Environmental Management
Environmental Management Structure
A sense of crisis with respect to global warming has brought with it the expectation that enterprises will make efforts to achieve substantive greenhouse gas reduction. In addition, such trends as restrictions on harmful chemical substances incorporated in products are making environmentally related initiatives an increasingly important aspect of enterprise risk management.
In response to these social changes and expectations, the Minebea Group has established an Environment Management Committee, staffed by company officers, at a higher level than the former Group Environmental Protection Committee. This strengthening of our system was carried out to enable prompt deliberation by the Senior Executive Officer Council and the Board of Directors with respect to environmental measures requiring large-scale investment as well as major decisions affecting company management.
Environmental Audits
April 2011 audit, Matsuida Plant
The Minebea Group has acquired ISO 14001 certification for all of its major production facilities worldwide. To maintain this certification, these venues undergo annual external audits by a third-party agency as well as internal audits by company auditors.
To implement internal auditing, the Minebea Group holds annual training seminars for internal auditors taught by employees qualified as external auditors, as well as by veteran internal auditors.
In addition, due to the Great East Japan Earthquake and the confusion in its aftermath, training courses scheduled for March 2011 were rescheduled for the summer of 2011 or later.
Strict Adherence to Laws and Regulations
To enforce compliance with environmental laws, every place of business in the Minebea Group sets and manages its own standard reference values. These values exceed the legal requirements of the relevant country or region. Third-party agencies are periodically asked to assess monitored areas of importance, and where required the results of these assessments are reported to relevant authorities.
