Aichi Complex | Quality Initiatives

We became a JIS mark certified factory in 1977, and obtained certification under the new JIS mark display system in June 2007. We have also obtained ISO certification, an international standard for quality assurance, and strive to stably supply products that meet customer needs.

The "New JIS Mark Display System" was introduced on October 1, 2005, following the revision of the Industrial Standardization Act on June 9, 2004. This system indicates compliance with the Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS), and by obtaining certification, the JIS mark can be displayed on products or packaging.

Our Complex obtained certification for the New JIS Marking System, a mark of safety and reliability for our products, in June 2007. Six types of products are certified: high-octane gasoline, regular gasoline, kerosene, diesel, heavy oil A, and heavy oil C.

Our Complex obtained the international quality standard ISO9002:1994 in 1996. Following the revision of the standard in December 2000, we transitioned to the 2000 version in 2003, the 2008 version in 2009, and underwent a transition audit to the 2015 version in 2018. We are currently conducting quality assurance activities based on the ISO9001:2015 quality management system.

By introducing this quality management system, we strive for continuous improvement to ensure a stable supply of products that satisfy our customers.

Since 1993, our four Refinery in Japan, including this Complex, have been producing low-benzene gasoline, "Idemitsu Super ZEARTH'' and "Idemitsu ZEARTH'', which contain benzene less than 1%. This was commercialized in advance of the benzene concentration regulations in 2000.

In addition, in advance of the sulfur-free movement to reduce the sulfur content to 10 ppm^* or less, Complex installed a desulfurization equipment to remove sulfur from petroleum products, and in January 2005, we made gasoline and diesel oil sulfur-free. We have achieved this goal.

*10ppm=0.001%

In Japan, the law stipulated that diesel oil be made sulfur-free in 2007 and gasoline in 2008, but oil refining and wholesale companies that are members of the Japan Petroleum Federation, including our company, have made both sulfur-free gasoline and diesel oil sulfur-free in January 2005. We are the first in the world to begin shipping this month.

Movements to reduce sulfur content are progressing around the world, and in 2009 the EU also decided to make gasoline and diesel oil sulfur-free with a sulfur content of 10 ppm or less.