Environmental Management System

Environmental Management System

The NGK Group promotes environmental conservation activities in accordance with our Core Policy on the Environment through initiatives pertaining to environmental management frameworks and the Environmental Management System (EMS) implemented by global Group companies working in conjunction with one another.

Environmental Management Promotion System

In addition to NGK’s environmental management systems at each site of Nagoya (headquarters, Atsuta/Mizuho), Chita, Komaki, and the Ishikawa Plant, we are promoting environmental management under the leadership of each Business Group to control environmental activities at all Group companies in and outside Japan. The decisions of the Environment, Safety and Health Committee are shared across the entire Group via the Business Groups so they can be incorporated into the business activities of each Group company. Annual liaison meetings are held for Group companies in Japan to promote unified environmental management for the entire Group. Meanwhile, personnel and Business Groups at headquarters cooperate to audit Group companies inside and outside Japan on a regular basis. Thus, we create interactive discussion and support opportunities to address issues facing each company.

(1)Environment, Safety & Health Committee

This committee is led by the chair and meets twice each year. Other meetings are held at the discretion of the chair.

Governing Structure

When the head of the affiliated department is a committee member

(2) Environment, Safety & Health Promotion Section

Governing Structure

(3) Environmental Committees at Each NGK Site

In principle, committees of each NGK site (Nagoya Site [headquarters, Atsuta/Mizuho], Chita Site, Komaki Site, Ishikawa Plant) meet twice per year in each area. They thoroughly convey matters determined by the Environment, Safety & Health Committee, and communicate and discuss issues and topics in each area.

(4) Environmental Management at Group Companies In and Outside Japan

Business divisions of NGK, including those at Group companies in and outside Japan, have environmental management systems aimed at realizing NGK’s Core Policy on the Environment. The NGK headquarters surveys environmental performance at Group companies and conducts audits to monitor their conformance to environmental laws. If problems are discovered, the causes and remedies are determined and disseminated throughout the NGK Group. Moreover, at Group companies in Japan involved in manufacturing, annual liaison meetings are held in order to convey environmental policy and to share information on matters such as companies’ environmental management status and effective environmental initiatives.

Acquisition of Environmental Management System

The NGK Group encourages the acquisition of ISO 14001 or third-party certifications (such as Eco Stage 2 or Eco Action 21 in Japan) that meet this standard to systematically and continuously develop its environmental conservation activities in line with NGK’s Core Policy on the Environment.
Under this initiative, all Group companies, including those outside Japan, as well as the Nagoya, Chita, Komaki sites and Ishikawa plant, have received third party certification of their environmental management systems. One of these locations was newly certified in FY2021.

Certification of Environmental Management SystemAs of June 2022

New production sites operating for less than two years are not covered

Environmental Audits

NGK conducts internal audits and external audits (renewal audits) of the environmental management system at the Nagoya, Chita, and Komaki sites, as well as the Ishikawa Plant. Each Group company also conducts these same internal and external audits of their environmental management systems.
In FYFY2021, there were no significant findings. In the event of a significant finding, the relevant division and Environment, Industrial Safety & Health Dept. work together to review and implement countermeasures, as well as inform the Environment, Safety & Health Committee in each area in an attempt to horizontally deploy these measures.

Environmental Risk Management

At the NGK Group, each manufacturing site has individually established environmental management systems, and strives to preserve the environment and reduce environmental risks.
The Business Group which oversees Group companies joins together with the Environmental Management Department at NGK headquarters to conduct yearly environmental audits of Group company manufacturing sites and help improve the level of environmental management of the NGK Group as a whole.
In FY2021, due to travel restrictions in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19, audits were conducted remotely.

Regulatory Compliance

NGK conducts monitoring and assessments as well as vigorous control of exhaust and wastewater produced from its sites, observing relevant regulations and environmental preservation-related and other agreements with control authorities.
Additionally, we organize environmental management specialist seminars on a regular basis for all Group companies in Japan to keep responsible persons updated on related topics, thereby enhancing our capabilities to prevent environmental pollution. Moreover, in FY2021, there were no major violations of environment-related laws.

Environmental Patrols and Emergency Response Drills

NGK implements environmental patrols in line with annual plans to prevent environmental pollution and conducts response drills based on emergency scenarios to minimize damage.
In FY2021, environmental patrols were conducted at the Nagoya, Chita, and Komaki sites and the Ishikawa Plant to prevent atmospheric and water pollution, ensure the appropriate management of chemical substances, and suppress noise and vibrations. Response drills based on emergency scenarios were also conducted at these four areas. Going forward, NGK will continue to proactively engage in patrols and drills in an attempt to improve operational methods and mitigate environmental risks.

Activities Conducted in FY2021

Note: “-” indicates emergency response drills were considered of low importance and not conducted.