Epson scores 6 out of 18 at Rank a Brand: Compare how transparent, green and fair your favorite brands are

Epson Info

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6 out of 18
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Brand Owner: Seiko Epson Corporation
Head Office: Nagano-ken, Japan
Sector: Electronics & ICT Hardware
Categories: Printers, Copiers
Free Tags: Printer, Copier, Inkjet, Laser, Scanner, Projector

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Last Updated: 5 September 2011
Last Verified: 5 September 2011

Epson Score Report

Questions about Climate Change/ Carbon Emissions

3 out of 5


1. Does the brand (company) clearly support global mandatory cuts of carbon emissions of at least 50% by 2050 or 30% by industrialized countries by 2020?	"Epson is aiming to reduce CO2 emissions by 90% across the lifecycle of all products and services by the year 2050" (Sustinability Report 2011, p. 31).	SOURCE
2. Has the brand (company) disclosed the annual carbon footprint of its 'own operations' and of the supply / production chain?	Epson publishes its carbon equivalent emissions, which are 710,000 tons including production (see page 49).	SOURCE
3. Has the brand (company) set a target to reduce its ‘own operations’ carbon footprint by at least 20% within the next 5 years?	Epson does not mention a reduction target within the next five years.	SOURCE
4. Has the brand (company) already reduced or compensated its 'own operations' carbon footprint by at least 10% in the last 5 years?	Epson has reduced its carbon equivalent emissions from 953,000 tons in 2006 to 708,000 tons in 2010 which equates to a 25,6% reduction (see page 41).	SOURCE
5. Do all new products of the brand meet the latest Energy Star requirements (where applicable)?	Since January 1, 2011 Epson is part of the International ENERGY STAR Program. It is not clear whether all products meet the latest Energy Star requirements and whether the requirements apply to all countries (see page 40).	SOURCE

Questions about Environmental Policy

1 out of 7


1. Has the brand (company) eliminated PVC and BFRs in all new products? If not, does the brand give a timeline for achieving this by 2012?	Epson conforms to RoHS according to which PVCs and BFRs have not been banned.	SOURCE
2. Has the brand (company) already eliminated PVC and BFRs in all new products?	See remark for environmental policy question 1.	SOURCE
3. Has the brand (company) already eliminated at least 2 of the 3 groups of suspect chemicals (beryllium, antimony and phthalates) in all of its new products? If not, does it give a timeline for achieving this by 2012?	Epson does not communicate any information on a chemical use reduction plan, if there is one, on its website. Sustainability information should be easily accessible for consumers to make responsible choices.	SOURCE
4. Has the brand (company) already eliminated at least 2 of the 3 groups of suspect chemicals (beryllium, antimony and phthalates)in all of its new products?	See remark for environmental policy question 3.	SOURCE
5. Does the brand (company) support the principle of Individual Producer Responsibility (IPR), meaning that brands are responsibility for the entire lifecycle of their own products, including take back and recycling?	Epson does not mention Individual Producer Responsibility (IPR), but it supports the same ideas and principles: "As a producer, Epson fully supports the recycling of our products in line with the European WEEE Directive and has ensured that our responsibilities in meeting this directive are fully met in all European countries... "	SOURCE
6. Does the brand (company) provide free and easy take back and recycling services for its discarded products in many of the countries where its products are sold?	Epson does provide take-back programs, for example a program for "used Epson laser toner cartridges only". However, it is not clear whether all products can be hand in in all countries and whether these services are free.	SOURCE
7. Does the brand (company) source at least 5% of its plastics from recycled plastic streams and does it give a clear timeline to increase this percentage to at least 25% by 2025?	Epson does not communicate any information on recycled plastic on its website. Sustainability information should be easily accessible for consumers to make responsible choices.	SOURCE

Questions about Labour Conditions/ Fair Trade

2 out of 6


1. Does the brand (company) have a supplier Code of Conduct (CoC) which includes the following standards: No forced or slave labour, no child labour, no discrimination of any kind and a safe and hygienic workplace?	All standards are mentioned in 'Epson Group Procurement Guidelines' (see page 11-13).	SOURCE
2. Does this CoC include at least two of the following workers rights: 1. to have a formally registered employment relationship 2. to have a maximum working week of 48 hours with voluntary paid overtime of 12 hours maximum 3. to have a sufficient living wage?	1. Not mentioned; 2. No, supplier must comply with applicable laws and regulations regarding work hours, but maximum workweek and hours of overtime is not specified; 3. Epson refers to the applicable wage laws, including those relating to minimum wages, overtime hours and legally mandated benefits (see page 11-13).	SOURCE
3. Does this CoC include the right for workers to form and join trade unions and bargain collectively; and in those situations where these rights are restricted under law, the right to facilitate parallel means of independent and free association and bargaining?	Freedom of association is mentioned, but nothing found about situations in which this right is restricted by law (see page 10).	SOURCE
4. Does the brand (company) have a published list of direct suppliers that have collectively contributed to more than 90% of the purchase volume?	Epson does not communicate a list of factories or suppliers on its website. Sustainability information should be easily accessible for consumers to make responsible choices.	SOURCE
5. Is the brand (company) a member of a collective initiative that aims to improve labour conditions, or does the brand (company) purchase its supplies from accredited factories with improved labour conditions?	Epsons code conforms to the Electronic Industry Code of Conduct (EICC) (see page 63).	SOURCE
6. Does the brand (company) annually report on the results of its labour conditions policy?	Epson says that it annually evaluates it suppliers and conducts detailed evaluations every few years (p. 7-8). However, no results are found on Epsons website.	SOURCE