Environmental Risk and Chemical Substance Management
Basic Policy for Environmental Risk Management
The Advantest Group sets voluntary standards more stringent than prevailing environmental laws and regulations, and implements such standards in the course of operating equipment that could potentially impact the environment, and in monitoring and assessing those operations.
Furthermore, to ensure that we can respond without hesitation should an environment-related incident occur, we have established rules for addressing such risks, stipulated in documented operating procedures and chemical substance emergency-response procedures and other such guidelines, and have put management systems in place related to those rules.
Moreover, our employees and contractors handling particularly high-risk operations regularly take part in specialized training and emergency drills, which are conducted to ensure that they are able to act swiftly in the event of an emergency.
Compliance management at business sites
There were no cases which exceed our voluntary standards for air and water quality in fiscal 2019.
| Items | Boundary | FY2015 | FY2016 | FY2017 | FY2018 | FY2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emissions into the atmosphere | Japan | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Waste water to water area | Japan | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Basic Policy for Chemical Substance Management
We are working to ensure safety management and compliance with laws and regulations in the use and storage of chemical substances used at Advantest Group business locations.
To this end, we have adopted a chemical substance management system. This system facilitates chemical substance registration, safety reviews, input/output control, and the calculation of data required by relevant laws and regulations, as well as making the safety data sheets (SDS) that are necessary for the safe handling of chemical substances available at any time.
In addition, in order to realize strengthened risk management and chemicals substance management, we are constructing a safety training system, and are conducting audits and providing guidance through the corporate chemical management division to ensure the safety of stored chemical substances, so as to further enhance our safety control system.
Furthermore, we plan to build up our global management system as we strive to achieve the same level of risk management overseas as in Japan.
Improving Chemical Substance Management: "Aiming for More Precise Management"
Strict chemical controls
Controls applied to each and every container
At Advantest Group, we manage the chemical substances that we use by container through our chemical substance management system. Based on the chemical substances management level specified under the PRTR Law, the Poisonous and Deleterious Substances Control Law, the Industrial Safety and Health Law and other laws and regulations, we have established a classification system of management ranks and set the management method according to each rank, with the aim of having a flexible system.
Furthermore, in response to the revision of laws and regulations, Advantest built and executed a system for the risk management of chemical substances which had become a requirement as of June 2016.
Adopting the High-precision Management Methods in Line with the Different Level of Risks Posed by Different Chemical Substances
We implement training in chemical substance handling for Advantest Group employees, ensuring that employees understand how to handle particular types of chemical substances and are aware of the key points to note regarding their use. Management procedures are simplified for chemical substances that are less hazardous, and autonomous management is implemented with respect to commercially-available sprays, adhesives, etc.
Chemical substance control ranks
| Rank | Conditions for application | Locked storage | Dispensary control | Inventory checks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Some chemical substances are extremely toxic or have a profound social impact, so registration with the government, etc., is necessary to handle them. Examples: narcotics, stimulants, etc. | Yes | Yes | As required by law |
| 3 | Some chemical substances are highly toxic, so any loss must be reported. Examples: poisons, deleterious substances, etc. | Yes | Yes | Twice annually |
| 2 | Some chemical substances are inflammable, corrosive, or poisonous with prolonged exposure. Examples: organic solvents, acids, alkalis, etc. | Yes | Yes | Twice annually |
| 1 | Some chemical substances are not very harmful, but since a large amount is used, control is necessary. Examples: solder paste, Fluorinert, etc. | – | Yes | Twice annually |
| 0 | Some chemical substances are not very harmful and do not warrant special control. Examples: some adhesives, grease, lubricants, paint, lead-free solder, wire solder, bar solder, sprays (spray oil, cooling spray), etc. | – | – | – |
In line with this management approach, proper after-use treatment will be followed, such as making a request to a waste treatment company.
Efforts to Reduce VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) Emissions
VOC substances are considered as substances that produce photochemical oxidants and suspended particulates. Facilities using a large amount of VOC are obligated by Article 17-13 of the Air Pollution Control Act to monitor VOC emissions into the atmosphere that are attributable to their business activities and take the measures that are necessary to reduce the emissions.
VOC is not used much in the electrical and electronic industry. However, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has requested companies to take voluntary measures to reduce VOC emissions, so four industry groups (JEMA, CIAJ, JEITA, and JBMIA) have been conducting surveys and cooperating with the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry since 2005.
These surveys cover 20 substances that are often used in the electrical and electronic industry. Advantest does not use them in large quantities, but has been conducting surveys on the consumption of these substances and report it as required.
VOC data 
Data range for tabulation: Advantest Group (Japan) data
* Substances tabulated here are VOCs subject to surveys by Japan 4EE.
* FY2019 figure is assured by KPMG AZSA Sustainability Co., Ltd.
PRTR Report
According to the Law Concerning Pollutant Release and Transfer Register, Advantest has been submitting reports to the government under the Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (PRTR) system.
PRTR data
Data range for tabulation: Advantest Group (Japan) data
* The table includes PRTR controlled substances whose annual amount of use was below the amount required to be reported.
* FY2019 figures are assured by KPMG AZSA Sustainability Co., Ltd.
Implementation of General and Specialist Chemical Substance e-learning Education
Materials used in training on chemical substances
Advantest is providing its domestic employees with general chemical substance education, with the aim of making them aware of the risks of accidents or environmental pollution as a result of mishandling even everyday chemicals, and ensuring that they understand ways of reducing these risks. For employees who use chemical substances every day, we conduct a more practical specialist education every year through e-learning, from the perspective of awareness of dangers and safe handling.
In this program we explain things simply, using examples of accidents, regarding chemical substances regulated under the main laws such as poisons, deleterious substances, organic solvents, specific chemical substances, hazardous materials covered by the Fire Services Law, etc.
In fiscal 2019 we conducted general education for all new employees and specialist training for 592 employees who handle chemical substances.
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- The danger of chemical substances (effects on the human body)
- The importance of safety training for chemical handlers
- The importance of wearing personal protective equipment (gloves, goggles, masks, etc.)
- Points to be observed according to the requirements of the law
Special medical diagnosis, selection of a work leader, environmental measurement, inspection of ventilation equipment, notification of designated hazardous materials specified under the Fire Services Law, etc.