Preventing Environmental Pollution
Pollution of the air, water, soil by hazardous substances adversely affects human health and the environment, and also triggers climate change.
The Anritsu Group handles a variety of chemical substances in its products, manufacturing processes, and other business activities. We believe that the management and reduction of chemical substances are important for preventing pollution of air, water, and soil, and for preserving a safe living environment and biodiversity.
We will strive to prevent environmental pollution through the following initiatives.
- Management based on self-imposed management standards that are stricter than laws and regulations
We will establish and manage voluntary control standards for wastewater and other discharges from our business sites that are stricter than the standards set by laws and ordinances.
- Management of chemical substances
We will work to reduce emissions by operating a management system for the chemicals we use.
- Reduction throughout the supply chain
We will establish standards for procurement of parts and materials and product design to reduce the inclusion of hazardous substances in our products, and work to minimize the impact on human health and the global environment throughout the supply chain.
Target and Progress
| Target | Results for FY2024 |
|---|---|
| Maintain zero excess of the voluntary management limit for industrial water discharge (Atsugi Site) | Maintained zero excess of the voluntary management limit |
| Compliance with U.S. TSCA (Toxic Substances Control Act) PFAS*1 data reporting rules and other regulations | Information is being collected and action is being taken as appropriate. |
*1 PFAS: Abbreviation for Per- and Poly fluoroalkyl substances. General term for chemical substances that contain carbon and fluorine atoms (perfluoroalkyl compounds or polyfluoroalkyl compounds).
Activities and Achievements
Chemical Substances Management
The Anritsu Group appropriately manages the chemical substances it uses.
The amount of methylnaphthalene contained in Type A heavy oil handled at Tohoku Anritsu's first factory exceeded 1 metric ton until FY2023, but since production was consolidated at Tohoku Anritsu's second factory, the amount was less than 1 metric ton in FY2024. Therefore, notification under the PRTR system of the Act on the Assessment of Releases and the Promotion of Management of Chemical Substances*2 is not required.
*2 PRTR system: A system whereby businesses identify and report to the government the quantities of chemicals potentially harmful to human health or ecosystems that are released from their facilities into the air, water, or soil, as well as the quantities contained in waste that are transferred off-site. The government then aggregates and publishes these release and transfer quantities based on the reported data and estimates.
| Measures | |
|---|---|
| Determination of whether or not to use a new chemical substance |
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| Understanding chemical substance usage |
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| Regulatory compliance |
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Management of Chemical Substances in Products
The Anritsu Group complies with domestic and international laws and regulations (such as the Act on the Evaluation of Chemical Substances and Regulation of Their Manufacture, etc., the European RoHS Directive, the European REACH Regulations, and the US TSCA Regulations) and industry standards in order to prevent the inclusion of hazardous chemical substances in its products. Chemical substances contained in products, packaging materials, etc. are properly managed in cooperation with suppliers by setting standards in the Anritsu Group Global Green Procurement Specification.
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Hazardous Waste Management
The Anritsu Group generates a small amount of hazardous waste*3, most of which occurs in the development and manufacturing of devices. We are committed to thorough waste management to prevent environmental pollution and ensure safety.
*3 Hazardous waste: The domestic group defines hazardous waste as "specially controlled industrial waste" under the Waste Management and Public Cleansing Act.
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Waste Management
Within our domestic group, we ensure the proper management and disposal of waste generated from factories and offices, as well as used products, in compliance with relevant laws and regulations. We also focus on reducing emissions, utilizing environmentally conscious materials, and implementing the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) to promote the effective use of resources.
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Water Discharge Management
Within the domestic group, each site implements initiatives tailored to its business operations while preparing for accidents through regular equipment inspections and training. In FY2024, water values for the domestic group remained below standard levels, and there were no accidents or violations of the law.
Water Discharge Management
| Eligibility | Initiatives | Measures |
|---|---|---|
| Atsugi site | Detoxification of industrial water discharge |
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| Prevention of contaminated water leakage |
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| Compliance with voluntary pH control standards |
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| Control of heavy metals other than pH |
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| Control of items and substances agreed upon with the administration |
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| Hiratsuka site | Reduction of degreasing and cleaning of metal materials |
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| Prevention of undiluted liquid leakage |
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| Prevention of rinse water leakage |
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| Tohoku site | Compliance with voluntary pH control standards |
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Groundwater management
Within our domestic group, we manage hazardous substances subject to the Soil Contamination Countermeasures Act and local ordinances using voluntary management standards that are stricter than legal requirements. The use of trichloroethylene and 1,1,1-trichloroethane, two chlorinated organic substances that can easily lead to groundwater contamination due to leakage, was eliminated in 1970 and 1993, respectively.
The Atsugi Site used to engage in plating, painting, and printed circuit board manufacturing that required chlorinated organic solvents, but no longer does so. Furthermore, as the only site within the Anritsu Group that extracts groundwater, we are committed to preventing contamination and promoting groundwater recharge.
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Noise and vibration suppression
The Anritsu Group does not engage in any business that generates loud noise or vibration. In each of domestic group facilities locations where we have machinery that operate equipment generating noise and vibration, such as mechanical presses, blowers, and compressors, we comply with legal and regulatory reporting requirements and standards, while also exercising consideration for neighboring communities.
In FY2024, noise values for the domestic group remained below standard levels, and there were no accidents or violations of the law.
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Prevention of Air Pollution
Within the domestic group, Tohoku Anritsu's first factory operates a heavy oil boiler for heating purposes, which is classified as a soot and smoke facility subject to the Air Pollution Control Act. This facility is managed appropriately in accordance with the law. No other domestic sites or overseas groups have facilities related to the Air Pollution Control Act. We conduct asbestos surveys and implement countermeasures during building demolition, renovation, and repair in strict compliance with laws and ordinances. Regarding company-owned vehicles, we prioritize the introduction of low-emission vehicles, hybrid vehicles, and electric vehicles to prevent air pollution and reduce CO₂ emissions.
At the Tohoku Site, we have established voluntary control standards that are stricter than the law, and we manage to keep emissions below the standard values. In FY2024, levels remained below the standard values and there were no accidents or violations of the law.