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Eco-Conscious Product
Environmental Labels
Actively promoting acquisition of environmental labels
around the world
A yardstick for customers when selecting products, and helping reduce the overall environmental impact of society
Environmental labels indicate that a given product shows consideration for the environment, and give customers helpful information when selecting eco-conscious products. Environmental labels come in three types (Type I, II and III) standardized by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) or a compliance label that indicates that the product complies with specific performance criteria.
There are various environmental labels in the countries and regions around the world in which the Brother Group operates. Considering respective labels (which are based on different eco-conscious requirements and standards) as environmental needs from customers, the Brother Group has actively acquired such labels in the countries and regions where its products are sold.
Under this policy, the Brother Group set the following targets in the Brother Group 2010 Midterm Environmental Action Plan (2008–2010) for new products released from FY2008 (April 1, 2008-March 31, 2009), and attained the targets by FY2010 (April 1, 2010-March 31, 2011):
- Acquiring "Type I" environmental labels (which are trusted in the market) for all the target products
- Complying with the Brother Green Label requirements for all non-Type I products
- Complying with the Law on Promoting Green Purchasing for all the target products
In addition, targets have been set in the Brother Group 2015 Midterm Environmental Action Plan (2011–2015) launched in FY2011 (April 1, 2011-March 31, 2012) to acquire specific environmental labels in respective countries including Blue Angel, Eco Mark, Nordic Swan, EPEAT, and China's Ten Circle Mark, and efforts have been accelerated to fulfill the targets.
Below are the main environmental labels acquired by Brother products.
Type I labels
Awarded based on specific criteria judged by third party organizations
The Blue Angel (German)
This eco-label is issued by the Federal Environmental Agency and the German Institute for Quality Assurance and Labeling. In July 2008, the MFC-6490CW and DCP-6690CW were the first inkjet multi-function centers in the world to be certified in the ink-jet category to clear current standards. Brother acquired the label for 37 models in FY2010.
Nordic Swan (Scandinavian countries)
This eco-label is administered primarily by the Nordic Ecolabelling Board, and is used in five Scandinavian countries (Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland). 12 Brother models, mainly black-and-white laser printers and multi-function centers, were first awarded the label in 2009. Brother acquired the label for 19 models in FY2010.
China Environmental Labeling plan (China)
This government-run eco-label (the Ten Circle Mark) is issued by the China Environmental United Certification Center under the jurisdiction of the State Environmental Protection Administration. Brother has acquired the label for 36 models including color multi-function centers and black and white laser printers (as of May 2011).
Eco Mark (Japan)
This eco-label is issued by the Japan Environment Association. It is awarded to products that minimize environmental load and aid environmental protection across their entire life cycle from production to disposal. Brother acquired the label for 23 models in FY2010.
Products having acquired environmental labels in Japan
Type II labels
Self-declared labels by businesses
Brother Green Label (Japan)
In October 2001, Brother Industries, Ltd. established voluntary environmental standards for products and created the Brother Green Label to recognize products that satisfied related certification standards. In February 2007, the certification standards were revised and the major changes are outlined below.
- Eco-labels awarded to products based on the degree of improvement when compared to the previous model
- Increased the certification standards common to all group companies from 21 to 26 items
Products having acquired environmental labels in Japan
Type III labels
Awarded to products whose environmental load is shown quantitatively by LCA (Life Cycle Assessment)
EcoLeaf (Japan)
This eco-label is awarded to products that disclose quantitative information about their environmental characteristics. It is managed and issued by the Japan Environmental Management Association for Industry. Brother Industries, Ltd. has received "System Certification" in the Printer and Facsimile Business (registered name) and is working on acquiring the EcoLeaf label for main products.
Products having acquired environmental labels in Japan
Conformance label
International Energy Star Program (the U.S., Japan, EU, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Taiwan)
This is an international energy saving program for office equipment. Its logo is awarded to products that meet the energy-saving standards.
Energy Conservation Certification (Energy saving label) (China)
This eco-label is from China. It recognizes products for their energy-saving performance.
Oeko-Tex Standard 100 (including Europe, Americas, and Japan)
This international standard is intended to protect consumers from harmful substances and chemical substances, etc. contained in textile products (including garments) that may affect health. Brother's garment printers (GT-541, GT-782) were certified as being safe when performing printing on clothes that meet the Oeko-Tex Standard. (N-KEN 09025: renewed in November 2010)
Green purchasing laws
Products complying with the Law on Promoting Green Purchasing (Japan)
In April 2001, the Law on Promoting Green Purchasing went into effect. This law requires that national governmental organizations purchase green products and that regional governmental organizations and private business and individuals try to do the same. By affixing our own eco-label to Brother products that meet the standard, Brother Industries, Ltd. is promoting environmental activities to customers.
Products having acquired environmental labels in Japan
RoHS directive
Compliance with the RoHS Directive
The EU (European Union) enforced the RoHS (Restriction on the use of certain Hazardous Substances in electrical and electronic equipment) Directive in July 2006. All Brother products (excluding machine tools) for all markets in the world are compliant with the RoHS Directive and the products for Japanese market are labeled with our own eco-label to show they are compliant with the RoHS Directive.
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