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Related Links: Product Safety and Reliability Coway Heart Service

Implementing Customer-oriented Quality Management

Quality Management Program

In order to secure product safety, Coway internalizes quality management activities throughout the product lifecycle, from product development and sales to disposal.

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Daily Quality Network On-site related data such as customer service and returns are analyzed daily and monitored in real time at the analysis center. This enables us to promptly and accurately carry out quality improvement activities.	QS7 (Quality Solution 7 Days) In case of quality issues, an “emergency permanent task force team (TFT)” is formed. The TFT improves and solves the given issue within 7 days, thus improving customer satisfaction.
Quality VOC Council Unification the main quality VOC reception channels that are generated in the field, so that they can be improved applied quickly and accurately through regular consultation with related departments.	Improvement Responsibility System & Prevention Responsibility System Our improvement responsibility system identifies and improves product defects. The prevention responsibility system prevents potential defects and helps us reduce the factors that cause them.
Quality Improvement Progress Management Improvement progress is managed in real-time through our computer system, shortening the time for improvement processing. Cases of failure recorded in our database for continued quality improvement.	Quality Forecast System Risks that may influence the quality of manufactured products are prevented according to weekly production plans.

Strengthening Verification in Product Lifecycle

Coway conducts verification of products from the view of lifecycle assessment. Stricter verification standards are applied, considering not only product safety, harmfulness, and hygiene but the environment where customers use the products.

Adopting Pre-Design Review

In order to enhance our products’ level of completeness and product quality, Coway conducts Pre Design Review (PDR) in the product development process, from product development to design, DPP and LPP, thus proactively managing risk factors. We work with external professionals in strengthening quality by identifying quality-related risks and new ways to improve the review system.

Expanding Reliability Test Plan Evaluation Meeting

Coway holds evaluation meetings that involve relevant personnel in development, reliability, and quality for an in-depth analysis of the reliability of new products, parts, and functions. At the kick-off meeting, the overall direction is set so as to decrease variability among test laboratories and evaluate all risk factors. At the completion meeting, improvement issues regarding testing standards and evaluation process are identified. Cases of failure are registered on the Stress-Strength Model (SSM) system and shared across the company.

Strengthening Verification of Debris Reliability

Coway conducts verification of potential debris in water and air purifiers and has developed testing methods. Causes for debris are categorized into corrosion, external contamination, etc., and analyzed accordingly. In 2016, 25 cases of debris in hot water tanks and corrosion were analyzed, and the safety of service goods was also examined.

Upgrading Verification of Breakdown and Defect

In order to analyze and prevent potential breakdown or defect during product use, Coway has established a verification process and conducts verification using state-of-the-art equipment. In 2016, 571 cases of broken PL were examined. The causes of breakdown in these cases were analyzed, and solution measures were prepared.

Upgrading Verification on Premium Products

Coway’s premium products are tested under very strict standards so that we can provide highly safe products to our customers. With the expansion of IoCare product development, we have secured professional test equipment and personnel, enabling us to evaluate the standard safety of our products and verify susceptibility to electromagnetic waves and electromagnetic field (EMF) safety from the customer’s point of view.

Operation of IoCare Quality Assurance System

We develop our IoCare products from the customer’s point of view, from product development to design, to strengthen our product quality. In 2016, we developed and operated our own shipment inspection and control system. We also analyzed patterns of sterilization duration and cycle, as well as patterns of product usage time. Furthermore, we improved the quality of our products by designing a smartphone application and establishing verification standards.

Strengthening IoCare Quality Assurance System

- Analyze sterilization duration and cycle
- Analyze product usage time patterns
- Verify application and product design
- Warehouse inspection for duplicate addresses
- App-linked shipment inspection

Acquisition of Certifications

Coway develops products conforming to various standards in different countries, and acquires certifications accordingly. In 2017, we expect to be designated as a CQC (China Quality Certification) authorized testing lab.

Number of Authorized Testing Lab Certifications

Status of Certifications

Water Purifiers

Granted by the Korea Water Purifier Industry Cooperative to products that meet its standards and requirements, this certification has been earned for all of Coway's water purifier products.
Air Purifiers

The CA Mark, a quality certification granted to products that meet the standards of the Korea Air Cleaning Association, has been earned for all of Coway's air purifiers. The HH Mark and the HD Mark have been earned for all products with humidifying and dehumidifying functions.
Clean Washers

Removing not only rust and residual chlorine but also hazardous substances from water, the product safety of Coway's Clean Washer (BD01) has been proved by obtaining the WQA Certification from the International Water Quality Association. It has also obtained the Atopy Safe Mark from the Korea Atopy Association, so that it can be used safely by atopy patients.