Upgrading our Green Procurement activities Support for client environmental preservation programs

In order to enhance our Green Procurement activities, Nikon Corporation (SHIMAMURA, Teruo, president) will implement support for client environmental preservation programs, attempting to upgrade them through consultation and environmental studies.

Based on the Nikon Green Procurement Policy introduced in August 1998, we have been working hard on Green Procurement activities in an effort to reduce the environmental impact of our products.
In November 1999, the Nikon Green Procurement Guide was developed and distributed to approximately 500 companies. This promoted further understanding of our Green Procurement activities.
Furthermore, a survey consisting of a questionnaire covering 46 items (for a perfect score of 100 points) was circulated to clients to evaluate their environmental preservation activities, including factors such as the acquisition of ISO14001 certification, public relations efforts, control of resources, and so on.
As a result of this research, support activities such as counseling and environmental studies will be offered to the 130 clients that failed to meet Nikon's procurement level standards (60 out of 100 points). This training is intended to upgrade client environmental preservation programs.
Nikon will employ ISO14001-accredited member companies to carry out the counseling and environmental studies, as required. We will also promote the establishment and ongoing education of internal inspectors.

Subsequently, Nikon will be unable to renew contracts with clients that fail to meet the procurement standards by 2003.

Environmental studies

1. Basic environmental training: defining environmental preservation and its essential place in the product cycle.
2. Nikon Green Procurement Guide: a detailed examination.
3. ISO14001 certification: getting accredited.
4. ISO14001 internal inspectors: upgrading internal inspection skills following accreditation.

Counseling

1. Nikon Green Procurement Guide.
2. General counseling: includes manual preparation for ISO14001 certification and inspections.
3. Inspection: to be carried out by a Nikon representative from an ISO14001-certified company.

For more information, please contact:
Nikon Corporation
Business Administration Center
Procurement Development
Nikon Green Procurement Office
Tel: +81-3-3773-8421
Environmental & Technical Administration Department
Environmental & Technical Administration Group
Tel: +81-3-3773-1125