Ricoh Co., a major Japanese manufacturer of office equipment and supplies, will ask its suppliers of parts and other materials to reduce their carbon dioxide emissions as part of its green procurement activities. The company will officially make the request to its 700 suppliers starting in FY 2008.
Presently, the company's green procurement policy aimed at environmental conservation requires suppliers to obtain environmental management system (EMS) certifications under ISO14001, Ricoh's company guidelines, and Eco Action 21 (EA21) and Chemical Substances Management System (CSMS) certification. The CO2 emission reduction requirement will constitute another concrete case of environmental impact reduction resulting from green procurement.
Among Ricoh group's corporate activities, resource material input processes account for about one half of total CO2 emissions. Consequently, since FY 2005 the group has worked on formulating standards for CO2 calculations, compiling know-how for CO2 reduction, and systematizing calculation tools in relation to parts and material procurement. The company has also developed strategies for reducing environmental impacts by providing suppliers with know-how and tools. The request for CO2 emission reduction is expected to extend these activities.
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