Fuji Xerox has issued a new set of environmental, health and safety requirements for companies that provide paper to Fuji Xerox and its affiliates, with six key provisions ranging from compliance with applicable laws and regulations to sustainable forest management. The requirements will go into effect on December 1.
Fuji Xerox and its affiliates have practiced green procurement for many years now. Fuji Xerox Office Supply Co., Ltd. was the first in the industry to shift to more environment-conscious used pulp, plantation pulp and certified pulp as raw materials for all copy paper it sells in Japan. In September 2004, the content ratio of these materials totaled 82 percent, meaning the target figure set for 2010 should be achieved well ahead of schedule.
Now, both domestic and overseas suppliers of copy paper and materials to Fuji Xerox and its affiliates will also be subject to the aforementioned regulations. As a result, all paper suppliers must satisfy criteria specified by Fuji Xerox.
The requirements apply to all copy paper procured by All-Fuji Xerox companies in Asia-Pacific region and Japan. Their intent is to protect forest ecosystems, conserve resources and safeguard the livelihood of local inhabitants. From now, Fuji Xerox will adjust its procurement practices in line with these requirements, which may even mean suspending certain contracts. The ultimate aim is to have complete compliance by FY2006.
As the same requirements were enforced by Xerox Corporation in the United States last year, the Company has created a globally common set of criteria for the procurement of materials from paper suppliers.
Conventionally, Fuji Xerox's environmental action was based on a policy of "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle," otherwise known as the 3R's. The term "Refuse" has been newly added to make the policy one of 4R's. This new concept has been reflected in the environment, health & safety requirements and will be put into operation as a fundamental corporate practice.
To ensure each company procuring paper adheres to these requirements,
Fuji Xerox will set forth new conditions to be included in respective
environmental audits, the results of which will be monitored and followed
up on.
| [Provisions of Requirements] |
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Note:
Fuji Xerox and its affiliates procure approximately 350,000 tons of
copy paper every year (aggregate total of Asia-Pacific region and Japan).
