Kobe Steel subsidiary Kobelco & Materials Copper Tube Co., Ltd. receives JIS certification

We once again deeply apologize for the considerable trouble we have caused to our customers, suppliers, shareholders and many others concerning the misconduct at Kobe Steel, Ltd. and its group companies.

Kobe Steel, Ltd. announces that today subsidiary Kobelco & Materials Copper Tube Co., Ltd. (or KMCT) has acquired JIS certification for “JIS H3300 copper and copper alloy seamless pipes and tubes” from a JIS certification body.

In relation to the announcement entitled “Improper conduct concerning a portion of the aluminum and copper products manufactured by Kobe Steel” on October 8, 2017, KMCT underwent an examination by a certification body resulting in cancellation notices of its JIS certification for “JIS H3300 copper and copper alloy seamless pipes and tubes” on October 26, 2017 and for “JIS H3330 plastic covered copper tubes” on November 15, 2017, as KMCT had shipped both products displayed with the JIS mark, despite those products not meeting JIS standards.

In response, KMCT undertook the rebuilding of its quality management system to regain JIS certification. These efforts led to KMCT obtaining JIS certification today for “JIS H3300 copper and copper alloy seamless pipes and tubes.”

Kobe Steel and its group companies have been steadily implementing recurrence prevention measures and are striving to reacquire JIS certification, lift temporary suspension at another business location, and restore the trust of its customers.

The impact of this incident on Kobe Steel’s business performance is unclear at this time. Kobe Steel plans to make an announcement when the extent of the impact becomes clear.

Certificate holder:

Kobelco & Materials Copper Tube Co., Ltd. Hatano Plant

Certification body:

JIC Quality Assurance Ltd.

JIS number, product and certification number:

JIS H3300 copper and copper alloy seamless pipes and tubes (QA0319005)

Certification date:

January 28, 2020

Company name:

Kobelco & Material Copper Tube Co., Ltd.

Address:

Odakyu Dai-Ichi Seimei Building, 4F 2-chome 7-1 Nishi-Shinjuku Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan

Representative:

Hideo Sumida, President and CEO

Business:

Manufacture and sale of copper tubes for air conditioning and copper tubes for construction and hot/cold water supply

Established:

April 1, 2004, with capital of 6 billion yen (55% owned subsidiary)

Sales:

51.6 billion yen (fiscal 2018)