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Control of Hazardous Chemical SubstancesControl of Hazardous Chemical Substances

The Mitsubishi Electric Group categorizes and manages chemical substances in four levels. According to each level, we request suppliers to substitute, provide written guarantee of non-usage, or implement activities to eliminate inappropriate chemical substances, and to investigate the extent to which certain chemical substances are contained in their product(s).

Level I: Substances banned from being contained or attached (substances that are currently or are scheduled to be banned)

Substances that have profound impact on people's health and on the ecosystem, and whose use is prohibited or restricted under domestic or international laws and regulations, or is voluntarily prohibited by the Mitsubishi Electric Group

Level II: Substances scheduled for elimination

Substances that do not fall under Level I, but whose use in products should be reduced, as governed by domestic or international laws and regulations, or by the Mitsubishi Electric Group's voluntary restrictions

Level III: Substances to be quantified

Substances that fall under neither Level I nor II, but whose presence in a product must be assessed and understood

Level IV: Precious metal substances

Precious metal substances whose presence in a product must be assessed and understood

Compliance with the RoHS Directive and Other Laws and Regulations

Mitsubishi Electric launched measures to eliminate the use of the six substances specified by the EU's RoHS directive ahead of its enactment, and achieved RoHS compliance for all products bound for the EU market in 2005. In promoting green procurement, we receive information on the chemical content of parts and materials we procure from our suppliers and obtain their written guarantee of non-usage in order to ensure supplier reliability. When deemed necessary, we use the information to analyze the presence of chemical substances at our initiative.

When analyzing, we use fluorescent X-ray analysis to screen for the six elements contained in the six specified substances. When chromium or bromine is detected, a one-drop extraction method (an analysis method developed by Mitsubishi Electric) is used to determine the presence of hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyl (PBB), or polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE). To prevent contamination by the specific substances and to ensure their traceability, we will continue strengthening our management system in this area.