Canon Group companies are developing Canon Environmental Solutions so that customers can benefit from the wealth of environmental technologies and expertise that Canon has built up over the years.
Through consultation on operating environmental management systems and environmentally related IT systems, Canon helps companies progress in their environmental management.
Material Flow Cost Accounting (MFCA) Business
Material flow cost accounting (MFCA) is an accounting method for effectively raising material productivity and reducing costs in manufacturing industries.
In 2006, Canon Marketing Japan (Canon MJ) began using Canon’s accumulated knowledge to offer consulting services to manufacturing companies looking to introduce MFCA. The company is also developing Japan’s first Material Flow Cost Accounting Analysis Support System with aims for its release in the first half of 2007. This system allows the comprehensive management and prompt reporting of such data as resources used and costs incurred, thus vastly improving upon the efficiency of conventional MFCA systems that use spreadsheets and other methods.
MFCA Support Process
CSR and Environmental Reports Production Support Service
Since 2005, Canon MJ has made use of Canon’s expertise in corporate communications to offer corporate customers support in creating environmental and corporate social responsibility (CSR) reports.
Canon MJ does more than just help companies create the reports. It also advises them on how to overcome a variety of related problems and thus contributes to progress in environmental management in the manufacturing industry.
Green Procurement Survey Support System
Canon MJ has offered the Green Procurement Survey Support System since 2004 to help customers conduct green procurement more efficiently and manage data on the scientific properties of products and parts more effectively.
In 2006, the company released a new version of the system compatible with the industry-standard Japan Green Procurement Survey Standardization Initiative (JGPSSI) Ver. 3, for sale to customers mainly in the electrical and electronic parts fields. Using the information and know-how gathered through its experience in marketing support activities, Canon MJ is expanding its range of consulting services with offerings like the System for the Management of Chemical Substances in Products.
IA-Lab Supports Green Procurement
Canon Anelva Technix developed the IA-Lab, a fast and reliable device for measuring additives in resins, thus doing away with time-consuming, complicated preparation. This breakthrough reduces measurement time to less than one-tenth that of conventional methods. After its successful application to the inspection of brominated flame retardants (PBBs and PBDEs) covered by the RoHS Directive, the IA-Lab’s use has now been expanded to such stabilizers and plasticizers as chlorinated paraffin and phthalate esters.
A portable version for measuring volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is currently being tested and is expected to see widespread use in the management of green procurement.
IA-Lab environmental analysis device
Procurement and Sales of Environmentally Conscious Paper
Canon promotes the use of recycled paper and paper produced from authenticated forestry resources. We are also developing our activities taking into consideration of the natural environment with regard to Canon brand paper.
For example, in accordance with these standards, Canon Marketing Japan sells recycled paper produced from recovered paper resources and non-chlorine ECF bleached paper. This company also sells paper made from forest resources verified by third-parties. These environmentally conscious papers are produced by manufacturing companies that strive to reduce environmental impact in all their production processes.
