Environmental Policy - Nikon

Environmental PolicyNikon made its official stance regarding environmentalmanagement activities in 1992, when it created and implementedthe “Nikon Basic Environmental Management Policy”, and hascontinued to be active in environmental conservation. In March2000, we devised the corporate strategy called “Vision Nikon 21”,which describes the direction of Nikon Group activities. Nikon alsoredefined its corporate philosophy for the new century, using thekeywords “Trustworthiness and Creativity”. Guided by our newphilosophy, we will continue to pursue the goals of the “NikonBasic Environmental Management Policy”.Corporate PhilosophyTrustworthinessNikon:• Is trusted and loved by people worldwide.• Exists and prospers in harmony on all levels throughout the world.CreativityNikon:• Creates new values by maintaining pride and faith in our business and by encouraging entrepreneurial spirit.• Appeals to people all over the world and satisfies them with efficient and useful products and services.The Nikon Basic Environmental Management PolicyPurpose of the PolicyNikon enacted the “Nikon Basic Environmental ManagementPolicy” in 1992 in order to express its commitment toimprovements in its local environment as well as globally,and to act as the foundation for its environmentalmanagement activities. Nikon believes that pollutionprevention measures and the efficient use of resources arevital steps that must be taken, in order to be able to hand on tothe next generation a healthy environment that is capable ofsupporting the continued development of society.In fiscal 2002, the Nikon policy underwent a majorrevision in response to the anticipated needs of the comingrecycling society. An outline of our action guidelines ispresented at right.Action Guidelines(1) We will make every effort to promote waste reduction, reuseand recycling, while promoting energy and resourceconservation, waste reduction and conscientious wasteprocessing, with the goal of creating an environmentconsciousrecycling society.(2) We will perform environmental and safety reviews at everystage of planning, development and design, in order toprovide products that fully comply with environmentalprotection aims.(3) At every stage of production, distribution, use and disposal,we will actively introduce materials and equipment that areeffective in protecting the environment, strive to developand improve technologies in this area, and work to minimizeenvironmental burdens.(4) We will meet targets for reduction of environmental burdensand use of harmful substances, and continue to improve ourenvironmental management system through environmentalaudits and other means.(5) We will develop and follow a rigorous code of standards, inaddition to observing all environmental conservationtreaties, national and regional laws and regulations.(6) We will conduct ongoing education programmes to furtheremployee knowledge of environmental issues and promoteemployee involvement in environmental activities.(7) We will provide Nikon Group companies and suppliers withguidance and information to promote optimal environmentalprotection activities.(8) We will participate actively in the environmental protectionprogrammes of society at large, and implement informationdisclosure.6The Nikon Environmental SymbolThis symbol was created and introduced in 1998 to represent the environmental conservation andimprovement activities being undertaken by the Nikon Group.

Environmental Management OrganisationNikon first entered into environmental protection activities in 1970,when it formed its “First Pollution Response Committee”. Thiscommittee was renamed the “Pollution Prevention Committee” in1971, and again in 1973 to be known as the “EnvironmentalImprovement Committee”. This gave birth to our programme ofmore practical environmental conservation activities.The environmental management organisation was restructuredin 1992 with the enactment of the “Nikon Basic EnvironmentalManagement Policy”, and in 1999, as part of the expansion of andadjustments to the system, we established an “Environmental &Board ofDirectorsChairman of theBoard (CEO)President,Member of theBoard (COO)ExecutiveCommitteeEnvironmental CommitteeDefines practical policies and standards ofachievement for Nikon’s environmentalmanagement. This committee is chaired bythe president of the BusinessAdministration Center.Technical Administration Department” within the company. Thecurrent environmental management organisation ensures that we areconstantly kept abreast of new domestic or international laws,treaties or regulations, or modifications to existing ones, as well asthe ever-changing needs of society.Environmental AccountingSub-CommitteeResponsible for creation and administration ofenvironmental accounting system.Operating EnvironmentSub-CommitteeResponsible for promotion and facilitation of localenvironmental improvements and globalenvironmental conservation activities consideringrequirements shared by multiple workplaces.Product Sub-CommitteeResponsible for researching and devising practicalstrategies for the environmental friendliness ofNikon products at every stage of product life,all the way to disposal.Packaging Sub-CommitteeRegional EnvironmentalSub-Committees(Head Office, Ohi Plant,Yokohama Plant, Sagamihara Plant,Kumagaya Plant, Mito Plant)Promotion of global environmentalconservation activities and localenvironmental improvements everywhereNikon does business.BusinessAdministrationCenterEnvironmental & TechnicalAdministration DepartmentOversees the environmental managementactivities of the Nikon Group. Serves asthe headquarters for the EnvironmentalCommittee.Responsible for devising practical strategies forimproving the environmental friendliness ofmaterials used and wastes generated through ourproduct packaging.Green ProcurementSub-CommitteeResponsible for ensuring environmental impact isconsidered prior to procurement of materials,and monitoring the environmental conservationactivities of suppliers.Nikon Group EnvironmentalSub-CommitteeEnvironmental Management SystemResponsible for communication andcooperation within the Nikon Group onmutually relevant environmental issues,and promotion of conservation activities.In September 1996, an international standard on environmentalmanagement systems (ISO 14001) was officially introduced by theInternational Standards Organisation. The intention of the standardis to promote the self-improvement of environment-related aspectsof corporate activities, with the United Nation’s policy for ensuringthe sustainable development of the human race as its foundation.The Nikon Group’s current environmental status and schedulefor obtaining ISO certification are indicated below, along with eachfacility’s main activities. The organisation that performed theevaluation for each location was BVQI (Bureau Veritas QualityInternational, based in the UK).Through earning this certification and our dedication to ourenvironmental activities, we have not only achieved improvedlevels of environmental management, but have also become stricterin our classification of waste, significantly increased our recyclingrate for paper, reduced our output of paper and other forms ofrefuse, and intensified our promotion of energy-conservingmeasures.This Environmental Management System functions togetherwith the quality standards set forth in ISO 9000 guidelines — forwhich each business unit has received certification — allowing usto meet our customers’ needs while showing consideration for theenvironment, and at the same time supplying high-quality products.Location Date of Approval Primary ActivitiesOhi PlantKumagaya PlantSagamihara PlantYokohama PlantMito PlantSendai Nikon CorporationZao Nikon Co., Ltd.Tochigi Nikon CorporationNasu Nikon Co., Ltd.Aichi Nikon Co., Ltd.Kurobane Nikon Co., Ltd.Mito Nikon CorporationNikon Logistics CorporationJuly 1998August 1998August 1998October 1998April 1999March 1997March 1999September 1999December 1999December 1999December 1999December 1999March 2002Development of basic technology, development and design of Imaging Company productsDevelopment, design and manufacture of IC steppersManufacture of optical glass, research and development of lensesDevelopment, design and manufacture of Instruments Company products and LCD steppersDevelopment of manufacturing technology, production of customised productsManufacture of cameras and LCD steppersManufacture of component devices for IC/LCD steppers, surveying instrumentsManufacture of IC/LCD steppers, various optical lensesManufacture of ophthalmic lensesManufacture of ophthalmic lensesManufacture of lenses for microscopes, profile projectors and surveying instrumentsManufacture of component devices for IC/LCD steppers, camerasLogisticsThe Certificate of Approval awardedto the Ohi Plant7