Environmental Labels Type I

In November 1999, the Japan Environment Association introduced the Eco Mark program for copiers aimed at producing more energy-saving copiers with less environmental impact.
The Eco Mark is based on ISO14024, an international standard for environmentally sound products. It considers the environmental impact of the products throughout its life cycle--from mining of resources to recycling of used products. To acquire the Eco Mark, the products need to meet strict standards. For example, the product needs to make use of used plastics and recycled plastics, and more than 50% of the weight of the used product needs to be reusable or recyclable.
The Ricoh group has been participating in the Eco Mark program because we believe that our participation will help to reduce the environmental impact of our products.

List of products that were given Eco Mark certification

The Blue Angel was introduced in 1978 in Germany as the world's first environmental label. Its purpose was to promote the development and purchase of environmentally friendly products. The Blue Angel can be acquired by products for sale in the German market that satisfy the wide range of conditions set forth for certification.
In order to be certified under the Blue Angel, products must satisfy a wide range of requirements concerning its safety and minimal impact on the environment. There are requirements for each stage of the entire product life cycle, from production to actual use in the field, to eventual disposal and recycling. For example, products must not contain chemical substances harmful to people or the environment, must have a certain energy efficiency, and must satisfy a wide range of machine
and parts recycling requirements.

Currently, this label has been acquired by approximately 10,000 products spanning 80 different
product classifications, including furniture, computers, and automated office equipment.

Regarded as the standard for environmental labels worldwide, the Blue Angel is the most
progressive and forward-thinking environmental label in the world. The requirements it lays forth,
including dust emission standards, have been adopted by the Eco Mark in Japan as well as other environmental labels throughout the world.

Environmental Choice Program is Environment Canada's ecolabelling program. It has been operated by Terra Choice Environmental Services Inc.(Private enterprise) since 1995. Ricoh has been participating in this program since 2001.

The Thai Green Label Scheme was initiated by the Thailand Business Council for Sustainable Development (TBCSD), chaired by Mr. Anand Panyarachun in October 1993 as a TBCSD council project. It was formally launched in August 1994 by The Thailand Environment Institute (TEI)^* in association with the Ministry of Industry.
In September 2002, Ricoh Aficio1022 was certified Thai Green Label Photo Copiers. It was the first certification in photo copiers' industry.

• *Established in May 1993, The Thailand Environment Institute (TEI) is a non-profit, non-governmental organization focusing on environmental issues and the conservation of natural resources in Thailand.

Environmentally Friendly Label was established by the Hungarian Eco-Labelling Organisation^* in 1993.
In August 2003, Ricoh Aficio 2035/2045 models were awarded the Environmentally Friendly Label.They are the first to receive in the field of office automation equipment.
Additionally in August 2011, Ricoh Aficio MP C4502/5502 models were awarded the Environmentally Friendly Label too.

• *In 1993, the Hungarian government established the Hungarian Eco-Labelling Organisation, which is a non-departmental public body of the Ministry of Environment and Water. It was the first organisation of its kind among the post-communist countries.

Environmental Choice New Zealand was initiated and endorsed by the New Zealand government in 1990. Environmental Choice recognizes the genuine moves made by manufacturers to reduce the environmental impact of their products and provides a credible and independent guide for consumers who wish to purchase products that are better for the environment.
Ricoh's copiers and printers were certified in May 2004.