As a comprehensive chemical manufacturer supplying a wide array of products to customers in a broad range of industries, Mitsubishi Chemical feels it is its duty to strive to prevent quality and product liability (PL) issues, while at the same time increasing customer satisfaction by offering safe and secure products.
To perform this duty, the company has worked to establish in-house organizations for complying with laws and regulations and fulfilling obligations and promises under contracts with customers. In fiscal 2011, we clarified the structure of the quality assurance division established from fiscal 2010 and promoted improvements to our internal verification system (review of in-house regulations and audit) for quality inspection data to strengthen our ability to satisfy customer trust. These measures were implemented as a part of efforts to put increased compliance on track; a top-priority business management issue.
We have also made progress in reforming the quality inspection data management system for enhancing the quality inspection data security. In this way we are working to improve the reliability of quality-related data while stabilizing product quality.
As exemplified by Europe's ELV Directive*1, RoHS Directive*2 and REACH regulation*3, demand has risen globally on appropriate management and information disclosure regarding chemical substances contained in products, on a product-by-product basis, throughout their lifecycle.
To respond to these directives and regulations precisely, Mitsubishi Chemical in fiscal 2006 began operation of the Green Information Management System for securely managing and conveying information on chemical substances requiring special management that are contained in products, on a product-by-product basis.
We also promote efforts to obtain and provide information on chemical substances contained in products by using MSDSplus and AIS*5, which are provided by the Joint Article Management Promotion-consortium (JAMP)*4 and is being disseminated and standardized in Japan. This enables prompt and efficient communication of chemical substance information contained in products in the supply chain (processes from material manufacturers to final product manufacturer).
During fiscal 2011, the initial year of the APTSIS 15 five-year mid-term business management plan, the Green Information Management System was reformed so that MSDSplus and AIS may be created automatically from in-house survey data and MSDSplus, AIS and related information may be obtained and provided via JAMP-GP / AS*6, an IT system of JAMP.
Mitsubishi Chemical intends to contribute, together with raw material manufacturers and customers, to building social systems for managing chemical substances through the supply chain.
*1 End of Life Vehicles (ELV) Directive: A European Union (EU) directive aiming to restrict the use of specified hazardous substances in vehicles, and yield smooth vehicle disposal. The directive prohibits the use of heavy metals (lead, cadmium, mercury, chromium hexavalent) with new vehicles registered on and after July 1, 2003, except in components for which establishment of alternative technologies is difficult. *2 Restriction on the use of certain Hazardous Substances in electrical and electronic equipment (RoHS) Directive: Prohibits the use of specified substances in electrical and electronic equipment sold in the EU, requiring manufacturers to fully abolish the use of heavy metals (lead, cadmium, mercury, chromium hexavalent) and specified bromine flame retardants (PBB, PBDE) (Went into force in EU nations in July 2006) *3 Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulation: A system for regulating registration, evaluation and permits on chemical substances distributed inside the EU, along with chemical substances for which risk management is required and methods of their use, in order to protect human health and the environment from hazardous chemical substances *4 Joint Article Management Promotion-consortium (JAMP): A cross-industrial organization for promoting appropriate management, disclosure and communication of information on chemical substances contained in components and molded products (articles) in supply chains *5 MSDSplus and AIS: A common sheet for communicating information on chemical substances contained in products to all parties—from material manufacturers to final product manufacturers. When the product is a chemical (chemical substance or compound of such) MSDSplus is used, while AIS is used when the product is a molded article. *6 JAMP-Global Portal / AS (Application Service): A platform system for exchanging information on chemical substances
