Yamaha 2005 Annual Report Download - page 38

Environmental management systems
Yamaha first established a department for environmental man-
agement in 1974, upgrading it to the status of a division in 1992.
Full-scale environmental activities began around the time of the
establishment of the department, and the company had already
eliminated CFCs from its operations by 1993. In 1994, Yamaha
established the Environment Committee. Chaired by a director
with environmental responsibilities, this group studies specific
issues and oversees companywide environmental activities.
36 Yamaha Annual Report 2005
Environmental Activities
The Yamaha Group has positioned environmental preservation as a key issue for management due to its critical rel-
evance to all humanity. Since formulating its corporate policy on the environment in 1994, Yamaha has worked to
raise awareness of environmental issues among employees through education and training programs, and has also
initiated various environmental programs.
Yamaha initiated ISO14001 certification processes in 1997
and has since completed the certification of all Yamaha Group
manufacturing sites in Japan and overseas as well as all resort
facilities. Certification of all major sales offices in Japan (in Tokyo,
Osaka and Nagoya) is due to be completed by March 2006.
Development of eco-conscious products
Yamaha aims to add eco-friendliness to the list of Yamaha brand
qualities, in addition to safety and reliability. The development of
eco-conscious products at Yamaha has three major facets, out-
lined below.
Reduced use of chemicals
The Yamaha Group formulated internal standards on the use of
chemical substances in products in 2003. Management of the
use of chemicals based on these standards aims to reduce the
environmental impact of Yamaha products. Yamaha is also pur-
suing green procurement initiatives in cooperation with its suppli-
ers in Japan and overseas. One aim is to be fully compliant by
the end of March 2006 with the EU directive on the Restriction of
Hazardous Substances (RoHS) through the elimination of six
specific substances from Yamaha products.
Conservation of energy and resources
Reduction of energy consumption and conservation of resources
are key issues in the development of Yamaha Group products. In
the year ended March 2005, Yamaha introduced six models of
digital amplifier that feature significantly lower power consump-
tion. Yamaha also launched highly efficient products designed to
use less than 0.1W of power in standby mode.
Expanded use of life cycle assessment (LCA) methods
LCA methodology aims to facilitate the design of eco-conscious
products by estimating the environmental impact of products
throughout the entire life cycle, from raw material procurement
and manufacture to distribution, use and disposal. Yamaha intro-
duced this highly effective tool for some AV/IT products in the year
ended March 2004, using estimates of environmental impact
based on CO2emission equivalents. This approach has provided
valuable insights into the characteristics of environmental impact
with different products. The data are now being applied to the
development of eco-conscious products in various areas.
Eco-friendly manufacturing activities
The Yamaha Group is implementing a number of measures to
reduce the environmental impact of production activities, as dis-
cussed below.
The Six Principles of Yamaha’s Corporate Environmental Activity
1. Make efforts to develop technology and provide products that will be
as sensitive as possible to the earth’s animals, plants and environment.
2. Promote energy-saving activities and make effective use of resources
in the areas of research and development, production, distribution,
sales and service.
3. Minimize and recycle waste products, and simplify waste disposal pro-
cedures at each stage of production and distribution, as well as during
and after use.
4. Strictly follow environmental rules and regulations, encourage environ-
mental protection activities, and ensure the well-being of employees
and citizens by practicing sound environmental management.
5. In developing operations overseas, make environmental protection a
priority through investigation and understanding of the environmental
standards of the host country.
6. Actively distribute information, contribute to the community and carry
out educational activities concerning environmental preservation.
Premise
Earth exists not only for those of us who currently live on it, but also for
our descendants. We must live in a way that will ensure a future for our
children and grandchildren. It is, therefore, our duty to protect our valu-
able environment so that all living creatures can continue to live on this
planet forever.
Policy
Yamaha’s corporate objective is to continue to create ‘Kando’ and
enrich culture with technology and passion born of sound and music,
together with people all over the world. We have to be aware that corpo-
rate activities are deeply related to the environment, and we at Yamaha
acknowledge our responsibility to nature. We are dedicated to enriching
people’s lives and helping to preserve the environment as we live togeth-
er harmoniously in society.
Yamaha’s Policy on the Environment