Measures against Environmental Risks

In the latter half of the 1980s, soil and groundwater contamination due to chlorinated organic solvents was detected at some of Panasonic’ s sites. In response, we have conducted anti-contamination activities across the company. Specifically in 1991 we created the Manual for Preventing Contamination of Soil and Groundwater and began conducting necessary surveys and measures. In 1995 we discontinued the use of chlorinated organic solvents, and in 1999 created Guidelines on the Prevention of Environmental Pollution to ensure there would be no recurrence of similar problems at our sites. Furthermore, in fiscal 2003 we began enhancing our surveys and measures to comply with relevant laws and regulations, including the Soil Contamination Countermeasures Act, which was enforced in Japan in 2003, and in fiscal 2004 started implementing measures to place all our bases across the globe under Panasonic’ s management supervision with regard to soil and groundwater.

Specifically, we conduct onsite inspections and interviews at the bases, in addition to surveying their use of VOCs and heavy metals. Furthermore, we implement surface soil surveys within the premises. For the sites where contamination was detected beyond the regulatory pollution standards, we conduct detailed borehole surveys to identify the boundaries of the contaminated areas and take remedial measures.

As a result of these efforts, we were able to place all our manufacturing and non-manufacturing sites in Japan under Panasonic’ s management supervision with regard to this issue in fiscal 2004, and also those outside Japan in fiscal 2006. Subsequently, Panasonic Electric Works and PanaHome joined our Group and in fiscal 2009 we again placed all our bases under management supervision. Since fiscal 2011, a new Panasonic management supervision policy has been established based on the previous policy, making it more organized and clarifying the details of its purpose. This has been enforced to improve risk management across all group companies, including SANYO Electric.

• Note: SANYO Electric and PLD not included.