Material Issue 5
Protection and conservation of the global environment
SDGs and our commitment
 | Goal 11 : Sustainable cities and communitiesWe work hard to solve a range of community-based issues using the insight of our people and the capabilities of our technologies. |
 | Goal 12 : Responsible consumption and productionWe promote sustainable consumption and production patterns through various efforts in green procurement and resource circulation. |
 | Goal 13 : Climate actionWe continue to improve our energy efficiency, while reducing CO2 emissions throughout the lifecycle of our products and solutions. |
 | Goal 15 : Life on landTo achieve a society in balance with nature, we take measures to conserve biodiversity and procure sustainable wood products. |
 | Goal 17 : Goals-based collaborationBy strengthening communication with all our stakeholders, we contribute to a more harmonious coexistence with society and the vitalization of our local community. |
Concept
Recognizing that the Earth is an irreplaceable asset, Canon Medical Systems strives to develop and provide environmentally conscious medical equipment and systems that contribute to the community and healthcare services. This is the responsibility and corporate philosophy of Canon Medical Systems, which is expanding its business worldwide. Based on this philosophy, and to the extent of technical and economic feasibility, we promote environmental activities in accordance with the Canon Group Environmental Charter and the Canon Medical Systems Group Standards of Conduct.
Environmental policy
Canon Medical Systems Group periodically reviews its objectives and targets by assessing the environmental aspects of our business activities, products, and services. Furthermore, we comply with all laws and regulations concerning the environment, agreements on pollution prevention, and our own stricter standards, which take into account our impact on the environment and biodiversity in general.Canon Medical Systems Group specifies the following objectives to reduce the environmental impact of our products and business processes.
- Developing and providing environmentally conscious products and services, that contribute to reducing their environmental impact throughout their life cycles.
- Reducing the environmental impact of all business processes, including design and development, manufacturing, sales and distribution, servicing, and disposal, with a focus on the prevention of global warming, the efficient utilization of resources, and the control of chemical substances.
- Promoting biodiversity conservation activities in cooperation with communities.
Toshio Takiguchi
President and Chief Executive Officer
Canon Medical Systems
Issued: January 4, 2018
Management system
The Canon Group has its own environmental management system that meets the requirements of ISO 14001, the international environmental management system standard. The system is designed to help offices in and outside of Japan to continuously improve their activities to ensure environmental conservation. Our production sites and sales companies in 40 countries and regions around the world have attained the integrated ISO management systems certification (ISO 14001).
In May 2018, our company received an inspection for the Canon global integrated ISO management systems certification and, based on the inspection result, obtained the certification. We will continue to promote environmental activities with an emphasis on maintaining employees' motivation and improving the quality of activities.
In May 2018, our company received an inspection for the Canon global integrated ISO management systems certification and, based on the inspection result, obtained the certification. We will continue to promote environmental activities with an emphasis on maintaining employees' motivation and improving the quality of activities.
Environmental education for employees
We provide all our employees, including those from contracting companies, with environmental training to ensure they remain compliant with our environmental policies and activities. In addition, we provide training for specialists and internal environmental auditors to help them achieve maximum adherence within their teams and departments.
Global Environmental Meeting
The first Global Environmental Meeting was held in April 2018 to discuss the establishment of an environmental management system involving both our companies in Japan and its overseas subsidiaries. The Canon Group Environmental Management Policy and the significance of our efforts in addressing environmental issues were explained to help participants improve their understanding.
Four core pillars of our environmental strategy
Canon Medical Systems’s environmental strategy has four major goals, as shown below. The basic idea behind the strategy is to produce products and provide services using fewer resources (raw materials/ energy) to reduce costs and increase economic benefits for customers.
*1 EU Ecodesign Directive: Directive aiming to establish a framework for ecological design requirements applied to energy-related products.
*2 POPs Treaty: The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) specifies requirements related to POPs, which have high persistence in the environment, high bioaccumulation, high toxicity to humans and other organisms, and long-range transport potential, aiming to eliminate or restrict the production and use of POPs, reduce POPs emissions, and secure proper management of waste containing POPs.
*3 EU REACH Regulation: Comprehensive regulation for registration, evaluation, authorization and restriction of chemicals.
*4 EU RoHS Directive: Directive adopted by the European Parliament and the Council concerning the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment sold in member states of the Council of the European Union.
*5 EU WEEE Directive: Directive adopted by the European Parliament and the Council concerning the collection and recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment.
*6 Production site: Headquarters of Canon Medical Systems located in Japan.
Product life cycle
Promotion of eco-conscious products
While our goal is to send many new products to market each year, we do so with the intention of contributing to a sustainable global environment. Based on our product development and design process, which complies with IEC 60601-1-9*, the international standard for environmentally conscious design of medical electrical equipment, we are implementing various measures to reduce our energy consumption and use of resources. We are also making an effort to promote the eco-conscious design of our products, focusing on improving product efficiency, as well as providing our customers with environmental information concerning our products when requested.* IEC60601-1-9: International Electrical Standard of requirements for environmentally conscious design to ensure compliance of medical devices with environmental regulations in different countries.
Participation in global environmental activities by industrial associations
We participate in the Environment Committee of JIRA*1 and DITTA*2, its superior international organization. In response to the EU Eco-design Directive*3, we also directly participate in a voluntary activity to promote the eco-design of products led by COCIR*4. We, in cooperation with other member companies, proactively save energy and resources, and manage chemicals contained in products.Outcomes from these efforts are carefully reported and shared with the European Union (EU). Particularly in recent years, in response to the circular economy promoted in the EU, we place an emphasis on exploring technology to identify and reduce the consumption of CRMs*5. We have also adopted proactive efforts to eliminate toxic chemicals in our products.
*1 JIRA: Japan Medical Imaging and Radiological Systems Industries Association Japan Medical Imaging and Radiological Systems Industries Association
*2 DITTA: International Congress of Diagnostic Imaging and Therapy Systems Trade Association
*3 U Eco-design Directive: Directive aiming to establish a framework for ecological design requirements applied to energy-related products
*4 COCIR: European Coordination Committee of the Radiological, Electromedical and Healthcare IT Industry
*5 CRM: Critical Raw Materials
Effective Use of Resources
TOPICS: Refurbishment efforts
In line with the IEC63077* international standard regarding the refurbishment of used products, we restore and refurbish equipment that’s been well maintained and has a consistently documented service history. Upon receipt, we disassemble used equipment and transport it to one of our 3R Centers in Japan, Europe or the US, where we clean and sterilize it with ozone gas. We then repaint the housing, replace its mattress, confirm rating and warning plates, and remove all personal information from the equipment. After that, we perform a safety inspection, confirm the voltage and conduct a comprehensive assessment. We then package, transport and install refurbished equipment with the same attention to detail that goes into installing our new systems.* IEC63077: International standard regarding the refurbishment of used products specified by the International Electrotechnical Commission. The standard was issued in November 2019 and referred to as "Good refurbishment practices for medical imaging equipment".
We strive to provide the best eco-conscious products in the industry.
The production of environmentally conscious products starts at the development process.
Among our products, those that can be rated as number one in environmental performance are designated as industry-leading eco-conscious products*. We are expanding our development of industry-leading eco-conscious products by setting an index rate for sales of such products as a proportion of total sales.
* Industry-leading eco-conscious products: An internal designation for products that, at the time of release, achieved excellent environmental performance in terms of "prevention of climate change," "efficient use of resources," and "management of chemical substances."
Mitigation of climate change
Efforts to save energy
With our Energy Conservation Project, launched in January 2013, we have been promoting company-wide energy conservation activities. In 2019, in addition to the departments in charge of energy control and manufacturing, a member from the development department joined the project, enabling an omnidirectional expansion of activities concerning the reduction of energy use.
Reduction of CO2 emissions in the use of products
The majority of CO2 emitted from large medical systems is generated during operation. In light of this fact, we have placed our focus on reducing the power consumption of products during use. The bar chart below shows the yearly change in ratio, calculated by dividing the total CO2 emissions of all products shipped by our company by total sales. Despite the slight increase and decrease in ratios that are associated with a change in the product composition of total sales, the ratios tend to decrease in general as a result of the incorporation of energy-saving technology into each product. In 2019, there was a 12% reduction compared to the base year of 2011.
The Kanto Local Commendation for Invention was awarded to our MRI systems
that incorporate the energy-saving function, ECO mode.
Achievement of energy saving for MRI systems
Because MRI systems require a power supply 24/7, their overall power consumption is relatively high compared to other diagnostic imaging systems. However, with the introduction of ECO mode, we have made it possible for our systems to automatically enter standby between examinations, minimizing their power consumption significantly.The technology used to create ECO mode received the Invention Encouragement Prize and the Product Realization Accomplishment Prize as part of the FY2019 Kanto Local Commendation for Invention.
What is the Local Commendation for Invention?
The commendation was established in 1921 to encourage and promote science innovation in each of Japan’s eight blocks: Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Chubu, Kinki, Chugoku, Shikoku and Kyushu. Naturally, it’s a great honor to receive the commendations as it implies outstanding invention, promotion of product realization, or contribution to invention through guidance, promotion, or education.
Reduction of CO2 emissions from company vehicles at overseas sites
The Canon Medical Systems implements measures to control CO2 emissions from company vehicles used at its overseas sites. Efforts such as the adoption of hybrid and low-pollution vehicles have helped reduce our emissions significantly and we aim to continue these activities moving forward.
Lecture on energy saving
In February 2019, we held a lecture on energy saving, which was attended by 127 employees. An environmental counselor delivered the lecture and provided explanations concerning the current status of energy trends, viewpoints, and tips for efficiently implementing energy-saving activities. The importance of corporate managerial interest toward energy-saving activities was also discussed.
Lecture on SDGs
In June 2019, we invited Ms. Makiko Imai, the President of Yukikazet Inc., who participated in the SDG formulation process and also developed the SDG concept, to deliver a lecture entitled "Solution for Creating a Sustainable Society Interpreted from SDGs: Thoughts on the Roles and Potentialities of the Company". The lecture was attended by 122 employees.
Elimination of hazardous substances
Improving safety for everyone
We’re working hard to eliminate any chemical substances that are potentially harmful to the environment or human health by collecting data on chemical substances and inputting it into our data management system. In 2019, we reduced the amount of discharged chemical substances to 79% of that from the previous year, an achievement we hope to repeat in the future.
Green procurement
We recently issued our Guidelines for Green Procurement to ensure all employees and partners are aware of the standards we adhere to when selecting safe parts and materials. To support this, we also held an information session on green procurement to explain the strict legal requirements involved with using chemicals. As ever, we will continue to focus on strengthening our relationships with business partners and taking various measures, such as the management of chemicals throughout the supply chain, reduction of CO2 emissions, and resource recycling, to reduce our impact on the environment.
Resource saving (at our headquarters)
Reducing our total discharged waste
In a bid to reduce total waste volume, we now separate and convert our wood pallets into wood chips that cover the walkways of our headquarters’ green areas and biotope.
Reduction of water consumption
In addition to the measures implemented in 2018, which included optimizing the flow rate of washbowls and toilet bowls, we have automated the flushing intervals of our urinals to further reduce water consumption.
Resource saving (product related)
Promotion of efficient use of resources
For some time now, we’ve offered Japanese customers the chance to trade-in their old systems when upgrading, so our service team can utilize the parts. In 2016, we began collaborating with group companies overseas to promote this scheme and increase our recycling activities on a global scale.
Reduction of resources used in products
Our basic policy when developing new large-sized medical equipment is to downsize it as much as possible to minimize the environmental impact caused by delivery and installation. In 2019, the ratio of input resources per unit of sales was reduced by 9.5% compared to the base year of 2011.
TOPICS: A reduction of packaging materials
We are working to reduce the amount of packing materials used during the transportation of new products by simplifying the packing process and cutting down the number of units for each system. For equipment being transported in Japan, we are utilizing dedicated shipping containers, in addition to plant-based plastics and FSC-certified wood, to minimize single-use materials. Reassuringly, the proportion of petroleum-based plastic used since 2015 sits between 0.5 and 0.7% of our total use of plastic materials.
Conservation of biodiversity
TOPICS: Flora and fauna observation sessions
In 2014, we installed a biotope in the northwest area of our headquarters to provide a thriving habitat for a range of birds and insects. Since then, we have conducted multiple flora and fauna observation sessions to help children learn about biodiversity and the importance of environmental conservation. In June 2019, we invited 80 participants, including employees, their families and local elementary school children to our sixth flora and fauna session so they could explore early-summer nature and receive a lecture on the ecology of insects.
Biodiversity conservation activities (at our headquarters)
TOPICS: Tree-planting activities
After the flora and fauna observation session, we worked with the children to plant and tag a variety of fruit and sap-producing trees that would attract a range of insects to the biotope.
Installation of birdhouses in the biotope
As part of Canon Medical Systems’s Bird Branch Project, which promotes biodiversity with a focus on birds, we have installed two birdhouses under the careful guidance of the Wild Bird Society of Japan.
Environmental accounting
Environmental Conservation Investment and Cost (2019)
(in thousand yen)
| Category | Details of Key Activities | Investment | Investment | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Business area cost | a.Pollution prevention cost | Air, water, and soil pollution prevention. | 14,881 | 204,554 | 23,095 | 161,702 |
| b.Global environment
conservation cost |
Energy conservation and mitigation of climate change. | 189,673 | 23,052 | |||
| c.Resource conservation cost | Efficient use of resources and reduction, separation, and recycling of waste. | 0 | 115,555 | |||
| 2 Administration cost | Environmental education, environmental management system, tree planting, information disclosure, environmental advertising, and personnel. | 0 | 111,473 | |||
| 3 Social activity cost | Contributions to organizations, sponsorships, and memberships. | 0 | 0 | |||
| 4 Environmental remediation cost | Soil remediation. | 0 | 0 | |||
| 5 Other | Other environmental protection-related costs. | 0 | 0 | |||
| Total | 204,554 | 273,175 | ||||
Scope:：Canon Medical Systems Headquarters
Applicable period:1 January 2019 – 31 December 2019
Calculated according to the Environmental Accounting Guidelines (2005 edition) issued by the Ministry of the Environment of Japan
Material Issue 5
Protection and conservation of the global environment
Due to medical device regulatory reasons, not all products/service displayed on this Canon Medical Systems global webpage are available in all countries, regions or markets. Future availability of the products/service cannot also be guaranteed. Please contact your local Canon Medical Systems representative for further details.
