In 1995, we established a set of guidelines to help in selecting more environment-friendly materials for use in products and packaging, followed in 1996 by a set of environmental standards applying to purchasing operations. In February 2000, we issued a document entitled Green Purchasing Criteria to further enhance efforts in this area. The former establishes criteria for environmental protection and for selection of materials and office supplies, while the latter takes a prevention-based approach in establishing three levels of classification for pollutant substances with corresponding guidelines for their handling. Classification-based management of pollutant substances Environmental Product Assessment for New Product Development Environmental product assessment is a system in use at MEW designed to reduce the environmental burden by creating environmentally harmonized products. Electricity savings are also made by adding a lid which prevents heat loss from the heated seat.
Reduction is due more to water savings than to electricity savings.