Basic Concept
The Tosoh Group works to improve customer satisfaction by providing products and services that reflect customer needs in a timely and stable manner through comprehensive quality control and assured distribution. We also continuously improve quality while complying with all product-related legal and regulatory requirements.
Quality Management System
The Tosoh Group has established a quality management system (QMS) appropriate for its products and organizational structure. It has acquired ISO 9001, ISO 13485, and other certifications, in an effort to improve product quality and customer satisfaction.
Certified complexes and Group companies are subject to internal audits of their activities related to the QMS. This is followed by external audits and management reviews by senior general managers of the complexes and plants to improve the QMS.
Management System Maintenance and Improvement
Internal Audits
Tosoh conducts internal audits annually to make sure the QMS is functioning properly with the aim of constantly improving its operations. Tosoh audited 50 of its departments in fiscal 2021, with themes such as confirmation of the process for receiving raw materials and prevention of foreign matter contamination. It also audited the Nanyo and Yokkaichi Complexes to reduce product complaints, strengthen supply chain management, and confirm quality control methods.
Group Company Support
Parent company Tosoh Corporation supports the quality management of its Group companies and provides opportunities for regular exchange of opinions. Tosoh strives to maintain and improve the quality level of the entire Group by providing advice to suppliers on conducting audits and supporting the strengthening of quality assurance systems.
In fiscal 2021, we conducted a voluntary survey of 24 companies regarding their quality control systems. The Tosoh Group did not find any violations of laws or regulations or any cases that could impact the environment or product safety when used by end users.
Supply Chain Initiatives
The Tosoh Group also conducts audits of its major suppliers and manufacturing contractors to confirm the efficacy of their quality management systems.
In fiscal 2021, we conducted online and paper document audits of a total of 114 suppliers and production contractors, and are currently working to resolve issues and problems detected.
Product Quality Improvement
In fiscal 2021, we followed up on measures to prevent recurrence of nonconformities that occurred in the past, and confirmed the implementation status of measures against foreign matter contamination based on risk assessment, including procedures. The number of product complaints decreased to 10. No product liability incidents or violations of quality-related laws and regulations were discovered.
In the area of medical products and devices, we conduct audits of manufacturers to strengthen our quality assurance system. We carried out audits at six manufacturing facilities in fiscal 2021.
Logistics Quality Improvement
Since some of our products contain hazardous or poisonous substances, which are regulated by law, it is important to manage them from the time they are loaded through transit and delivery at their destination. To this end, logistics plays a central role with the goal of reducing the incidence rate of logistics-related accidents, complaints, and problems. We calculate our incidence rate as follows: number of logistics accidents, complaints, and problems / number of products transported x 1 million.