[Okayama Prefecture Industrial Promotion Foundation] Application Acceptance (New/Renewal) for Okayama Prefecture BCP Certification System Begins!

Okayama Prefecture and the (Public Interest Incorporated Foundation) Okayama Prefecture Industrial Promotion Foundation are implementing the Okayama Prefecture BCP Certification System with the aim of promoting the development of BCPs (Business Continuity Plans) in preparation for large-scale disasters such as the Nankai Trough earthquake, and to improve the business continuity capabilities of companies within the prefecture and the disaster preparedness of the region.

We are now accepting applications (new and renewal) for this certification for fiscal year 2026.

1. Purpose of the Okayama Prefecture BCP Certification System

Due to disasters such as the heavy rains of July 2018 and the Noto Peninsula earthquake, disruptions to business activities caused by the spread of COVID-19, and the announcement of damage estimates for the Nankai Trough earthquake, interest in BCPs (Business Continuity Plans) for early recovery and continuation of business in times of emergency is growing. However, the percentage of SMEs within the prefecture that have established BCPs is only 24.4% in the manufacturing sector and 12.7% in the retail/wholesale sector (according to a prefectural economic survey targeting specific companies). In light of this situation, Okayama Prefecture operates the "Okayama Prefecture BCP Certification System" with the aim of creating companies and a region that are resilient to environmental changes by certifying businesses that demonstrate excellent initiatives where management and employees collaborate to achieve early business recovery and continuation even in the event of unforeseen circumstances such as disasters, and initiatives that involve collaboration with business partners and the local community, thereby encouraging these initiatives to spread to other businesses.

2. Benefits for Certified Businesses

(1) Announcement on the Okayama Prefecture website

(2) Issuance of a certificate of certification

(3) Use of the certified logo mark

(4) Preferential treatment from financial institutions and non-life insurance companies (conditions apply)

3. Certification Criteria

The examination committee will review whether all 13 items under "Company's Own Initiatives" and 2 items under "Initiatives with Business Partners" meet the evaluation criteria*, along with 1 optional item under "Initiatives in Collaboration with the Community." (*Evaluation criteria are published on the Okayama Prefecture website).

For businesses that meet the criteria, the certified logo mark will be awarded in three tiers, depending on the number of risks (earthquake risk, wind and flood risk (typhoons, heavy rain, floods), and infectious disease risk) assumed by the company's BCP.

4. Validity Period of Certification

The validity period of the certification shall be until the end of the fiscal year in which three years have passed from the date of certification. Benefits for certified businesses can be utilized from the date of receiving the decision notice of certification. For renewal of certification, an application must be submitted again and reviewed by the examination committee before the end of the fiscal year in which the validity period expires. Okayama Prefecture will notify businesses whose certification is about to expire in the year of expiration.

5. Application Method

Download the certification application form from the Okayama Prefecture website, attach the necessary documents, and submit it via email to the Okayama Prefecture BCP Certification System Secretariat.

Download Certification Application Form/Forms ↓

https://www.pref.okayama.jp/page/790963.html

Application Period: July 13, 2024 (Mon) - September 30, 2024 (Wed) (must arrive by)

≪Contact Information (Okayama Prefecture BCP Certification System Secretariat)≫

5301 Haga, Kita-ku, Okayama City, 701-1221 (Techno Support Okayama)

(Public Interest Incorporated Foundation) Okayama Prefecture Industrial Promotion Foundation, Management Support Department, Small and Medium Enterprise Support Division, Attn: Irie, Ishii

TEL: 086-286-9626 FAX: 086-286-9627 E-mail: [email protected]