On its way to becoming an “Environmentally Advanced Company”, Sharp was again able to make a mark in 2009. The experts in office communication and document logistics obtained the “Blue Angel” seal of environmental quality for 13 of their current multifunctional systems[1] and for the two printers DX-B350P and DX-B450P. The best known environmental label in the world particularly commends products with sustainable use of resources and low emissions.

Excellent environmental standards

The award of the famous Blue Angel eco-label certifies that the Sharp electronics group complies with important environmental standards. The numerous test criteria for this eco-label include ease of recycling (the principle of “recyclable design”) and the use of environmentally compatible and reusable components in the production of MFPs and printers. Also, the use of substances raising health concerns must be avoided in the manufacturing process.

Another key criterion in the award of this environmental seal of approval was the energy‑efficient performance of Sharp systems. “After ‘Energy Star 1.1’[2], the Blue Angel is already the second major environmental label to commend the low power consumption of our new generation of MFPs," says Keiichi Katsuta, President of the Division Sharp Information Systems Europe. "To take just one example, with power consumption from 4.06 to 5.36 kWh[3], the current A3 monochrome systems in our MX series are up to 60% more efficient in operating mode than their predecessor models”.[4]

The emissions of Sharp products during copying and printing comply with the health‑oriented limits of the Blue Angel label or are even well below these limits. The duplex arrangement of the print systems permits double-sided document printing, thereby also helping to conserve resources.

Super Green Factory

Sharp manufactures its energy-saving and energy-generating products in ecologically advanced factories with methods that make sustainable use of resources: the environmental standards of the technology company specify recirculation capability, product longevity and easy dismantling.

Almost all Sharp plants and subsidiaries are certified in compliance with the ISO 14001 environmental management system. For example, Sharp Manufacturing France SMF, which has manufactured more than a million printers and multifunctional systems for the European market over the last 20 years, was already officially certified as an environmentally friendly factory ten years ago, and since July 2006, it has also met Sharp's strict internal requirements for a "Super Green Factory”.

“Sharp considers that it is duty-bound to ensure responsible and exemplary management of natural resources as part of ecological cost savings. This sense of duty means that we shall still be bound in future by our commitment to manufacture environmentally compatible multifunctional systems and printers using environmentally advanced production processes and to improve these products and processes continually," adds Keiichi Katsuta.

[1] In 2009, the following Sharp MFPs were awarded the Blue Angel: the A3 monochrome MFPs AR-M256 and AR-M316, the A4 colour MFP DX-C381, the A3 colour MFPs MX-5000N and MX-5001N, the A4 colour MFPs MX-C380 and MX-C381 and the A3 monochrome MFPs MX-M363N/U, MX-M453N/U and MX-M503N/U.

[2] The Energy Star label is awarded to energy-saving PCs, monitors, printers, fax machines and photocopiers.  The Energy Star standard was developed in the USA and has also been established on a legal basis by the EU for the EU area. It is now a common product label in Europe.

[3] TEC (typical energy consumption) according to Energy Star Version 1.1; the "TEC” specifies a product’s energy consumption over a specified period of time, on the basis of assumed typical utilization patterns. To obtain the Energy Star label, the TEC value must be below a specified limit.

[4] Energy consumption of the MX-M503N in operating (TEC) / standby mode: 5.355 kWh / 0.728 W; MX-M503U: 5.099 kWh/ 0.719 W; MX-M453N: 4.995 kWh/ 0.710 W; MX-M453U: 4.736 kWh/ 0.718 W; MX-M363N: 4.187 kWh/ 0.703 W; MX-M363U: 4.057 kWh/ 0.714 W.