Quality control/quality assurance

The Idemitsu Group's basic approach to quality is "to ensure product safety and minimize the impact on people and the environment, by promoting quality assurance activities that take into consideration the life cycle of the products and services we provide, from development to consumption or disposal, and striving to improve customer satisfaction and protect consumers." In addition, the "Basic Principles for Quality Assurance," the highest-level internal regulation regarding quality, stipulates the quality assurance policy, which serves as the basic approach regarding quality.

Our group has established the following quality assurance policy, which is our basic philosophy regarding quality, in our "Basic Quality Assurance Guidelines," which is the highest internal regulation regarding quality.

Our group's quality assurance system consists of two systems: one at each division/office/major affiliated company level, and one at the corporate level that supervises them. In actual quality assurance activities, these two systems work together to ensure that the quality assurance policy is realized throughout the group.

Quality assurance system at corporate level

Quality Assurance Headquarters was established to strengthen the governance of the entire Minebea Group in terms of quality. Quality Assurance Headquarters The Safety, Environment & Quality Assurance Department serves as the secretariat of Board of Directors, with the director in charge of quality assurance (director) appointed by as the general manager, the general manager of the Safety, Environment & Quality Assurance Department as the deputy general manager, and the presidents of General Managers and major affiliated companies related to quality as the members of the department. Quality Assurance Headquarters The Safety, Environment & Quality Assurance Department (SEAQA) promotes important matters such as establishment of policies for company-wide quality assurance activities and maintenance, review, and improvement of the quality management system, while each department and major affiliated company implements the PDCA cycle for its own department in accordance with the policies. Quality Assurance Headquarters At the meeting, progress is managed and the basic policies for the next fiscal year of the Group are decided. In addition, quality audits are regularly conducted on the quality assurance activities of each department and major affiliates to maintain and improve the management system.

●Quality management system (PDCA cycle)

Each division and major affiliated company within our Group implements quality control activities at each stage, from product development to manufacturing and sales, that contribute to maintaining and improving the quality of products and services that meet the needs of our customers and society. In addition, each division and major affiliated company has implemented a quality management system to ensure the quality of the products and services provided to customers. There are 29 divisions and affiliated companies within our Group that are ISO 9001 certified (as of June 30, 2024).

In the lubricant business, all of our bases in Japan and overseas have obtained ISO9001 certification. We position quality assurance activities as the cornerstone of our business, and strive to improve product quality through the ISO9001 quality management system. We continue to promote the prevention of complaints and troubles with the aim of eradicating complaints.

Based on the "Product Safety Regulations," we check product safety at each stage from research and development to sales. Regulations in each country regarding chemical substances are changing frequently, and prompt and reliable responses are required. Our group has developed tools to manage information on the toxicity of chemical substances contained in products, and is steadily responding to changing domestic and international laws and regulations while expanding the applicable sectors.

Regarding the product safety information of our group, we issue SDS (Safety Data Sheets) based on the law. Products are classified and labeled according to their hazards according to the GHS (Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals). We also have a system in place that allows you to search by purpose or product name on our website and view product safety information.

Our group conducts educational and enlightenment activities aimed at improving employees' quality awareness. In order to promote quality assurance activities in each department and major affiliated companies, we hold training sessions for quality assurance managers and in-house seminars with highly specialized content, such as compliance with laws and regulations related to chemical substance management, which are useful for promoting quality assurance activities throughout the group. In addition, as part of the "Quality Month Activities" held every November, we hold quality lectures, deliver messages from Quality Assurance Headquarters, and put up posters, providing an opportunity for each employee to think about quality.

In the unlikely event that a serious problem regarding product safety or quality occurs, we will respond in accordance with our Crisis Response Regulations to minimize social impact and damage. Complaints and inquiries regarding quality are accepted by our Customer Center, which responds promptly in cooperation with relevant departments within our Group depending on the content. There were zero serious quality incidents requiring a company-wide response in fiscal 2023.