In 2005, Mazda established "Green Procurement Guidelines" as part of its efforts to reduce the environmental impact of its supply chain. These guidelines have also been published in English, and apply to domestic and overseas suppliers. These guidelines stipulate that we will preferentially purchase from suppliers that properly create and operate environmental management systems, observe legal statutes, and control environmental substances of concern.
Maintaining 100% Certification for Main Suppliers
Mazda requires its suppliers of parts, materials and industrial equipment and tools to obtain ISO 14001 certification, and has supported this certification by providing information and other assistance.
As a result, all major suppliers with which Mazda maintains ongoing relationships had acquired certification by the end of FY2007. In FY2007 as well, we continued toward 100% certification, including for new suppliers.
We support efforts that encourage members of local cooperative associations, as well as small-scale businesses, to establish environmental management systems, with the goal of 100% certification by FY2010.
FY2007 Activities Reporting
- Distribute to five affiliated companies an "environment-related laws and environment risk self-diagnosis check sheet" and confirm the results.
- Request suppliers establish an emergency contact network for use in the event of an environmental accident.
- Hold lectures about the environment with the theme of introducing Mazda's environmental initiatives.
- Supplier Accreditation of ISO 14001
Using IMDS for Managing Information on Materials for Automotive Parts
Mazda is using the IMDS (a standardized international database system for collecting and managing information on materials for automotive parts)*1 to collect data from suppliers, understand, and appropriately manage this data regarding environmental substances of concern. These are specified in the European Union ELV (End-of-Life Vehicle) Directive, which prohibits in principle the inclusion of lead, mercury, cadmium and hexavalent chromium in automotive parts; the voluntary standards set by the JAMA (Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association); and the International GADSL (Global Automotive Declarable Substance List)*2. As of the end of March 2008, the number of these substances had climbed to 111.
Guidelines are issued yearly so suppliers can input relevant data into the IMDS, and they are kept informed of changes in regulations and of covered substances.
*1 IMDS: International Material Data System; a standardized international system for collecting and managing information on materials for automotive parts.
*2 GADSL: Global Automotive Declarable Substance List; a list of declarable substances in the global automotive industry.
- IMDS Mechanisms
Support for REACH
Mazda has started full support for the European REACH*3 chemical regulations, which came into effect June 1, 2008, and is promoting these in accordance with JAMA Inc. policy initiatives.
We are continuing to cooperate with suppliers in pre-registration (June - December 1, 2008) and final registration (December 1, 2008 onwards) for chemical substances, including components, compounds (oil, coatings, etc.), and substances intentionally discharged (washer liquid, etc.) that are covered by these regulations.
*3 REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals) This is an EU directive in which companies are obliged to "investigate the impacts on human health or the environment" of manufactured and imported (one ton/year or more) chemical substances and carry out application and registration with the European Chemicals Agency (phased implementation from June 1, 2007)
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