Sustainable Environmental Management - Ricoh

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Top Message About us Our Activities Data Sustainable Environmental Management In 2008, we also developed a database and formulated common rules for the communication of chemical substance information based on a related system developed by the Joint Article Management Promotionconsortium (JAMP), of which Ricoh is one of the founders. This system has been introduced at some 1,200 suppliers in Japan, China, and Korea. In 2009, we started employee training programs to ensure the accuracy of information collected, and prepared and distributed written instructions on appropriate handing of the information of applicable chemicals. From October 2009, the information on SVHC in products for the European market has been made available on our website 3 . The Ricoh Group is fully able to comply with the REACH requirements and is ready to respond promptly to future development of the regulations. 1. This is a new EU regulatory framework for the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH). It requires the registration and management of all chemical substances used in businesses in accordance with their conditions of use to ensure safe assessment of chemical substances. It came into force on June 1, 2007, and the regulations have been gradually enforced since June 1, 2008. 2. Called “Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC),” these are substances on the European Chemicals Agency’s candidate list for eventual inclusion in Annex XIV. 3. On the Health & Safety Information page of Ricoh Europe’s website, see REACH FAQs, Q3 “SVHC—Machines” Chemical substance control and pollution prevention at our manufacturing sites Efforts are being made on a global scale to reduce the amount of chemical substances used/discharged in the manufacturing processes and to prevent pollution in the areas surrounding our manufacturing sites, based upon the idea of risk management. Risk minimization and information sharing as part of chemical substance control at our manufacturing sites In compliance with the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM), the Ricoh Group has established a system to manage the risks of chemical substances by applying a risk evaluation method, aiming to minimize the risk throughout the lifecycle of chemicals and to share related information. Under this risk management system, all the chemical substances used, discharged and disposed of in the manufacturing processes of Ricoh products are assessed in two steps: (1) screening in terms of discharged amounts, according to the hazard* level scale; (2) for substances evaluated as above a specified level, exposure assessments are conducted. Based on the results obtained, we assess the risks of hazardous substances that may affect the health of local residents as well as water-borne creatures living in the surrounding areas. Enhancing this risk assessment scheme, we are working to establish a global system to reduce risks related to chemical substances. In addition, the Group has a system in place to manage environmental risks. To control soil and underground water contamination, we have formulated basic principles, provided in the group management standards and other guidelines. In case of contamination, we voluntarily conduct an investigation using the group’s uniform standards and promptly take steps for remediation. Regarding soil and underground water contamination, PCBs, and asbestos, the Group started to make efforts to understand environmental liabilities that could have a financial impact. Accurate and swift information disclosure through chemical substance control system The Ricoh Group uses its chemical substance control system to monitor data on chemical substances used, discharged, and disposed of at business sites. The system is designed to promote the reduced use of chemical substances, to prepare materials for PRTR reporting, and to quickly respond to inquiries received from around the world. ■ Chemical substance control system Chemical substance information ● Substance information ● Legal information ● Toxicity information Chemical product information ● MSDS ● Information on controlled substances contained in products Information on uses and emissions ● Information on uses ● Information on emissions/movements Chemical substance control system Efforts to reduce chemical substances at business sites PRTR information Response to inquiries from other organizations * Harmfulness to human beings and the environment Establishment of a chemical substance risk management system WEB www.ricoh.com/environment/office/risk/01_01.html Understanding environmental liabilities WEB www.ricoh.com/environment/office/risk/04_01.html Management of the contamination risk of soil and underground water WEB www.ricoh.com/environment/office/risk/02_01.html Environment risk management with respect to assets WEB www.ricoh.com/environment/office/risk/04_01.html Asbestos and PCBs WEB www.ricoh.com/environment/office/risk/03_01.html Used and discharged amount of chemical substances WEB www.ricoh.com/environment/office/risk/outline.html Ricoh Group Sustainability Report 2012 72
Sustainable Environmental Management Conservation of Biodiversity To conserve the global environment, we need to take actions to maintain and improve the self-recovery capabilities of the global environment. Recognizing that our businesses depend on the global ecosystem and that biodiversity plays an indispensable role in its health, the Ricoh Group is engaged in various biodiversity conservation activities. Biodiversity and our business activities In March 2009, the Ricoh Group formulated a policy that specifies its commitment to working for biodiversity conservation in the course of its business activities, and has continued an existing ecosystem conservation program and other activities since the 1990s. Following this policy, we have implemented initiatives to reduce the impact of our business activities on, and to contribute to, the conservation of biodiversity. Mapping of relationship between business activities and biodiversity The Ricoh Group created and uses the Map of Corporate Activities and Biodiversity that shows the relationship between corporate activities, such as product lifecycle and land use, and biodiversity. From the map, we learned that MFPs have a large impact on the ecosystem due to procurement of raw materials (e.g., paper pulp and metals) and manufacturing and consumption of paper. We are using the discoveries from the mapping to enhance our biodiversity conservation activities in close cooperation with each business division. ■ Map of corporate activities and biodiversity (recycled copiers) Iron ore Zinc ore Crude oil (raw material) Water Coal Bauxite ore Nickel ore Chromium ore Wood Crude oil (fuel) Energy resources Natural gas Mineral resources Tin ore Copper ore Manganese ore Gold ore Silver ore Lead ore Renewable resources Loss of habitats Invasion of nonnative species Pollution Climate change Overexploitation Overconsumption Crude oil (raw material) Energy resources Procurement of raw materials Land use (Factory construction/ Landscaping) Input and removal of substances Land change MFP Water Renewable resources Loss of habitats Invasion of nonnative species Pollution Climate change NOx SOx CxHy NMVOC dust CO2 N2O CH4 CO BOD COD SS Slag Unspecified solid waste Emission of chemical substances into atmosphere Designing/ Manufacturing Business Activities Collection/ Recycling Energy resources Chemical substance emissions Effluence of chemical substances into waters Logistics/ Marketing Use/Maintenance Crude oil (raw material) NOx CO2 SOx Discharge of chemical substances into soil Energy resources Chemical substance emissions Energy resources Renewable resources Chemical substance emissions Sludge Loss of habitats Invasion of nonnative species Pollution Climate change Crude oil (raw material) CO2 NOx SOx Crude oil (raw material) Wood CO2 NOx SOx Loss of habitats Invasion of nonnative species Pollution Climate change Overexploitation Overconsumption Regulations of Ricoh Group Products Made of Wood In February 2010, the Ricoh Group established the group-wide Regulations of Ricoh Group Products Made of Wood. The new rules were developed based on the 2003 Environmental Standards for Paper Product Procurement to expand control over the procurement of wood raw material beyond that used in paper products. And they were to be applicable to the entire group. These wood raw material procurement rules apply to two groups related to products under the Ricoh or Ricoh Group company brands, namely, paper products (plain copier paper, heat-sensitive paper, etc.) and articles/materials made from wood (manuals and instructions, packaging materials, cushioning materials, pallets, etc.) provided along with any lines of products. 1 Through this application, the rules aim to help protect HCVFs 2 , or forests with significant and critical value in terms of global environment and biodiversity conservation, by avoiding the use of wood sourced from these critical forests as material for the Ricoh Group products. The rules mainly provide for the prohibition of the use of wood sourced from HCVFs as raw material and for requirements to be met by suppliers, including provision for the suspension of business with noncompliant suppliers. The Ricoh Group will use these new rules to exert control over wood material procurement for products made from wood, mainly paper products, thereby ensuring that the Group’s procurement process contributes to the conservation of HCVFs. 1. Recycled materials, including used paper, leftover wood material and wood chips, are excluded, as it is diffi cult to trace the original sources of such materials. 2. High conservation value forests (HCVFs), as defi ned here, fall under any of the following categories: old growth forests; primary forests/virgin forests; natural forests containing habitats of endangered species; or forests for which multiple environmental groups claim protective measures need to be taken mainly from the perspective of biodiversity. Regulations of Ricoh Group Products Made of Wood WEB www.ricoh.com/environment/product/procurement/01_01.html 73 Ricoh Group Sustainability Report 2012
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Sustainable Environmental Management - Ricoh

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