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• CSR / Environmental Activities Top

In January 2004, Olympus obtained ISO14001 certification for the Olympus Corporation Environmental Management System. This system governs environmental management by companies within the Olympus Group. It is implemented primarily through the Olympus Corporation Environment Committee.

It encompasses the environmental functions of environment-related committees, environmental management departments, the Corporate Planning Division, and the Risk Management Bureau. Through this system, policies determined by senior management are applied to the environmental activities of branches, groups, centers, and facilities in Japan and overseas.

Management review processes have been strengthened through both internal audits and external third-party audits of environmental management activities, including those of the President, the Director in charge of environmental affairs, and other senior management personnel. A Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle ensures the effective operation of environmental management systems across the entire Olympus Group.
In January 2007, three years after the certificate was originally obtained, a renewal audit was conducted by independent experts from outside of the Olympus Group. In December 2007, a maintenance audit was carried out.

By the end of FY2005, ISO14001 certification had been obtained at 17 major development and manufacturing sites both in Japan and overseas. In FY2006, the Omachi Branch and Sakaki Branch of Olympus Opto-Technologies Co., Ltd. were relocated to the Tatsuno Plant, certification of these facilities was merged, leaving a total of 15 certified sites as of the end of FY2007.

Olympus will continue working actively toward the development of comprehensive environmental management systems covering all of our operations, including distribution, marketing and sales, and services.

Strengthening Environmental Risk Management
In FY2002 soil surveys were undertaken at all sites in Japan under the provisions of Soil Contamination Countermeasures Law. The necessary steps have already been taken at sites where contamination was discovered.

In FY2007, historical soil data surveys were implemented at all sites not covered by the FY2002 survey, and protective measures were implemented. We examined historical soil data relating to business sites and implemented appropriate measures to prevent soil contamination. We also checked emergency notification systems and special environmental facilities in production facilities.

We also strengthened measures to ensure compliance with laws and regulations concerning the disposal of waste resulting from sales and service activities at all branches and sales offices.

In FY2007, there were no Olympus' violation against any environment-related lawsuits, penalties, or fines as for environmental issues against Olympus. Some air and water standards were exceeded at the Shenzhen Plant in China, and the level of water contamination in a septic tank at Aizu Olympus exceeded the legally mandated level. Appropriate steps were promptly taken to resolve these problems.

Paper, stationery, and office supplies
Olympus is promoting Green Purchasing: When an employee purchases OA (office automation) equipment, office supplies, lighting fixtures, and motor vehicles for business use, he/she should purchase environmentally-conscious products.

Regarding the purchasing of office supplies, the product information in our electronic purchasing system provides a mark to indicate which products fall under the category of Products with Eco-Mark, Products with Green Mark, Products listed in GPN Environmental Data Book, or Products conforming to the Green Purchasing Law and are therefore environmentally-conscious products.

Introducing Eco-cars
We are introducing Eco-cars^Note3 for new company vehicles to curve global warming gas emissions. We will continue to purchase Eco-cars certified as low-emission vehicle with the triple stars (certification mark). In addition, our company encourages employees to do Eco-driving^Note4 to reduce emission of global warming chemicals. We appeal to all drivers to avoid unnecessary idling by turning off their engines in the parking lots at all our offices and plants.

Note3: Eco-cars: Olympus considers the following five categories of vehicles to be Eco-cars: certified low emission vehicles with higher than a rating, electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, natural gas vehicles, and methanol vehicles.
Note4: Eco-driving is basically the continuous implementation of techniques that help to reduce exhaust gas emissions, including the avoidance of unnecessary idling and careful use of the accelerator to prevent sudden stops or starts. It is classed as an important environmental activity that contributes to improvements in fuel consumption, helps to prevent accidents, and reduces air pollution.

• Promotion of Environmental Management System of FY2006

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