Japan: Singapore and Japan signed memorandum of cooperation on mutual recognition of IoT cybersecurity labelling schemes

On 18 March 2026, Singapore and Japan signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) on the mutual recognition of Internet-of-Things (IoT) cybersecurity schemes. Under the MoC, smart devices certified under Japan's Japan Cyber STAR (JC-STAR) scheme and Singapore's Cybersecurity Labelling Scheme (CLS) will be mutually recognised, allowing manufacturers to apply for the other country's label through a streamlined process. The MoC covers smart devices, including smart home assistants, home automation and alarm systems, IoT gateways and hubs that connect multiple devices. Japan is the fifth country to enter into such an arrangement with Singapore, following Finland, Germany, the Republic of Korea, and the United Kingdom. The MoC will take effect on 1 June 2026.