Home > About Us > Corporate Social Responsibility > Sustainability Report > Sustainability Report 2008 > Basic Policy and Framework for Environmental Management

Basic Policy and Framework for Environmental Management

Basic Policy and Framework for Environmental Management

The Kobe Steel Group regards conservation of the global environment as an issue of major importance impacting on all living beings, and recognizes that we have a mission to make the worldwide environment cleaner and healthier for the next generation. We have formulated a Basic Policy for Environmental Management and are working to promote environmentally friendly management in all aspects of corporate operations. The Global Environment Committee set up in 1992 was reconstituted as the Environmental Management Committee in 2002 to undertake environmental management for the Group as a whole. Since the works emissions problem was uncovered in 2006, we have been putting added effort into strengthening environmental controls, setting up a new Environmental Administration Committee as an advisory body to the Board of Directors. Basic Policy for Environmental Management: Increasing Corporate Value Through the Implementation of Sound Group Environmental Management In our quest to be an advanced, environmentally responsible corporate enterprise, the Kobe Steel Group is committed to: 1. Engaging in environmentally friendly production practices 2. Contributing to the environment through products, technologies and services 3. Coexisting and harmonizing with society By these means, we will fulfill our corporate social responsibilities while increasing our corporate value. Diagram of Medium-Term Group Environmental Management Policies Environmental Goals To promote environmentally responsible Group operation, we formulated a Medium-Term Environmental Management Plan that defines six focus areas: 1) thorough commitment to environmentally friendly manufacturing practices; 2) contributing to the environment through our products, technologies and services; 3) disclosing environmental information; 4) coexisting and harmonizing with society; 5) achieving participation of all employees in environmental programs; and 6) thorough pursuit of risk management. In manufacturing, we are stringent about observance of all relevant laws and regulations, and the environmental-friendliness of all aspects of our activities, including the siting of operations, construction of facilities, installation of equipment, purchasing, production, distribution, and product life-cycles. We supply products, technologies and services that are beneficial in reducing environmental impact, and we work to involve all staff in efforts to maintain good communication with the local community. Director's Message "The Kobe Steel Group is making steady progress in environmental management" Hiroshi Sato, Executive Vice President and Chairman of the Environmental Management Committee This financial year of 2008 is the last year of our 2006-2008 Medium-Term Environmental Management Plan, and the whole Group is currently working to meet its targets. Two years have now passed since the emissions problem at our steelworks was discovered, and during this period we have implemented a number of countermeasures, both technical and procedural. As a result we have been able to work together with all Group companies on ensuring observance of rules and regulations, training all staff in compliance, strengthening our environmental management system, and improving our facilities to better protect the environment. We will continue to work hard to maintain constant awareness of environmental considerations among all staff. With regard to global warming, in order to meet the first-stage greenhouse gas reduction targets of the Kyoto Protocol, all plants and works are active in pursuing energy-saving measures. We are also continuing efforts toward building a "recycling-based society" through measures to reduce waste and the use of toxic substances. Furthermore, we are directing efforts to developing environmentally friendly products in order to make a greater contribution with products, technologies and services that benefit the environment. In all operations and activities throughout the Kobe Steel Group, decision-making that takes the environment into account is seen as a vital management issue. As chairman of the Environmental Management Committee, I am pressing to make environmental management an established part of our corporate culture. Group Environmental Management System Environmental management in the Kobe Steel Group is promoted through the Environmental Management Committee and the Environmental Administration Committee. In 2002, the Global Environment Committee, set up in 1992, was reconstituted as the Environmental Management Committee to strengthen efforts to bring a management response to environmental problems. Various endeavors have been carried out under the Kobe Steel Group’s environmental management. Subcommittees have been set up to study specific issues such as countermeasures to global warming, and promote activities to make a swift and well-targeted response. Also, ongoing efforts have been made to strengthen environment management following the discovery of the works emissions problem in 2006, with the setting up of a new Environmental Administration Committee, which includes outside experts, as an advisory body to the Board of Directors. Environmental Administration Committee (October, 2007) Kobe Steel Group Environment Meeting (July, 2007) Company-Wide Environmental Management System Building an Environmental Management System The Kobe Steel Group is continuously and productively engaged in efforts to ensure compliance with all relevant laws and regulations and to enhance the environment. To this end we encourage obtaining certification that includes ISO14001 certification in environment management systems (EMS), the Japanese Ministry of Environment's Eco-Action 21*1 and the Kobe Environmental Management System (KEMS)*2 of the Kobe Environmental Forum. Since the emissions problem discovered in May 2006, we have been working to strengthen environmental management systems at all works, plants and Group companies. In April 2007, Fujisawa Industrial Operations obtained ISO14001 certification, and in January 2008 the Kobe Corporate Research Laboratories gained EA21 certification. Between April 2007 and March 2008, 11 workplaces at nine Group companies also obtained certifications. Obtaining certification for environmental management systems at all workplaces in the parent company has now been completed. In April 2008 a further two workplaces at one Group company were certified, leaving only five major workplaces that are still on their way toward gaining certification. Operating Locations That Have Received Environmental Management System Certification Sector/Company Operating Location EMS Type Date of Certification Iron and Steel Kakogawa Works*3 ISO14001 February 1998 Kobe Works ISO14001 August 1998 Takasago Works ISO14001 March 1999 Welding Ibaraki Plant ISO14001 July 2001 Fujisawa Industrial Operations ISO14001 April 2007 Saijo Plant EA21 February 2005 Aluminum & Copper Moka Plant ISO14001 December 2000 Chofu Works ISO14001 March 2001 Daian Plant ISO14001 December 2002 Machinery & Engineering Takasago Works ISO14001 March 2002 Harima Plant ISO14001 June 2002 Engineering Division ISO14001 June 2002 Technical Development Group Kobe Corporate Research Laboratories EA21 January 2008 Topics Sun Aluminium Industries, Ltd. In April 2006 we launched a 15-month program aimed at gaining ISO14001 certification. This included checking up on environment-related legislation and regulations, studying the environmental impact, and putting in place rules and standards. In July 2007 we became ISO14001 certified. Together with activities under ISO9001 (obtained in September 1999), we have started working to include ongoing environmental management system activities.   Kobe Corporate Research Laboratories Preparations began in July 2006 to obtain EA21 certification. With regard to a system for implementation, groups were set up for specific purposes, such as cutting electricity consumption or reducing wastes, in addition to the individual organizational divisions such as the research labs, to achieve greater effectiveness. To hasten wide understanding and activate employees, about one third of staff members were designated as activity leaders, and with all staff involved, certification was obtained in January, 2008. It seems to be rare for a whole research institution to receive this certification, however we will continue to work in unison on activities to upgrade the environment. Kobe Corporate Research Laboratories Group Companies That Have Received Environmental Management Certification Group Company Scope of Certification Type of EMS Date of Certification*5 Kansai Coke and Chemicals Co., Ltd. Kakogawa Plant ISO14001 March 1998 Head Office EA21*1 November 2005 Amagasaki Office EA21*1 March 2007 Kobelco Eagle Marine Engineering Co., Ltd Kure Plant, Takasago Office (overall certification as Eagle Industry Co., Ltd.) ISO14001 June 2006 Shinko Kobe Power, Inc. Shinko Kobe Power Station ISO14001 August 2002 Shinko Special Tube Co., Ltd. Chofu-Kita Plant ISO14001 February 2007 Shinko Logistics, Ltd. Kobe Office, Amagasaki Logistics Center KEMS*2 February 2005 Marine Transport Department ISO14001 February 2006 Kanto Logistics Center EA21*1 March 2007 Nippon Koshuha Steel Co., Ltd. Head Office, Osaka Branch, Nagoya Branch, Kita-Kanto Sales Office, Toyama Sales Office, Toyama Plant, NK Mex K.K., NK Seisen K.K. ISO14001 October 2006 Shinko Engineering & Maintenance Co., Ltd. Takasago Plant (Certified as part of Kobe Steel's Takasago Works) ISO14001 March 1999 Shinko Wire Company, Ltd. Head Office, Amagasaki Plant EA21 June 2007 Onoe Plant EA21 October 2007 Shinko Bolt, Ltd. Head Office, Plant EA21 September 2007 Pro-Tec Coating Company Head Office Plant ISO14001 December 1996 Kobe Welding Wire Co., Ltd. Head Office ISO14001 October 2002 Shinko Taseto Co., Ltd. Certified as part of Kobe Steel's Fujisawa Industrial Operations ISO14001 April 2007 Taseto Co., Ltd. Certified as part of Kobe Steel's Fujisawa Industrial Operations ISO14001 April 2007 Shinko Welding Service Co., Ltd. Certified as part of Kobe Steel's Fujisawa Industrial Operations ISO14001 April 2007 Hanshin Yosetsu Kizai Co., Ltd. Okayama Plant EA21*1 January 2007 Shinsho Kobe Welding Co., Ltd. Head office, Tokyo Branch Office, Nagoya Sales Office, Okayama Sales Office (Certified as part of Shinsho Corporation) ISO14001 October 2000 Thai-Kobe Welding Co., Ltd. Head Office Plant, Bangkok Office ISO14001 January 2007 Kobe Mig Wire (Thailand) Co., Ltd. Head Office Plant (Certified as part of Thai-Kobe Welding Co., Ltd.) ISO14001 January 2007 Shinko-North Co., Ltd. Head Office, Kasumigaura Plant, Tokyo Branch, Osaka Branch ISO14001 July 2005 Shinko Fab Tech, Ltd. Certified as part of Kobe Steel's Chofu Plant ISO14001 March 2001 Shinko Leadmikk Co., Ltd. Head Office, plant (Moji) ISO14001 April 2005 Shinko Daian Sohgo Service Ltd. Certified as part of Kobe Steel's Daian Plant ISO14001 December 2002 Shinko Metal Products, Co., Ltd. Head Office, Plant EA21*1 April 2007 Shinko Moka Sohgo Service, Ltd. Certified as part of Kobe Steel's Moka Plant ISO14001 December 2000 Niko-Aluminum Industries, Ltd. Certified as part of Kobe Steel's Moka Plant ISO14001 December 2000 Kobelco & Materials Copper Tube, Ltd. Hatano Plant ISO14001 June 2000 Sun Aluminium Industries, Ltd. Head Office, Plant ISO14001 July 2005 Kobe Aluminum Automotive Products, LLC Head Office Plant ISO14001 May 2007 Singapore Kobe Pte. Ltd. Head Office Plant ISO14001 July 2005 Kobelco Sanki Service Co., Ltd. Certified as part of Kobe Steel's Takasago Works ISO14001 March 2002 Shinko Techno Engineering Co., Ltd. Certified as part of Kobe Steel's Takasago Works ISO14001 March 2002 Shinko Inspection & Service Co., Ltd. Certified as part of Kobe Steel's Takasago Works ISO14001 March 1999 Shinwa Wood Works, Ltd. Takasago Plant (Certified as part of Kobe Steel's Takasago Works) ISO14001 March 1999 Kobelco Research Institute, Inc. Takasago Plant (Certified as part of Kobe Steel's Takasago Works) ISO14001 March 1999 Sputtering Target Division ISO14001 February 2004 Applied Chemistry Division, Material Evaluation Division, Engineering Mechanics Division, LEO Division, Planning & Administration Department ISO14001 July 2006 Kobelco Construction Machinery Co., Ltd. Development & Production Division (Hiroshima) ISO14001 November 2001 Ogaki Plant (Certified as part of Shinko Engineering Co., Ltd.) ISO14001 February 1999 Kobelco Cranes Co., Ltd. Okubo Plant ISO14001 March 2001 Kobelco Eco-Solutions Co., Ltd. Head Office, Technical Research Laboratory, Harima Plant, branches and other operating locations ISO14001 December 1999 Shinko Engineering Co., Ltd. Head Office, plant (Ogaki) ISO14001 February 1999 Shinko Electric Co., Ltd. Toyohashi Plant ISO14001 December 1998 Ise Plant (including Toba) ISO14001 January 1999 Genesis Technology, Inc. Nishiwaki Plant, Tokorozawa Plant, Kyushu Plant, Kobe Office ISO14001 March 2004 Japan Superconductor Technology Co., Inc. Moji Plant EA21 March 2008 Head Office, Seishin Plant EA21 March 2008 Ceratechno Co., Ltd. Head Office, Akashi Plant, Bizen Plant EA21 April 2008 Shinsho Corporation All operating locations in Japan ISO14001 October 2000 Shinko Real Estate Co., Ltd. Building Management Dept. KEMS*2 December 2006

*1	Eco-Action 21 is a certification and registration system for environmental management established by the Ministry of the Environment. Based on ISO14001, it provides a more convenient approach to environmental management.
*2	The Kobe Environmental Management System (KEMS) was established by the Kobe Environmental Forum to make it easier for companies to take concrete steps to protect the environment while reducing costs.
*3	Includes Group companies.
*4	Takasago Works received expanded certification in 2002.
*5	When multiple sites have received certification, the date shown is the earliest certification date.