At Sharp, a factory must achieve a high degree of environmental performance to earn the designation of Green Factory. The basic policies and operational know-how for achieving Green Factory status have been formulated in line with 10 concepts in the Green Factory Guidelines. These guidelines were introduced at all domestic production sites from fiscal 1999 onward and at all overseas production sites from fiscal 2001 onward.

Sharp uses unique, quantified environmental performance criteria to assess and approve a plant for certification. A plant must score 70 or more points out of a possible 100 in the assessment process to earn Green Factory certification, and score 90 or more points to achieve Super Green Factory certification.

For new plants, environmental assessments are begun in the early planning stages to ensure that these facilities will attain high levels of environmental performance, with the ultimate aim of achieving Super Green Factory status. Existing plants will realize high environmental performance by gradually upgrading their environmental capabilities.

Beginning in fiscal 2008, Sharp will launch an effort to develop Super Green Factories that have an even higher level of environmental performance. SGF II is a new initiative that adds an assessment of “soft” aspects, such as the know-how to operate and maintain environmental equipment, and focuses on achieving absolute reductions in the level of greenhouse gases emitted and the amount of waste discharged.