Our four factories (Densen Works, Hitaka Works, Takasago Works, and Minato Works) were awarded the ISO 14001 Certification by Japan Environmental Certification Organization Ltd. (JACO).

ISO 14001, an international standard established by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) concerning environmental management systems, requires the setup an environmental management system aimed at continually promoting environmental improvements. At Hitachi Cable, a campaign was launched to be awarded this Certification on the initiative of the company's factories. The four factories, namely Densen Works, Hitaka Works, Takasago Works, and Minato Works (including the company's affiliates, namely Hitachi Cable Transportation, Ltd., Hitachi Cable Fine Materials, Ltd., Hitachi Cable Engineering ,Ltd., and Hitachi Industrial Rubber Products, Ltd.) went through documentary, initial, and permanent assessment from late last year into this year, as well as through discussions at JACO's Judgment Committee meeting that took place this month, and were awarded this Certification. It was followed that of the firm's Toyoura Works, which was completed in February.

Densen Works, one of the factories that was awarded this time, is the oldest place of business of all the company's locations, producing leadframes for semiconductors and other materials for electronic components, along with automobile brake hoses and other rubber products. Now that residential areas are close to Densen Works, the review this time evaluated the development of an environment-enhancement system that considers the environment of the surrounding areas.

One of the company's main factories, Hitaka Works, which produces wires, cables, and related equipment, was awarded this Certification for its activities through an environmental management system which shares the same structure as that of Takasago Works (mainly producing photonic components and related equipment) and Minato Works (mainly producing submarine cables). This assessment represents one of the largest-scale certifications granted in Japan by JACO.

With environmental protection as a top-priority issue for business operation, we have been promoting environmental enhancement. In recent years, in particular, the company has been conducting activities that give consideration to local and even global environments through such means as doing away completely with particular CFCs, energy-saving to prevent global warming, and promoting recycling. We wish to go on contributing to the protection of the global environment as a firm that will grow together with society.