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When I started shopping for baby products in Japan, I noticed small symbols and marks on packaging that I didn’t recognize. After looking into each one, I realized they actually carry important safety information — and knowing what they mean can make shopping for your baby a lot easier.
Here’s a guide to the most common safety marks you’ll see on baby products in Japan.
Why Safety Marks Matter
In Japan, baby and children’s products are subject to a range of safety standards — some mandatory under Japanese law, others voluntary certifications from independent organizations. These marks tell you that a product has been tested and meets specific safety criteria.
If you’re shopping in Japan — whether you live here or are visiting — knowing these marks helps you make more informed choices.
① ST Mark (Safety Toy)
What it is: A safety certification for toys, issued by the Japan Toy Association (日本玩具協会).
What it means: Products bearing the ST mark have been tested to confirm they meet safety standards, including:
- Small parts that could cause choking are secure and unlikely to detach
- Materials are flame-resistant
- No harmful chemical substances are present
Where you’ll see it: On toys sold in Japan, particularly those aimed at young children.
The ST mark is a voluntary certification, but it’s widely adopted by reputable toy manufacturers in Japan. When in doubt about a toy’s safety, looking for this mark is a good starting point.
👉Link: Baby rattle on Amazon.co.jp. (I couldn’t find it on Amazon.co.jp.)
② PSC Mark (Product Safety of Consumer Products)
What it is: A mandatory safety mark required by Japanese law (the Consumer Product Safety Act) for certain categories of products considered to carry higher risk of injury.
What it means: Products bearing the PSC mark comply with the technical safety requirements established under Janapn’s Consumer Product Safety Act. Depending on the product category, manufacturers or importers must demonstrate compliance before the products can be sold.
Baby products covered by PSC certification include:
- Toys for children under 3 years old
- Baby beds (cribs)
- Strollers
- Bed guards
Note: As of July 2026, bed guards and strollers are in a transition period for PSC labeling. For older products without the PSC mark, checking for the ST or SG mark (see below) is a helpful alternative.
Why it matters: Unlike voluntary certifications, the PSC mark is legally required — so its presence means the product has met government-mandated safety standards.
👉Link: Baby bed on Amazon.co.jp.(I use it for my baby.) (I couldn’t find it on Amazon.co.jp.)
③ SG Mark (Safe Goods)
What it is: A voluntary safety certification issued by the Product Safety Association (製品安全協会), a public interest foundation in Japan.
What it means: The product meets safety standards set by the Product Safety Association. One notable feature of the SG mark: if a product with this mark causes injury due to a defect, there is a compensation scheme available to consumers.
Baby products commonly certified with the SG mark:
- Strollers
- Baby carriers and slings
- Baby beds
- Baby playpens and safety gates
The SG mark appears on many adult products too — you may have seen it without realizing it. For baby products specifically, it’s a reassuring sign of quality and safety testing.
④ CE Mark
What it is: A mark for products sold within the European Union (EU), indicating comformity with EU legislation covering with EU safety, health, and environmental standards.
What it means: The product meets EU requirements in its category. For toys, this includes the EN 71 toy safety standard.
Where you’ll see it: On imported baby products and toys from European brands — particularly common on products from brands like LEGO, Bornelund (ボーネルンド), and other European toy manufacturers sold in Japan.
Japan vs. EU: The CE mark and Japan’s ST/PSC marks are separate systems with different standards. A product may have one, both, or neither. When buying imported products in Japan, the presence of a CE mark is a good indicator of safety testing — even if it wasn’t specifically tested under Japanese standards.
👉Link: A Bornelund toy on Amazon.co.jp (I couldn’t find it on Amazon.com.)
⑤ASTM & CPSC Mark
What they are: CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commision) is U.S. goverment agency responsible for regulating the safety of consumer products, including baby gear. ASTM International is an independent organization that sets voluntary safety standards widely adopted by toy and baby product manufactures across the United States.
What they mean: CPSC compliance means a product meets legally required safety standards before it can be sold in the U.S. – similar in role to Japan’s PSC mark. ASTM standards, on the other hand , are voluntary. A label reading “Meets ASTM F693” on a toy means it has been tested against the American toy safety standard – comparable to Japan’s ST mark.
Where you’ll see them: On baby products and toys made by American brands, both sold in the US and exported internationally. If you’re purchasing American baby products while in Japan or ordering from abroad, look for these marks on the packaging.
Japan vs. EU: Neither system in inherently safer than the order – they reflect different regulatory traditions. If you’re using Amwrican baby products in Japan, CPSC compliance and ASTM certification are reliable indicatiors of safety testing.
👉Link: Bany rattle on Amazon.com (I couldn’t find it on Amazon.co.jp.)
⑥ Special Dietary Uses Label (特別用途食品) — Baby Formula
What it is: A government-approved label for foods designed for people with specific nutritional needs, overseen by Japan’s Consumer Affairs Agency.
What it means for baby formula: Infant formula (育児用粉ミルク) bearing this label has met Japan’s nutritional standards for babies and has been formally approved by the Consumer Affairs Agency. It confirms the formula is nutritionally complete and appropriate for infants.
Important distinction: Follow-up milk (フォローアップミルク) for babies over 12 months does not fall under this classification in Japan and has no legally mandated nutritional standards. Always check the label carefully to confirm whether you’re buying infant formula or follow-up milk.
⑦ Age/Month Indication on Baby Food (月齢表示)
What it is: Month-based guidance printed on Japanese baby food products, such as “5か月頃から” (from around 5 months) or “7か月頃から” (from around 7 months).
What it means: These labels indicate the developmental stage at which most babies are typically ready to eat that food — based on texture, ingredients, and nutritional content. They are guidelines, not strict rules.
Important note: Every baby develops at a different pace. These month indications are meant as a starting point, not a strict schedule. Always watch your baby’s cues and consult your pediatrician if you’re unsure when to introduce new foods.
Quick Reference: Japan Baby Safety Marks
| Mark | Type | Issued by | Covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| ST Mark | Voluntary | Japan Toy Association | Toys |
| PSC Mark | Mandatory (law) | Japanese government | Cribs, strollers, bed guards, toys under 3 |
| SG Mark | Voluntary | Product Safety Association | Strollers, carriers, cribs, playpens |
| CE Mark | Mandatory (EU) | European Commission | EU-standard products |
| ASTM / CPSC Mark | Volantary / Mandatory (US) | ASTM International / US Consumer Product Safety Commision | US-standard products |
| Special Dietary Uses Label (特別用途食品) | Government approval | Consumer Affairs Agency | Infant formula |
Final Thoughts
Shopping for baby products in Japan can feel overwhelming at first — especially when you’re trying to decode symbols you’ve never seen before.
The good news is that Japan has a robust system of safety standards, and many products go through multiple rounds of testing before reaching store shelves. Once you know what each mark means, you can shop with a lot more confidence.
If you’re preparing for a new baby in Japan or shopping for Japanese baby products from abroad, I hope this guide helps you navigate the options a little more easily.
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