CE Marking
EU marking indicating product conformity to harmonised legislation
APPI
Japan's regulation for personal information protection
Quick Verdict
CE Marking declares product conformity to EU safety rules for EEA market access, while APPI mandates privacy protections for Japanese personal data. Companies adopt CE for free EU trade; APPI to avoid PPC fines and build consumer trust.
CE Marking
CE Marking (Conformité Européenne)
Key Features
- Manufacturer's legally binding conformity declaration
- OJEU harmonised standards presumption of conformity
- Risk-based modules A-H for assessment
- Enables free circulation across EEA markets
- Technical file retention for 10+ years
APPI
Act on the Protection of Personal Information
Key Features
- Extraterritorial scope for foreign businesses targeting Japan
- Pseudonymously processed information enables analytics flexibility
- Explicit consent required for sensitive data transfers
- Data subject rights with 30-day response timelines
- PPC enforcement with ¥100M fines and audits
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
CE Marking Details
What It Is
CE Marking (Conformité Européenne) is the EU's mandatory conformity marking for products under harmonised legislation like the New Legislative Framework (NLF). It signifies the manufacturer's declaration that products meet essential health, safety, and environmental requirements. The risk-based approach scales assessment from self-declaration to notified body involvement via modules A-H.
Key Components
- Essential requirements from directives (e.g., LVD 2014/35/EU, Machinery Directive).
- Harmonised standards in OJEU for presumption of conformity.
- Technical documentation, EU Declaration of Conformity (DoC), and CE affixation.
- Post-market surveillance under Regulation (EU) 2019/1020. Self-assessment or third-party certification model applies.
Why Organizations Use It
Mandated for EEA market access, it enables free circulation, reduces trade barriers, and ensures compliance liability. Benefits include risk mitigation, stakeholder trust, competitive edge in tenders, and alignment with sustainability goals.
Implementation Overview
Involves legislation mapping, risk assessment, testing, documentation compilation, DoC issuance, and marking. Applies to manufacturers across industries; suitable for SMEs to globals. Requires audits for notified body routes; timelines vary by risk (6-12 months typical).
APPI Details
What It Is
The Act on the Protection of Personal Information (APPI) is Japan's cornerstone regulation governing personal data handling, enacted in 2003 with major amendments in 2022-2024. It defines personal information broadly, including pseudonymous data, and employs a risk-based approach balancing privacy safeguards with data utility in a digital economy, applying extraterritorially to foreign businesses targeting Japanese residents.
Key Components
- Pillars: explicit consent, purpose limitation, security controls, data subject rights (access, correction, deletion)
- Heightened rules for sensitive information (e.g., medical, racial data)
- Pseudonymously processed information for analytics flexibility
- Overseen by PPC; fines up to ¥100 million; no fixed controls, compliance via guidelines
Why Organizations Use It
APPI ensures legal compliance amid PPC enforcement, mitigates breach risks, and builds trust—78% of consumers prefer compliant brands. It drives efficiency (15-25% cost savings), enables cross-border transfers via SCCs, and provides competitive edges like P Mark certification for contracts.
Implementation Overview
Phased 12-24 month framework: gap analysis, policy design, technical deployment (encryption, DSR portals), training, monitoring. Applies to all organizations handling Japanese data; DPOs mandatory for large firms; PPC audits required, P Mark voluntary.
Key Differences
| Aspect | CE Marking | APPI |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Product safety, health, conformity to EU harmonised rules | Personal data protection, privacy handling |
| Industry | Manufacturers of regulated products (machinery, electronics), EEA-focused | All businesses handling Japanese residents' data, Japan-focused |
| Nature | Mandatory self-declaration for covered products, EU legislation | Mandatory data protection law, enforced by PPC |
| Testing | Conformity assessment modules, notified body for high-risk | Security measures, risk assessments, no formal certification |
| Penalties | Market withdrawal, fines by national authorities | ¥100M fines, PPC orders, criminal penalties |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about CE Marking and APPI
CE Marking FAQ
APPI FAQ
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