As a key element of Toshiba's drive to create environmentally conscious products (ECPs), we promote green procurement of products, parts and components, processed materials and raw materials. Beginning in April 2000, Toshiba initiated its green procurement policy in accordance with the company's green procurement guidelines. Currently, Toshiba procures environmentally conscious items from approximately 5,000 suppliers.

Recently, Toshiba revised its green procurement guidelines to accommodate revisions to laws and regulations in Japan as well as the European Union's RoHS Directive. These revisions reflect our increased efforts to reduce environmental impacts in cooperation with our suppliers.

To enforce our efforts to buy environmentally conscious items from our suppliers, Toshiba utilizes a thorough 22 point environmental performance survey to rank suppliers' environmental performance. Priority is given to suppliers who rank high on this environmental survey. Additionally, Toshiba's in-house specialists advise suppliers on how to raise their environmental performance scores. Supplier scores are increasing every year. Toshiba evaluates suppliers on quality, cost, delivery, and service, as well.