Fujitsu Launches PLEMIA EcoLink Green Procurement Solution for Small- and Medium-Sized Manufacturers

                             Also supports medical devices, which are now subject to the Recast ROHS Directive as of July 2014

Fujitsu Limited, Fujitsu Marketing Limited and Fujitsu Systems East Limited today announced the launch of FUJITSU Manufacturing Industry Solution PLEMIA EcoLink, a software package designed to support small- and medium-sized manufacturing companies in Japan streamline "green," or sustainable, procurement operations, and to appropriately manage chemical substances. EcoLink, which was developed by Fujitsu Systems East Limited, is available in Japan starting today.
EcoLink software effectively tracks and manages the entire supply chain for chemical substances banned or restricted under chemical product regulations such as the REACH regulation(1) and RoHS Directive(2), and efficiently handles green procurement.

This software incorporates regular updates from Fujitsu on the latest regulations concerning chemical substances used in products, which are not updated on a regular schedule, so that small- and medium-sized businesses can operate without the burden of tracking these regulations. The RoHS Directive, which applies to home appliances, communications equipment, lighting equipment and other items, has added medical devices as of July 2014. This product handles management of chemical substances contained in medical devices.

This product is part of the Fujitsu Group's ongoing Green Policy Innovation green ICT project, which is designed to help customers and society reduce their burden on the environment.

This product will be exhibited at Eco-Products 2014, running December 11-13 at Tokyo Big Sight.

Background

Japan's manufacturers are actively promoting green procurement to track and manage the chemical substances contained in products throughout their supply chain, in order to comply with chemical substance regulations, such as the REACH regulation, which originated in Europe but is used elsewhere in the world, as well. Green procurement requires that all chemical substances contained in the finished product, including raw materials, processed parts, and components, be tracked and managed, and that this information be transmitted throughout the supply chain.

To comply with current rules, every company is required to send a survey report up the supply chain in response to green procurement queries that are sent to suppliers. For small- and medium-sized companies with limited resources, administering green procurement is problematic in terms of the added work and the staff assigned to it. For manufacturers of medical devices, which was added to the list of items covered by the Recast RoHS Directive(3) as of July 2014, complying with green compliance requirements has become a pressing issue. Furthermore, because environmental rules are becoming stricter, with a steady increase in the number of chemical substances that are required to be reported, there is a clear need to appropriately track chemical substances and make survey reporting more efficient for green procurement.

To respond to these needs, Fujitsu is now offering the EcoLink software package to support green procurement. Developed for use by a small number of people in small- and medium-sized companies, EcoLink incorporates the expertise that went into the currently available FUJITSU Manufacturing Industry Solution PLEMIA M3 ECODUCE.

Product Features

Current regulatory information reduces workload for small- and medium-sized companies Fujitsu's team of specialists compiles and provides regulatory information regarding chemical substances contained in products, which is not updated on a regular schedule. For customers, this reduces the need to continually monitor global regulatory trends and interpret difficult-to-understand regulations, and ensures that the list of chemical substances that needs to be managed is instantly updated.

Support for medical devices, which are now subject to the Recast RoHS Directive EcoLink can be used to manage applications that exclude chemical substances prohibited under the RoHS Directive from medical devices, so it can also be used by the medical device industry for its products that are now subject to the Recast RoHS Directive.

Uses flat design Designed for situations in which users survey and report chemical substances and compile information on regulations in their green procurement activities, the software uses a flat design menu that is simple and easy to understand, with easy-to-use, intuitive operations.

Survey format for multiple sectors Different sectors use differently formatted survey reports, and EcoLink includes standard formats for the latest regulatory regimes in a number of sectors, including electrical and electronic equipment, automobiles, and materials.

Notes:

(1) REACH regulations
A European Union regulation for the "Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals." Enacted June 2007.
(2) RoHS Directive
A European Union directive restricting the use of certain harmful substances (six substances) in electrical and electronic goods. Enacted July 2006.
(3) Recast RoHS Directive
A revision to the RoHS Directive that expands the types of subject products, and that reconsiders and adds new materials subject to restrictions. Enacted January 2013.

About Fujitsu Limited

Fujitsu is the leading Japanese information and communication technology (ICT) company offering a full range of technology products, solutions and services. Approximately 170,000 Fujitsu people support customers in more than 100 countries. We use our experience and the power of ICT to shape the future of society with our customers. Fujitsu Limited (TSE:6702) reported consolidated revenues of 4.4 trillion yen (US$47 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013 For more information, please see www.fujitsu.com.



Source: Fujitsu Limited

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