Production: Pollution Prevention -Concept, Targets and Results-
Efforts are being made on a global scale to reduce the amount of chemical substances used/discharged, based upon the idea of risk management.
Concept
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 and used amounts, according to the GHS hazard*1 level scale; (2) for substances evaluated as above a specified level,hazard and exposure assessments are conducted.
Based on the results obtained, we assess the risks of the hazardous substances to the health of local residents as well as other environmental risks. Enhancing this risk assessment scheme, we will 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.
- *1Harmfulness to human beings and the environment
Targets for Fiscal 2010
- Establish a chemical substances risk management system on a global scale.
- Reduce use of environmentally sensitive substances by more than 30% compared to the fiscal 2000 level
(Ricoh's production sites and manufacturing subsidiaries). - Reduce the amount of environmentally sensitive substances discharged by more than 80% compared to the fiscal 2000 level (Ricoh's production sites and manufacturing subsidiaries).
- The environmental liabilities of PCBs and asbestos in land owned by the consolidated Group companies can be estimated.
- The environmental liabilities are reflected in the financial accounting of the Ricoh Group.
- Activity to eliminate chlorine organic solvents used by the Group, including companies that become new members of the Group, has been proceeded.
Review of Fiscal 2010
Regarding risk management, we conducted a study aiming to develop a scheme to assess the risks of chemical substances discharged into the air. In fiscal 2010, the use and emissions of environmentally sensitive substances were reduced 72.9% and 87.9%, respectively, compared to fiscal 2000 levels (Graph (1)).
As part of the environmental liabilities survey, we completed a detailed investigation concerning asbestos (level 1 to 3)*2 for all 22 Ricoh sites, allowing us to calculate liabilities with greater accuracy. We also continued a global survey of the Ricoh Group on PCBs and asbestos covering the consolidated companies using an updated survey manual, and calculated environmental liabilities reflecting the results. The use of chlorine organic solvents for the production of any our products was totally abandoned by fiscal 2005, but these chemicals have continued to be used by some of the affiliates that joined the Group after 2005.
To remedy this, we have formulated a plan to completely eliminate the use of this type of solvent at the sites of the new Group members, and are working to achieve the goal by fiscal 2011.
- *2The hazard levels of materials containing asbestos, defined in the Ordinance on Prevention of Hazard due to Asbestos, under the Industrial Safety and Health Act. Level 1: sprayed asbestos; level 2: heat insulation materials, etc.; level 3: molded plates, etc.
Future Activities
We will work to establish and upgrade a risk management system for chemical substances in terms of product lifecycle, aiming at realizing a new system of global management of chemical substances by the Ricoh Group.
The Entire Ricoh Group
Changes in the amount of environmentally sensitive substances used and discharged*
(1) The Ricoh Group (Production) 
- *Data for the substances specified in the environmental action plan, which consists mainly of the substances covered by the PRTR Law and includes other chemical substances used by the Group in large quantities.
