Recognizing that our business activities benefit from the global environment, ONO is working to reduce environmental risks that affect biodiversity and promote biodiversity conservation activities, with the aim of realizing a sustainable and prosperous society.
We create innovative drugs under the corporate philosophy “Dedicated to the Fight against Disease and Pain.” At entire stages of product research, development, procurement, production, distribution, sales, use, and the disposal of drugs, we recognize the impact of our activities on the ecosystem and conduct activities considering biodiversity conservation. In addition, we do not operate in areas such as national parks or sanctuaries, or in areas with habitats of organisms classified as “Critically Endangered” or “Endangered” on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.
We agree with the “Declaration of Biodiversity by Keidanren and Action Policy.”
We conduct Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET) tests, which are toxicity tests using biological response of daphnia, algae and fish, for wastewater discharged into rivers from the Fujiyama Plant, our main plant, to comprehensively assess the environmental burden caused by manufacturing plant wastewater. In addition, wastewater from manufacturing plants and research institutes is controlled by voluntary standards that are more stringent than those imposed by related laws and regulations.
Active pharmaceutical ingredients and their metabolites discharged into the environment through excretion after the proper use and disposal of medicines may affect ecosystems due to their physiological effects, as well as their physicochemical and biological properties. For new drugs which we aim to apply for approval, we appropriately evaluate their impact based on the guidelines of each country for which we are seeking approval.
At the Fujiyama Plant, we participated in a cleanup activity around the area of 5th station at Mt. Fuji in August 2019. The purpose of this cleanup activity was to raise awareness of the natural environment around Mt. Fuji and to think about the conservation of the global environment. However, in FY2020 and FY2021, this cleanup activity was canceled due to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).
At the Minase Research Institute, we are a member of the “Rikyu no Mizu” Conservation Society to protect a famous water source, which has been selected as one of the 100 best springs in Japan. We took part in the joint cleanup activities that are organized twice a year. However, in FY2020 and FY2021, this activity was canceled due to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).
We have supported the Fujinomiya City sponsored hands-on learning experience called "Exploring the mystery of water" (Organized by local governments around the Fujiyama Plant/intended for elementary school students) since FY2015. This event aims to boost children’s awareness of the natural environment around Mt. Fuji and to get children thinking about how they can contribute to preserving the environment. However, in FY2020 and FY2021, this activity was canceled due to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).
We are committed to reducing chemical emissions to the lowest possible level not only in compliance with laws and regulations but also in recognition that these emissions may impact human health and the ecosystem.
In accordance with the Law concerning “Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (PRTR),” we have appropriately controlled chemical substances that may have harmful effects on human health and the ecosystem. The amount of PRTR Class 1 designated chemical substances handled in an amount of 1 ton or more was 11.6 tons in FY2021. In the same fiscal year, the emissions into the air and public water/soil were 0.3 tons and zero (no emission), respectively. Emissions into the environment remain at a low level. Please refer to the ESG Data for details. We also legally and appropriately manage chemical substances other than those reported. We will continue to work to reduce emissions into the environment through appropriate chemical substance management.
| Target | FY2021 results |
|---|---|
|
Reduce the amount of PRTR Class 1 designated chemical substances released into the environment. |
Registered emissions of chemical substances into the air and public water/soil were 0.3 tons and zero (no emission), respectively; the levels were kept low. |
PCBs-containing waste is disposed of appropriately in compliance with the Act on Special Measures concerning Promotion of Proper Treatment of PCB Wastes. In FY2021, PCBs analyses were conducted on two old-fashioned transformers being used at the Minase Research Institute, and it was found that they fall under the category of low-concentration PCBs waste. As for the two transformers, we submitted a “Notification of Storage and Disposal Status of Polychlorinated Biphenyl Waste, etc.” to Osaka Prefecture and plan to entrust them to a treatment company that has permission to dispose of low-concentration PCBs waste within the treatment deadline of March 31, 2027, which was stipulated in the above law, and dispose of them properly.
| PCBs waste | Type | Classification | Number of units |
|---|---|---|---|
| High-concentration PCBs waste (PCB concentration: Greater than 0.5%) |
Capacitor, etc. | In use | 0 |
| Strage | 0 | ||
| Low-concentration PCBs waste (PCB concentration: 0.5% or less) |
Transformers, etc. | In use | 2 |
| Strage | 0 |
The management of radioisotopes is conducted appropriately in accordance with the "Act on Prevention of Radiation Hazards due to Radioisotopes, etc." and the results are reported to the Nuclear Regulation Authority as a radiation management status report every fiscal year.
As for living modified organisms and pathogens used in drug discovery research and manufacturing activities, we are preventing their spread into the environment and their leakage by complying with in-house regulations based on relevant laws and regulations such as the “Act on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biological Diversity through Regulations on the Use of Living Modified Organisms” (Cartagena Act) and the “Act on the Prevention of Infectious Diseases and Medical Care for Patients with Infectious Diseases” (Infectious Diseases Control law). In addition, to promote the appropriate use of these research samples, the In-house Safety Committee continues to provide education and training to laboratory staff and conduct examinations on the experimental applications.
In the manufacturing plants and research institutes, we comply with the Air Pollution Control Act, the Water Pollution Control Act, the Act on the Assessment of Releases of Specified Chemical Substances in the Environment and the Promotion of Management Improvement, and conclude agreements on pollution prevention with local governments, in order to reduce our environmental impact. We periodically measure the concentration of exhaust gas and noise from boilers and cogeneration system as well as wastewater in order to ensure that levels are within regulatory limits.
We also strive to reduce environmental risk by implementing a PDCA cycle at each worksite. Employees are provided with the necessary environmental management training in operations in which there are risks of environmental impact. Emergency drills are also conducted regularly. These drills use scenarios such as a generation of high concentrations of soot due to faulty equipment and leakages of oil into the ground, giving employees practice in the necessary preventative and responsive measures for such situations.
In recent years, extreme weather events are occurring as a result of global warming. We have formulated manuals to prepare for accidents and emergency situations caused by such weather, and we organize training sessions to minimize environmental impacts. In addition, we conduct drills every year in preparation for accidents and emergencies that may lead to water pollution and soil contamination. In preparation for an emergency event when wastewater containing hazardous substances flows into the drainage system, we have installed a storage tank to store wastewater, and for systems with a particularly high degree of risk, we have separated them from the drainage system by setting up a dedicated collection tank.
| Target | FY2021 results |
|---|---|
|
Thoroughly comply with emission standards, and continue to make efforts to prevent any environmental accidents or complaints from local communities. |
All analyses of air and water pollution revealed that we complied with emission standards. Also, there were no environmentally related complaints from local communities. |