In 1995, we were proud to become one of the founding members of the Japan branch of the worldwide Responsible Care¨ (RC) movement because we believed the organization would help further systematize our efforts and focus the entire chemical industry on its important goals.

Our Responsible Care activities are assessed using internal and external audits. External audits are carried out as part of the Japan Responsible Care¨ Council (JRCC) Responsible Care Verification System and the ISO certification process. In 2001, the JRCC Responsible Care Verification Center inspected and approved our management system and our occupational safety and health and social dialogue programs.  In 2002, it followed up with certification of our safety and disaster prevention, distribution safety, and environmental preservation programs.

Voluntary internal audits are conducted through a process where our RC Committee reports directly to the president in keeping the Company on track toward the environmental and safety goals set out in its environmental plan. We are now working toward establishing a global environmental plan and related standards for the entire Tosoh Group.

The ISO certification program also provides an external check of our programs. All Tosoh’s manufacturing complexes in Japan have obtained ISO 9001 quality assurance and ISO 14001 environmental management certification. And our Group affiliates are targeting the same goals. In July 2002, Tosoh’s Scientific Instruments Division, Tosoh AIA Inc., Tosoh Techno-System Inc., and Tosoh Hi-Tec Inc. obtained ISO 13485 certification, a special standard for medical devices.

For a broader perspective on corporate governance activities, please visit the related section at our Investors Center.