Glorious Moment | “Intellectual Property” as the Golden Key: ERA Unlocks Global Innovation Management with ISO 56005

Recently, ERA has been awarded the Level 3 ISO 56005 Certificate for “Innovation and Intellectual Property Management Capability,” becoming the first enterprise in both the Taizhou plastic pipeline industry and the Huangyan District to receive this certification. This marks ERA’s entry into the ranks of global leaders in innovation and intellectual property (IP) management.

ISO 56005 Innovation Management – Guidelines for Intellectual Property Management (hereinafter referred to as “ISO 56005”) is the first international standard for intellectual property management proposed and promoted by China. It sets high demands for enterprises in terms of innovation mechanisms, creation, utilization, protection, and management of intellectual property, while also emphasizing the need for sustainable innovation capabilities and efficient IP management systems.

Since December 2024, ERA has implemented the core strategy of “Promoting Construction, Reform, and Excellence Through Evaluation,” leveraging ISO 56005 as a crucial opportunity to enhance its innovation and IP management capabilities. Following six months of solid preparation—including initiation, system construction, implementation, platform assessment, and final evaluation—ERA successfully passed the expert review and achieved certification.

IP management is a comprehensive and systematic endeavor. ERA has developed an IP strategy aligned with its overall business development strategy. With a long-standing commitment to innovation and scientific management, ERA is dedicated to building a leading enterprise with a competitive edge in intellectual property. By aligning its innovation path, resource allocation, and business operations with IP strategy, ERA ensures its R&D direction closely supports its strategic business goals. During the certification process, ERA integrated the strengths of its existing management systems with the specific requirements of ISO 56005. The company systematically sorted, compiled, and optimized a complete set of IP management frameworks, including management structures, relevant policies, and procedural guidelines. It established overarching strategies and mechanisms for IP management across all innovation activities, ensuring standardized and efficient operations while providing clear direction and structure for its innovation efforts.

ERA fully recognizes the critical importance of managing IP risks during innovation. In line with ISO 56005 principles, the company has enhanced IP management and patent search analysis throughout the R&D lifecycle. This approach has supported smooth project execution and minimized infringement risks, creating a strong defensive line for project development. From a governance perspective, ERA has capitalized on its institutional strengths, forming a dedicated leadership team to coordinate cross-departmental resources. This team comprehensively assesses IP protection capabilities and information security measures to ensure the effective advancement of the certification process. ERA has also established IP infringement warning and risk monitoring systems that span the entire product lifecycle—from project initiation and R&D to procurement, production, and sales—significantly reducing IP-related risks. By leveraging legal tools, the company safeguards its legitimate rights and fosters a secure and stable innovation environment, providing a solid foundation for R&D. To date, ERA has obtained over 800 national and international patents and has led or participated in the development of more than 120 national, industry, and international standards. The company has been recognized with numerous honors, including National Intellectual Property Demonstration Enterprise, China Excellent Patent Award, Zhejiang Province Major Contribution Award for Standard Innovation, and Zhejiang Province Trade Secret Protection Demonstration Site.

ERA believes the ultimate goal of innovation is the transformation of technological achievements into market value. The company has built an efficient communication mechanism among its IP, R&D, and marketing departments to ensure seamless information flow and consensus on valuable technologies. This collaboration reduces friction and decision-making delays during the R&D process, accelerating the secure and effective commercialization of innovations. For instance, addressing the common problems of scaling, flow obstruction, and bacterial growth in traditional household water pipes, ERA developed the patented “Polypropylene Pipeline and Its Preparation Method” within six months. This breakthrough earned the 2024 China National Light Industry Council Science and Technology Progress Award. The innovation, now applied in ERA’s “U+ Comfort Core Series,” features hydrophobic, anti-scaling, and antibacterial technologies, ensuring clean and smooth water flow. It provides triple water protection and has received widespread market attention and recognition.

ERA will use this ISO 56005 certification as a new starting point, continuously exploring the deep integration of intellectual property and technological innovation. The company aims to further enhance the transformation and application of scientific achievements, unleash internal innovation potential, and inject powerful momentum into high-quality development. By doing so, ERA is setting a new benchmark for the industry and driving intellectual property and innovation management capabilities to new heights.