#quality-reference .section-philosophy-modern {
    --navy-dark: #072638;
    --teal-primary: #116f7b;
    --teal-accent: #179b8d;
    --text-dark: #062131;
    --text-muted: #566b78;
    --white: #ffffff;
    --transition-smooth: all 0.38s cubic-bezier(0.22, 1, 0.36, 1);

    background-color: #fafdfd;
    padding: clamp(70px, 9vw, 115px) 20px;
    font-family: 'Inter', -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, sans-serif;
    -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;
    position: relative;
    overflow: hidden;
  }

  #quality-reference .spm-container {
    max-width: 1140px;
    margin: 0 auto;
    display: grid;
    grid-template-columns: 440px 1fr;
    gap: clamp(40px, 6vw, 80px);
    align-items: center;
  }

  /* ==========================================
     LEFT COLUMN: EDITORIAL CONTENT
     ========================================== */
  #quality-reference .spm-left {
    position: relative;
  }

  #quality-reference .spm-eyebrow {
    display: inline-flex;
    align-items: center;
    gap: 10px;
    font-size: 0.74rem;
    font-weight: 700;
    letter-spacing: 0.16em;
    text-transform: uppercase;
    color: var(--teal-primary);
    margin-bottom: 16px;
  }

  #quality-reference .spm-eyebrow::before {
    content: '';
    width: 20px;
    height: 2px;
    background-color: var(--teal-primary);
    display: inline-block;
  }

  #quality-reference .spm-title {
    font-size: clamp(2.1rem, 3.4vw, 2.9rem);
    font-weight: 600;
    line-height: 1.15;
    letter-spacing: -0.025em;
    color: var(--text-dark);
    margin: 0 0 16px;
  }

  #quality-reference .spm-title span {
    color: var(--teal-primary);
    display: block;
  }

  #quality-reference .spm-desc {
    font-size: 0.95rem;
    line-height: 1.68;
    color: var(--text-muted);
    margin: 0 0 28px;
  }

  /* Seamless Borderless Image Box */
  #quality-reference .spm-img-box {
    position: relative;
    border-radius: 20px;
    overflow: hidden;
    height: 190px;
    box-shadow: 0 18px 36px rgba(7, 38, 56, 0.07);
  }

  #quality-reference .spm-img {
    width: 100%;
    height: 100%;
    object-fit: cover;
    transition: transform 0.6s cubic-bezier(0.165, 0.84, 0.44, 1);
  }

  #quality-reference .spm-img-box:hover .spm-img {
    transform: scale(1.05);
  }

  #quality-reference .spm-floating-tag {
    position: absolute;
    bottom: 14px;
    left: 14px;
    background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.95);
    backdrop-filter: blur(8px);
    -webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(8px);
    color: var(--navy-dark);
    font-size: 0.72rem;
    font-weight: 600;
    padding: 6px 14px;
    border-radius: 50px;
    display: inline-flex;
    align-items: center;
    gap: 7px;
    box-shadow: 0 4px 12px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05);
  }

  #quality-reference .spm-floating-tag span {
    width: 6px;
    height: 6px;
    border-radius: 50%;
    background: var(--teal-primary);
  }

  /* ==========================================
     RIGHT COLUMN: 3 COLOR-FILLED BORDERLESS BOXES
     ========================================== */
  #quality-reference .spm-right {
    display: flex;
    flex-direction: column;
    gap: 16px;
  }

  /* Pure Color Box - Zero Borders */
  #quality-reference .spm-color-box {
    position: relative;
    border-radius: 20px;
    padding: 22px 26px;
    display: flex;
    align-items: center;
    justify-content: space-between;
    gap: 20px;
    text-decoration: none;
    color: inherit;
    cursor: pointer;
    transition: var(--transition-smooth);
    border: none;
    outline: none;
  }

  /* 3 Distinct Soft Color Backgrounds */
  #quality-reference .box-teal {
    background-color: #e6f6f5;
    --box-accent: #0d9488;
    --icon-bg: #d0f0ed;
  }

  #quality-reference .box-blue {
    background-color: #edf4fe;
    --box-accent: #2563eb;
    --icon-bg: #dceafc;
  }

  #quality-reference .box-amber {
    background-color: #fef4e8;
    --box-accent: #ea580c;
    --icon-bg: #fee6cf;
  }

  #quality-reference .spm-color-box:hover {
    transform: translateY(-4px) scale(1.01);
    box-shadow: 0 16px 32px rgba(7, 38, 56, 0.06);
  }

  #quality-reference .spm-box-left {
    display: flex;
    align-items: center;
    gap: 20px;
  }

  /* Colored Icon Circle (No Border) */
  #quality-reference .spm-icon-wrap {
    width: 52px;
    height: 52px;
    border-radius: 16px;
    background-color: var(--icon-bg);
    display: flex;
    align-items: center;
    justify-content: center;
    flex-shrink: 0;
    transition: var(--transition-smooth);
  }

  #quality-reference .spm-color-box:hover .spm-icon-wrap {
    background-color: var(--box-accent);
    transform: scale(1.08) rotate(-4deg);
  }

  #quality-reference .spm-svg {
    width: 26px;
    height: 26px;
    transition: var(--transition-smooth);
  }

  #quality-reference .spm-color-box:hover .spm-svg path,
  #quality-reference .spm-color-box:hover .spm-svg circle,
  #quality-reference .spm-color-box:hover .spm-svg line {
    stroke: var(--white);
  }

  #quality-reference .spm-box-info {
    display: flex;
    flex-direction: column;
    gap: 3px;
  }

  #quality-reference .spm-box-num {
    font-size: 0.72rem;
    font-weight: 700;
    letter-spacing: 0.12em;
    color: var(--box-accent);
    text-transform: uppercase;
  }

  #quality-reference .spm-box-title {
    font-size: 1.22rem;
    font-weight: 600;
    color: var(--text-dark);
    margin: 0;
    letter-spacing: -0.015em;
  }

  /* Arrow Circle */
  #quality-reference .spm-arrow-btn {
    width: 38px;
    height: 38px;
    border-radius: 50%;
    background-color: var(--white);
    display: flex;
    align-items: center;
    justify-content: center;
    color: var(--text-dark);
    box-shadow: 0 4px 10px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.04);
    transition: var(--transition-smooth);
    flex-shrink: 0;
  }

  #quality-reference .spm-color-box:hover .spm-arrow-btn {
    background-color: var(--box-accent);
    color: var(--white);
    transform: translate(2px, -2px) rotate(45deg);
  }

  /* ==========================================
     MOBILE RESPONSIVENESS
     ========================================== */
  @media (max-width: 960px) {
    #quality-reference .spm-container {
      grid-template-columns: 1fr;
      gap: 40px;
    }
  }

  @media (max-width: 600px) {
    #quality-reference .spm-color-box {
      padding: 18px 20px;
      gap: 14px;
    }
    #quality-reference .spm-box-left {
      gap: 14px;
    }
    #quality-reference .spm-icon-wrap {
      width: 44px;
      height: 44px;
      border-radius: 12px;
    }
    #quality-reference .spm-svg {
      width: 22px;
      height: 22px;
    }
    #quality-reference .spm-box-title {
      font-size: 1.05rem;
    }
    #quality-reference .spm-arrow-btn {
      width: 32px;
      height: 32px;
    }
  }


  #quality-reference .section-process-editorial {
    --navy-dark: #072638;
    --teal-primary: #116f7b;
    --teal-accent: #179b8d;
    --bg-section: #f2f7f7;
    --white: #ffffff;
    --text-dark: #062131;
    --text-muted: #566b78;
    --transition-smooth: all 0.42s cubic-bezier(0.22, 1, 0.36, 1);

    background-color: var(--bg-section);
    padding: clamp(75px, 9vw, 120px) 20px;
    font-family: 'Inter', -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, sans-serif;
    -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;
    position: relative;
    overflow: hidden;
  }

  #quality-reference .spe-container {
    max-width: 1220px;
    margin: 0 auto;
    position: relative;
    z-index: 1;
  }

  /* ==========================================
     CENTERED HEADER
     ========================================== */
  #quality-reference .spe-header {
    text-align: center;
    max-width: 740px;
    margin: 0 auto clamp(48px, 6vw, 76px);
  }

  #quality-reference .spe-eyebrow {
    display: inline-flex;
    align-items: center;
    gap: 10px;
    font-size: 0.74rem;
    font-weight: 700;
    letter-spacing: 0.16em;
    text-transform: uppercase;
    color: var(--teal-primary);
    margin-bottom: 14px;
  }

  #quality-reference .spe-eyebrow::before,
  #quality-reference .spe-eyebrow::after {
    content: '';
    width: 20px;
    height: 1.5px;
    background-color: var(--teal-primary);
    display: inline-block;
  }

  #quality-reference .spe-title {
    font-size: clamp(2.1rem, 3.4vw, 2.9rem);
    font-weight: 600;
    line-height: 1.15;
    letter-spacing: -0.025em;
    color: var(--text-dark);
    margin: 0 0 16px;
  }

  #quality-reference .spe-title span {
    color: var(--teal-primary);
  }

  #quality-reference .spe-desc {
    font-size: 0.95rem;
    line-height: 1.68;
    color: var(--text-muted);
    margin: 0 auto;
    max-width: 640px;
  }

  /* ==========================================
     5-STAGE STAGGERED WAVE PIPELINE
     ========================================== */
  #quality-reference .spe-wave-grid {
    position: relative;
    display: grid;
    grid-template-columns: repeat(5, 1fr);
    gap: 20px;
    align-items: start;
  }

  /* Subtle organic wave stagger on even cards for unique rhythm */
  #quality-reference .spe-card:nth-child(even) {
    margin-top: 28px;
  }

  /* Pure #ffffff Card - Zero Borders */
  #quality-reference .spe-card {
    position: relative;
    background-color: var(--white);
    border-radius: 26px;
    padding: 32px 24px 28px;
    min-height: 235px;
    display: flex;
    flex-direction: column;
    justify-content: space-between;
    overflow: hidden;
    cursor: pointer;
    box-shadow: 0 12px 32px rgba(7, 38, 56, 0.04);
    transition: var(--transition-smooth);
    border: none;
    outline: none;
    z-index: 1;
  }

  /* Distinct Color Accents Per Stage */
  #quality-reference .spe-card.stage-1 { --c-accent: #0d9488; --c-soft: #e6f7f5; }
  #quality-reference .spe-card.stage-2 { --c-accent: #0284c7; --c-soft: #e0f2fe; }
  #quality-reference .spe-card.stage-3 { --c-accent: #7c3aed; --c-soft: #f3e8ff; }
  #quality-reference .spe-card.stage-4 { --c-accent: #2563eb; --c-soft: #eff6ff; }
  #quality-reference .spe-card.stage-5 { --c-accent: #ea580c; --c-soft: #fff7ed; }

  /* Bottom colored accent bar reveal on hover */
  #quality-reference .spe-card::after {
    content: '';
    position: absolute;
    bottom: 0;
    left: 0;
    width: 0%;
    height: 4px;
    background: var(--c-accent);
    transition: width 0.42s cubic-bezier(0.22, 1, 0.36, 1);
  }

  #quality-reference .spe-card:hover {
    transform: translateY(-10px);
    box-shadow: 0 24px 48px rgba(7, 38, 56, 0.1);
  }

  #quality-reference .spe-card:hover::after {
    width: 100%;
  }

  /* ==========================================
     LARGE 80% TRANSPARENT WATERMARK NUMBER
     ========================================== */
  #quality-reference .spe-big-num {
    position: absolute;
    top: 10px;
    right: 16px;
    font-size: 4.4rem;
    font-weight: 800;
    line-height: 1;
    letter-spacing: -0.05em;
    color: var(--c-accent);
    opacity: 0.20; /* 80% Transparent */
    pointer-events: none;
    user-select: none;
    transition: var(--transition-smooth);
    z-index: 0;
  }

  #quality-reference .spe-card:hover .spe-big-num {
    opacity: 0.32;
    transform: scale(1.08) translate(-4px, 4px);
  }

  /* Icon Box */
  #quality-reference .spe-icon-box {
    position: relative;
    z-index: 1;
    width: 54px;
    height: 54px;
    border-radius: 18px;
    background-color: var(--c-soft);
    color: var(--c-accent);
    display: flex;
    align-items: center;
    justify-content: center;
    transition: var(--transition-smooth);
  }

  #quality-reference .spe-card:hover .spe-icon-box {
    background-color: var(--c-accent);
    color: var(--white);
    transform: scale(1.08) rotate(-6deg);
    box-shadow: 0 10px 22px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.12);
  }

  #quality-reference .spe-svg {
    width: 26px;
    height: 26px;
    transition: var(--transition-smooth);
  }

  #quality-reference .spe-card:hover .spe-svg path,
  #quality-reference .spe-card:hover .spe-svg circle,
  #quality-reference .spe-card:hover .spe-svg rect,
  #quality-reference .spe-card:hover .spe-svg line {
    stroke: var(--white);
  }

  /* Card Text Body */
  #quality-reference .spe-card-body {
    position: relative;
    z-index: 1;
    margin-top: 36px;
  }

  #quality-reference .spe-stage-tag {
    display: block;
    font-size: 0.7rem;
    font-weight: 700;
    letter-spacing: 0.12em;
    text-transform: uppercase;
    color: var(--text-muted);
    margin-bottom: 6px;
  }

  #quality-reference .spe-title-row {
    display: flex;
    align-items: center;
    justify-content: space-between;
    gap: 8px;
  }

  #quality-reference .spe-card-title {
    font-size: 1.22rem;
    font-weight: 600;
    color: var(--text-dark);
    margin: 0;
    letter-spacing: -0.015em;
    transition: color 0.3s ease;
  }

  #quality-reference .spe-card:hover .spe-card-title {
    color: var(--c-accent);
  }

  #quality-reference .spe-mini-arrow {
    width: 16px;
    height: 16px;
    color: var(--c-accent);
    opacity: 0;
    transform: translate(-6px, 6px);
    transition: var(--transition-smooth);
    flex-shrink: 0;
  }

  #quality-reference .spe-card:hover .spe-mini-arrow {
    opacity: 1;
    transform: translate(0, 0);
  }

  /* ==========================================
     RESPONSIVE BREAKPOINTS (Mobile Friendly)
     ========================================== */
  @media (max-width: 1080px) {
    #quality-reference .spe-wave-grid {
      grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr);
    }
    #quality-reference .spe-card:nth-child(even) {
      margin-top: 0;
    }
  }

  @media (max-width: 720px) {
    #quality-reference .section-process-editorial {
      padding: 60px 18px;
    }
    #quality-reference .spe-wave-grid {
      grid-template-columns: 1fr;
      gap: 14px;
    }
    #quality-reference .spe-card {
      min-height: auto;
      padding: 24px;
      flex-direction: row;
      align-items: center;
      justify-content: flex-start;
      gap: 18px;
    }
    #quality-reference .spe-card:hover {
      transform: none;
    }
    #quality-reference .spe-card-body {
      margin-top: 0;
      flex: 1;
    }
    #quality-reference .spe-big-num {
      font-size: 3.5rem;
      top: 50%;
      right: 20px;
      transform: translateY(-50%);
    }
    #quality-reference .spe-card:hover .spe-big-num {
      transform: translateY(-50%) scale(1.05);
    }
  }

/* Match the shared content grid and maintain the supplied heading hierarchy. */
#quality-reference .spm-container, #quality-reference .spe-container { max-width: 1202px; }
#quality-reference .spm-title, #quality-reference .spe-title { font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.15; letter-spacing: -.025em; }
#quality-reference .spm-box-title, #quality-reference .spe-card-title { font-size: 19.5px; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.35; letter-spacing: -.015em; }
#quality-reference .spm-box-left, #quality-reference .spm-box-info { min-width: 0; }
#quality-reference .spm-color-box, #quality-reference .spe-card { cursor: default; }
#quality-reference section[id] { scroll-margin-top: 104px; }
@media (max-width: 600px) {
 #quality-reference .section-philosophy-modern, #quality-reference .section-process-editorial { padding: 48px 20px; }
 #quality-reference .spm-box-title { font-size: 16px; }
 #quality-reference .spm-color-box { padding: 20px 16px; gap: 12px; }
 #quality-reference .spm-box-left { gap: 12px; }
 #quality-reference .spm-arrow-btn { width: 28px; height: 28px; }
 #quality-reference .spe-card { padding: 24px 20px; gap: 16px; }
 #quality-reference .spe-card-title { font-size: 18px; }
 #quality-reference .spe-icon-box { flex-shrink: 0; }
}
@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
 #quality-reference *, #quality-reference *::after { transition: none !important; }
 #quality-reference .spm-color-box:hover, #quality-reference .spe-card:hover, #quality-reference .spm-img-box:hover .spm-img,
 #quality-reference .spm-color-box:hover .spm-icon-wrap, #quality-reference .spe-card:hover .spe-icon-box,
 #quality-reference .spm-color-box:hover .spm-arrow-btn { transform: none; }
}