Among the various chemical substances used in Murata's production processes, those with hazardous properties are strictly managed, from procurement and use to release. We are also actively working to reduce the use and release of these chemical substances to ensure that we can minimize their environmental impact during our production activities.

Murata has established a system that requires prior registration of chemical substances to be used in mass production. By linking this registration system with Murata's material procurement system, we perform chemical monitoring to prevent the purchase of unregistered chemical substances. The registered information is also used to ensure the appropriate management of chemical substances and the reduction of environmentally hazardous substances.

The Japanese Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (PRTR) Law stipulates 354 substance groups subject to reporting. Of these substance groups, the Murata Group handled more than 1 metric ton of 24 different substance groups, including toluene and xylene, in Japan in fiscal 2005.

Among the chemical substances used in our production processes, those with the potential to greatly affect the environment are subject to Murata's unique voluntary regulation program, which was established in 1997. We continue to target the reduction and elimination of substances specified in our voluntary regulation program. Under the program, chemical substances are ranked according to their degree of hazard. The program stipulates prohibition or reduction of 157 substance groups in total.