State Minister Ino Signs Memorandum on Mutual Recognition of Labeling Scheme based on JC-STAR and Singapore’s Cybersecurity Labelling Scheme (CLS)

1. Outline

In Japan, based on the IoT Product Security Conformity Assessment Scheme Policy published by METI in August 2024, the Information-technology Promotion Agency, Japan (IPA), an independent administrative institution, began operating the Labeling Scheme based on Japan Cyber-Security Technical Assessment Requirements (JC-STAR) in March 2025.

This document was released in light of the intention of both Japan and Singapore to advance cooperation in the field of cybersecurity. This signing marks the second mutual recognition between JC-STAR and another country’s scheme, following the one with the UK Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure (PSTI) Act, which came into effect in January 2026.

Based on this Memorandum of Cooperation, from June 1, 2026, the security requirements of Singapore’s CLS and Japan’s JC-STAR will be mutually recognized. Specifically, among the security requirements for CLS Level 1 and JC-STAR STAR-1, those regarded as equivalent will be mutually recognized, and the Conformity Assessment Procedures for these equivalent requirements will be waived. Likewise, for applications to obtain CLS Level 2 and JC-STAR STAR-2 or above, the equivalent security requirements for CLS Level 1 and JC-STAR STAR-1 will be exempt from Conformity Assessment Procedures.

Singapore was one of the first countries in the world to launch a product security labeling scheme in the form of the CLS, and in October 2025 it launched the Global Cybersecurity Labelling Initiative (GCLI), an international framework for promoting IoT product security labeling schemes.

The specific methods and procedures for manufacturers to prove compliance will be decided in consultation with the Singapore government and will be published on the IPA website once decided. This is expected to improve cybersecurity measures for IoT products in both countries and reduce the burden on manufacturers.

2. Signing Ceremony

On March 18, 2026, Mr. Ino Toshiro, State Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, and Ms. Rahayu Mahzam, Minister of State for Digital Development and Information and Minister of State for Health of Singapore, signed the Memorandum of Cooperation Between the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan and the Cyber Security Agency of the Republic of Singapore on Mutual Recognition of Internet-of-Things Security Schemes.

During the meeting, the two sides also confirmed that, as this year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Singapore in 1966, they will take this signing as an opportunity to strengthen collaboration on cybersecurity measures for IoT products, while proactively leveraging multilateral frameworks such as the GCLI.

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3. Future Initiatives

Japan will continue to advance policy initiatives aimed at building a system that will enable the widespread use of IoT products that incorporate appropriate security measures, while also fostering collaboration with other countries in efforts to enhance IoT security measures. In addition, it will promote information sharing with various relevant organizations with the aim of achieving mutual recognition with other countries that have similar schemes.

Related Material

• Memorandum of Cooperation Between The Ministry Of Economy, Trade And Industry Of Japan And The Cyber Security Agency Of The Republic of Singapore on Mutual Recognition of Internet-of-Things Security Schemes (JC-STAR STAR-1 And Singapore Cybersecurity Labelling Scheme Level 1)(PDF:233KB)

Related Links

• Labeling Scheme based on Japan Cyber-Security Technical Assessment Requirements (JC-STAR)
• About Cybersecurity Labelling Scheme for IoT - CLS(IoT)
• Joint Statement on the Global Cybersecurity Labelling Initiative (GCLI) Released

Division in Charge

Cybersecurity Division, Commerce and Information Policy Bureau