Chemical and Product Safety
The Nippon Soda Group takes into consideration the potential environmental, health, and safety impacts related to the hazards and toxicity of chemical substances and products. We comply with domestic and international laws and ordinances related to product safety, various guidelines, and other standards, while also responding to regulations based on local and based on social demands. By continuing to earn the trust of society, we realize sustainable business activities.
- Compliance with legal regulations and self-imposed regulations
We comply with laws and regulations in Japan, international standards, treaties, and other relevant legislation, with the goal of achieving zero violations of chemical-related laws and regulations in consideration of the dangerous and harmful effects of chemicals and products on the environment, health, and safety. Furthermore, we proactively implement self-imposed regulations based on social demands not covered by such laws and regulations, striving to enhance trust from our customers and society. - Strengthening of chemical substance management systems
We strive to handle chemical substances in a safe and reliable manner by promoting the appropriate revision of domestic and international SDS* and product labels using chemical substance management systems and other tools, and by conducting thorough investigations and improving our understanding of chemical substances contained in products. Furthermore, we take steps to strengthen our management framework by conducting ongoing training on chemical substance management and holding briefings regarding legal revisions, including those in Japan and overseas.
- * Documents that describe information on chemical substances, product names, manufacturers, hazards, handling precautions, emergency response measures, and other safety information.
FY 2025/3 targets and achievements levels (KPIs)
(Achievement levels ◎：≥ 90% ○：80-90% △：60-80% ×： ≤ 60%) Red text: KPIs
Safety of Chemicals
Management of Chemical Substances Using a Chemical Substance Management System
Nippon Soda has implemented a chemical substance management system, establishing an efficient management structure for Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and Yellow Cards. Based on operations using this system, we appropriately update SDSs, Yellow Cards, and product labels to comply with the latest regulations in various countries.
Regular Training Programs on Chemical Substance Management
We provide employees who handle chemical substances with education on how to comply with Japanese and overseas laws and regulations regarding the management of chemicals.
Product Safety
Actions to Comply with Laws and Regulations
Nippon Soda takes actions to comply with domestic and overseas laws and regulations (including the EU REACH regulations1) and conducts audits of poisonous and deleterious substances at its sales offices.
- 1. REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals): European chemicals regulations. European regulations state that businesses that manufacture or import one metric ton or more of products per year are required to register the substances they handle and submit safety test data, and that substances for which data is not submitted (registered) cannot be sold.
Communication of Safety Information on Chemicals
The Nippon Soda Group participates in GPS / JIPS2 activities. We have prepared safety summary reports on four substances, including caustic soda and hydrochloric acid, which have been registered on the Japan Chemical Industry Association’s BIG Dr chemical substance risk assessment support site.
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2. GPS (Global Product Strategy): A voluntary industry initiative based on risk assessment and risk management with a global product strategy as the basic concept, taking into account the supply chain
JIPS (Japan Initiative of Product Stewardship): Japan’s version of the ICCA’s3 Product Stewardship (PS) - 3. ICCA (International Council of Chemical Associations)
1. Compliance with chemical-related laws and ordinances: Zero violations
- Strengthen chemical substance management (revise domestic and overseas SDSs and labels in line with legal reforms and reinforce examinations and management systems for products containing chemical substances)
- Implement regular training on chemical substance management
2. Hazardous substance reduction: Identification of hazardous substances contained in products
- Develop a system to list whether products sold comply with the REACH Restricted Substances List (Annex XVII) and Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC)
Consideration in Animal Experiments
The Research & Innovation Center has formulated its own regulations for animal experimentation and other relevant standards based on the Act on Welfare and Management of Animals, the Ministry of the Environment’s Standards Relating to the Care and Keeping and Reducing Pain of Laboratory Animals, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries’ The Basic Policy on Animal Experimentation Performed at Research Institutions, and the Science Council of Japan’s Guidelines for Proper Conduct of Animal Experiments. These activities are validated by an external organization (the Japan Pharmaceutical Information Center (JAPIC)4) and the facility was certified in June 2018 as a facility that conducts animal experiments in a proper manner (certification was renewed in June 2024).
- 4. The Japan Pharmaceutical Information Center (JAPIC) has taken on certified businesses from the Japan Health Sciences Foundation, which was disbanded in March 2021.
