We are building a global network to support environmental management and are committed to its efficient operation
The Hitachi Group has developed an environmental administration structure that covers the Group as a whole.
Under this system, the Senior Executive Committee for Environmental Policy, chaired by the president of Hitachi, Ltd., deliberates and sets environmental policies and strategies for the entire Group. These policies are disseminated via committees, such as the Environmental Strategy Officers Meeting, made up of the heads of the environmental operations units of business groups and Group companies. The Environmental Committee and subcommittees draft policies and action plans, then develop the technologies and evaluation methods needed to resolve issues and achieve goals.
Outside of Japan, we have built networks connecting the staff in charge of environmental issues. Regional Environmental Committees promote better understanding of Group policies while considering local issues and the best solutions. In fiscal 2008, we held regional meetings with the staff in charge of environmental issues in Europe (Brussels, Belgium), the Americas (San Jose, CA), China (Suzhou), and the rest of Asia (Manila, the Philippines) to share news about regulatory trends and best practices at various sites, and to exchange views on environmental issues. Strengthening these national and regional networks of environmental staff should facilitate a more rapid response to problems and help us design activities tailored to each country or region.
Environmental Management System (EMS)
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link to an enlarged view
Within the Hitachi Group, we determine the minimum level of environmental management for each plant or factory according to its environmental load, determined by a multiple-criteria evaluation system. Any location where the environmental load exceeds a certain level is required to develop an environmental management system (EMS) based on ISO 14001 standards and then must be certified by an accredited outside agency. As of March 2009, individual certification had been obtained by 353 Group business locations inside and outside of Japan.
Criteria for Environmental Management Level (major items)
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| Japan | Outside Japan | Total | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Producton Sites | Non- Production Sites | Producton Sites | Non- Production Sites | ||
| No. of certified sites | 190 | 75 | 78 | 10 | 353 |
(as of March 2008)
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At the same time, we developed the Environmental Promotion Organization EMS to strengthen the Group's overall environmental management governance and to take advantage of our combined resources. It is designed to handle the wide diversity of our business groups and Group companies and obtained ISO 14001 certification in September 2006. The Environmental Promotion Organization covers the R&D Group, 6 business groups, and 19 Group companies.
We are also progressing toward the development and certification of integrated EMSs for each of our business groups and Group companies, with four more Group companies becoming certified in fiscal 2008. Currently, the R&D Group and 12 Group companies have been certified for an integrated EMS.
Our goal is to obtain integrated EMS certification for every business group and Group company under the Environmental Promotion Organization by 2010.
[topics]Hitachi Maxell Group Earns Integrated EMS Certification
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Operations committee meeting
for the Hitachi Maxell Group
integrated EMS
Until recently, each business site and affiliated company of the Hitachi Maxell Group had its own environmental policies based on a certified ISO 14001 environmental management system.
In fiscal 2007, however, they began developing an integrated EMS covering all seven areas within Japan to strengthen corporate governance, to make environmental action more effective, and to coordinate with the EMS under the Hitachi Group’s Environmental Promotion Organization.
This process involved integrating each business’s EMS-certified committee, ensuring compatibility with the goals and targets of the Hitachi Group Environmental Action Plan and EMS, as well as devising an integrated environmental evaluation system that takes account of the disparate methods used in each area. Certification was received in December 2008.
