4 _285 2023 UNIVERSAL REGISTRATION DOCUMENT_MICHELIN 4 NON-FINANCIAL STATEMENT Sustainable Development Report Revised in 2020 and integrated into the Michelin Purchasing Principles, the Supplier Quality Assurance process specifies how Michelin intends to apply its quality policies in its supplier relations and in managing the quality of purchased products and services. The process of selecting suppliers, and then monitoring their performance, involves more than 200 supplier quality system audit (ESQF) procedures and on-site technical inspections performed by experienced Michelin quality auditors and/or technical experts in each field(1). The audit framework is based on Michelin standards that reflect the ISO 9001: 2015 and IATF 16949: 2016 quality standards and the specifications of OEM customers. Following each audit, Michelin auditors assign a score to the supplier, who must agree to take any corrective action required in response to the audit findings. If necessary, a followup audit or technical inspection is scheduled. The annual audit plan is validated and tracked by a governance body comprising representatives from the Purchasing, Quality, Technical and Manufacturing departments. Quality management system In the case of product design and manufacturing, the Michelin Quality Approach is defined and instilled into every aspect of these processes by a quality organization supported by a quality management system. This approach is designed to manage and continuously improve how the Group operates to guarantee quality throughout the design and production of its products and services and, more generally, fulfill its customer promises. It defines the fundamental practices that are integrated into employee training so that they are understood and applied by everyone in their respective areas of responsibility. The Michelin Group’s quality standards are based on the industry’s highest international standards and strictest legislation covering consumer health & safety and environmental protection. To verify the compliance of its quality management system, Michelin regularly seeks certification from independent organizations. 100% of Michelin tire manufacturing plants and support processes have been certified to ISO 9001: 2015 STANDARDS In response to automaker customers, the plants that manufacture and deliver original equipment tires have been certified to IATF 16949: 2016, which specifically describe the development and production processes for auto parts. In addition, the Group conducts internal and external assessments to guarantee the quality specified by certain OEM customers, such as VDA 6.3, FORD Q1, GM QPR. Safety trials and tests Products designed and manufactured by the Group are extensively tested and assessed to ensure that they meet all the safety standards defined by Michelin in addition to regulatory standards. In the case of regulations, the Group performs the tests defined in applicable legislation(2) to earn initial approval for its products and ensure their long-term conformity of production (CoP). In 2023, for example, the Group performed several thousand regulatory tests, representing a run-time of more than 220,000 hours. Annual CoP control plans addressing all the regulations in force in the markets served by the Group(3) are prepared for each production unit(3). Implementation of these plans and their outcomes are tracked internally by the Quality Department and, if necessary, externally by government-mandated bodies at their request. Drawing upon its technical expertise and market intelligence, the Michelin Group has also defined its own safety standards for each type of product and each usage category. These standards are approved and reviewed quarterly by dedicated steering committees, made up of the technical and quality managers concerned. All of them are expressed in internal standards manuals that refer to the corresponding tests approved for CoP control. To offer customers products that meet Michelin’s highest safety standards, more than 1,500,000(4) hours of safety testing are conducted every year(5) on the Group’s tracks or in its laboratories. Most of these regular tests are performed by the Group. For this purpose, Michelin has a network of material measurement laboratories and tire testing centers in Europe, Asia and the United States, which are all certified to the NF EN ISO/CEI 17025 standard. (1) See section 4.1.4.2 Demonstrating our CSR commitments through responsible procurement policies. (2) Such as the various UNECE regulatory standards (R30, R54, R75, R106, R109, R117, R2017/2400, etc.) applied in China, India, Indonesia, Thailand, the United States, Brazil and the Gulf States. (3) Because it depends on the number of products in production, the number of products tested and tests performed can vary from one year to the next. (4) Actual hours of testing in 2023. (5) Including safety tests requested by our OEM customers.
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