JAPAN -- HIGH-PRESSURE GAS CYLINDERS The following notification is being circulated in accordance with Article 10.6. G/TBT/Notif.96.420. 1. Member to Agreement notifying: JAPAN. If applicable, name of local government involved (Articles 3.2 AND 7.2). 2. Agency responsible: Ministry of International Trade and Industry Agency or authority designated to handle comments regarding the notification can be indicated if different from above. 3. Notified under Article 2.9.2. 4. Products covered (HS or CCCN where applicable, otherwise national tariff heading. ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable): High-pressure gas cylinders (HS: 7311). Pressure equipment used in high-pressure gas production plants (HS: 7311). 5. Title, number of pages and language(s) of the notified document: Revision of Container Safety Regulations, Designated Equipment Inspection Regulations and Seismic Design Standard for High-Pressure Gas Equipment (2 pages, available in Japanese). 6. Description of content: 1. Introducing self-inspection system for cylinder manufacturers, which have sufficient quality assurance system; 2. introducing self-inspection system for the manufacturers of gas equipment, which is designated as a "Designated Equipment" and used in high-pressure gas production plants, when the manufacturers are verified to have sufficient quality assurance system; 3. establishing the provisions for "non-refillable cylinders" whose domestic manufacturing and use is prohibited at present, and manufacturing and use of "non-refillable" cylinders is possible when those provisions are met; 4. establishing the standards for fibre-reinforced plastic composite cylinders the storage tanks to be used in bulk-supplying system; 5. revising Seismic Design Standards for High-Pressure Gas Equipment which are referred to when designated equipment is designed. 7. Objective and rationale: Based on the revision of the High-Pressure Gas Control Law, to establish requirements and standards in the field of high-pressure gas cylinders and designated equipment for self-inspection by cylinder manufacturers and manufacturers of designated equipment instead of legal third-party inspection; to establish the provisions for the "non-refillable cylinders" in order to enable the manufacture and use of the "non-refillable cylinders"; revision of Seismic Design Standards for High-Pressure Gas Equipment to include pipeline as covered equipment under the Standards. 8. Relevant documents: The basic law is the High-Pressure Gas Control Law. This Ordinance will appear in "KAMPO" (Official Government Gazette) when adopted. 9. Proposed date of adoption: To be determined. Proposed date of entry into force: 1 April 1997. 10. Final date for comments: 27 January 1997. (0352)

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