1. Introduction
Purpose
This Environmental Policy outlines Corintech’s commitment to minimising its impact on the natural environment and to promoting sustainable practices within all aspects of its operations. We recognise the Company has a responsibility to reduce our carbon footprint and to protect natural resources.
Corintech also has a Sustainable Procurement Policy which commits our Company to following sustainable purchasing practices.
Scope
This applies to all Corintech employees regardless of employment agreement, position, or location.
Objectives
Corintech’s Environmental Policy objectives include, but are not limited to:
- Complying with all relevant legislation and regulatory requirements
- Increasing employee awareness of the impact business activities have on the environment
- Reducing our consumption of resources and improving the efficient use of those resources
- Monitoring and continually improving environmental performance
- Incorporating environmental factors into business decisions
- Working towards achieving net-zero emissions
2. Responsibility
Management
Senior Leaders, Directors and Managers are responsible for implementing and overseeing procedures that result in environmental issues being considered within their departments.
Employees
All employees should consider how their activities impact the environment and when appropriate suggest improvements to their Supervisor, Manager or the Sustainability Officer.
3. Directives
Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS 3) Directive
Directive 2011/65/EU (including amendment 2015/863, known as RoHS 3) of the European Parliament, stipulates that certain hazardous substances must not be present above defined levels in products. Corintech works with its entire supply chain to ensure that all products comply with this directive. RoHS is part of the CE and UK compliance schemes, we do not mark our products separately as being RoHS compliant, but mark all products in scope with CE and UKCA conformity markings.
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive
WEEE Directive 2002/96/EC mandates the treatment, recovery and recycling of electric and electronic equipment. It ensures that any product marked with the WEEE logo (crossed-out wheelie bin) is separated from other waste streams to ensure that it is recycled in an environmentally sound manner.
Under the U.K. implementation of the WEEE directive the following definitions apply:
Historic WEEE – Goods shipped before 15th August 2005.
New WEEE – Goods shipped with the WEEE logo after 15th August 2005. Corintech is registered as a supplier of EEE with the Environment Agency and makes all the necessary declarations with regard to WEEE sold within the United Kingdom. At the end of life, Corintech will accept the return of WEEE for the safe disposal and recycling as per the following:
Historic WEEE – The collective producer responsibility for historic WEEE ended in 2013.
New WEEE – Corintech accepts liability for New WEEE at the end of life and will dispose of safely or recycle goods wherever possible. Corintech does not accept any liability whatsoever for the remote collection, shipping costs or packaging of returned goods. All costs associated with the return of WEEE will be the responsibility of the customer. Before returning New WEEE the customer must first contact Corintech and request an RMA (Returns Material Authorisation).
Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) Directive
Under the terms of the EU Directive 1907/2006 concerning REACH, Corintech is classified as a “Producer/Importer/supplier of articles” because it manufactures or has manufactured electronic modules which are non-chemical products i.e. “goods”.
Corintech’s products are considered articles as defined in REACH Article 3 (3). These products/articles under normal and reasonable conditions of use do not have intended release of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC). Therefore, the requirement in REACH Article 7 (1) (b) for registration of substances contained in these products/articles does not apply. Furthermore, Corintech is not required to produce material safety data sheets.
We do not use SVHC chemicals in our processes and our products do not contain SVHC above 0.1%. This is with respect to the candidate list of substances issued by the European Chemicals Agency.
4.Batteries
All batteries supplied by Corintech in equipment or as spares are “Portable” (non-industrial or non-automotive) and should be disposed of according to local regulations. The customer may, at their own expense, return batteries to Corintech’s Head Office where there is a collection point for recycling but the batteries must not be damaged and they must be packed correctly. The customer must also take note of any transport regulations relating to lithium batteries.
5. Reductions
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Corintech aims to reduce our energy use, and therefore greenhouse gas emissions, through energy efficiency measures, the use of renewable energy sources and by promoting sustainable transportation.
Waste
We aim to reuse packaging items when possible, to minimise waste and to promote recycling in all our operations. We will also work to minimise the use of disposable items.
Water
Corintech’s operations don’t require large amounts of water but we will strive to conserve water throughout our sites.
Suppliers
Corintech will encourage our key suppliers to also monitor their energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, waste and water usage with the aim of reducing it.
6.Reporting and Monitoring
Corintech has a continual improvement approach to sustainability throughout the Company. Members of the Environmental Committee undertake site audits, we continually monitor our progress and we report environmental Key Performance Indicators within our annual ESG report. We are also committed to using a third-party business sustainability rating service, EcoVadis, or an equivalent.
