 18 of the amended Regulation, prior laws may continue to govern a person that stores specified toxic gases provided for by the amended Regulation at the time of the enforcement of this Ministerial Order (excluding a person that obtained permission referred to in Article 5, paragraph (1) of the Act and stores specified toxic gases provided for by the amended Regulation in accordance with the permission) for one year from the enforcement of this Ministerial Order.

(4)Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 22, Article 23, paragraph (1) and Article 35, paragraph (2) of the amended Regulation, prior laws may continue to govern storage sites for which permission under Article 16, paragraph (1) or Article 19, paragraph (1) of the Act is obtained or applied at the time of the enforcement of this Ministerial Order (limited to sites for storing specified toxic gases provided for by the amended Regulation) for one year from the enforcement of this Ministerial Order.

(5)Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 26 of the amended Regulation, prior laws may continue to govern storage sites for which notification referred to in Article 17-2, paragraph (1) or Article 19, paragraph (4) of the Act is submitted at the time of the enforcement of this Ministerial Order (limited to sites for storing specified toxic gases provided for by the amended Regulation) for one year from the enforcement of this Ministerial Order.

(6)Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 49, paragraph (1) and Article 50 of the amended Regulation, prior laws may continue to govern a person that transports specified toxic gases provided for by the amended Regulation at the time of the enforcement of this Ministerial Order for one year from the enforcement of this Ministerial Order.

(7)Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 60 of the amended Regulation, prior laws may continue to govern a person consuming specified toxic gases provided for by the amended Regulation at the time of the enforcement of this Ministerial Order for one year from the enforcement of this Ministerial Order.

(8)Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 62 of the amended Regulation, prior laws may continue to govern a person disposing specified toxic gases provided for by the amended Regulation at the time of the enforcement of this Ministerial Order for one year from the enforcement of this Ministerial Order.

Article 4Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 5, paragraphs (1) and (2), Article 10, Article 11, Article 19 and Article 37, paragraph (2) of the Regulation on Safety of Industrial Complexes amended by this Ministerial Order (hereinafter referred to as the "amended Regulation on Industrial Complexes"), prior laws may continue to govern a person that has obtained permission referred to in Article 5, paragraph (1) or Article 14, paragraph (1) of the Act or a person that has filed an application for the permission at the time of the enforcement of this Ministerial Order (limited to a person installing equipment for manufacturing site of gases other than toxic gases provided for in Article 2, paragraph (1), item (ii) of the Regulation on Safety of Industrial Complexes before the amendment by this Ministerial Order that are toxic gases provided for in Article 2, paragraph (1), item (ii) of the amended Regulation on Industrial Complexes, or of toxic gases provided for in Article 2, paragraph (1), item (ii) of the Regulation on Safety of General High Pressure Gas before the amendment by this Ministerial Order that are gases other than toxic gases provided for in Article 2, paragraph (1), item (ii) of the amended Regulation on Industrial Complexes) for one year from the enforcement of this Ministerial Order.

Article 5(1)Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 6, paragraph (1), Article 8, paragraph (1), Article 35, paragraph (1) and Article 82, paragraph (2) of the amended Regulation, prior laws may continue to govern a person that has obtained permission referred to in Article 5, paragraph (1) or Article 14, paragraph (1) of the Act or a person that has filed an application for the permission at the time of the enforcement of this Ministerial Order (limited to a person installing equipment for a manufacturing site of specific inactive gases provided for in Article 2, paragraph (1), item (iv)-2 of the amended Regulation; hereinafter simply referred to as "specific inactive gases provided for by the amended Regulation").

(2)Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 6, paragraph (2) and Article 8, paragraph (2) of the amended Regulation, prior laws may continue to govern a person that has obtained permission referred to in Article 5, paragraph (1) or Article 14, paragraph (1) of the Act or a person that has filed an application for the permission at the time of the enforcement of this Ministerial Order (limited to a person installing equipment for a manufacturing site of specific inactive gases provided for by the amended Regulation) for one year from the enforcement of this Ministerial Order.

(3)Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 11 (limited to the part based on Article 12, paragraph (1) of the Act) and Article 12, paragraph (1) of the amended Regulation, prior laws may continue to govern a person that has submitted a notification referred to in Article 5, paragraph (2) or Article 14, paragraph (4) of the Act at the time of the enforcement of this Ministerial Order (limited to a person installing equipment for a manufacturing site of specific inactive gases provided for by the amended Regulation).

(4)Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 11 (limited to the part based on Article 12, paragraph (2) of the Act) and Article 12, paragraph (2) of the amended Regulation, prior laws may continue to govern a person that has submitted a notification referred to in Article 5, paragraph (2) or Article 14, paragraph (4) of the Act at the time of the enforcement of this Ministerial Order (limited to a person installing equipment for a manufacturing site of specific inactive gases provided for by the amended Regulation) for one year from the enforcement of this Ministerial Order.

(5)Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 18 of the Revised Regulation, prior laws may continue to govern a person that stores specified inactive gases provided for by the amended Regulation at the time of the enforcement of this Ministerial Order (excluding a person that obtained permission referred to in Article 5, paragraph (1) of the Act and stores specified inactive gases provided for by the amended Regulation in accordance with the permission) for one year from the enforcement of this Ministerial Order.

(6)Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 22, Article 23, paragraph (1) and Article 35, paragraph (2) of the amended Regulation, prior laws may continue to govern storage sites for which permission referred to in Article 16, paragraph (1) or Article 19, paragraph (1) of the Act is obtained or applied at the time of the enforcement of this Ministerial Order (limited to sites for storing specified inactive gases provided for by the amended Regulation).

(7)Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 26 of the amended Regulation, prior laws may continue to govern storage sites for which notification referred to in Article 17-2, paragraph (1) or Article 19, paragraph (4) of the Act is submitted at the time of the enforcement of this Ministerial Order (limited to sites for storing specified inactive gases provided for by the amended Regulation).

(8)Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 49, paragraph (1) and Article 50 of the amended Regulation, prior laws may continue to govern a person that transports specified inactive gases provided for by the amended Regulation at the time of the enforcement of this Ministerial Order for one year from the enforcement of this Ministerial Order.

(9)Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 62 of the amended Regulation, prior laws may continue to govern a person that disposes specified inactive gases provided for by the amended Regulation at the time of the enforcement of this Ministerial Order for one year from the enforcement of this Ministerial Order.

Article 6(1)Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 5, paragraph (1), Article 10, Article 19 and Article 37, paragraph (2) of the Revised Regulation on Industrial Complexes, prior laws may continue to govern a person that has obtained permission referred to in Article 5, paragraph (1) or Article 14, paragraph (1) of the Act or a person that has filed an application for the permission at the time of the enforcement of this Ministerial Order (limited to a person installing equipment for a manufacturing site of specific inactive gases provided for in Article 2, paragraph (1), item (iii)-2 of the amended Regulation on Industrial Complex; hereinafter simply referred to as "specific inactive gases provided for by the amended Regulation on Industrial Complex") for one year from the enforcement of this Ministerial Order.

(2)Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 5, paragraph (2) and Article 11 of the amended Regulation on Industrial Complex, prior laws may continue to govern a person that has obtained permission referred to in Article 5, paragraph (1) or Article 14, paragraph (1) of the Act or a person that has filed an application for the permission at the time of the enforcement of this Ministerial Order (limited to a person installing equipment for a manufacturing site of specific inactive gases provided for by the amended Regulation on Industrial Complex) for one year from the enforcement of this Ministerial Order.

Supplementary Provisions [Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry No. 14 of March 22, 2017]

This Ministerial Order comes into effect as of April 1, 2017.

Supplementary Provisions [Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry No. 43 of May 8, 2017]

This Ministerial Order comes into effect as of the date of its promulgation.

Supplementary Provisions [Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry No. 83 of November 15, 2017] [Extract]

(Effective Date)

Article 1This Ministerial Order comes into effect as of April 1, 2018.

(Transitional Measures)

Article 2(1)If a notification was submitted to the prefectural governor before the enforcement of this Ministerial Order pursuant to Article 77, paragraph (2) of the Regulation on Safety of Liquefied Petroleum Gas before the amendment by this Ministerial Order, and the notification relates to the administrative duties that are to be carried out on behalf of the head of the designated city provided for in Article 252-19, paragraph (1) of the Local Autonomy Act (Act No. 67 of 1947) (hereinafter referred as a "designated city" in this Article) after the day of enforcement of this Ministerial Order (hereinafter referred to as the "date of enforcement" in this Article), pursuant to Article 77, paragraph (2) of the Regulation on Safety of Liquefied Petroleum Gas amended by this Ministerial Order, that notification is deemed to be a notification submitted to the head of the designated city, after the date of enforcement.

(2)If a notification was submitted to the prefectural governor before the enforcement of this Ministerial Order pursuant to Article 79, paragraph (2) of the Regulation on Safety of General High Pressure Gas before amendment by this Ministerial Order, and the notification relates to the administrative duties that are to be carried out on behalf of the head of the designated city after the date of enforcement, pursuant to Article 79, paragraph (2) of the Regulation on Safety of General High Pressure Gas amended by this Ministerial Order, that notification is deemed to be a notification submitted to the head of the designated city, after the date of enforcement.

Supplementary Provisions [Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry No. 6 of March 30, 2018]

(Effective Date)

Article 1This Ministerial Order comes into effect as of April 30, 2018; provided, however, that the provisions of Article 1 amending Articles 4, Article 14, Article 23, Article 30, paragraph (1), Article 32 and Article 36 of the Regulation on Safety of Containers; the provisions of Articles 2, Article 3 and Article 4 amending Article 2, paragraph (1), item (v), (d), Article 3, paragraph (1), Article 31, paragraph (1) and Article 32, paragraphs (1) and (3) of the Regulation on Safety of General High Pressure Gas; the provisions of Article 5 amending Article 2, paragraph (1), item (v), (d) of the Regulation on Safety of Industrial Complexes; and the provisions of Article 6 amending Articles 1, Article 14 and Article 23 of the Regulation on Safety of Containers Relating to International Reciprocal Recognition come into effect as of April 1, 2018.

(Transitional Measures Related to Penal Provisions)

Article 2Prior laws continue to govern the applicability of penal provisions to conduct that a person engages in before this Ministerial Order comes into effect.

Appended Table 1 (Re: Art. 26, paragraph (1))

(i)nitrous oxide, argon, ammonia, carbon monoxide, nitric oxide, ethylene, hydrogen chloride, chlorine, xenon, krypton, nitrogen trifluoride, boron trifluoride, disilane, difluoromethane, hydrogen bromide, nitrogen, trifluoromethane, carbon dioxide, neon, octafluorocyclobutane, fluoromethane, helium, phosphine, methane, monosilane, carbon tetrafluoride, carbonyl sulfide and sulfur hexafluoride

(ii)argon, xenon, krypton, nitrogen, neon or helium, or mixed gas composed of two or more of these gases, and mixed gas composed of any of the gases set forth in the preceding item or boron tribromide; and

(iii)argon, xenon, krypton, nitrogen, neon or helium, or mixed gas composed of two or more of these gases, and mixed gas of fluorine (the volume of fluorine in the mixed gas must not exceed 20% of the total volume.)

Appended Table No. 2 (Re: Article 14)

Categories of containers, etc. manufactured		Business category regarding containers, etc.
Type of containers, etc.	Method of manufacturing
Seamless steel container	Erhardt method	Class I
	Mannesmann method	Class II
	Cupping method	Class III
Seamless aluminum alloy container	Erhardt method	Class IV
	Mannesmann method	Class V
	Cupping method	Class VI
Welded container with an internal volume less than 4,000 liters (excluding high-pressure gas container for transportation automobiles)		Class VII
Ultra low-temperature container with an internal volume less than 4,000 liters (excluding high-pressure gas container for transportation automobiles) and liquefied natural gas container for automobile fuel systems		Class VIII
Welded container and ultra low-temperature container with an internal volume of 4,000 liters or more, and high-pressure gas container for transportation automobiles		Class IX
Brazed container		Class X
Fiber-reinforced plastic composite container (steel liner)		Class XI
Fiber-reinforced plastic composite container (aluminum alloy liner)		Class XII
Fiber-reinforced plastic composite container (plastic liner)		Class XIII
Non-refillable container		Class XIV
Containers other than those categorized in Class I through Class XIV		Class XV
Accessories		Class XVI