Pollution Prevention and Chemical / Hazardous Waste Management

Sysmex uses chemical substances in its R&D and production processes. Accordingly, we strive for the proper management of chemical substances, not only to prevent loss or leaks but also to prevent damage to the health of our employees working on-site.

Sysmex complies with regulations governing chemical substances in countries and regions around the world, including the RoHS Directive that restricts the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic products, and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs Convention), an international framework regulating persistent organic pollutants. To respond to these regulations, we have established management standards for chemical substances contained in our products. Based on these standards, we appropriately manage chemical substances (substances of environmental concern) present in the parts, devices, reagent solutions, and other components that make up the products we produce and sell.

Sysmex rigorously manages biologically derived substances to prevent the risk of accidental infection. In accordance with established manuals, we restrict storage and handling locations and ensure that such substances are strictly segregated from general waste and disposed of appropriately. For other hazardous substances, we work to prevent dispersion, leakage, and groundwater penetration through comprehensive measures covering both equipment and management procedures. In these ways, we endeavor to keep emissions below regulatory limits.

In response to the Act on Rational Use and Proper Management of Fluorocarbons, Group companies in Japan have established company-specific procedure manuals. Through these manuals, they identify all owned and managed fluorocarbon-containing equipment, ensure its proper use, conduct inspections, and track calculated fluorocarbon leakage volumes.

Sysmex has launched a new initiative to balance safety in medical settings and environmental sustainability. In blood testing, methanol-containing staining solutions are used when preparing blood smear samples to evaluate blood cell morphology. However, medical institutions face several challenges associated with methanol, including health risks to healthcare professionals due to its toxicity, rising costs associated with regulatory compliance, and environmental burdens posed by hazardous substances.
To resolve these issues, Sysmex has launched a methanol-free staining solution along with compatible instruments, providing a solution that supports safer and more secure laboratory operations. This solution helps reduce health risks associated with methanol exposure while also lowering the costs and risks related to the transportation and storage of methanol, thereby improving operational efficiency at medical institutions. Furthermore, by reducing the use of hazardous substances, it contributes to reducing environmental impact.
We remain committed to incorporating solutions that balance safety in medical settings with environmental sustainability into our products and services, thereby earning stakeholder trust and enhancing our corporate value.