Controlling the use of environmentally-sensitive substances
 (Ricoh Group/Global)
Ricoh set original standards for environmentally sensitive substances that could be used in its products in 1993 as part of efforts to reduce these substances. Since then, it has regularly reviewed the standards to incorporate the latest regulations and scientific knowledge and has controlled chemical substances accordingly.
In addition, all the divisions engaged in production (design, procurement, manufacturing) have jointly worked to improve the chemical substance control system. As of the end of March 2006, a chemical substance management system (CMS) for suppliers was created on a global basis. At the same time, the chemical substance control system within the Ricoh Group was strengthened,
completing the management system for chemical substances contained in products within Japan. We completed a system for use outside Japan in July 2006.
Ricoh is currently working on upgrading the management system for chemical substances contained in products by establishing a "first response flow" in case any harmful chemical substances should find their way into products to prevent the expansion of pollution (shipment of parts or products) and the recurrence of such an accident. In addition,
Ricoh also began—as part of its risk management—to review the list of chemical substances controlled by the Group in fiscal 2007 to tighten the restriction and control of the use of chemical substances that can potentially cause harm to the human body and the environment, and we expanded the list to about 3,400 substances in fiscal 2008.
To comply with the REACH Regulation, we have also been working since fiscal 2007 on the establishment of a communication system to ensure that chemical substance information is communicated to every corner of the supply chain.
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Management system for chemical substances contained in products and CMS
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- A manufacturing system to prevent the contamination of parts/materials by environmentally sensitive substances; the Ricoh Group supports suppliers' CMS by providing relevant information and verifying their CMS.
Chemical substance control for supplies (Ricoh Group/Global)
Various chemical substances are used in supplies, including toner and developer. Based on the belief that "product safety is a basic condition for customer satisfaction," the Ricoh Group ensures the safety of its supplies through appropriate chemical substance control.
We use an information system called RECSIS*1 to evaluate safety. Depending on the type of product, we set items for which safety should be confirmed, create MSDS*2, evaluate new chemical substances, check on the method of treatment and disposal, consult the relevant laws and regulations, and prepare safety specification data for products.
RECSIS can also be used to make automatic safety judgments by referring to the laws and regulations of different countries as well as Ricoh's standards for the chemical substances contained in supplies. In fiscal 2008, using this system's raw material database, we took further steps to satisfy the REACH Regulation,
for which a pre-registration process commenced in June 2008.
- *1
- Ricoh Environmental & Chemical Safety Information System
- *2
- Material Safety Data Sheet
Safety evaluation system for supplies
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Reduction in environmentally-sensitive substances generated while in use  (Ricoh/Japan)
Ricoh has established its own standards on chemical emissions* generated by products while in use and endeavors to reduce these emissions. Chemical substances emitted by products like copiers and printers are measured at the emission-measuring testing laboratory located within the company.
Ricoh is certificated as an official testing laboratory by Germany's BAM (Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung; Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing),
and measurement data from Ricoh's testing laboratory will be recognized in registering for the Blue Angel, a German environmental label.
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- Chemical emissions are chemical substances emitted by products and include ozone, dust, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
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Emission-measuring testing laboratory (Ricoh Ohmori Office) |
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