Reducing Hazardous Substances in Products
In order to reduce the use of hazardous substances in all Nikon products, the Nikon Group has extensively promoted the development and use of lead- and arsenic-free Eco-glass* as well as the use of lead-free soldering technologies and hexavalent chromium-free technologies in surface treatment. We completed preparations to comply with the European RoHS Directive* in March 2006, and since then we have proceeded to build and strengthen the management system. Up until the year ended March 31, 2012, we have maintained 100% compliance. We also make use of chemical analysis techniques in our quality assurance departments to prevent the contamination of heavy metals and other hazardous substances.
- *Eco-glass
The Nikon Group developed lead- and arsenic-free optical glass for use in the lenses and prisms of optical devices, and calls this type of glass "Eco-glass." The use rate of Eco-glass in optical systems has reached 100% in most Nikon products.
- *RoHS Directive
"RoHS" stands for "Restriction of Hazardous Substances." This directive was adopted by the EU in 2003. It restricts the use of certain hazardous chemical substances in electrical and electronic equipment with a view to minimizing the risks that these substances pose to the environment and human health.
Development of lead- and arsenic-free Eco-glass
In the 1990s, in the recognition that the lead and arsenic used in most optical glass at the time were the most significant product-related environmental aspects, the Nikon Group developed Eco-glass, a type of optical glass that contains no lead and arsenic. Since then, we have endeavored to use only Eco-glass in optical products. Barring some products with unique specifications, we have achieved nearly 100% usage of Eco-glass. In the year ended March 31, 2012, Eco-glass usage rates in new designs were 100% for consumer products and 99.9% for industrial products.
Full-scale adoption of lead-free solder
Control board for the latest model ArF immersion scanners
Control board for fieldscopes featuring Nikon's vibration reduction (VR) system
The Nikon Group has established a lead-free soldering system under the leadership of the electric technology department of Nikon Corporation and Sendai Nikon Corporation, and in collaboration with the product development and manufacturing departments, other Group companies and our business partners. We use lead-free tin-silver-copper solders, which represent the standard solder type used in the industry.
The properties of the materials used in lead-free soldering, such as the narrow range of allowable temperatures, mean that manual soldering requires a high degree of skills. For this reason, the Nikon Group added a course on lead-free soldering to our in-house training and technical certification system. We have already trained numerous instructors and certified technicians through this course.
By implementing measures such as these, we have striven to increase the use of lead-free solder. In the year ended March 31, 2012, we again maintained 100% use of lead-free circuit boards in all our new consumer products, including the digital SLR D800. In principle, we have also eliminated lead from all new circuit boards used in industrial products (such as steppers and scanners, microscopes and surveying instruments).
The photographs below introduce two of the many new circuit boards released during the year ended March 31, 2012.
Use of hexavalent chromium-free technology in surface treatment
Nikon Corporation's surface treatment department reviewed its technologies and processes for chromate treatment and chrome plating, and discontinued the use of highly hazardous hexavalent chromium at the end of 2004. By applying these innovative results and accumulated expertise to all Nikon product categories, we have established hexavalent chromium-free technologies in surface treatment.
The Nikon Group has established a strict technical standard to discontinue use of heavy metals (hexavalent chromium, lead, cadmium, and mercury) in all surface treatment processes including coating, plating and chemical conversion. To ensure that this technical standard is practiced rigorously in all product categories, in cooperation with widespread business partners contracted to conduct surface treatment processes, we take all possible steps, including individual technical assistance, strict on-site audits and checks based on chemical analysis of actual items.
Chemical analysis techniques used by the quality assurance departments
The Nikon Group is in the process of discontinuing the use of hexavalent chromium, lead, cadmium, mercury, PBB, PBDE, PVC, and other hazardous chemical substances in all of its products. Nikon products are made from an astonishingly large number of materials and components and pass through the hands of numerous business partners before reaching completion. To completely eliminate the use of hazardous chemical substances in Nikon products, in addition to establishing a green procurement system, it is essential that we inspect various materials using chemical analysis. We have therefore introduced chemical analysis technologies to our quality assurance departments and other departments involved in the process of producing Nikon products. We also educate many of our engineers on analysis technologies and the related know-how to prevent hazardous chemical substances from making their way into Nikon products.
Response to regulations on hazardous chemical substance (REACH Regulation)
Based on the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM*), which was adopted in 2006, today, many new laws and regulations on the registration and control of chemical substances are being established around the world. One of these is the European system for the registration and control of chemical substances, REACH Regulation*.
Under REACH Regulation, depending on the content of substances of very high concern (SVHCs) in a product, manufacturers are required to provide information to downstream users and consumers, and/or are required to notify authorities. The Nikon Group will meet these obligations effectively by utilizing IT to survey the use of SVHCs throughout the supply chain and to manage that content information. In addition, we will actively limit the use of SVHCs in our products and promote the switch to parts that do not contain SVHCs.
Nikon's declaration on compliance with REACH Regulation (PDF:33KB)- *SAICM
The Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management, an international agreement on the management of chemical substances made to achieve the target of the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation, which aims to achieve the following: that by 2020 chemicals are used and produced in ways that lead to the minimization of significant adverse effects on human health and the environment.
- *REACH Regulation
A regulation on chemical substances issued by the European Union (EU) in 2007. "REACH" stands for the "Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and restriction of Chemicals," and manufacturers and importers of chemical substances are mandated to register information on the safety and use of these substances under the regulation.