2007 Reference document (PDF) - Valeo

All Valeo Group sites will be certified to ISO 14001 in 2008, confirming
continuous improvement in performance, through specific recycling
measures implemented locally in accordance with each site’s
business operations. In addition, the Valeo generic plant concept
seeks to minimize waste production and increase recycling rates.
The Sainte-Florine and Sablé-sur-Sarthe sites (Valeo Engine
Management Systems) have developed methods for saving 24 tonnes
of resin per year; instead of being discarded, bottom-of-the-barrel
resin is recovered and used in new barrels.
2.5. Hazardous substances
Efforts to eradicate exposure to hazardous substances apply both to
products and production processes. Two challenges are at play here
– the environment and human health:
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We see a steady increase in the recycling rate, however, to
74% in 2007.
There was also a marked reduction in hazardous waste
production in 2007.
Valeo’s objective over the years to come is to push ahead with
improvements on all fronts: process improvements to reduce
waste, increased recycling, and reuse of materials.
when servicing or dismantling end-of-life products, substances
toxic to the environment may be released into the air, soil or
water, causing local pollution;
hazardous substances usually have toxic properties (carcinogenic,
mutagenic, etc.) liable to threaten the health of persons exposed
to them (machine operators at production plants, mechanics at
vehicle repair centers, etc.).
Heavy-metal-free products
Two E uropean texts govern the use of hazardous substances in the
automotive industry today. The ELV (end-of-life vehicle) directive
banned the use of heavy metals (lead, cadmium, chrome 6, etc.)
in all E uropean vehicles from July 1, 2003. Regulation 1907-2006,
on registration, evaluation, authorization and restrictions applying to
chemicals (REACH Regulation) specifies procedures for substances
of different properties in different tonnages.
As well as meeting these regulatory requirements, Valeo also
implements systematic procedures for eradicating heavy metals
at sites worldwide.
Management Report
Environmental management and performance
Valeo set up a data bank on banned and regulated substances in
1997, which it updates regularly by monitoring changes in regulations
and automaker requirements. Where alternative thresholds are set,
Valeo systematically adopts the most restrictive. Product designers
are not allowed to use any of the listed substances in new product
development. Through this procedure, Valeo ensures that all its
products (including those bought from outside suppliers) comply
with the ELV directive.
In the context of the implementation of the REACH Regulation,
a thematic steering group was formed in 2007, based on information
from a network of Product Family correspondents. Following a
preliminary survey across a number of pilot sites, Valeo developed
a tool for inventorying regulated substances, which it had validated
by Product Family teams. This tool is now being rolled out to help
Valeo meet the preliminary census deadlines set by the REACH
Regulation.
Use of heavy metals
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Response rate
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
92.0% 96.1% 97.2% 99.6% 97.5% 100%
Since the data bank on banned and regulated substances
was set up, use of heavy metals across the Valeo Group has
fallen dramatically (by 90% since 2002). In 2007, another step
forward was achieved, with consumption halved with respect
to 2006.
2007 Reference document - VALEO
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