Our Approach

LIXIL boasts operations in over 150 countries, and more than one billion people use LIXIL products every day. It is essential to reduce environmental impact across the product lifecycle, from raw materials procurement through manufacturing, use, and disposal, in order to proactively conserve the global environment.

LIXIL has determined Water Conservation & Environmental Sustainability as a strategic pillar in our CR Strategy, and, in line with the LIXIL Environmental Vision 2050, we are working hard to reduce environmental impact of the product lifecycle, positioning it as one of our material issues. We are implementing initiatives as part of our company-wide environmental activities driven by our Environmental Strategy Committee.

Environmentally Conscious Design

In Japan, we conduct an environmental assessment at each stage of the product development process to ensure compliance with environmental laws, and to help reduce the environmental impact of products in all three lifecycle stages: produce, use, and dispose.

Product-Related Environmental Assessment Steps

Evaluation Criteria for Product-Related Environmental Assessment

Management of Chemical Substances

Across all of our business processes, LIXIL has been seeking to appropriately manage chemicals and reduce substances of concern that can negatively impact human health and environment, helping to resolve environmental pollution issues and improve people’s comfort and lifestyles.

In Japan, LIXIL’s corporate functions of Environment, Procurement, and Quality partner with our technology businesses under the direction of the Chief Technology Officer to encourage appropriate management and operation of chemical substances in products. We are working within this system to develop a management infrastructure and stronger governance.

In FYE2022, we sought to further strengthen compliance with international laws and regulations by expanding target areas and enhancing our company-wide frameworks for obtaining and sharing the latest regulatory information at the earliest possible opportunity. We aim to strengthen compliance through these initiatives.

Managing Chemicals in Operational Processes

LIXIL strives to appropriately manage any chemical substances contained in our products based on the laws and regulations of each market in which we operate (EU RoHS Directive, REACH Regulation, etc.) and our own guidelines. In Japan, we take action together with the procurement department based on the LIXIL’s Chemical Substances Management Rank Guidelines that stipulate which substances are not allowed to be included in products and how to control and handle substances that are permitted. Our inhouse training also includes study sessions on the guidelines and the latest regulatory trends to promote employee awareness and understanding of these issues.

We are also striving to ensure chemical substances are appropriately managed in all processes in Japan, including design development, procurement, and manufacturing. We seek to appropriately manage information when collecting details on chemicals in products from our suppliers, gathering internal data, and providing information to customers.

Chemical Substance Management Process

Chemical Substance Database

Reducing Substances of Concern

In new product development, we prioritize the reduction of substances of concern in our products to meet strong societal demands. We also collaborate with our suppliers to find alternatives to any substances of concern in our existing products.