Controlling the Use of Environmentally-sensitive Substances (Ricoh Group/Global)
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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 (the design, procurement, and manufacturing divisions) have jointly worked to improve the chemical substance control system. At the end of March 2006, a system of preventing chemical contamination at 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. As for the system outside of Japan, the building of the system was completed in July 2006.
To manufacture products that do not contain environmentally-sensitive substances and promptly disclose information to customers, we will continue our efforts to enhance the chemical substance control system that covers the entire production flow, including suppliers.
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Marketing Products Pursuant to the RoHS Directive
Ricoh has been engaged in reducing environmentally-sensitive substances and enhancing its management system for a long time, and has been sequentially launching products complying with the RoHS Directive since fiscal 2004. In principle, the products launched in fiscal 2006 comply with the RoHS Directive.
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REACH
This is a new EU regulatory framework for Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH). It requires the registration and management of all chemical substances used in business in accordance with their conditions of use to ensure safe assessment of chemical substances. It came into force on June 1, 2007, and regulations will be gradually enforced from June 1, 2008.
RoHS Directive
The RoHS Directive, which stands for the Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive, is an EU Directive that restricts the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment. The directive has been in effect since July 1, 2006.
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Relationship among substance groups prohibited, restricted, and controlled by the Ricoh Group and substances restricted by the European RoHS Directive
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CMS and Management System for Chemical Substances Contained in Products
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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 verifies their CMS.
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