Management of Chemical Substances in Products

As represented by the enforcement of the REACH regulation^*1 in the European Union, the world is moving toward the goals agreed at the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) held in 2002, which is to produce and use all chemical substances in a manner that minimizes their impact on human health and the environment by 2020. In support of the precautionary approach proposed in the Rio Declaration made at the Earth Summit in 1992, we have been manufacturing products in line with our basic policy of minimizing the use of chemical substances that might adversely affect human health and the environment throughout their lifecycles. As specific initiatives, we aim to minimize the environmental impact of our products by (1) identifying hazardous substances contained in our products, (2) evaluating these substances on their environmental impact, and (3) voluntarily reducing or discontinuing their use in case of any environmental risks.

• *1 Regulations on the registration, evaluation, authorization, and restriction of chemical substances.

To promote our initiatives clearly, we set forth our Chemical Substances Management Rank Guidelines, which prohibit or specify certain substances for management in terms of our products and factory activities. Companies in the Panasonic Group are requested to follow the Guidelines, and suppliers are also requested for support as necessary.

• Chemical Substances Management Rank Guidelines