Quality Control

Back in 1995, a time when the ISO 9000 series was still not widely recognized, we acquired ISO 9002 certification early on, and progressed in product development so as to gain the trust of our customers, with an emphasis on quality.
Later, as the regulations were revised, we advanced to ISO 9001, and further to ISO 14001, taking the opportunity to transition from the conventional treatment of ISO as mere certification to a firm awareness of ISO activities as a business tool. Although we have not renewed the ISO14001 certification in 2021, we will continue to operate the environmental management system we have created based on ISO14001 as an integrated management system incorporating ISO9001, and strive to improve the environment and reduce environmental impact from the viewpoint of customer satisfaction. At the same time, we are determined to actively work on the SDGs.
Heightened efficiency stemming from improvements to our daily practices through the diligent elimination of unreasonableness, waste, and inconsistency has led to smoother product development. It also contributes significantly both to consistent quality and the reduction of environmental load.
One approach to product development is to hand over work to the next process with the same level of politeness as when dealing with a customer, thereby enabling smooth continuation. At KEM, we strive to minimize problems during product development by extending this principle to the previous process as well, ensuring some consideration (overlap) of both the previous and the next process.

Our products and services originate firstly with the support and cooperation of our many cooperating companies and suppliers.
If a problem occurs, we work together with our cooperating companies and suppliers to determine the cause. While occasionally providing support so that appropriate steps can be taken, we aim for cooperative investigation.
While people tend to take stopgap measures to prevent outflow on an emergency basis, we believe that taking measures with a full proof mindset, placing an emphasis on preventing re-occurrence leads to further improvements in quality.
We believe that the ultimate goal is to uproot the cause of any problem.

If a problem occurs with a product in use by our customers, the relevant personnel primarily from the quality assurance department immediately hold discussions regarding emergency countermeasures, aiming foremost to avoid hindering the business affairs of the customer. Once interim measures have been implemented, permanent measures are discussed, and if necessary, traceability information is utilized for horizontal deployment, in an effort to prevent the spread of problems.

Our density and specific gravity meters and refractometers, which are some of our main products, boast internationally top-class performance thanks to their high-level technological capabilities. However, this high accuracy is achieved precisely because there are dependable standards.
At KEM, we have created standard liquid measurement systems for density and refractive index with calibration capabilities at the highest international levels of accuracy, in line with guidance from the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology. KEM has received calibration agency certification through the Japan Calibration Service System (JCSS) based on the Japanese Measurement Act, and contributes to highly dependable standards recognized the world over. Naturally, KEM’s density and specific gravity meters and refractometers are calibrated using these standard liquids, so their measurement values are highly dependable.

In terms of certification standards, KEM uses ISO/IEC 17025, and is certified under the JCSS, which is operated in accordance with the ISO/IEC 17011 certification schemes. IAJapan, the certification agency administering the JCSS, has signed a mutual recognition arrangement with the Asia Pacific Accreditation Cooperation (APAC) and the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC).
Our production head office is a JCSS certified agency compliant with the international mutual recognition arrangement (MRA). The certification number for our production head office is JCSS 0115.