Sustainability — innovation

Today’s Sustainability Report details Epson’s customer-focused and sustainability-led innovation. The company’s heat free printers, for example, can cut power consumption and CO 2emissions by up to 83%. Europe-wide adoption of these technologies would cut 1 billion kWh of energy use a year and 410,000 tonnes of CO 2. Epson’s heat free technologies have inspired a partnership with National Geographic and its work to reverse the thaw of permafrost and an accompanying increase in methane emissions.

Epson’s EcoTank printerssimilarly bring benefits across the value chain, eliminating the need for ink cartridges. To date, EcoTank printers have removed 1.6 million tonnes of plastic based consumable waste from the environment. Further gains can be seen in Epson’s development of new textile printing technologies, which can slash water use by up to 90% and energy by 30%.

Epson also helps customers to close the resource loop with PaperLab.It is a world first dry fibre process that allows in-office paper recycling — to significantly reduce water consumption and the need for transport to offsite recycling centres.

Sustainability — oversight

Epson’s Sustainability Report also details the company’s commitment to independent, robust and internationally respected oversight.

In 2021 Epson has achieved its second consecutive Platinum Status rating with EcoVadis, one of the world’s most trusted business sustainability rating platforms. Platinum status places Epson in the top 1% of sustainability performers in the computer and peripheral equipment manufacturing industry.

Epson’s platinum rating recognises the company’s global corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. In the four themes EcoVadis assessed, Epson received the highest “Outstanding” rating for the environment, as well as high scores for sustainable procurement, labour and human rights and ethics.

Epson has also been awarded Platinum Status with the Responsible Business Alliance (RBA)- the world's largest industry coalition dedicated to corporate social responsibility in global supply chains. Platinum Status is only awarded to those companies that meet the highest standards of Corporate Social Responsibility. Epson has undergone a robust assessment and shown that it is a company dedicated to meaningful sustainability and the wellbeing of its employees.

The past year has also seen Epson:

• Move into the not for profit, global disclosure CDP platform’s A-List — and selected for the second year running as global supply chain leader.

• Join the RE100 initiative through its commitment to 100% renewable electricity

• Operate to ISO 9001 and 14001 standards

• Included in FTSE4Good Index Series for the 18 thconsecutive year

Henning Ohlsson, Director Sustainability, Epson Europe, said, “Epson’s Sustainability Report is much more than an overview of this year’s strategy and progress. It is a covenant that further commits our company to its role as an indispensable partner — innovating technologies that are sustainable as they are used in the real world, not simply when we produce them. It is only by looking at the bigger picture and working together — with scientists, partners and customers — that we can all move to a truly sustainable future.”