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Social Report

Customer Relations

Our Policy Related to Customer Relations

The JSR Group upholds the corporate philosophy to "provide new materials, and through their value strive to contribute to the realization of an affluent human society (people, society, and the environment)."
We believe that the JSR Group's most important role is to offer innovative materials and good products that meet customer needs and contribute to the realization of a better society.
We also strive to carry out initiatives to assure the quality and safety of our products so that our customers can use them with peace of mind.

Safety Assurance for Customers

Quality Assurance Activities

JSR has obtained ISO 9001 certification at all of its plants, and has also formulated corporate Quality Assurance (QA) Promotion Plans and Quality Policies under the RC Committee. Each plant has established a Quality Assurance Committee to promote activities in accordance with corporate policies. Furthermore, internal QA audits led by the director in charge periodically take place through actual visits and audits of each plant.

PLP Activities

In 1994, JSR enacted its "Product Liability Prevention (PLP) Standards," reinforcing efforts towards product safety. With the start of basic regulations in PLP Standards, JSR has set out various arrangements to prevent accidents related to products at all stages, from product design to manufacture and sales, and takes action accordingly. JSR has also created a system for new products to be introduced onto the market whereby they undergo safety checks from the product design stage in accordance with the PLP Check Sheet and are then put on the market after having received approval from the department manager.
We strive to acquire information through close communication with our customers to prevent product-related accidents, and work to review our quality control system and improve evaluation tools as well as to strengthen activities to prevent quality-related accidents.

Disclosing Environmental and Safety Information to Customers

JSR discloses environmental and safety information to our customers by preparing MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets) on all products containing polymers, regardless of whether hazardous and toxic substances are contained or not.
In Japan, the current MSDS items all comply with JIS Z 7250, the Industrial Safety and Health Law, the Law Concerning Reporting, etc. of Releases to the Environment of Specific Chemical Substances and Promoting Improvements in Their Management (PRTR Law), and the Poisonous and Deleterious Substances, Control Law. A new MSDS electronic data management system has been in operation since its creation in 2002 to provide more accurate MSDS product information to our customers. This system is equipped with user management, chemical substance database management, creation support, and publication (revision) history, which makes it possible to accurately and swiftly provide environmental and safety information on JSR products.

Maintaining Transport Safety and Environmental Standards

JSR outsources the distribution of its products. To maintain environmental and safety standards during transport, JSR has drivers carry a "Yellow Card" imprinted with special measures and telephone numbers in case of emergency, in addition to employing contractors to train them regarding specific safety issues.

Chemical Products Safety

Basic Policy on Managing Chemical Substances

JSR has established the three basic policies below in light of the recent global trends in the management of chemical substances.

  • (1) Instead of hazard-based management1, we will endeavor to implement risk-based management.2
  • (2) We will strive to manage the overall supply chain by utilizing a globally standardized method.
  • (3) We will utilize the most appropriate combination of regulations and voluntary measures to assure the safety of our products.

1  Hazard-based management: Management based solely on the hazardous properties of substances.

2  Risk-based management: Management based on exposure to the hazardous properties of substances.

Measures for Chemical Products in Japan

● Responding to revisions in the LERMCS Law and PRTR Law
The Law Concerning the Examination and Regulation of Manufacture, etc. of Chemical Substances (LERMCS) was revised in 2009. In response, JSR is making preparations to ensure legal compliance in anticipation of its enforcement in April 2010.
In addition, in 2008 the substances subject to regulation by the Law Concerning Reporting, etc. of Releases to the Environment of Specific Chemical Substances and Promoting Improvements in Their Management (PRTR Law) were substantially altered. JSR is proceeding with preparations to comply with the revision, since the downstream users of the substances subject to the revised regulation must be notified by October 2009.
● GHS
The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) was developed as an international standard to classify and label chemicals and includes the following elements:
(a) classification of chemical products according to danger and toxicity;
(b) labeling on product packaging and containers; and
(c) documentation and provision of details in the Manufacturing Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).
In Japan, the Industrial Safety and Health Law stipulates mandatory application of the GHS on the labels and MSDS of products containing GHS-designated chemical substances. JSR has carried out danger and toxicity classification for all products that contain applicable substances and has finished preparing the appropriate labels.
We plan to complete the application of GHS to MSDS by December 2010, and are striving to achieve compliance with GHS legislation in various countries and regions around the world, including the EU, South Korea, Taiwan and China.

Measures for Export Chemical Products

● EU (Compliance with REACH)
REACH is the EU system for "Registration, Evaluation, and Authorization of Chemicals" and has been in effect since June 2007. REACH does not differentiate between existing chemical substances and new chemical substances. All chemical goods manufactured or imported within EU countries in volumes exceeding 1 ton a year, excluding certain chemicals, are required to be registered and accompanied by safety test results and other data. JSR has listed the substances exported to the EU that are subject to registration. Pre-registration was completed as of November 30, 2008 by our proxy—or "Only Representative" (OR)—and we are presently making preparations for official registration.
● U.S.A.
The U.S. notification system for new chemical substances is stipulated in the Environmental Protection Agency's Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and related federal regulations. Legal procedures are undertaken when exporting chemical substances to the U.S.A. that are not on the existing chemical substances list.
● South Korea
The South Korean notification system for new chemical substances is stipulated in the Toxic Chemicals Control Act regulated by the Ministry of Environment, and the Ministry of Labor's Industrial Safety and Health Act. Legal procedures are undertaken when exporting chemical substances to Korea that are not on the existing chemical substances list.
● China
The new chemical substances notification system in China is stipulated in the Provisions on the Environmental Administration of New Chemical Substances regulated by the Chemical Registration Center under the State Environmental Protection Administration. Legal procedures are undertaken when exporting chemical substances to China that are not on the existing chemical substances list.
● Taiwan
Products are exported to Taiwan in accordance with the Toxic Chemical Substances Control Act, and the Rules on Hazard Communication of Dangerous Materials and Toxic Materials.

Industrial and International Measures

The Japan Chemical Industry Association (JCIA), to which JSR belongs, promotes PS3 and LRI4 activities, and our company is actively involved in these programs through participation in the association's working groups and by providing some of the research funds.

3 Product Stewardship (PS) is an activity that individual companies independently carry out to promote the Global Product Strategy (GPS), which was presented by the International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA) at the First International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM-1). Those involved in the supply chain, such as manufacturers, suppliers, and purchasers of chemical substances, join together to carry out chemical substance management with the aim of preserving the environment. We participate in JCIA's special working group to create a framework to promote PS.

4 The Long-range Research Initiative (LRI) is one of the critical activities of the International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA), and is an autonomous long-term research project for chemical substances that have an impact on the environment, safety and health. The major focus areas of the initiative are endocrine disruptors, neurotoxicity, chemical carcinogenesis and hypersensitivity.

Protecting Personal Information

The JSR Group recognizes the profound importance of protecting personal information as the society within which we live adopts ever more advanced information and communication technologies. Based on the Act on the Protection of Personal Information, JSR has formulated and implemented a privacy policy setting out our basic approach to the acquisition, use and management of personal information.


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