Green procurement of part materials with low environmental impact is essential for decreasing the environmental impact of products. That is why Murata asks its suppliers for their understanding and cooperation regarding environmental management.
Murata has distributed a Green Procurement Standards pamphlet describing the Group’s green procurement philosophy and supplier requirements in order to promote green procurement with the understanding and cooperation of its suppliers. When dealing with a new supplier, whether in Japan or overseas, we investigate the company’s environmental management system (ISO or other management systems) and certification that parts and materials delivered do not contain certain hazardous chemical substances, and, in particular, we inspect the appropriateness of the company’s chemical substance management system before making a decision regarding the supplier.
As for existing suppliers, we conduct evaluations, giving first priority to suppliers who supply parts and materials with high environmental risk. We provide low-scoring suppliers with guidance in the form of improvement requirements and audits; however, we take a tough stance toward those failing to demonstrate improvement and we may even terminate the relationship.
Before adopting new materials, Murata conducts a greenness survey for every one. The standards for those surveys are Murata's own technical standards prohibiting or limiting the use of materials according to legal regulations and customer requirements. Specialized personnel investigate chemical materials that require particular care, recording accepted materials in a database to enable the Group to procure only those approved materials.
Material Green Level Survey Sheet
Scene of Green Level Survey
Scheme for Green Procurement of Materials
The 2001 Law on Promoting Green Purchasing requires national and regional public institutions as well as corporations to purchase products and services conducive to the reduction of environmental impacts. Murata makes it a top priority to purchase green products, which it defines as those complying with the standards set by this law or goods endorsed with recognized environmental labels.
