Chemical Substances / Pollution Prevention
Management of Chemical Substances in Products
Canon has built a Canon-wide environmental assurance system for managing chemical substances in products. Taking the laws and major environmental-labeling requirements around the world into consideration, we established in-house standards in line with the most stringent regulations in the world, and are working to develop products that comply with these standards. Specifically, we classify and rigorously manage chemical substances as shown in the table below.
Classification and Management Method for Chemical Substances Contained in Products
| Classification | Management Method |
|---|---|
| Prohibited substances | Chemical substances which cannot be used in products |
| Use-restricted substances | Substances for which substitution or phase-out is pursued, and whose use is prohibited after a specified deadline |
| Controlled substances | Chemical substances for which the amount should be monitored |
To ensure rigorous management and compliance with laws and regulations, the Canon Green Procurement Standards prohibit, in principle, the delivery of parts and materials containing regulated substances starting a year before new laws and regulations come into effect. The standards also make even stronger demands of suppliers and clarify the need to provide reliable chemical substance information.
Process of Establishing Chemical Substance Regulations and Canon's Response
Canon also uses a product assessment framework to thoroughly prevent prohibited substances from being included in our products. This involves confirming before mass production of each product begins that chemical substances are being managed according to the classifications in the table on the left, and that all parts and materials used in the product comply with the required criteria.
Furthermore, as regulations on chemical substances have rapidly become more stringent in recent years, companies have to accurately gauge regulatory trends and respond swiftly and flexibly. Canon also obtains information in advance on chemical substances that are expected to be regulated, at the same time working with suppliers to ensure that our products comply with laws, including by interviewing suppliers about their plans for and the status of substituting parts containing regulated substances.
Utilization and Development of the chemSHERPA System for Information Sharing on Chemical Substances
To manage chemical substances appropriately, it is important to share information on the chemical substances contained in materials, parts, and products accurately and efficiently along the supply chain from upstream to downstream, and to ensure compliance with all applicable regulations. After adopting the IEC62474* international standard data scheme, Canon in 2017 began utilizing the chemSHERPA data scheme for information sharing, standardized under the initiative of Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. As of 2025, more than 99% of survey replies from suppliers have been made through chemSHERPA. This has led to increased workplace efficiency while helping alleviate the administrative burden on suppliers. Meanwhile, for suppliers who have difficulty with the reply process, we have prepared guide manuals in Japanese, English, and Chinese to promote the progressive global adoption of chemSHERPA.
- * Material Declaration for Products of and for the Electrotechnical Industry. International standards issued by the IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) in March 2012 aiming to streamline the material declarations on chemical substances and compositions contained in the products of the electrotechnical industry in the global supply chain.
Participation in Study of Next-Generation Information Sharing Scheme
Discussions are underway across industries on the Chemical and Circular Management Platform (CMP), a next-generation information sharing scheme that seeks to address issues that face current information sharing methods, such as lowering the burden of chemical substance surveys throughout the supply chain and the need to readminister surveys when regulations change.
Taking part in the CMP discussions as a key member, Canon will continue to address issues in the sharing of information about chemical substances and reduce the burden across the supply chain.
Fluorine-free Water Repellent Coating Material
PFAS are known as "eternal chemicals" because they persist in the environment for long periods of time. Since they can contaminate tap water and soil and cause damage to health, there are growing calls for their reduction. To address social demands for the reduction of PFAS, Canon Optron has developed OR-510, a fluorine-free coating material. Offering water repellent and antifouling properties and a low refractive index, the coating makes it easier to wipe off fingerprints on smartphones and tablets and reduces the adhesion of water droplets without interfering with the optical properties of glasses, sunglasses, and camera lenses.
