Biodiversity
Policy and Basic Approach
Biodiversity conservation is regarded as a paramount concern within the realm of social sustainability. As we engage in corporate operations such as raw material procurement, research and development, production, and the provision of products and services, we diligently evaluate the influence on natural resources. This enables us to drive initiatives that consider the ecological environment, fostering a space where diverse organisms can thrive sustainably. In alignment with our Materiality, which encompass enhancing the economy, resource recycling, and decarbonization as part of our climate change mitigation measures, we will also prioritize effective chemical substance management.
We will also work to completely eliminate endocrine disruptors such as nonylphenol and octylphenol.
Structure & System
The management of chemical substances is closely interwoven with responsible care and sustainability efforts. Under the Sustainability Promotion Committee, the Chemicals Management Committee and the Safety Management Committee continue their respective activities to minimize environmental impact.
A key endeavor has been the pursuit of ISO 14001 certification for all our production facilities, reflecting our commitment to ongoing enhancements. ISO 14001 certification has been obtained by 76.1% of our Group’s production facilities.
Initiatives
- Appropriate Chemicals Management
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The Chemicals Management Committee, together with members selected from departments involved in product research, development, and design, promote the following two main activities with the aim of providing safer and more secure products and ensuring the safety of employees.
The first activity involves compliance with legal regulations concerning chemical substances. Recent years have seen frequent revisions to domestic and international laws related to chemical substances, aimed at regulating chemicals that pose significant risks to human health and the environment. The committee embraces the spirit of these revisions and promotes systematic responses from an early stage.
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The second activity involves initiatives related to highly hazardous chemical substances. To prevent disease and environmental pollution caused by paint products, we are working to reduce and find replacements for highly toxic substances.
We have set reduction targets for toluene, xylene, and ethylbenzene, which are emitted in significant quantities into the atmosphere. We are achieving these reductions by substituting raw materials and switching to water-based paints and low-VOC paints. In addition, poly(oxyethylene), or nonylphenyl ether (NPE), is expected to be classified as a Class II Specified Chemical Substance under the Act on the Regulation of Manufacture and Evaluation of Chemical Substances after the summer of 2024.
