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Pollution Prevention

Main content

Pollution Prevention

Policy/Basic Concept

The proper use of chemical substances is indispensable for maintaining and developing human society. On the other hand, there is global consensus to minimize the adverse impacts of chemical substances on human health and the global environment. Companies are required to understand the chemical substances they use and their impacts, and to manage chemical substances appropriately. The Ricoh Group has established the “Ricoh Group Basic Regulations for Managing Chemical Substance” to thoroughly manage the risks associated with chemical substances used in our products and business activities. Taking into consideration not only current laws and regulations but also future regulations and risks, we are working on preventive activities to make the most of the convenience of chemical substances and to control risks such as contamination. Furthermore, we are working towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by adhering to the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) and the "2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development". Our goal is to minimize chemical risks throughout the entire product life cycle by 2030.

≪Basic regulations for managing chemical substances≫

  1. Comply with laws and regulations.
  2. Strive to manage chemical substances throughout their lifecycle for their impact on human health and the environment.
  3. Strive to minimize the risk of chemical substances and prevent risks through preventive measures.
  4. Contribute to a sustainably growing society by developing and introducing technologies that reduce environmental impact.
  5. Consider the possibility of risk trade-offs between human health and environmental safety in activities to improve quality, cost, productivity, etc., and take the necessary measures to address this.
  6. Strive to build relationships with society through risk communication build cooperative and trusting relationships.
  7. Each employee in the Group strives to continuously improve his/her own abilities and gain knowledge about chemical substances and to share information on chemical substance management necessary in other relevant processes.

≪Ricoh Group's Basic Policies on Soil and Underground Water Contamination≫

  1. Place the highest priority on preventing health hazards to humans.
  2. Comply with national and municipal laws, regulations, and ordinances.
  3. Address risk assessment, management, and reduction of pollution caused by the Ricoh Group's business operations.
  4. Engage in risk communication with local government and community members.
  5. Check for possible soil contamination when acquiring, transferring, leasing or returning land.

Structures/Systems

Prevention of contamination at business sites and management of chemical substances contained in products

To continuously discuss mid- to long-term issues of the Ricoh Group in the areas of environment, society, and governance at the management level, the ESG Committee, chaired by the CEO, was established in May 2018.
The committee meets once every quarter with the participation of Senior Management to discuss the status of initiatives, issues, and investment decisions related to ESG themes, such as environmental contamination, as important themes for management. Its deliberations are regularly reported to the Board of Directors, which then supervises the execution of ESG activities at a high level.
In addition, we use an environmental impact monitoring system for each fiscal year to oversee our forecasts in comparison to actual results. The global environmental performance data aggregated by the cloud system is analyzed and utilized for PDCA management.

(1) Risk management system for chemical contamination of our business sites

To prevent contamination in and around our business sites due to chemical substances used in manufacturing processes, the Ricoh Group even prohibits the use of hazardous chemical substances that are not listed as a product material in the process of designing and developing products. We also share information within the Ricoh Group and reduce the amount of chemical substances used and emitted into the environment in the phase of actual use.
In addition, we are we are working to minimize the environmental impact of soil contamination caused by past business activities, and when conducting land transactions, we assess the environmental impact caused by chemical substances and promote the necessary management and activities to reduce the environmental impact.

(2) Risk management system for chemical substances used in products

We have established a management system for chemical substances contained in products throughout our supply chain to reduce and control chemical substances that may affect human health and impact the global environment. In addition, by conducting such management, we ensure not only compliance with the laws and regulations of each country in which we operate, but also promote the production of products that meet our own standards, which are stricter than those of environmental labels and other laws and regulations.

Targets and Performance

The Ricoh Group is engaged in various pollution prevention activities, including management of chemical substances contained in products and reduction of the use and emission of chemical substances used in our business activities.

Environmental Impact Chemical Substances

Target : Reduce the volume of consumption and emissions below the previous year's performance*

*Target for FY2024: Amount used＜3,288t, Amount discharged＜579t

Substance in scope : Chemical substances used in large quantities as a group, including substances subject to the PRTR Law, etc.

Data scope : Ricoh Group's production/development related business sites

Trends of use and emissions of chemical substances with environmental impact

Environmental Impact Chemical Substances

  FY2020 FY2021 FY2022 FY2023
Amount used(t) 3,632 3,456 3,697 3,288
Amount discharged(t) 658 742 749 579

Tap to see the table

For more information on other pollution prevention targets and accomplishments.

ESG data

To learn more about our pollution prevention targets and accomplishments throughout the supply chain.

Supply chain management

Initiatives

Initiatives to prevent pollution at sites
  • Managing environmentally impacting chemical substances
  • Achieved total elimination of chlorinated organic solvents
  • Management of asbestos and PCBs
  • Managing risks associated with soil and groundwater pollution
  • Implementing Environmental Due Diligence
  • Environmental risk management for properties

Management of chemical substances in products
  • Reducing and managing chemical substances in products
  • Managing Chemical Substances in Supply Products
  • Reduction and management of chemical emissions generated during product use
  • Compliance with the EU RoHS Directive
  • Compliance with the EU REACH Regulation
  • Compliance with IEC 62474

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