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FAQ
Product Users (Customers)
What kind of environmental soundness do your eco products feature?
"Eco products" are ones that meet all of the 29 eco standards independently established by NEC from the viewpoints of global warming prevention, resource recycling, environmental consciousness, etc. Moreover, NEC calls eco products that feature the industry's highest level of environmental soundness "Eco Symbol products."
How can environmental impact be reduced through the wise use of IT? Can you give some examples?
Because the use of IT requires that power be consumed, such use causes CO₂ emissions. However, NEC believes that the wise use of IT can contribute to a reduction in total CO₂ emissions. NEC has coined the slogan "Ecology through IT" to express this concept and aims to provide IT solutions that contribute to a reduction in CO₂ emissions.
Do you have a mobile phone made of plant-based plastic to save oil and other limited natural resources?
NEC brought out the first cellular phone that has the case made of bioplastic reinforced with kenaf fiber, alternative material to oil.
I heard that when I sell a used NEC PC back to NEC, I am helping plant a forest. Can you provide details?
As part of PC recycling endeavors, NEC launched the NEC Refreshed PC Afforestation Project on April 1, 2005, through which NEC plants one tree for each used PC purchased from users.
Investors, Shareholders
What kind of environmental technologies has NEC developed for the future?
To provide customers with products and services that have a low environmental impact, NEC is developing environmentally sound technologies as well as materials that have a low environmental impact. In FY 2007, NEC developed a bioplastic that has thermal conductance characteristics approaching those of metal.
How do you manage the costs and the effects of environmental activities (environmental account)?
NEC analyzes the the costs and the effects of environmental activities according to the Environmental Accounting Guidelines 2005 by Ministry of the Environment Government of Japan to carry on environmental management more effectively.
What kinds of activities are being carried out in the area of environmental risks?
To enhance environmental management, Environmental Risk Managers are being assigned to manufacturing subsidiaries inside and outside of Japan. NEC thus ensures full implementation of environmental risk management.
Public Authorities
What was the environmental impact of the products shipped by the NEC Group?
NEC clearly understands the relationship between environmental impact and the company's direct business operations, which is indicated as mass balance. Therefore we use this indicator to implement measures to reduce environmental impact.
Does NEC consistently implement measures to ensure legal compliance with environment-related laws?
NEC implements audits designed to comprehensively check compliance with related laws (the Basic Environment Law and other laws and regulations, prefectural ordinances, municipal ordinances, agreements on pollution prevention, and so on). Regarding implementation in FY 2007, we found no instances of inadequacies in connection with environmental pollution or work-related accidents. But there were a number of claims related to the Industrial Safety and Health Law and noise control regulations. And some irregularities related to measurement, waste consignment contracts, and so on, were discovered. When issuing notification of an irregularity, we include instructions describing the improvements required and make sure the party concerned takes measures to rectify the problem.
How does NEC manage the input and output balance of chemical substances regulated by the Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (PRTR) Law?
In FY 2007, NEC used 28 substances regulated by the PRTR law (Class 1 designated substances: 354 types). The input/output balance of these substances was calculated and the results were publicized.
What kind of environmental training and awareness activities does NEC carry out for employees?
The implementation of environmental management requires that all employees perform their work with high environmental awareness. To raise such awareness among all employees, NEC has established various environmental training and awareness development programs.
Sales Partners
What kind of environmental soundness do your eco products feature?
"Eco products" are ones that meet all of the 29 eco standards independently established by NEC from the viewpoints of global warming prevention, resource recycling, environmental consciousness, etc. Moreover, NEC calls eco products that feature the industry's highest level of environmental soundness "Eco Symbol Star products."
What kinds of programs does NEC implement regarding the use of hazardous chemicals in products?
NEC keeps exact records of the types and amounts of hazardous chemicals included in products and aims to limit their use. In fact, five of our 29 Eco Products criteria are related to the elimination of restricted chemical substances. Our Eco Symbol criteria are also the toughest in the industry with respect to the elimination of restricted chemical substances in each product group.
I have heard that NEC indicates the environmental benefits of the IT solutions it proposes. But how many such proposals has NEC made?
When proposing an IT solution to its customers, NEC makes a point of explaining that the proposed solution reduces the customer's (and society's) impact on the environment. NEC also describes the economic and environmental benefits that can be gained through the proposed solution.
Suppliers
What kinds of programs does NEC implement regarding the use of hazardous chemicals in products?
NEC keeps exact records of the types and amounts of hazardous chemicals included in products and aims to limit their use. In fact, our 29 Eco Products criteria are related to the elimination of restricted chemical substances. Our Eco Symbol criteria are also the toughest in the industry with respect to the elimination of restricted chemical substances in each product group.
How can my company become certified as a green supplier?
NEC launched a green certification system in FY 2003. An essential requirement of thie system is the procurement of materials with low environmental impact produced using processes with low environmental impact by partners with a high level of environmental awareness. Suppliers who meet these conditions can receive green approval.
I've heard that NEC has programs to support the environmental activities of its suppliers. What types of programs are they?
To raise its green procurement rate (green certification rate), NEC formed an Environmental Management System(EMS) creation team and started offering EMS creation tools in FY 2005 as part of its activities to support suppliers.
Could you describe your environmental rating system for suppliers?
NEC introduced an environmental rating system in FY 2003. Through this system, NEC procures materials giving priority to those among its green certified suppliers who are deeply involved in environmentally sound activities.
Local Citizens and NPOs
What types of information on environmental activities performed by NEC are available?
NEC's Web site contains an extensive range of information on the company's environmental activities. This information is updated regularly. Highlights of activities undertaken in each fiscal year are also available in NEC's annual environmental reports.
What measures does NEC take to prevent accidents?
When a situation occurs where a single misstep may cause an accident through a natural calamity, man-made disaster, equipment failure, etc., an "incident information record" is created and is conveyed throughout the NEC Group so as to prevent emergency situations and accidents.
Does NEC carry out environmental activities in collaboration with NPOs?
NEC works in collaboration with NPOs for the implementation of environmental training and activities to raise the level of awareness toward the environment among employees. We planned the annual environmental report with an NPO. Other joint initiatives included collaboration with the Japan Association of Environment and Society for the 21st Century for the training of key environmental management players and collaboration with Asaza Project members for an NEC's rice paddy initiative.
What kinds of environment-related social contribution activities does NEC carry out?
Each NEC site and group company engaged in autonomous environment-related social contribution activities for the benefit of the local community.
Employees and Their Families
Are there any events we can participate in with our families?
By planning and implementing hands-on programs that allow participants to experience nature, such as making rice paddies and growing rice, we aim for employees and their families to gain heightened environmental awareness.
Has the company we work in caused any environmental pollution accidents?
Since FY 1999, we have announced whether any fines or penalties concerning environmental matters have been levied on NEC. We initiated clean-up operations immediately after the accidents and devised measures to prevent future occurrences. These measures were implemented at all sites.
How are NEC's environmental activities evaluated by external organizations?
NEC's environmental activities are evaluated by a number of external organizations. In the Environmental Management Survey by the Nihon Keizai Shimbun, we were ranked 6th in the manufacturing sector.
All Stakeholders
What are the views of NEC's top management on the environment?
Protection of the environment is one of the most critical management issue faced by the NEC Group. We believe that, by utilizing IT and network technologies, we can create a society that is not only bountiful, safe, and free from worry.
What is NEC's vision of the environment?
We work in line with our Environmental Management Vision 2010 to promote our transformation into sustainable business management, coordinating concrete business activities from a long-term environmental management perspective. In 2010, we formulated the Environmental Management Action Plan 2017/2030 as our next medium- and long-term vision.
What did NEC's environmental activities in FY 2007 achieve and what are the company's environmental targets for FY 2009?
Based on our Environmental Management Vision 2010, we have established a mid-term plan that aims for the attainment of specific targets.
Why does NEC release its annual environmental report on its Web site only and not as a pamphlet as well?
NEC considers the active publication of environmental information on its Web site to be in keeping with the needs of an IT society in its mission as an IT solution provider.
