Message from the President

More than 30 years have passed since the introduction of the ISO Management System (MS) certification in Japan. It has been widely adopted by Japanese companies and organizations as proof of quality and reliability, and provides a framework and tools for continuous improvement. Starting with product quality control in the manufacturing industry, the ISO management system standards now cover a wide range of industries and various management aspects such as the environment, information security, and energy. The focus of auditing has also been broadened from conformity assessment and document control to performance effectiveness and contribution to organizational goals. As globalization continues, the role and expectation of ISO MS certification will continue to grow in order to respond flexibly and timely to changes in markets and society.

JIC Quality Assurance Ltd. (JICQA) was established in 1992 as the nation’s first private certification body in Japan, with the support of the Japan Iron and Steel Federation and Japanese major steel companies. JICQA evolved from a small ISO 9000 working group of the Japan Inspection Co., Ltd. (JIC), then started with the five “samurai” fellows who had transferred from the major steel companies. JICQA was accredited by a Dutch accreditation body and later by a Japanese body, and started auditing and certification activities. JICQA was the first domestic certification body to issue ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO/IEC 27001 management system certificates in Japan. Today, we cover a wide range of industry sectors, from manufacturing to construction, food, transportation, public administration, medical and nursing care, and other service industries. With a major focus on quality and the environment, our certification areas have expanded to include occupational health and safety, aerospace, food safety, information security, and automotive. In addition, we provide services such as Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS) product certification, greenhouse gas (GHG) emission verification, third-party verification and assurance of sustainability reports, and other audits to meet individual needs. We are confident that our reputation as a trusted certification body is well deserved.

The quality of products and services for companies and organizations has been improved through the use of ISO management systems. However, the internal and external market environment is changing rapidly with increasing uncertainties. With the decline in the working-age population due to the low birth rates and an aging population, the simultaneous progress of globalization and localization (such as the “country first” policy) in the economy, and changes in business models combined with advanced digital technologies, Japanese companies are now urged to continuously increase their productivity (competitiveness) so that they can contribute not only to the growth of Japan’s economy and prosperity, but also to the sustainability of the world. Based on the competence (ability to promote improvement) cultivated through ISO MS certification activities, we strive to provide value to our clients and other stakeholders who are constantly faced with various risks and opportunities brought by markets and society.