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Initiatives Supporting Safe Use of Products
Kao Receives JCIA’s “JIPS Award” for the Tenth Consecutive Year (FY2025 Grand Award)
In March 2026, Kao received the JIPS*1 Award (Grand Award) from the Japan Chemical Industry Association (JCIA).
The JIPS Award is a program that recognizes companies working to build trust with society by voluntarily disclosing safety information on chemicals in the form of the “GPS*2 Safety Summary.” In recognition of these efforts, Kao became the only company in Japan to receive the award for 10 consecutive years, since the first award in 2016.
As of January 2026, out of a cumulative total of 716 GPS Safety Summaries disclosed by Japanese companies as a whole, Kao has disclosed 245, the highest number in Japan.
People involved in the safety assessment and information disclosure of chemicals
Kao manufactures and markets household products such as detergents and cosmetics, as well as chemical products for industrial applications, including asphalt additives, and these products use a variety of chemicals. To fulfill its social responsibility as a company that handles chemicals, Kao promotes the risk assessment of chemicals and stronger management at manufacturing sites, and works to disclose related information.
In 2025, Kao conducted safety assessments of substances including glycerin mono-fatty acid ester, based on the regulations of each country and Kao’s own safety standards. Based on the results, Kao published Safety Summaries for four substances and 18 products, confirming that products using these substances can be used safely, taking into account their impact on people and the environment.
Glycerin mono-fatty acid ester is widely used in cosmetics for stabilization, emulsification, and moisturizing, and is also used as a food emulsifier. In industrial applications, it is used in products such as plastic additives and lubricating oils.
In addition, Kao revised the GPS Safety Summaries for 22 chemical products, including EMULGEN, KAO AKYPO, and QUARTAMIN, based on the latest information.
When chemicals are selected and used appropriately based on an accurate understanding, they help support sustainable living. Through the disclosure and revision of Safety Summaries, Kao is enhancing the transparency of information on chemicals, promoting their appropriate use, and working to strengthen trust among stakeholders.
Although the JIPS Award will come to an end in 2026, Kao will continue to work toward greater transparency by sharing safety-related information, and will contribute to realizing a society in which people can use products with even greater peace of mind.
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* 1 JIPS: Japan Initiative of Product Stewardship. An initiative designed to promote the ICCA’s (International Council of Chemical Associations) GPS in Japan.
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* 2 GPS: Global Product Strategy. This is part of a commitment established by the ICCA to a strategic approach for international chemicals management.
Example of GPS Safety Summary
Examples of products that contain glycerin mono-fatty acid ester