Environmental Audit

NHK Spring Group conducts management based on an environmental management system (EMS), for proper operation of global environmental conservation activities such as CO₂ reduction activities, zero-emission initiatives, and renewable energy utilization. We strive to improve our environmental performance by conducting periodic environmental audits to gauge current conditions and make sure that management is being correctly implemented based on the EMS.

NHK Spring Group conducts environmental audits to verify that the EMS of each Group company satisfies the requirements of ISO 14001. We also work to improve our management capability by verifying environment-related compliances, identifying issues for improvement and so on. 

Internal audit is led by staff who have completed specialized training. In FY2022, we conducted internal environmental audits at each Group plant in accordance with ISO 14001 (2015). 
Moreover, to improve performance through the proper implementation of the system, we regularly hold internal environmental auditor training courses taught by external instructors. Through this program, we nurture ISO 14001 (2015) auditors in the Group. In FY2020 and FY2021, the program was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however, 20 internal auditors were trained through remote implementation in FY2022.

Inspections by external certification bodies are conducted to ensure that EMS implementation meets the requirements of ISO 14001 (2015).
The results of external audits at NHK Spring Group plants in FY2022 showed that the EMS was operated properly, pollution was being prevented and continuous environmental improvement activities were being implemented.