Japan's Mitsubishi Chemical Corp., which provides a broad range of chemical products to various industries, has begun to classify chemical substances to be identified and properly controlled in conformity with related laws and regulations. In addition, the company plans to investigate these chemicals' content and mixing compatibility during the processes of raw material procurement, manufacturing, storage, shipment, and delivery. This is part of the company's efforts to pursue green procurement.

By utilizing the classification data, Mitsubishi Chemical will be able to quickly and adequately provide information to prove discontinuation of proscribed chemicals and report on the chemical content of products. The company will start disclosing this information by the end of fiscal 2003 and then successively introduce the practice into the company's subsidiaries and affiliates.

There is a growing move worldwide to require adequate information disclosure and controls over environmental impacts caused throughout the entire life cycle of products. In response, the European Commission implemented the "End of Life Vehicles (ELV) Directive" in July 2003, and has adopted a proposal for a "Directive on the Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances (RoHS) in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE)," which will take effect in July 2006. In order to adhere to these directives, Japanese electrical, electronic, automobile and other industries intend to work actively to implement adequate controls on chemicals that cause heavy environmental impacts.

The Japan Chemical Industry Association has decided to promote a system of providing such information to its member companies and organizations using a specific format sheet designed to describe classification categories for the green procurement of chemical substances. This will probably prompt other chemical companies to implement information disclosure as well.




Posted: 2003/12/16 03:08:27 PM
Japanese version

TAG Chemicals , Manufacturing industry , System/Law