Materiality : Ensuring of the safety and quality of products｜Trust & Responsibility｜サステナビリティ

System for product safety and quality control

We conduct various reviews and inspections to ensure product safety and quality. During these reviews, we examine a wide range of quality-related aspects, including product design, materials used, safety during use, and labeling.

Before starting production of new products, we carry out design reviews based on a checklist to verify structural, material, and technical elements. After manufacturing, we perform pre-shipment inspections to ensure that no defective items are included before products are shipped from the factory.

Review	DR1	DR2	Safety Review (May be combined with DR2)	DR3	DR4
Target Sample	Design drawings / prototype samples	Design proposal / mold order instructions	Counter meeting sample	Design sample after evaluation	Final decision meeting sample / Standard reference (CFM sample)
Organizing Department	EPD Planning & Production Section	EPD Development Section	EPD Development Section	EPD Development Section	MT Sourcing Section
Decision Maker	Manager, EPD Planning & Production Section	Manager, EPD Planning & Production Section	Manager, EPD Development Section Manager, EPD Planning & Development Section	Manager, EPD Planning & Production Section Manager, EPD Planning & Development Section Manager, MT Sourcing Section	Manager, EPD Planning & Production Section
Timing	When deciding next seasonʼs planned products	Around the time of the counter meeting	Before DR3	Before creating mass production prototypes	After completion of standard reference sample
Target Items	All new products	Novelty A	Products developed by EPD	All new products	All new products
Review Items	① Product features ② Marketability / competitiveness ③ Sales price / profitability ④ Launch timing ⑤ Design and development considerations ⑥ Legal / regulatory compliance ⑦ Contribution to SDGs ⑧ Confirmation of past issue resolutions	① Evaluation of product functionality / structure ② Cost confirmation ③ Development schedule progress ④ Legal / regulatory / IP compliance ⑤ Evidence of SDGs contribution ⑥ Confirmation of past issue resolutions ⑦ Other points raised in DR1	① Functionality ② Safety / durability ③ Reliability of new technologies / materials / methods ④ Patents	① Strength / durability evaluation of prototype ② Reliability of new technologies / materials / methods ③ Legal / regulatory / IP compliance ④ Production site / cost ⑤ Overall schedule ⑥ Presence and expression method of sub-materials ⑦ Chemical substance confirmation ⑧ Confirmation of changes since previous DR ⑨ Consistency with base documents such as lineup detail sheets ⑩ Before DR3, MTC and MT Sourcing members must understand production process and critical points	① Confirmation of standard reference sample ② Consistency between product specification sheet and sample * Finalized CFM samples must be signed by Mizuno planning, production, QC, and factory representatives and stored for at least one year.* ③ Final confirmation of product labeling * All labeling items including functionality must be checked in the complete product to prevent errors. ④ Confirmation of need for performance evaluation using mass production parts
Basic Reviewers (Additional participants may be summoned as needed)	EPD Planning / Production Control Manager, EPD Planning Section EPD Development Production Control Quality Assurance MT Production Control MT Production Engineering MT Sourcing	EPD Development Manager, EPD Development Section EPD Planning / Production Control Quality Assurance MT Production Control MT Production Engineering MT Sourcing Other technical experts with insights into new technologies / materials	EPD Development Manager, EPD Development Section MT Production Engineering MT Sourcing Other technical experts with insights into new technologies / materials	EPD Development Manager, EPD Development Section EPD Planning / Quality Control MT Production Control Quality Assurance MT Production Engineering MT Sourcing Other technical experts with insights into new technologies / materials	MT Production Control Manager, Production Control EPD Development EPD Planning / Quality Control Quality Assurance MT Production Engineering MT Sourcing

We ensure the quality of all products in accordance with product specifications and material quality standards created for each item.These standards are based on the laws, regulations, and guidelines of each country, as well as Mizunoʼs accumulated manufacturing expertise and customer feedback.

Design Review (DR) Implementation Plan by Product Design and Development Division

For products designed and developed by the Global Equipment Product (hereinafter referred to as "EPD") Development Section and Mizuno Technics Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "MT").

Since many of our products are manufactured at external subcontracted factories under OEM agreements, ensuring product quality at these sites is also essential.
Before entering into a new OEM contract, the responsible personnel from each product division assess the factoryʼs quality capabilities to ensure that it can produce products that meet our specified standards. We only sign OEM contracts with factories that meet our criteria.
For existing partner factories, we conduct regular QC patrols, visiting facilities that produce major items to check their quality control status and provide guidance. In fiscal year 2024, we continued these efforts through on-site visits and web conferencing systems, conducting QC patrols and QA audits at overseas manufacturing sites.
Additionally, at regularly held QC meetings, we review product quality in the market and thoroughly discuss and implement measures to prevent recurrence of any defects.

In the event of a serious defect, we report it to relevant authorities such as the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Consumer Affairs Agency. If necessary, we issue public notices and voluntarily recall affected products to prevent further distribution of defective items.
No serious defects requiring public announcements via newspapers or other media have occurred since FY2005.

In fiscal year 2025, we will continue to strengthen our global quality assurance system and develop human resources to deliver safe and high-quality products.

QA Audit

QC Meeting

Corporate QA Meeting

Use of quality function deployment (QFD) at the time of development of new products

When developing new products, Mizuno conducts quality reviews using Quality Function Deployment (QFD), as prescribed in the JIS standard “Performance Improvement of Management Systems — Guidelines for Quality Function Deployment” (JIS Q 9025:2003). QFD is defined as a methodology that employs various transformations and deployments to achieve product quality objectives.

As part of the QFD process, we create a Quality Function Deployment Diagram, which consists of:

a Required Quality Deployment Table, where customer-required functions are broken down into three stages, and
a Quality Characteristic Deployment Table, which outlines quantitatively measurable characteristics necessary for designing the required quality.

This diagram clarifies the relationship between customer needs and quality characteristics, ensuring that the required quality is effectively incorporated into product design.

While QFD has been introduced in the development of selected products, we plan to expand its application to a broader range of products and services. This includes enhancing the intangible aspects of products and developing exercise programs delivered through our products.

* QFD（Quality Function Deployment）

ISO 9001 certification

The Mizuno Group has acquired and continuously maintained ISO 9001 certification, the international standard for quality management systems, to ensure product safety and quality.

Year of acquisition	Company certified ISO 9001
2001	Senoh Corporation
2004	Shanghai Mizuno Corporation Ltd.
2006	Mizuno Technics Corporation
2006	Taiwan Mizuno Corporation

Management of Restricted Chemical Substances in Products

To ensure the safety and appropriate quality of its products, Mizuno has established and operates under the Chemical Substances Control Regulations, which define the requirements for managing restricted chemical substances in the products we manufacture and sell.
Based on these regulations, we compile a list of chemical substances^*1 that are banned or restricted under national laws and regulations, along with their permissible limits, and conduct investigations and verifications before commercializing any product.

The Quality Assurance Office and Legal Office develop the necessary rules and procedures for chemical substance management and support the activities of each product division—Footwear, Apparel, and Equipment.
Depending on the types of chemical substances that may be used, we require suppliers to submit chemical substance survey forms and/or written pledges confirming compliance with our standards.
In addition, we conduct sampling inspections^*2 of certain products and materials through third-party testing organizations to verify their safety.
If any substances of concern are identified in survey reports or analysis results, we request suppliers to reduce environmental impact. We also propose improvements to ensure proper handling of chemical substances at subcontracted production sites and recommend switching to substances with lower environmental impact.

*1 Representative examples of high-risk restricted chemical substances include those specified in the Stockholm Convention (POPs), Class I Specified Chemical Substances under Japanʼs Act on the Evaluation of Chemical Substances and Regulation of Their Manufacture, substances regulated under the Act on Control of Household Products Containing Harmful Substances, and those listed in Annexes XIV and XVII of the EU REACH Regulation.

*2 Examples of inspections include tests to confirm the absence of specific azo dyes that generate designated aromatic amines, and compliance verification with the EU REACH Regulation for products intended for the European market.

Participation in the Apparel and Footwear International RSL Management Group (AFIRM)

In January 2019, we joined the Apparel and Footwear International RSL Management Group (AFIRM)*, an international organization that manages the Restricted Substances List (RSL), to simplify the operation of restricted chemical substances and strengthen the management of them.
Based on information from AFIRM, we have created a restricted chemical substances list, which meets the international standards, to manage the risk of chemical substances remaining in products in the supply chain. We will also promote information sharing and collaboration within the industry to improve compliance.
In cooperation with ASICS Corporation, we have unified the names of restricted chemical substances in Japanese. This can be expected to facilitate the management of restricted chemical substances in the supply chain in Japan. We have also jointly created the Japanese version of various materials issued by AFIRM and have published them on the AFIRM website. These materials can be viewed and used freely also by any non-member of AFIRM. We will continue to contribute to improving the management level of residual chemical substances in products in Japan.
We have created the Mizuno Restricted Substances List, which meets the international standards, based on AFIRM materials. It consists of two lists, a restricted substances list for products and a restricted substances list for product packages.
In fiscal year 2024, we created the Mizuno Restricted Substances List 2024 and distributed it to our suppliers.

* AFIRM：Apparel and Footwear International RSL Management Group (RSL=Restricted Substances List)
Representative member companies of AFIRM: adidas, Amazon, ASICS, Descente, Decathlon, Esprit, Fast Retailing, Hugo Boss, Lacoste, New Balance, NIKE, Inc., Pentland, PUMA, Skechers, and Under Armour (The company names follow the notation on the official website of AFIRM [https://afirm-group.com/members/])

Commitment to enhancing employee awareness

Providing education on quality

Mizuno believes that the safety and quality of Mizuno products depend on the awareness and conduct of each employee of the Mizuno Group. Mizuno has formulated the Mizuno Quality Education Outline with the aim of helping the spirit of founder Rihachi Mizuno, best expressed in his own words as “Create the best products for customers,” firmly take root inside the company. Following this outline, we also intend to build a system for systematically and unfailingly providing employees with training on quality control. Mizuno believes that quality control is something that must be undertaken by the Mizuno Group as a whole, not just one specific division.
Quality Assurance Office carries out company-wide quality education and department-specific quality education conducted in each department.

Major training courses on quality control [*d]

Company-wide Quality Control Course
Content	Acquisition of basic knowledge regarding quality control rules.
Target Audience	Product divisions, development departments, business units, sales departments, indirect departments, and group companies.
Achievements	In FY2024, we held two training sessions under the theme of “Customer Response Education,” with a total of 473 participants. Thanks to the introduction of a recorded viewing format since FY2021, participants from various departments across domestic offices were able to take part.
Study Course for the QC Test
Content	To promote self-development aimed at improving quality control skills and problem-solving capabilities, training programs are conducted at Mizuno Corporation, Mizuno Technics Corporation, Senoh Corporation, and Sharp Sangyo Co., Ltd.
Target Audience	Product divisions, development departments, business units, sales departments, manufacturing departments, etc.
Achievements	As of March 2025, 320 employees currently hold QC certification.
Product Division Quality Control Education Course
Content	Each of the three product divisions organized training sessions to enhance specialized knowledge related to quality.
Target Audience	Personnel in charge of planning, production, sourcing, and development within the product divisions.
Achievements	In FY2024, a total of 119 sessions were held, with 2,467 participants. Training was conducted through a combination of in-person sessions, online delivery, and recorded video viewing, allowing employees to gain expertise in the products they are responsible for.

Mizuno Technics Corporation – Framework for Enhancing Product Quality

The manufacturing technologies and expertise of Mizuno Technics Corporation are highly trusted by professional athletes and teams. To continue meeting their expectations, it is essential for each employee to further develop their skills and ensure the transfer of technical know-how. To support this, Mizuno Technics has established and operates a quality enhancement framework based on ISO 9001.

Quality Management System (QMS) Promotion Committee
Held every two months, this committee provides reports and training on QMS-related topics to QMS promoters appointed from each department.
Mizuno Technics Quality Education Program
An annual plan is developed by the Quality Assurance Section, which prepares the training materials. In fiscal year 2024, a total of 7 sessions comprising 15 classes were conducted, with a cumulative total of 2,800 participants.

Quality Month Initiatives

Mizuno designates each November as Quality Month and conducts various quality-related activities for all employees across the Group. In fiscal year 2024, we held a photo contest related to quality, which attracted 136 participants, and delivered a training program on customer support, with 509 participants. In total, 645 employees took part in these activities.
These initiatives provide employees with an opportunity to reflect on the quality of our products and services, contributing to continuous quality improvement and enhanced customer satisfaction.

Passing Down Skills to Ensure Product Quality

Mizunoʼs commitment to quality is supported by continuous improvement initiatives at Mizuno Technics Corporation, which is responsible for manufacturing many of our products.
While many sporting goods are produced overseas, we remain committed to manufacturing in Japan. This approach enables us to pursue high-mix, low-volume production, allowing us to produce and supply a wide variety of products in the necessary quantities. It also helps us respond to market globalization, increasingly personalized consumer needs, and rapidly changing trends in the digital age.
We develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and use them as the foundation for training workers. This supports the development of multi-skilled personnel—employees capable of performing multiple tasks—and helps improve productivity through the thorough elimination of waste. These efforts are aimed at cultivating skilled manufacturing professionals.
In addition, the presence of master craftsmen (Meisters) who create equipment to support athletes plays a vital role in passing down the founding philosophy of “Create the best products for customers”, rooted in the spirit of our founder.

Future Challenges

We will continue to improve the accuracy and efficiency of various reviews to prevent the occurrence of defective products.
To respond to the diversification of products and the increasing complexity of the supply chain resulting from entry into new markets, we are considering the development of a more flexible quality assurance system.
In response to the global trend toward stricter chemical substance regulations, we are working to build a global quality assurance system in collaboration with our overseas group companies.
To ensure the delivery of safe and high-quality products, we will continue to provide quality-related education opportunities that accommodate diverse working arrangements.

Materiality
Ensuring of the safety and quality of products

Basic Concepts

System for product safety and quality control