Reducing substances of environmental concern included in products

A dedicated subcommittee has been established to ensure that the ELV^*1 and RoHS^*2 directives are strictly observed in connected with substances included in products that concerned with environment. Efforts are thus being made to reduce use of lead, mercury, cadmium and hexavalent chrome. Use of mercury, cadmium and hexavalent chrome has already been totally abandoned. With the exception of a few metals including lead for which exceptions have been prescribed, use of lead was entirely abandoned in fiscal 2008 and we are currently substituting the materials corresponding to these exceptional materials with other materials.

With regard to the REACH regulations^*3, a REACH coordinating committee was set up in fiscal 2008 to enable all companies within the Group to share information. In the future we intend to create a system for managing the enormous quantities of data in connection with chemical substances that are targeted by these regulations.

*1 ELV Directive. A European Union directive that came into force in October 2000 in connection with the recycling of end-of life vehicles and prohibiting the use of harmful substances.
*2 RoHS Directive. A European Union directive that came into force in July 2006 prohibiting the use of harmful substances included in electrical and electronic devices.
*3 REACH Regulations. European Union regulations that came into force in June 2007 in connection with the registration, assessment, authorization and restriction of all chemical substances (1 ton per year and above) in products and imports.