Environmental Management
Our Approach
In its Environmental Policies, SUBARU states that our fields of business are “the earth, the sky and nature” and focuses on efforts aimed at coexistence with nature. In the mid-term management vision “STEP,” we are committed to making environmental contributions by enhancing the environmental performance of our products. We include Environment in the Six Priority Areas for CSR and deem it important to conduct environmental activities as a precondition to continue our business activities.
In order to foster environmental activities across the SUBARU Group, we have our Environment Committee as well as a cross-company integrated environmental management system, which covers all Group sites, domestic and overseas consolidated production companies, and SUBARU CORPORATION dealers in Japan and abroad.
Based on this system, we are fostering environmental management activities through an all-SUBARU approach, including formulating medium- to long-term environmental targets, implementing measures to achieve the targets, complying with environmental laws and regulations, managing chemical substances, and compiling environmental performance data.
SUBARU Environmental Policies
SUBARU Environmental Philosophy
“The earth, the sky and nature” are SUBARU’s fields of business.
With the automotive and aerospace businesses as the pillars of SUBARU’s operations, our fields of business are the earth, the sky and nature. Preservation of the ecosystem of our planet, the earth, the sky and nature, is of utmost importance to ensure the future sustainability of both society and our organization. We align our business strategy to enhance these global goals in all of our operations.
- We develop and deliver products to meet social needs and contribute to the environment through advanced technologies.
By striving to create advanced technologies that put the environment and safety first, we will develop and deliver products that can contribute to protecting the earth’s environment. - We focus on efforts aimed at coexistence with nature.
Together with efforts to reduce CO2 emissions in all of our operations, we will promote active engagement with nature by stressing forest conservation. - We take on challenges as one through an all-SUBARU approach.
Utilizing our unique organizational character that allows us to oversee the entire supply chain, all of us together will take on the challenges of environmental protection of our planet through an all-SUBARU approach.
Environmental Principles
SUBARU’s fields of business are the earth, the sky and nature. SUBARU understands that the health and preservation of biodiversity and controlling climate change are critical to ensuring a sustainable future for our planet earth, nature, communities, and businesses.
- Products:
- We develop our products and conduct R&D in light of the life cycle environmental impacts of our products.
- Purchasing:
- Our purchasing activities reflect consideration for biodiversity and other aspects of environmental protection.
- Production:
- We strive to minimize our environmental impact through improving energy efficiency and waste management.
- Logistics:
- We strive to minimize our environmental impact through enhancing energy efficiency and promoting pollution prevention.
- Sales:
- We endeavor to recycle resources efficiently and reduce waste.
- Management:
- We will strive to improve our sustainability program through contributions that meet social needs and by publicizing our activities as Team SUBARU.
Management System
Environmental Management System
SUBARU comprehensively manages the entire progress and direction of its environmental management measures through the Environment Committee and based on the cross-company integrated environmental management system (EMS).
The Executive Officer in charge of the Sustainability Division appointed by the Board of Directors oversees the integrated EMS and chairs the Environment Committee. In principle, the related issues are reviewed regularly, at least once a year, and details of discussions held by the Environment Committee are reported to the Sustainability Committee. Important issues are discussed and reported at the Executive Management Board Meeting and by the Board of Directors.
In addition, four committees have been created under the Environment Committee, with participation from major Group companies and comprising the SUBARU Group’s environmental management organization. In FYE March 2022, the Biodiversity Working Group was established under the Production & Environment Subcommittee, regularly conducting surveys on the objectives of biodiversity activities, as well as issues and planning, promoting biodiversity initiatives.
Environmental Risk Management System
SUBARU regularly identifies the environmental risks involved in its business activities (environmental accidents, pollution, noncompliance with laws and regulations, etc.) and fosters the management of the identified risks to prevent and minimize their materialization. As of FYE March 2022, we have established a liaison network between relevant SUBARU departments and those in charge of environmental laws and regulations within the Group in Japan. In the future, the entire SUBARU Group in Japan will have shared training on environmental laws and regulations, and the status of compliance with the same, to strengthen the system to prevent environmental risks before they occur. We also standardize the procedures to be followed when detecting an environmental risk and conduct drills in ordinary times so that we can promptly implement response measures in case of emergency and then take measures to prevent the recurrence of similar accidents, while preventing secondary risks from causing the spread of environmental pollution.
Implementation of Environmental Audits
- Regular auditing based on the ISO 14001 environmental management system
- On-site contractors audits to ensure proper collection, transportation, and disposal of industrial waste
- On-site audits of compliance with environmental laws, regulations, and ordinances
Procedures to be Followed in Case of an Environmental Accident
Acquisition of External Certification for Environmental Management Systems
SUBARU has been working to build an environmental management system, and its sites, suppliers, domestic and overseas consolidated production companies, and dealers have had their environmental management systems certified by external organizations.
Major Certifications
ISO 14001
SUBARU CORPORATION and its six consolidated production and logistics subsidiaries in Japan and three consolidated production and sales subsidiaries in North America have obtained ISO 14001 certification for their environmental management systems.
Eco Action 21*1
In 2011, 44 SUBARU dealers obtained Eco Action 21 certification, becoming the first automaker-affiliated dealers in Japan to do so. We also began implementing an initiative under the Eco Action 21 value chain model project fostered by the Japanese Ministry of the Environment, which the Ministry certified in 2016 as the first initiative implemented under the project in recognition of its results. We will receive instructions and support from the Institute for Promoting Sustainable Societies (IPSuS),*2 which is the certification body for Eco Action 21, to expand the related activities across the SUBARU Group. At the same time, we will support our suppliers in achieving Eco Action 21 certification, thereby expanding the initiative across our value chain.
ISO 50001*3
In 2012, Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc., which is our production base in North America, became the first automobile production plant in the U.S. to acquire certification for ISO 50001, which is the international standard for energy management systems (EnMS).
ISO 39001*4
Subaru Logistics Co., Ltd. obtained certification for ISO 39001, the international standard for road traffic safety management systems, in 2015.
- *1
- Environmental conservation activity promotion program formulated by Japan’s Ministry of the Environment in which small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) work on three themes: environmental management systems, environmental measures and environmental reporting.
- *2
- This organization examines, plans, and implements new initiatives to build sustainable societies by integrating initiatives related to businesses, such as Eco Action 21, with product- and service-related initiatives to be promoted via supply chains.
- *3
- International standard applicable to all organizations that sets the requirements to be met by business operators when conducting activities to build an energy management system, including the formulation of policies, targets, and plans for their energy use and the determination of management procedures.
- *4
- International standard for road traffic safety management systems. It requires organizations to appropriately manage the factors that could cause traffic accidents and reduce the related risks effectively and efficiently, thereby reducing the number of deaths and serious injuries caused by road traffic accidents.
Establishment of EMSs and EnMSs by the SUBARU Group
Plants and offices | Retailers | Suppliers | ||||
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Category | SUBARU CORPORATION Head Office | Domestic Consolidated Production and Logistics Companies | Overseas Consolidated Production Companies | Domestic Consolidated Automobile Sales Companies | Overseas Consolidated Automobile Sales Companies | |
Certification obtained for EMSs/EnMSs | ISO 14001 | ISO 14001 | ISO 14001 ISO 50001 |
Eco Action 21 | ISO 14001 | ISO 14001, Eco Action 21 or self-certification |
Target | Gunma Plant Tokyo Office Utsunomiya Plant Head Office |
Fuji Machinery Co., Ltd.* Kiryu Industrial Co., Ltd.* Yusoki Kogyo K.K.* Subaru Logistics Co., Ltd.* FAS Corporation* Ichitan Co., Ltd. Six companies in total |
Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. | SUBARU dealers 33 companies in total |
Subaru of America, Inc. Subaru Canada, Inc. Two companies in total |
Green procurement Suppliers of materials |
- * Group certification
- SUBARU CORPORATION and its affiliated companies marked with an asterisk (*) carry out mutual internal audits on their EMSs within the scope required for ISO 14001 group certification.
Environmental Management Systems Established by Dealers in Japan
All consolidated dealers in Japan have acquired Eco Action 21 certification. Under the certification system, they promote their environmental management systems and carry out environmental audits on a regular basis for environmental conservation and compliance with environmental laws and regulations.
Moreover, we collect data about domestic dealers’ energy use, CO2 emissions, waste generation, and water use through the SUBARU Group’s unique data system for environmental reporting and use the data to reduce our environmental impact.
Environmental Management Systems Established by Retailers in the U.S. (Subaru of America, Inc.)
Subaru of America, Inc. promotes the Eco-Friendly Retailer Program that encourages SUBARU retailers in the U.S. to reduce energy consumption, water usage, waste and other environmental impacts. To be certified under the Eco-Friendly Retailer Program, a company must meet criteria in five areas, including energy efficiency and recycling. At present, 205 companies, or more than 30% of dealers, are participating in the program.
Management of Chemical Substances
A range of chemical substances are regulated by laws and regulations, including the REACH regulation,*1 ELV Directive,*2 and the Chemical Substance Control Law,*3 under which we are required to disclose information and ensure the appropriate management of chemical substances.
SUBARU is strengthening the management of its supply chain by using the IMDS*4 in order to identify which chemical substances are used in what amount in each of the several tens of thousands of parts that comprise its automobiles. Furthermore, we use SUBARU’s proprietary chemical substance management system (CSMS)*5 to implement management, aiming for prompt information disclosure.
Through this initiative, we are ensuring the non-use of prohibited substances (lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, etc.), promoting the replacement of newly regulated substances with alternatives, and establishing a management system that helps us promptly disclose information about the use of substances that we should appropriately manage under REACH and other regulations. We are thereby reducing the use of and managing environmentally hazardous substances.
- *1
- REACH regulation: European regulation on chemical substances requiring all chemical substances to be subject to management or restriction measures commensurate to the risk that they pose to humans and the environment.
- *2
- The End-of Life Vehicles (ELV) Directive: European Union (EU) directive brought into force in 2000 to reduce the environmental impact from the scrapping of end-of-life vehicles in the EU. It aims to prohibit the use of hazardous substances and reduce the generation of waste by encouraging the reuse and recycling of end-of-life vehicles and their parts.
- *3
- The Act on the Evaluation of Chemical Substances and Regulation of Their Manufacture, etc. (Chemical Substance Control Law) is a law whose purpose is to prevent environmental pollution caused by chemical substances that could harm human health or interfere with the habitat or growth of flora and fauna.
- *4
- IMDS: International Material Data System, an international materials database for the automobile industry.
- *5
- A chemical substance management system is a system for the management of chemical substances contained in products.
International Material Data System
Management of Environmentally Hazardous Substances through the IMDS
Targets and Results
Environment Action Plan 2030 and Other Key Environmental Initiatives
SUBARU initiated its new medium-term environmental plan in FYE March 2022. This plan is formulated around two timelines that are aligned with environmental issues.
Environment Action Plan 2030:
This is a Group-wide plan with a medium- to long-term perspective and initiatives that spiral upward to address future expectations.
Other key environmental initiatives:
These granular initiatives are from a short- to medium-term perspective and are designed to meet current expectations.
The two main features of Environment Action Plan 2030 are milestone goals to achieve by 2050 and moving targets that change according to the expectations of society.
Through initiatives based on the new environmental plan, SUBARU will sincerely address the expectations of current and future generations and further contribute to the realization of a sustainable society.
Key Initiatives of Environment Action Plan 2030
Climate Change
Ⅰ. Key Initiatives of Environment Action Plan 2030
Field | Long-Term Vision | Environment Action Plan 2030 | |||||
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Medium-Term Goals (Primary Category) | Short-Term Initiatives (1–3 Years) | Major Results in FYE March 2022 | |||||
Bases | Goals by Base | Components of Primary Initiatives | |||||
Scope 1 and 2 (Plants and offices) |
Target carbon neutrality by FYE March 2051. | Reduce CO2 emissions by 30% in FYE March 2031 compared with FYE March 2017 (total volume basis). | Plants | Reduce CO2 emissions from plants in Japan. |
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Reduce CO2 emissions from plants overseas. |
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Head Office | Reduce CO2 emissions from the Head Office building*4. |
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Dealership | Reduce CO2 emissions from dealerships in Japan. |
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Scope 3 (Products) |
On a well-to-wheel*5 basis, we will pursue our goal of reducing the average CO2 emissions from new vehicles (in operation) sold worldwide by at least 90% by 2050, compared with 2010.*6 |
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Automobiles | Improve fuel economy and equip vehicles with electrification technology. |
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Clean energy use. |
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Road traffic improvement – IT technology (Self-driving technology and preventive safety technology). |
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- *1
- Gunma Plant, Tokyo Office, Utsunomiya Plant
- *2
- Fuji Machinery Co., Ltd., Ichitan Co., Ltd., Kiryu Industrial Co., Ltd., Subaru Logistics Co., Ltd., Yusoki Kogyo K.K.
- *3
- Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc.
- *4
- Head Office floors of the Ebisu Subaru Building (Shibuya-ku, Tokyo)
- *5
- Well-to-wheel: Approach to calculating CO2 emissions including the emissions produced by the generation of electricity to be used by EVs and other vehicles.
- *6
- Reduce total CO2 emissions calculated based on the fuel efficiency (notified value) of all SUBARU automobiles sold across the world by 90% or more relative to the 2010 levels in 2050. Changes in the sales quantity due to changes in the market environment shall be taken into consideration, while minor changes in running distance shall not.
- *7
- Excluding models supplied by OEMs.
- *8
- Refers to the technology used to foster the use of electricity for EVs, HEVs, and others.
Ⅱ. Other key environmental initiatives
Field | Item | Short-Term Initiatives (1–3 Years) | Major Results in FYE March 2022 |
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Distribution | Implement measures to reduce CO2 in line with the Energy Saving Law. |
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Resource Recycling
Ⅰ. Key Initiatives of Environment Action Plan 2030
Field | Long-Term Vision | Environment Action Plan 2030 | ||
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Medium-Term Goals | Short-Term Initiatives (1–3 Years) | Major Results in FYE March 2022 | ||
Components of Primary Initiatives | ||||
Products (automobiles) |
Contribute to resource recycling and carbon neutrality. |
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Production | Help create a recycling-oriented society with clean production plants. | Achieve zero emissions at production plants*4 in Japan and overseas (zero landfill waste either directly or indirectly). | Maintain zero emissions at production plants in Japan and overseas (zero landfill waste either directly or indirectly). |
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Appropriately manage water use at both domestic and overseas production plants.*4 | Maintain appropriate management of water use at production plants in Japan and overseas.*4 | Maintain appropriate management of water use at both domestic and overseas production plants.*4 |
- *1
- Including material, chemical, and plastic recycling.
- *2
- Excluding models supplied by OEMs.
- *3
- Materials and suppliers with lower CO2 emissions and environmental pollution at the manufacturing stage.
- *4
- Parent company: Gunma Plant, Tokyo Office, Utsunomiya Plant; Subsidiaries: Fuji Machinery Co., Ltd., Kiryu Industrial Co., Ltd., Ichitan Co., Ltd., Subaru Logistics Co., Ltd., Yusoki Kogyo K.K., Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc.
Ⅱ. Other key environmental initiatives
Field | Item | Short-Term Initiatives (1–3 Years) | Major Results in FYE March 2022 |
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Products (automobiles) |
Recyclability improvement |
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Promotion of life-cycle assessment | Promote disclosure of life-cycle assessment (LCA) data. | Calculate LCA for the new Outback, WRX, and BRZ. | |
Production | Waste control and proper disposal | Continue to control waste generation through means such as improving yield and packing style, and properly dispose of waste. | Maintain proper disposal and conversion into valuable resources of waste through waste separation. |
Pollution Prevention and Reduction of Hazardous Chemical Use
Ⅰ. Key Initiatives of Environment Action Plan 2030
Field | Long-Term Vision | Environment Action Plan 2030 | ||
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Medium-Term Goals | Short-Term Initiatives (1–3 Years) | Major Results in FYE March 2022 | ||
Components of Primary Initiatives | ||||
Production | Coexist with communities with production plants that are socially and environmentally responsible. | Target zero serious environmental accidents.* |
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- *
- Zero emissions into the environment, accidents, complaints, or violations of statutory standards.
Ⅱ. Other key environmental initiatives
Field | Item | Short-Term Initiatives (1–3 Years) | Major Results in FYE March 2022 |
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Components of Primary Initiatives | |||
Products (automobiles) |
Promote the introduction of low-emission vehicles to improve air quality. |
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Promote the management and reduction in the use of environmentally hazardous substances. |
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Production | Further reduce per unit of volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions (g/m2) at production lines. |
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Continue to reduce emissions of Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (PRTR) substances into the environment. |
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Disclosure and Discussion of Coexistence with Communities and Environmental Information
Ⅰ. Key Initiatives of Environment Action Plan 2030
Field | Medium-Term Goals | Environment Action Plan 2030 | |
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Short-Term Initiatives (1–3 Years) | Major Results in FYE March 2022 | ||
Components of Primary Initiatives | |||
Management | Coexist with communities through activities to preserve nature. |
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Earn greater trust from society through environmental information disclosure and dialogue. |
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Collaborate with Customers and Promote Environmental Management
Other key environmental initiatives
Field | Item | Short-Term Initiatives (1–3 Years) | Major Results in FYE March 2022 |
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Procurement | Request suppliers in Japan and overseas to build, maintain, and strengthen an environmental management system (EMS). |
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Reduce environmentally hazardous substances. |
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Apply the supplier CSR guidelines and green procurement guidelines. |
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Sales (automobiles) |
Provide support to SUBARU dealerships’ environmental activities. |
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Management | Operate and upgrade environmental management systems. |
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- *
- Environmental conservation activity promotion program formulated by Japan’s Ministry of the Environment in which SMEs work on three themes: environmental management systems, environmental initiatives, and environmental reporting.
SUBARU Group Material Flow
Scope:
- [Procurement]
- SUBARU: Gunma Plant, Utsunomiya Plant, Handa Plant, Handa West Plant
- [R&D and Production]
- SUBARU: Gunma Plant, Utsunomiya Plant, Handa Plant, Handa West Plant, Tokyo Office, Ebisu Subaru Building, Accessory Center, Subaru Research and Experiment Center, Subaru Test & Development Center Bifuka Proving Ground, SUBARU Academy, Omiya Subaru Building
Domestic Group companies: 19 domestic consolidated subsidiaries
Overseas Group companies: Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc., Subaru Research & Development, Inc.
However, NOx, SOx, and PRTR emissions exclude figures from non-production bases: Ebisu Subaru Building, Accessory Center, Subaru Research and Experiment Center, Subaru Test & Development Center Bifuka Proving Ground, SUBARU Academy, Omiya Subaru Building, 19 domestic consolidated subsidiaries, and Subaru Research & Development, Inc.
- [Logistics]
- Land transport (in Japan) and marine transport
- [Sales and Repair]
- 33 domestic dealerships who are consolidated subsidiaries, Subaru of America, Inc. and Subaru Canada, Inc.
However, “Scope 3: Transportation, distribution, and sales (downstream)” is for 11 SUBARU domestic dealerships who are non-consolidated subsidiaries.
- [Product use and Product disposal]
- Sold SUBARU vehicles
Environmental Investment
Calculation Method
SUBARU has its own guidelines for calculating and tabulating the amount of environmental investments made by the Company. These guidelines are aligned with SUBARU’s environmental conservation organization.
Calculation Results
Environmental investment in FYE March 2022 decreased 388 million yen year on year to 3,271 million yen. Key factors included the recording of environmental investment in wastewater treatment and noise control at Subaru Indiana Automotive, Inc. in FYE March 2021.
SUBARU Group Environmental Investment
(Millions of yen)
Item | Category | Consolidated | |
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FYE March 2021 | FYE March 2022 | ||
(1) Cost in the business area | (i) Pollution prevention cost | 898 | 259 |
(ii) Global environment conservation cost | 189 | 155 | |
(iii) Resource recycling cost | 42 | 7 | |
(2) R&D cost | R&D cost to reduce environmental impact | 2,524 | 2,849 |
(3) Environmental remediation costs | Costs for remediating soil and groundwater pollution | 6 | 0 |
Grand total | 3,659 | 3,271 |
- Note:
- Due to rounding, the sum may not exactly match the corresponding total. FYE March 2020 results have been revised because of the inclusion of overseas Group companies.
Scope
- SUBARU:
- SUBARU CORPORATION
- Domestic Group companies:
- Yusoki Kogyo K.K., Fuji Machinery Co., Ltd., Ichitan Co., Ltd., Kiryu Industrial Co., Ltd., Subaru Logistics Co., Ltd.
- Overseas Group companies:
- Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc., Subaru of America, Inc., Subaru of Canada, Inc., Subaru Research & Development, Inc.
Environmental Education
SUBARU deems it important for employees to conduct business and environmental activities with a strong awareness of environmental issues and the importance of environmental efficiency. Based on this recognition, we provide employees with a range of environmental education according to rank and job type.
New Employee Environmental Education
We provided education online during FYE March 2022 to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. The program covered topics such as the SUBARU Group’s Six Priority Areas for CSR to become a sustainable company and the SUBARU Global Sustainability Policy.
Training on Environmental Laws and Regulations
SUBARU provides training on environmental laws and regulations as necessary to ensure compliance with such laws and regulations. In FYE March 2022, general training on environmental laws and regulations was held for SUBARU personnel (349 participants) and on the Act on Rational Use and Appropriate Management of Fluorocarbons for SUBARU Group personnel in Japan (613 participants). After these trainings are carried out, we conduct a questionnaire, using the results as a reference for planning training on environmental laws and regulations in FYE March 2023, in order to make the training even more useful.
ISO 14001 New Internal Auditors Training Seminar
We also held the ISO 14001 New Internal Auditors Training Seminar, taught by invited external lecturers, to enhance the internal auditing system for our ISO 14001-certified environmental management systems and to strengthen environmental conservation activities conducted at our workplaces. In FYE March 2022, the 165 participants worked hard to gain the knowledge required of internal auditors.

Dealers in Japan
In February 2021, we examined environmental laws and regulations related to the sales activities of dealers in Japan, and created and distributed an environmental law compliance manual for dealership use. In addition, we are developing materials as necessary regarding amendments made to laws and regulations. Through these efforts, we are deepening understanding of environmental laws and regulations at our dealerships in Japan.
Subaru Logistics Co., Ltd.
Subaru Logistics Co., Ltd. conducts in-house training on environmental laws and regulations in order to ensure compliance with environmental laws and regulations. In FYE March 2022, training was held the theme of “Relationship between Chemical Substances, Organic Compounds, and Laws and Regulations” for 13 people within the SUBARU Group with specific involvement in this area. We also conducted training on “Related Regulations and Improvement of Audit Capabilities,” attended by 35 internal ISO auditors from within SUBARU.
