Last Updated: 2010.02.28
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Thoroughly controlling quality and safety right up to delivery to the customer
UNIQLO has selected the most stringent of existing safety standards in countries and regions where we conduct business, including the United States and the European Union, and incorporated them into the UNIQLO Global Quality and Safety Standards. Quality and safety control staff within the Production Department take the lead in a collaborative effort with partner factories in confirming compliance for all UNIQLO products. Information gathered in this process is shared with related departments, and the Customer Care for Product Quality Department handles responses to customer inquiries. UNIQLO also distributes a monthly safety report across the entire company for training staff engaged in the planning, design and production of products and for improving product quality.
The takumi system ensures top quality and safety
From 2000, UNIQLO has been sending takumi (artisans with extensive experience in the world-leading Japanese textile industry) to factories to provide technical guidance, process management and personnel development at production sites.
Currently, 30 takumi, engaged in the areas of either materials or sewing, play important roles in China and other production locations.
Ensuring safety through multiple quality inspections by third parties
Every material used by UNIQLO is subject to safety inspections by public, third-party inspection bodies and include sampling tests for dye fastness*1 and residual formalin*2. UNIQLO also runs pre-production inspections at the stage of mass production and conducts a pre-shipment examination (checking for needles, dangerous objects, etc.) of all products before they leave the factories. Moreover, pre-shipment audits are conducted in collaboration with third-party inspection bodies to confirm inspections are being faithfully carried out at partner factories. Products are subject to partial inspection after delivery to warehouses, as well as sampling inspections by a third party.
*1 Dye fastness test: Durability test specifically for dyed products
*2 Formalin (formaldehyde) test: Formaldehyde is used as an anti-shrink, anti-crease softener in the processing of natural fibers. It has been specifically linked with incidents of rashes and skin allergies for those with delicate skin.
