Singapore and Japan have signed a memorandum of cooperation (MoC) to recognise each other’s IoT cyber-security labelling schemes.

Japan has become the fifth nation with such arrangement with Singapore after Finland, Germany, South Korea and UK.

The MoC was signed by Rahayu Mahzam, Singapore’s minister of state for digital development and information, and Ino Toshiro from Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade & Industry (Meti).

The Cyber Security Agency (CSA) of Singapore and Meti agreed on this MoC to recognise the labelling scheme for smart devices in either country. Under this arrangement, smart devices that have obtained cyber-security labels under Japan’s JC-Star scheme and Singapore’s Cybersecurity Labelling Scheme (CLS) will be mutually recognised, allowing manufacturers to apply for the other country’s labelling scheme through a streamlined process.

This will apply to smart devices such as smart home assistants, home automation, alarm systems, IoT gateways and hubs that connect multiple devices. 

This cooperation should enhance cyber-security standards for IoT devices across both nations, providing market access for manufacturers while giving consumers greater confidence in the security of their smart devices. It will take effect on 1 June 2026.

Since the launch of the CLS in 2020, CSA has received applications for more than 1000 products, ranging from routers to smart lighting to smart cameras.

Established in 2015, the CSA (www.csa.gov.sg) seeks to keep Singapore’s cyberspace safe and secure to underpin national security, power a digital economy and protect the island nation’s digital way of life.

Meti (www.meti.go.jp) is a cabinet-level ministry of the government of Japan with responsibility for economic, industrial and technology policy, including aspects of cyber-security governance. Established in 2001, Meti leads policy development on digital transformation, industrial cyber security and the security of connected products and critical industrial systems. Its functions include setting cyber-security guidelines and standards for industry, supporting supply-chain and product security, and promoting the secure adoption of emerging technologies.