Chemical Substance Management at Factories

In fiscal 2007, from among the substances covered by the Guidelines, we selected 368 substances that have a substantial impact on the environment as Key Reductiontarget Substances. We then promoted the reduction of these substances to achieve our global target of reducing their release and transfer by 10% from fiscal 2006 levels by fiscal 2011. We were able to achieve a 27.8% reduction in fiscal 2009 through the formulation and implementation of the three-year plan at each of our sites and thus attained the target for fiscal 2011. We succeeded in cutting the percentage of Key Reduction-target Substances in the total release and transfer of the targeted substances at 66 sites.

We are also promoting the appropriate management of substances other than the Key Reduction-target Substances in line with the Rank Guidelines.

(1) Ten groups of substances recording the highest levels of release/transfer in the Pollutant Release and Transfer Register survey (Japan, fiscal 2003)
Ten groups of substances recording the highest levels of release/transfer in the chemical substance survey (fiscal 2005) by Panasonic
(2) Twenty groups of VOCs recording the highest levels of release in a survey by the electrical and electronics industry
(3) Five groups of substances specified by the Act on Promotion of Global Warming Countermeasures

For volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are released and transferred in a large amount among the Key Reduction-target Substances, we are sharing effective reduction examples across the company. We are also introducing decontamination and collection equipment, consolidating production lines that use VOCs, replacing VOCs with water-based materials, and switching from solvent coating to powder one, in order to decrease their use and reduce their total release and transfer amount.

details

• *1 Based on the Panasonic Chemical Substances Management Rank Guidelines (Version 3.1) and covering all substances listed in the Japanese PRTR Law.
• *2 An amount of substances converted into other substances through neutralization, decomposition or other chemical treatment.
• *3 An amount of substances recycled with revenue, as well as those recycled free of charge or with any payment.
• *4 An amount of substances that have been changed to other substances as a result of chemical reactions, and those that are contained in or accompanying products shipped out of factories.
• *5 An amount of substances transferred as waste, as well as those discharged into the sewage system. Recycled amount which is free of charge or accompanies treatment cost under the Waste Management Law is included in “Recycled.” (Different from a transferred amount reported under the PRTR Law.)