Business News

Epson Releases Sustainability Report 2008

Wednesday 20. August 2008 - Seiko Epson Corporation ("Epson") has released its Sustainability Report 2008, which details the environmental and community activities undertaken by the Epson Group in fiscal 2007. As clearly stated in its management philosophy, Epson promotes openness and publicly discloses a wide range of information relating to its corporate activities.

Epson began publishing an Environment Report in 1999 to provide details regarding its environmental activities. In 2003, Epson added information on community-related activities to this Environmental Report and renamed it the Sustainability Report. This report is released annually.
Main Features of Sustainability Report 2008

Based on data obtained through independent in-house questionnaires and external surveys, corporate activities that stood out or are of particularly high interest are as follows:
The creation of quality
The thoughts and dreams employees have regarding the quality put into our products are introduced.
The development of human resources
Details regarding the expertise, know-how, and the spirit behind creating products which have been handed down from employees since the establishment of the company are provided. These are essential to the development of human resources and Epson’s success as a manufacturing company.
The prevention of global warming
The first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol began in 2008, and Epson’s views and efforts with regard to global warming are introduced.
In line with the principles expressed in its management philosophy, the report has been organized into sections based on Epson’s relationship with each of its stakeholders. A web version of Sustainability Report 2008, which provides further details and supplementary information, will be available from August 20 at http://www.epson.co.jp/e/community/sr.
Fiscal 2007 Environmental Initiatives

Epson establishes long-term direction with “Environmental Vision 2050”
Environmental Vision 2050 will help chart the course which Epson’s corporate activities take towards the year 2050. Included in the report is an interview between environmental journalist Junko Edahiro and Epson Director Akihiko Sakai, in which they discuss what actions Epson must take towards the year 2050.
Prevention of global warming
On a per unit basis of real sales, Epson’s emissions of global warming substances showed a consolidated global reduction of 53% (target was 50%) compared with fiscal 1990 levels, and a reduction originating from domestic energy use of 45% (target was 28%).
Recycling and conservation of resources
By achieving a product recycling rate of 69.3%, Epson succeeded in surpassing the fiscal 2007 target of 65% in Japan. Although the 1.2% improvement in resource efficiency did not meet its target of a 15% increase over fiscal 2004, Epson did succeed in reducing its emissions by 1,500 tons over fiscal 2006.
Management of chemical substances
Although the number of sites was increased where reduction of PRTR pollutants or VOC emissions was mandated, Epson succeeded in reducing its PRTR emissions by 26% compared with fiscal 2005 levels, which were established as the benchmark, and reducing its VOC emissions by 12% through the use of alternatives and implementing initiatives to reduce usage.
Education and citizenship
In 2000, Epson began carrying out tree-planting efforts on the island of Kalimantan, Indonesia, and continues to provide maintenance and management support in the reforested area. Epson also provided support to implement the Kids’ ISO Program in Taiwan.
Environmental accounting
The scope of the environmental accounting system encompasses Epson and a total of 37 affiliates (18 in Japan and 19 overseas). In fiscal 2007, environmental conservation investment amounted to 600 million yen, of which 86% was applied to creating and offering environmental products, and activities related to the prevention of global warming. Total environmental conservation spending was 12.7 billion yen, for an economic benefit estimated at 2.3 billion yen.
Fiscal 2007 Community and Societal Initiatives

Evaluation by outside parties and participation in global efforts
Sustainable Asset Management (SAM) AG, a Swiss company engaged in research and ranking companies in terms of SRI (socially responsible investment), awarded Epson the SAM Bronze Class. With regard to safety initiatives for consumer products, Epson won the Bronze prize in the METI Minister Awards for companies that have contributed to product safety in the category of “large importers or manufacturers of products” at the 1st Excellence Awards for Product Safety Initiatives.
Activities aimed at employees
Surveys of efforts being made throughout the entire Epson Group in the areas of ethics, human rights, and working environment began in 2005. These in-house surveys at local subsidiary manufacturers have been concluded, and efforts in fiscal 2008 will focus on surveying local sales subsidiaries. Also included is a report on efforts being made by the Semiconductor Operations Division to improve correctness and fairness in manufacturing contracts. Furthermore, efforts for enhancing work/life balance and hiring people with disabilities are also detailed.
Supply chain management
Plans call to start operations in fiscal 2008 for detailed CSR evaluations of suppliers based on the Electronic Industry Code of Conduct (EICC), a voluntary standard of conduct that is becoming widely implemented in the United States and Europe. These evaluations have already undergone trial implementation at eight offices of four suppliers.