At Terumo, quality really does make a difference - and standards are indispensable in this respect.
Last updated:
4/9/2025
What once started with paper documents in filing cabinets has today grown into an easily accessible digital standards system. For years, Terumo has been working with NBN to structurally embed quality in their processes. From their headquarters in Japan and with a strong European base in Belgium, the Organisation remains committed to innovation - also in how they apply standards.
Terumo was founded in 1921 in Japan, with one clear mission: to develop a reliable clinical thermometer. (Hence the name 'Terumo'.) Meanwhile, the Organisation has grown into a global player in medical technology, active in more than 160 countries. In Europe, the heart of the Organisation is in Leuven, with a production site on the same site and a distribution center in Genk. From there, Terumo works daily on innovative solutions that really make a difference for healthcare providers and patients.
"We want to contribute to better care and in doing so, we make more than just products," says Koen Verhaert, Vice President of Quality, Regulatory & Vigilance at Terumo Europe. "Our ambition is to have a tangible impact on healthcare - with continuous improvement as our guide."
For a medical device manufacturer like Terumo, standards are indispensable. "Without standards, we cannot even market our products," explains Valérie Boydens, Director of Regulatory Affairs. "Consider, for example, the ISO 13485 standard: it forms the basis of our quality management system. Thanks to that standard, we can develop safe and reliable medical devices, completely in line with the European Medical Device Regulation."
But it goes beyond that. Standards help to create structure internally and reinforce our story to the outside world - for example, during audits or in discussions with customers. They prove that we have anchored quality, sustainability and safety in everything we do.
Sabine Rooseleers, administrator of the NBN platform at Terumo, remembers how standards used to be ordered by fax and bundled in thick paper folders. "We went through the whole evolution," she says. "Today, all standards are digital and centralized in the NBN portal. Everyone can easily find the correct version of the standard - also in English, French or Dutch. New standards are immediately available, which is crucial for urgent questions. For Terumo, the NBN platform is a real added value. It saves time, prevents errors and strengthens compliance - and all in one central place."
Today, the NBN portal is widely used throughout the organisation - from Engineering and the labs to the clinical team and the Environment & Safety department. "Each department has its own specific needs and corresponding standards," says Koen Verhaert. "The fact that everyone now has quick and easy access to the right documents is a huge advantage. It increases efficiency and ensures that we can work consistently and quality-oriented as an organisation ."
A good example of that added value? Koen Verhaert doesn't have to think long. "We recently set up a new production line, with new machines and adapted sterilization process. Thanks to easy access to all relevant standards via the NBN portal, that process ran much faster and more efficiently. Those kinds of time-to-market gains are worth their weight in gold in our sector."
That speed and certainty are also important when it comes to product development or process changes. "We start every project with a thorough analysis of the applicable standards," Valérie Boydens adds. "These form the basis for our specifications - they provide direction as well as certainty.
Terumo experiences cooperation with NBN as smooth, reliable and professional. "We always get quick answers to questions or support when looking for a specific standard. Also during the transition to the new portal, the NBN team actively thought along with us," says Sabine Rooseleers. "The result? A user-friendly platform that is not only stronger in terms of content, but also scores better in terms of access, invoicing and reporting."
Valérie Boydens confirms this feeling: "What we especially appreciate is the thinking along and the innovation. NBN regularly comes up with new solutions, such as access to Chinese standards or personalized reports. This helps us to constantly adapt our standards collection to our specific needs."
For Terumo, it is clear: a partnership with NBN is an investment that pays off. "The integrated access to all possible standards - Belgian, European, international, ASTM or even Chinese standards - is truly unique. With one portal, one management and one overview, we gain in efficiency and ease of use. And at least as important: we have the assurance that we are always in line with the applicable standards." concludes Valérie Boydens.
Terumo is one of many customers who praise NBN for their smooth cooperation. Want to know how NBN can also help your organisation with worry-free standards management?
