Recognizing that our business activities benefit from the environment, we are 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”. While recognizing the impact on the ecosystem at entire stages of product research, development, procurement, production, distribution, sales, use, and disposal of the drugs, we conduct activities considering biodiversity conservation. In addition, we agree with the “Declaration of Biodiversity by Keidanren and Action Policy.”
We conduct Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET) tests, which are toxicity tests using aquatic organisms, for wastewater discharged into rivers from the Fujiyama Plant, our main plant, to comprehensively assess the environmental burden caused by plant wastewater.
Chemical substances used as active pharmaceutical ingredients for human drugs may affect the ecosystem due to their physiological effects and physicochemical and biological properties when they are discharged into the environment after being used for its original purpose or disposed of as unused drugs. We evaluate the effects of new drugs that we intend to apply for approval in Europe and the United States based on the guidelines in Europe and the United States.
At Fujiyama Plant, we joined a cleanup activity around the area of 5th station at Mt. Fuji in August 2019. The purpose of this cleanup activity is to raise awareness of the natural environment around Mt. Fuji and to think about the conservation of the global environment. However, since FY2020, this cleanup activity has been canceled for reasons of preventing the spread of the novel coronavirus.
At Minase Research Institute, we join the “Rikyu no Mizu” Conservation Society to protect the 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.
We have supported the Fujinomiya City sponsored hands-on learning 'Exploring the mystery of water' (Organized by local governments around Fujiyama Plant/intended for elementary school students) since FY2015. This event aims to boost children’s awareness the natural environment around Mt. Fuji and to get children thinking about how they can contribute to preserving the environment.
ONO is 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 a harmful effect on human health and the ecosystem. The amount of PRTR Class 1 designated chemical substances (substances handled in an amount of 1 ton or more per year) reported to the government was 13.0 tons in FY2020, which has been maintained at a low level. In the same fiscal year, the amount released into the air was 0.3 tons, and that into water was 0.0 tons, maintaining low levels. 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 | FY2020 results |
|---|---|
|
Reduce the amount of PRTR Class I designated chemical substances released into the environment. |
Registered amount of chemical substances released to the air was 0.3 tons, and amount released to water was 0.0 tons; the levels were kept low. |
We manage waste polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) properly in accordance with the Law Concerning Special Measures for Promotion of Proper Treatment of PCB Waste in Japan. The company submits a report on the storage and disposal of waste PCBs to the Osaka municipal government every year.
| Site | Status | Type | Number of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joto Pharmaceutical Product Development Center | Stored | Fluorescent lamp | 0 |
| Disposed* | Condenser, Fluorescent lamp | 559 | |
| Minase Research Institute | Disposed* | Condenser | 2 |
Management of radioisotopes, etc. is performed 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 genetically 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 examination of the experimental applications.
In the research institutes and manufacturing plants, we comply with the Air Pollution Control Act, the Water Pollution Control Act, the Law concerning Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (PRTR) and relevant laws and regulations, and conclude agreements on pollution prevention with local governments, in order to reduce environmental impact. They periodically measure the concentration of exhaust gas and noise from boilers and CGSs as well as wastewater from the plants, in accordance with related laws and other regulations, in order to ensure that levels are within regulatory limits. They also strive to reduce environmental risk. The PDCA cycle is followed in the plants, and employees are provided with the necessary environmental management training in operations in which there is a risk of environmental impact. Emergency drills are also conducted regularly. These drills use scenarios such as 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 particular, to address any accidents and emergency situations that may cause water or soil pollution, we systematically review and implement the backup and reinforcement of relevant equipment.
| Target | FY2020 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. |