Lowering Environmental Contamination Risk

In accordance with the PRTR (Pollutant Release and Transfer Register) Law, we have continued to submit notification regarding the emission and transfer volume for Class 1 Designated Chemical Substances. The annual handing volume of such substances has decreased greatly due to the use of powder paints which do not contain organic solvents (including substance subject to PRTR) and to a change to alternative materials. As a result, since 2010 there are no longer any offices for which submission is required.
However, from the perspective of appropriate handling of chemical substances, we will continue to gather data on emission and transfer volume.

*The PRTR (Pollutant Release and Transfer Register) Law is a means of obtaining, collating, and disclosing emission and transfer volume data for harmful chemical substances.

See the banner below for relevant data.

Our subsidiary Star Metal Company uses powder coating that does not contain organic solvents (containing PRTR target substances) in the coating work of sheet metal parts on our company’s machining tools. This is to reduce environmental impacts during manufacturing processes.
As an environmental effect, it has been possible significantly to reduce emissions of air pollutants (VOCs) and reduce industrial waste by one-third.

At our overseas production base, Star Micronics Manufacturing Dalian Co.,Ltd., Star has improved the processing efficiency of organic exhaust gases by 90% or more by adding a ventilation system to the paint site VOC purification equipment and renovating the washing site. This has reduced exhaust gas-air pollution.
At the assembly site, activated carbon adsorption boxes were installed to enhance the treatment of exhaust gases at the washing site and to reduce air pollution.This has also improved the working environment for workers.

Environmental regulations in the European Union (EU) have had a significant impact not only within the EU region but also in various countries around the world, and many Japanese manufacturing industries have been forced to respond in some way.
For our products that fall under WEEE and RoHS directives, we are operating based on our internal regulations for management of substances that burden the environment and on green purchasing guidelines.
Also, for REACH Regulations, we are implementing sequential surveys regarding whether our products include any SVHC, which are added every year.

Use of X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometers

We use X-ray fluorescence spectrometers to measure levels of chemical substances contained in components of our printers that fall under the WEEE and RoHS directives, as well as to conduct inspections on receipt of the components.
Our machine tools do not fall under these directives, but we have taken aggressive measures such as using X-ray fluorescence spectrometers to measure the composition of components with a view to reducing harmful substances. Components used in the actual machines in our key products are 99% RoHS compliant, excluding certain NC control equipment.

Star (including domestic subsidiaries) has created and operates "Soil Pollution Prevention Regulations" to prevent and properly manage soil contamination of land that is owned and used, and newly purchased land.

Star (including domestic subsidiaries) has created and operates "Soil Pollution Prevention Regulations" to prevent and properly to manage soil contamination of land that is owned and used, and newly purchased land.

It has been found that asbestos is contained in some of the purchased components (packing, and brake material) assembled into our products produced in the past. However, the asbestos-containing materials are sealed or contained in resin, and for that reason, pose no risk of getting out into the environment. It will pose no harmful effects to the human body when used. Furthermore, our products currently under production no longer contain asbestos.