Framework for Pollution Prevention and Chemical Substance Management

In the Environmental Management Implementation Framework, NEC engages in environmental management as well as pollution prevention. Each of NEC plant utilizes a preliminary evaluation when installing facilities and equipment that generate chemical substances, wastewater, or exhaust gases, and conducts a preliminary evaluation of the potential environmental impact. We have also established environmental analysis and measurement regulations to appropriately monitor the environmental load of exhaust gases, wastewater, odors, and other substances to prevent pollution.

NEC Initiatives

Preliminary Evaluation of Chemical Substances

NEC has been conducting preliminary evaluations to examine environmental and safety aspects carefully when using a new chemical substance for the first time. These preliminary evaluations are a series of strict examinations of physical properties, toxicity levels, handling methods, emergency response measures, recycling methods, environmental impact, and other items related to chemical substances. Only substances that have passed these examinations are allowed to be purchased.

Safety data sheets (SDS) are obtained from manufacturers or prepared independently for all chemical substances used. These are used for reference when making judgments in considering safety countermeasures to apply when using the chemical substances. Manufacturing assessments are also carried out in all manufacturing processes to evaluate environmental and safety aspects of the chemical substances and production facilities.

Conformance to the PRTR System (Act on Confirmation, etc. of Release Amounts of Specific Chemical Substances in the Environment and Promotion of Improvements to the Management Thereof)

NEC discloses the results of managing the inputs and outputs of chemical substances used by the NEC Group that are subject to the PRTR System (Class I Designated Chemical Substances: 462 substances).

For chemical substances released into the atmosphere and public water bodies (including discharges into sewage systems), NEC has set its own voluntary standards, which are more stringent than the levels required by law, and ensures that these standards are strictly met.

Reduction in Use of Strictly Regulated Chemical Substances

Ozone-depleting substances

The use of all specific chlorofluorocarbons as a cleaning agent in manufacturing processes was discontinued in 1993. By the end of fiscal 2011, efforts to totally discontinue the use of specific chlorofluorocarbons for refrigerant in air conditioners and specific halons used in fire extinguishers achieved a reduction of 96%, almost completely abolishing them from use.

Strict Control of Equipment and Parts Containing PCBs

At present, NEC strictly manages disposed-of devices (equipment and parts, including fluorescent light stabilizers) containing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) at its three plants under stringent double and triple measures for preventing leakage. The Law Concerning Special Measures for Promotion of Proper Treatment of PCB Waste was revised in 2016, changing the processing period set in the basic plan for the disposal of PCBs. In compliance with the change, NEC is revising its disposal plans to ensure that the waste is processed within the set deadline.

Scope: NEC Corporation

Contribution through Our Businesses

Chemical Substance Management Solutions That Support Compliance with Environmental Laws and Regulations

We provide chemical substance management solutions in the form of implementation packages and cloud services for compliance with various chemical substance laws and regulations around the world, such as the RoHS Directive and the REACH regulations. We also provide related business systems that address conflict minerals and have SCIP database registration functions.

Response to Situations Including Environmental Accidents and Violation of Laws

The party who discovers an environmental accident or violation of laws and regulations that may lead to environmental pollution shall contact the environmental manager at the relevant management unit. The environmental manager who receives the notification shall immediately implement emergency measures and prevent the escalation of the incident in accordance with emergency response and other procedures, and shall report the matter to the head of the environmental management department and the site manager of the relevant plant based on the Criteria for Determining the Necessity of Information Escalation in an Emergency Situation. The head of the environmental management department and the site manager shall contact the police, fire department, or relevant authorities as necessary, and inform the Corporate Officer in charge of the Environment.
At the same time, the environmental manager shall carry out corrective measures such as identifying the cause and implementing measures to prevent recurrence. The head of the environmental management department and the site manager shall confirm the content of the corrective measures, and if they deem the measures ineffective, shall make improvements and confirm that the corrective measures have been implemented and are functioning effectively, thereby preventing recurrence.