Chemical Substance Initiatives
Approach to Chemical Substances
Sony endeavors to minimize the risk that chemical substances it uses might cause serious harm to human health and the environment. Chemical substances used in Sony products are suitably managed based on available data including national regulations, toxicity, environmental impacts, applications, and content level in components and products. Sony adopts a precautionary approach and takes steps to identify and strive to eliminate substances considered to be high-risk, even in cases where scientific evidence is insufficient, thereby reducing potential impact on the environment. Sony manages the type and application of chemical substances used at business sites, and, for high-risk substances, sets criteria for managing each substance to either prohibit their use or reduce emissions or amounts transferred.
Considering environmental impact throughout a product’s life cycle, Sony requires its materials and parts suppliers and subcontractors to comply with laws and regulations in each country restricting or banning the use of chemical substances in materials, parts, semi-finished goods and finished products delivered to Sony based on Sony’s own chemical substance management standards. In production processes as well, we are calling for the gradual reduction and elimination of substances restricted under international frameworks as well as for worker protection from exposure, all stipulated by Sony, and we continue to investigate the use of these substances.
Sony Sites
The Sony Group has developed a group-wide approach to the management of chemical substances used at sites where the use of these chemicals is controlled by legislation, designated as having a potentially harmful impact on the environment, or used in large quantities.
Reinforcing Standards for Managing Chemical Substances
Sony categorizes chemical substances into four classes and carefully manages and reduces the amounts of these chemical substances used, as well as the amount transferred as air, water, or soil emissions and waste. In countries where no legal reporting requirements exist for chemical management, Sony sites apply standards based on Japan’s Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (PRTR) as internal rules. Chemical substances are classified as follows:
| Class 1 substances: Prohibit use |
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|---|---|
| Class 2 substances: Prohibit use (Exemptions granted for certain applications) |
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| Class 3 substances: Reduce the amounts released and transferred |
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| Class 4 substances: Comply with the relevant laws and regulations and use under appropriate control |
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Efforts to Reduce VOC Emissions to Air
With the fiscal year 2025 target of reducing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released into the air*1 to fiscal year 2010 levels or lower, Sony worked on a variety of initiatives, such as transitioning to VOC alternatives and reducing the amount of VOCs used in the manufacturing process. In fiscal year 2025, VOC emissions into the air were approximately 894 metric tons, down approximately 24.5% relative to fiscal year 2010. The decline was the result of a series of measures that include replacing VOCs with alternative substances, reducing VOC use in manufacturing processes and adopting VOC processing equipment.
- *1For details on the scope of data collection, please refer to "Scope, Collection Period, and Accuracy of Compiled Data" > "Scope of data collection" > "Site data" in the Data Book “Environmental Data Collection Methods and Rationale.” For details on the data calculation methods and rationale, please refer to “Other Data Collection Methods and Rationale” > “Volume of chemical substances handled/emitted” in the Data Book “Environmental Data Collection Methods and Rationale.” Following Sony’s completion of the partial spin-off of its Financial Services business on October 1, 2025, the scope of data collection for this report generally excludes the Financial Services business; however, in accordance with the “Environmental Data Collection Methods and Rationale,” performance against this target includes data from the Financial Services business for the period up to the execution of the Spin-off.
Release of VOCs into the Air
Efforts to Reduce VOC Emissions to the Air
Sony Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation (SCK) collaborated with an equipment manufacturer to develop a proprietary volatile organic compound (VOC) treatment system as part of ongoing efforts to reduce the amount of VOCs released. Conventional VOC treatment systems are installed near ventilation duct outlets. Since such equipment is designed to treat extremely rarefied organic substances, it is very large, making space and cost constraints an issue for semiconductor plants that want to install these types of systems. SCK responded by focusing on production equipment for highly concentrated organic substances and developed a small, fixed condensing-type VOC treatment system in conjunction with an equipment manufacturer. The newly developed system can be installed near production equipment and can efficiently treat VOCs.
In addition, SCK is working to reduce the use of solvents containing VOCs in the cleaning process for removing chemical residues from manufacturing parts. Specifically, by applying coatings to the surface of parts to prevent contaminants from adhering, and by optimizing the design of cleaning tools to improve cleaning efficiency, the amount of solvents used has been reduced.
Ozone-Depleting Substances
Sony succeeded in completely eliminating first-generation chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) from its manufacturing processes in 1993 and banned the use of second-generation hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) at the end of fiscal year 2000. Sony business sites currently prohibit the use of ozone depleting substances stipulated under the Montreal Protocol. Fluorocarbons are used only as refrigerants in cooling equipment such as some building air-conditioning systems; Sony complies with the laws and regulations of each country and strictly manages them to prevent leakage during maintenance and other operations.
Environmental Risk Management at Sony Sites
To carry out effective risk management of chemical substances and emergency responses, the Sony Group has enacted the Sony Group Standards for Site Environmental Risk Management, which set the management standard and give examples of improvement measures. Based on these standards, at each site Sony has implemented accident prevention measures, including prohibiting the burial of tanks for chemical substances and pipes, and various leak prevention measures. In addition, Sony rigorously works to prevent environmental accidents through ongoing improvements to its systems based on regular audits at each site, information sharing among sites and other initiatives. Sony has established a system whereby its sites are required to promptly report environmental accidents to the authorities and to take appropriate countermeasures.
Response to Soil and Groundwater Contamination
In the event that an incident of soil or groundwater contamination is identified at a Sony site in a voluntary check or other assessment, remediation processes are implemented in compliance with pertinent local laws and ordinances. For example, Sony Group companies in Japan deal with the occurrence of contamination of soil and groundwater at Group sites by taking steps in line with the Sony Group Standard for Assessing Soil and Groundwater, an internal document that sets out procedures that comply with Japanese laws and ordinances. This manual stipulates that issues be addressed through the following three phases:
Phase 1
Investigate past and present chemical use and confirm the existence or otherwise of used or unused underground tanks, buried piping, other similar equipment, or previous incidents, at the site. Perform an inspection of the site to ascertain whether there is any residual soil or groundwater contamination.
Phase 2
Based on the investigations undertaken in Phase 1, carry out an assessment of the areas that are potentially contaminated. Undertake measurements at these locations in line with the Soil Contamination Countermeasures Act.
Phase 3
If any contamination is identified based on these results, carry out prevention and remediation procedures.
Incidents of soil and groundwater contamination resulting from operations have been confirmed at Sony Group sites as follows. In response, Sony has been remediating the contamination and submitting regular reports to authorities.
Progress of Soil and Groundwater Remediation (as of August 2026)
| Site | Sony Global Manufacturing & Operations Corporation's Inazawa Site (Japan) |
Sony Group Corporation Atsugi Technology Center (Japan) |
Sony Group Corporation Atsugi Technology Center (Japan) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Date Contamination Confirmed |
June 2001 (Result of voluntary assessment) |
March 2022 (Result of voluntary assessment) |
February 2023 (Investigation in accordance with the Soil Contamination Countermeasures Act) |
| Substance(s) Detected |
Fluorine |
Fluorine and its compounds |
Fluorine and its compounds |
| Cause |
Leak from crack in drainage pipe |
Leak from loose drainage pipe fitting |
Assumed to be the result of past business activities |
| Response/Current Status |
The site has discontinued use of the equipment that caused the contamination and is remediating and monitoring groundwater. |
An administrative report indicated that the area presents no risk of health hazards, though soil and groundwater contamination exist on site in June 2022. Contaminated soil was removed from the site as of September 2022. Monitoring groundwater contamination is ongoing. |
The administrative report in March 2023 indicated that the area presents no risk of health hazards, though there is soil contamination. Contaminated soil replacement was completed (with some exceptions) in January 2025. |
Please see below for the latest information on site status.
Management of Risks Related to Chemical Substances
As a company that uses chemical substances, Sony discloses information on emissions of such substances and exchanges views on safety and environmental issues with residents in the vicinity of its sites, as well as with local authorities, with the aim of reinforcing mutual understanding.
For instance, Sony Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation actively participates in local community events and organizes its own interactive events. The company holds tours of its plants for local residents, where it introduces water and waste treatment processes, and participates in Eco Festa and other local events to share its environmental conservation efforts.
Products and Services
Managing Chemical Substances in Products and Packaging*2
- *2Applies to Sony Group Corporation, the G&NS, ET&S and I&SS segments, and certain companies in the All Other segment.
Sony’s Proprietary Global Standards for the Management of Chemical Substances
Many of Sony’s electronics products are made of between a few hundred and a few thousand parts and contain a variety of chemical substances, some of which may be classified as hazardous and may harm the environment if they are not properly treated prior to product disposal. Many countries and regions have introduced various laws and regulations regarding products with chemical substances to prevent such environmental harm.
In light of the global nature of its markets and supply chains, Sony has established its own global standards for the management of chemical substances, titled “Management Regulations for the Environment-related Substances to be Controlled which are Included in Parts and Materials (SS-00259),”*3 taking into account the related laws and regulations around the world and simultaneously the opinions of various stakeholders. In line with these standards, Sony ensures globally consistent management of chemical substances in parts and materials that make up its products.
- *3Management Regulations for the Environment-related Substances to be Controlled which are Included in Parts and Materials (SS-00259) refers to Sony standards that are used for giving directions to suppliers on chemical substances for items procured by Sony. (For more information, please refer to “Management Regulations for Environment-related Substances to be Controlled which are Included in Parts and Materials” on the Sony website.)
System for Managing Chemical Substances in Products
Compliance with Regulations for Chemical Substances in Products in Various Countries and Regions
Sony has set up necessary procedures to ensure compliance with regulations for chemical substances in products in various countries and regions. In response to the CE marking requirement under RoHS Directive*4 and REACH Regulation*5 to provide information to customers and to submit notification, Sony has adopted the chemSHERPA*6 scheme based on IEC 62474.*7 This enables Sony to collect data on specified chemical substances in parts and materials purchased from suppliers for management in an internal database.
- *4Directive on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electric and electronic equipment (RoHS).
- *5REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) is a regulation for managing chemical substances whereby companies are required to, among others, register, apply for authorization, notify, restrict and communicate information on certain chemical substances.
- *6chemSHERPA is a scheme that facilitates sharing information throughout an entire supply chain on chemical substances used in products.
- *7IEC 62474 is a set of international standards regulating the procedures, content, format and other aspects of reporting within the supply chain regarding the presence of chemical substances and constituent materials in electrical and electronic products.
Three Core Principles for Managing Chemical Substances in Products
To guide its efforts to manage chemical substances in products in compliance with Sony’s own global standards for management of chemical substances, titled “Management Regulations for Environment- related Substances to be Controlled which are Included in Parts and Materials (SS-00259),” Sony has established three core principles:
Upstream Management
Sony introduced the Green Partner Environmental Quality Approval Program in 2002. This program outlines Sony’s Green Partner Standards for chemical substance management. Sony audits suppliers based on these standards. Sony purchases parts only from suppliers who have passed this audit and have been certified as Green Partners. Sony also applies the Green Partner Environmental Quality Approval Program to manufacturing partners. To further enhance the efficiency of the system to manage chemical substances, Sony also supplies our primary suppliers with a List of Specified Raw Material Suppliers (a list of recycled plastic and, coated wire suppliers list) through our electronic procurement system.
Management in Quality Control/Quality Assurance Processes
New parts and materials are tested to confirm whether they comply with “Management Regulations for Environment-related Substances to be controlled which are Included in Parts and Materials (SS-00259),” based on collected chemSHERPA data, in addition to conventional quality control standards. By implementing these strict management procedures worldwide, non-compliant products are prevented from entering the market.
Utilization of Chemical Analysis
To prevent prohibited substances from accidentally entering products, Sony requires suppliers to conduct precision analysis (10 substances) on the specific parts and raw materials. For some high-risk substances Sony has also implemented internal control systems where we perform analysis to help confirm that prohibited substances are kept out of products.
Management of Chemical Substances in Packaging Materials
Sony takes precautions to increase the safety of its packaging materials and ensure that hazardous substances, including heavy metals, are not mixed into packaging materials by managing materials in line with its proprietary “Management Regulations for Environment related Substances to be Controlled which are Included in Parts and Materials (SS-00259).”
Organic Fluorine Compound Initiatives*8
Sony prohibits use of PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid), PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonic acid) and PFHxS (perfluorohexane-1-sulfonic acid), which are considered particularly harmful among PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), in our products.
PFAS in accessories, carrying cases and other textiles is prohibited as of January 2024. Currently, we are working to understand use of PFAS in electronics other than textiles to better understand usage amount and scope. Sony will continue to comply with regulations in each country and region and promote alternatives.
- *8Applies to Sony Group Corporation, the G&NS, ET&S and I&SS segments, and certain companies in the All Other segment.
Reduction and Replacement of Chemical Substances of Very High Concern*9
Sony defines “Environment-related Substances to be Controlled” (hereafter “Controlled Substances”) as certain chemicals that it has determined to have significant impact on both humans and the global environment, including substances that may not be controlled by laws (please refer to “Management Regulations for Environment-related Substances to be Controlled which are Included in Parts and Materials (SS-00259)).” Sony either prohibits the use of these substances in parts or phases them out wherever a viable alternative that meets all product quality requirements and are technically and economically available. In addition, Sony specifies high-risk applications from collected application- and content-related information, considering the hazardous nature and extent of exposure (volume) as risk factors, and proceeds to prohibit the “Controlled Substances” in the specified use.
- *9Applies to the G&NS, ET&S and I&SS segments, and certain companies in the All Other segment.
Replacement of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
Improper disposal of PVCs poses a risk of generating hazardous substances. For example, Sony is concerned about the possibility that its small electronic products, in particular, could be collected to obtain valuable materials, and then the unwanted parts could be improperly incinerated and disposed of in landfills, thus causing adverse environmental impacts. In addition, there are also concerns about the environmental and health impact of some of the substances used as plasticizers and stabilizers in PVCs. Although PVCs are not currently regulated by any laws and regulations that apply to chemical substances used in electronic products, Sony works to reduce PVC content in individual components.
Examples of products (new products and models) where PVC has been replaced, as of the end of July 2026, are listed on the following website.
Replacement of Brominated Flame Retardants (BFRs)
Some BFRs are harmful to human health and tend to remain in the environment and accumulate in living organisms. As is the case with PVC, improper incineration of BFRs carries a risk of releasing harmful substances into the environment. Sony has banned the use of components and materials containing any of three specified BFRs—polybrominated diphenyl ethers, polybrominated biphenyls, or hexabromocyclododecanes—and is working on BFR alternatives once quality, technical and supply issues are resolved. For plastic external enclosures of electronics products, Sony has banned the delivery of parts or materials that use halogenated flame retardants, including BFRs, from January 2026.
Also, Sony is working to use Sony developed environmentally sound, bromine-free flame retardant for the manufacture of a polycarbonate plastic flame retardant in some product categories such as LCD TVs.
Examples of products (new products and models) where BFR has been replaced, as of the end of July 2026, are listed on the following website.
Substance Management in Xperia™ Smartphones
In the smartphone category, Sony began phasing out brominated flame retardants (BFRs) in circuit boards, casings, and cables starting in 2002, making it one of the first companies in the industry to phase out BFRs. Since then, Sony has continued the journey and phased out BFRs in all parts, and also phased out chlorinated flame retardants (CFRs), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), as well as phthalates, beryllium, and antimony trioxide in plastic and resin.
Development and Introduction Support for Low VOC Paint
Sony has long supported the development and introduction of water-based paints and other low VOC paints in order for manufacturers to reduce the volatile organic compounds (VOC) generated in the product painting process.
It’s technically more difficult to ensure the coating performance and aesthetic beauty used to evaluate overall performance with water-based paints than with conventional paints. To remedy these points, Sony worked with paint manufacturers to learn how to optimize paint components, repeatedly undergoing a verification process at our in-house laboratory that was used to improve coating performance and aesthetic appearance.
Through this, we succeeded in developing a low environmental impact water-based paint that more than halves the VOC generated*10 while still maintaining the same performance as conventional paint. We also provided support for introducing coating equipment that is optimal for using water-based paint at coating manufacturers.
Once we had ensured the paints met the high quality standards required of Sony products, we began using them for some products in 2020, then for Vlog camera ZV-E1.*11
- *10Compared with individual parts
- *11Water-based paint is used for the resin parts of the black model. Type of paint may be changed as needed for production time.
