CSR Activity Report (CSR Guideline Activity Reports) - Ethics and Compliance

Ethics and Compliance for Research Involving Human Biological Subjects and Information

Toray Industries Inc. aims to expand its business by helping to realize “a world where everyone enjoys good health and hygiene.” In addition to developing new products in the pharmaceutical and medical fields, the Company is working on creating high-value-added materials for the broader healthcare market, including functional fibers designed to appeal to human sensibilities. During its research and development processes, when conducting studies using human subjects or samples/information obtained from people (“research/testing involving humans”; hereafter, “human studies”), Toray personnel comply with the Company's ethical standards1, which are based on national ethics guidelines2.
The most important consideration for human studies is to protect the dignity and human rights of the research participants (providers of human samples or information). Therefore, individuals engaged in human studies (hereafter, “researchers”) are required to undergo prior training before starting their involvement, receive regular refresher training at least once a year, and submit research plans in advance for review and approval by internal and external experts.
The Company has established an Ethics Committee on Research Involving Human Biological Subjects3 (the “Ethics Committee”) and an Ethics Review Committee on Research Involving Human Biological Subjects4 (the “Ethics Review Committee”) to deliberate on the ethical and scientific validity of proposed human studies.
Research plans submitted by researchers to the Ethics Committee are rigorously reviewed by the Ethics Review Committee from the perspectives of ethical validity, scientific rationality, and the appropriateness of personal information management. The conclusions are then reported to the Ethics Committee. Based on this report, the Ethics Committee makes a comprehensive determination on whether to approve a proposed human study, taking into account factors such as institutional suitability.

Ethical Review System for Human Studies
Ethical Review System for Human Studies

The operation and review activities of the Ethics Review Committee are conducted in accordance with the Operational Procedures for the Ethics Review Committee on Research Involving Human Biological Subjects (hereafter, the “Procedures”) created based on the Company's ethical standards. In addition to reviewing proposed studies, the Ethics Review Committee also conducts researcher training, and fiscal year-end reviews of all current studies. It plays a key role in managing and ensuring the proper operation of the entire process for human studies.
The Ethics Review Committee members, the Procedures, and the committee minutes are released on the Company’s website and submitted to the Research Ethics Review Committee Reporting System operated by Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

  1. 1 The Company's ethical standards: Toray Ethic Code for Research Involving Human Biological Subjects (established March 10, 2011; revised August 1, 2023; 6th Edition)
  2. 2 National ethics guidelines: “Ethical Guidelines for Medical and Biological Research Involving Human Subjects” (March 21, 2021; Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology / Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare / Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Notification No. 1)
  3. 3 Ethics Committee on Research Involving Human Biological Subjects: This body, chaired by the head of Toray’s Research & Development Division, manages and oversees the Ethics Review Committee. As of July 2024, the corporate vice president serves as the head of the R&D Division.
  4. 4 Ethics Review Committee on Research Involving Human Biological Subjects: Taking a scientific and ethical standpoint, this body deliberates on whether proposed human studies should proceed based on Toray's ethical standards. Its conclusions are reported back to the Ethics Committee. The Ethics Review Committee consists of i) internal experts in natural sciences, ii) internal experts in humanities and social sciences, and iii) members of the public. The committee chair is an internal expert appointed by the Ethics Committee chair, and as of July 2024, the position is held by the director.

Click here for the main initiatives for CSR Guideline 2, “Ethics and Compliance” in CSR Roadmap 2025.