Sony sees global environmental conservation as one of the most critical issues for mankind in the 21st century. Sony, as a good corporate citizen, has therefore established the Sony Environmental Vision to form the basis for aggressive actions to conserve the environment and create a sustainable society.
Sony closely monitors and manages chemical substances used in its products at all stages of the manufacturing cycle, from the raw material and component stages right through to final shipment. Naturally, the cooperation of suppliers is essential in promoting our activities in this area.
Sony designates suppliers that cooperate in the production of environmentally sensitive products as Green Partners. Sony established the Sony Green Partner Standards in July 2001 with the aim of encouraging suppliers to introduce Green Partner environmental management systems. In March 2002, Sony established a set of "Management regulations for environment-related substances to be controlled which are included in parts and materials". Environment-related substances to be immediately banned or reduced were identified, as well as their applications. The regulations were enforced the following July. Together with this action, items required of suppliers under the Sony Green Partner Standards were further clarified by introducing the "Green Partner Environmental Quality Approval Program."
Under this program, Sony auditors visit suppliers to check environmental management activities. If suppliers meet Sony's standards, they qualify as Green Partners.
*Please refer to the Sony Green Partner Activities PDF file to learn more about the "Green Partner Environmental Quality Approval Program" and environmental quality assurance activities.
*Regarding both"Environment-related Substances to be Controlled"that should be reduced or that must not be used at all and their purposes, please refer to "Management Regulations for the Environment-related Substances to be Controlled which are included in Parts and Materials."
From April 2003, Sony will procure parts and materials for its products solely from suppliers that have qualified as Green Partners. This qualification will be one requirement for suppliers wishing to both start and continue doing business with Sony. Furthermore, Green Partner suppliers are required to work continuously to maintain and upgrade their environmental management systems. Specifically, suppliers are required to reduce and eliminate environment-related substances as prescribed in the management levels listed by substance and application in Sony's "Management regulations for environment-related substances to be controlled, which are included in parts and materials". Suppliers must renew their Green Partner approval every two years.
When procuring office and other supplies, Sony places priority on selecting green products ("eco" mark products). Sony Group uses a regionally unified procurement system for office and other supplies. Under this system, a catalog containing a considerable number of recommended items is produced for use by Sony companies. As of September 2006, the catalog distributed in Japan lists approximately 8,200 items bearing the "eco" mark, serving as an effective tool in speeding up the procurement of green products.
