On April 1st, 2007, Seiko Epson Corp., a major Japanese electronics manufacturer, announced a new procurement policy under which the company will check whether paper products provided especially for Epson printers, including both plain and photo paper, have been produced with due consideration for sustainability.

Illegal logging of forests is currently a very serious issue. Thus, greater efforts are now being made around the world to ensure legality and sustainability throughout the supply chain of wood products. In step with this trend, Seiko Epson decided to establish new procurement standards that will contribute to the sustainability of forests. Under these standards, when virgin pulp is used as a raw material, the procurement process is supposed to include confirmation of the legality, sustainability, etc. of how it was obtained.

The new standards have been applied to domestically-procured paper since fiscal 2007 and will be applied to imported paper from fiscal 2008. The company aims to conduct all its paper purchases on the basis of this policy by fiscal 2010.

http://www.epson.co.jp/e/community/environmental_ppurchasing.htm

Posted: 2007/11/11 11:55:07 PM
Japanese version

TAG Ecosystem , Manufacturing industry , System/Law