Duurzaamheid & ESG
Bij PENTAX Medical willen we verantwoordelijke burgers zijn. Samen met HOYA zetten wij ons in voor de bescherming van ons milieu, de ondersteuning van gemeenschappen en de verbetering van levens over de hele wereld.
Finding the balance
At PENTAX Medical, we are committed to being responsible global citizens. We strive to balance patient safety with the inevitable environmental and climate impacts and work to improve this balance and our level of sustainability by actively contributing to environmental protection, social progress, and economic development. Together with HOYA, we use our resources and expertise to create a positive impact worldwide, enhancing the quality of life for people around the globe. Our ESG and Sustainability Management System guides our efforts across key initiatives, including Green Endoscopy — developing sustainable solutions without compromising care quality. Through innovative research and development, we’re establishing new industry standards in environmental stewardship while promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in healthcare access. This brochure highlights our key sustainability initiatives, with comprehensive information available on our website.
It has always been our mission to help improve people’s lives through intelligent solutions
At PENTAX Medical, it has always been our mission to help improve people’s lives through intelligent solutions. We recognize our responsibility to minimize our impact on nature and society, and we are committed to finding the balance between advancing healthcare and protecting the environment. We want to contribute to a brighter future for coming generations, and we are actively working to improve our level of sustainability. We support a range of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In addition, we established longterm ESG objectives which reflect the priorities of our customers, patients, and the society. As smart innovators, we continuously seek sustainable solutions in our product designand manufacturing, transportation, and waste management.
We are dedicated to minimize or compensate for our carbon emissions. We also focus on societal needs, supporting equal opportunities and providing access to high-quality education and healthcare. A key part of this journey is the implementation of our ESG Management System, which guides us towards more responsible and sustainable practices and allows us to help our customers meet their own sustainability requirements. Our journey to a more sustainable future has only just begun, and I invite you to join us on this path. Together, we believe we can find the balance between nature and society, ensuring a better world for future generations.
My mission is to make ESG principles a natural part of everything we do.
As Global ESG Team Coordinator at PENTAX Medical, I work beyond individual departments to integrate sustainability throughout our entire organization. My mission is to make ESG principles a natural part of everything we do. Sustainability is not the responsibility of one team but a shared commitment across all departments, regions, and areas of expertise.
From Research & Development, manufacturing, sales, and service, to administration:
ESG principles are essential in every department.
My role is to coordinate these activities and help teams understand how they contribute to ESG goals.
The best part of my role is working with our global teams who share this commitment. Helping colleagues discover how they can contribute to sustainability is rewarding, as each step moves us toward a more responsible future.
Ontdek onze reis naar duurzaamheid
Als verantwoordelijke fabrikant van medische hulpmiddelen streven we naar een balans tussen patiëntveiligheid en de onvermijdelijke impact op het milieu en het klimaat. We werken aan het verbeteren van deze balans en het duurzaamheidsniveau door ons afval te verminderen of te zoeken naar milieuvriendelijke alternatieven.
Als onderdeel van onze maatschappelijke verantwoordelijkheid ondersteunen we gelijkheid en bevorderen we de toegang tot kwaliteitsonderwijs en gezondheidszorg voor iedereen. Als slimme vernieuwers geloven we dat we een balans kunnen vinden tussen natuur en mens, industrie en maatschappij.
Downloaden als PDF
Certified commitment to sustainable operations
Having secured ISO 14001 certification for our Japanese facilities, we’re actively working to extend this globally recognized environmental standard across our worldwide operations. It demonstrates our tangible commitment to reducing environmental impact while maintaining product excellence.
In 2024, PENTAX Medical France achieved the Ecovadis Silver Label. In 2025, we plan to conduct a global Ecovadis assessment to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to ESG.
PENTAX Medical, a subsidiary of HOYA, is proud of its joint efforts and awards in the field of ESG.
MSCI ESG Rating
AAA (highest of seven ratings, achieved for two consecutive years)
Sustainanalytics
ESG risk rating: Low Risk
CDP Climate Change
B Score (Up 2 notches from C score in previous fiscal year)
Duurzame Ontwikkelingsdoelen van de Verenigde Naties
De 2030 Agenda voor Duurzame Ontwikkeling werd in 2015 aangenomen door alle VN-lidstaten en resulteerde in 17 Duurzame Ontwikkelingsdoelen. Deze bieden een kader om vrede en welvaart te verbeteren en onze planeet te beschermen en schoon te maken. Het stelt alle bedrijven en organisaties wereldwijd in staat om elkaar te helpen deze doelen te bereiken.
Bij PENTAX Medical erkennen we de noodzaak van actie om wereldwijde uitdagingen zoals klimaatverandering aan te pakken.
Onze reis naar een duurzamere toekomst is nog maar net begonnen. Wij nodigen u uit om met ons mee te gaan en ons te volgen op deze weg.
Green Endoscopy for sustainable healthcare
Balancing sustainability with exceptional patient care, our Green Endoscopy initiative reflects our dedication to reducing environ mental impact across operations. Green Endoscopy spans across multiple areas of our business, including Research & Development, manufacturing, and service. In R & D, we focus on developing more sustainable materials and processes, ensuring that our devices are clinically efficient as well as eco-friendly. In manufacturing, we strive to minimize waste and emissions, while our service teams work to extend product life spans through efficient repair and maintenance.
A key aspect of this initiative is our collaboration with key medical associations such as ASGE and ESGE. Together, we’re advancing sustainable healthcare practices. Our focus remains on supporting customers’ environmental goals while ensuring uncompromised product quality and patient safety.
Bomen planten als compensatie
Om de veiligheid van patiënten te garanderen, wordt de productie van medische producten gereguleerd door strenge kwaliteitsborgingsprocessen en veiligheidsvoorschriften. Koolstofemissies kunnen daarom niet altijd volledig worden vermeden. Om dit te compenseren, zoeken we naar manieren om onze koolstofuitstoot te neutraliseren. We steunen graag het Herbebossingsproject in Togo om de koolstofuitstoot bij de productie van onze PlasmaBAG™ endoscoopbewaarzakjes te compenseren. Als gevolg hiervan zijn alle PlasmaBAG endoscoopbewaarzakken koolstofneutraal.
Gerecycled materiaal gebruiken
Omdat de hulpbronnen van onze planeet beperkt zijn, streven we ernaar oplossingen te ontwikkelen die minder nodig hebben om meer te bereiken. Centraal in dit streven staat het onderzoeken van het gebruik van duurzame materialen voor onze producten. Daarom hebben we een nieuwe PlasmaBAG™ endoscoop-opbergtas geïntroduceerdgemaakt van 80% gerecycled polyethyleen, die in 2022 van start is gegaan. Deze heeft het Duitse ecolabel 'Blauer Engel'.
Minder energieverbruik
Het drogen en opslaan van opgewerkte endoscopen kan een tijdrovende en energie-intensieve procedure zijn. Reguliere oplossingen vereisen lange droogcycli en een continue toevoer van medische lucht en warmte voor opslag, wat een non‑stop elektriciteitsverbruik met zich meebrengt. Met onze nieuwste innovatie op het gebied van droog- en opslagsystemen, PlasmaTYPHOON™+, zijn we erin geslaagd het energieverbruik aanzienlijk te verlagen en tegelijkertijd de efficiëntie te verbeteren. Eén PlasmaTYPHOON+ systeem reduceert de droog- en opslagprocedure van endoscopen van uren tot slechts 1 tot 3 minutenen biedt 'energieneutrale' opslag voor maximaal 31 dagenwaardoor het totale elektriciteitsverbruik aanzienlijk daalt.
Een kostbare hulpbron beschermen
Van smeltende gletsjers tot vervuilde rivieren of plastic in de oceanen, water vereist dat we het met respect behandelen. We zijn voortdurend op zoek naar manieren om ons waterverbruik te verminderen en hebben dit doel wereldwijd verankerd in ons fundamentele milieubeleid.
Opknappen van gebruikte onderdelen
Om de levensduur van producten te verlengen, hebben we altijd reparatiediensten aangeboden. Om onze reparatieprocessen duurzamer te maken en ons te richten op 'verminderen en hergebruiken', knappen we ook onderdelen op van afgedankte endoscopen en processors en gebruiken deze voor reparaties. Door jaarlijks wereldwijd tienduizenden medische apparaten te repareren en printplaten (PCB's) en duizenden cameraonderdelen (CCD's) te reviseren voor hergebruik, helpen we natuurlijke hulpbronnen te sparen en afval te verminderen.
Reducing waste and water pollution
With our latest innovation AquaTYPHOON™, we support healthcare institutions worldwide to minimize their waste generation and water pollution during the endoscope pre-cleaning step.
AquaTYPHOON technology enables automated brushless pre-cleaning of endoscopes using only air and water, thus eliminating the use of detergent and single-use consumables.
This way, the waste generation of this reprocessing step can be reduced by up to 99%.
Environmentally friendly plastic bags
Our new eco-friendly accessory packaging introduces bags made from 70% polyethylene and 30% green polyethylene from renewable sources, replacing traditional 100% polyethylene materials. These new bags also feature a bio‑mass mark and updated labeling to reflect their eco-friendly nature.
Initially rolling out in November 2024 for zipper bags sized 60 × 85 mm to 240 × 340 mm, this program will gradually expand to additional sizes, reducing our reliance on fossil-based materials while advancing our sustainability goals.
Plastic reduction and packaging optimization
Our ongoing commitment to reducing plastic consumption has yielded significant results through optimized packaging methods.
By replacing black plastic theft protection bags with transparent pallet wraps in January 2023, we achieved a reduction in plastic use during the first quarter, projecting a total decrease of 308 kg by March 2024.
Additionally, our repair service department’s optimization of minimum order quantities has further decreased plastic usage and eliminated 5,368 barcode stickers through March 2024.
While each step may appear small, these initiatives combine with other measures to create meaningful impact over time.
Reducing paper consumption
As part of our efforts to minimize resource consumption, we transitioned to paperless processes in several key areas. In April 2023, we switched from retaining paper copies of security export control management documents to electronic PDFs in our repair service group.
This shift has already resulted in the reduction of 284 sheets of paper in the first month, with a total reduction of 1,294 sheets projected by March 2024.
Additionally, this initiative has reduced costs and increased operational efficiency by decreasing printer power consumption and freeing up storage space.
Downsizing endoscope repair tool packaging
In a recent initiative, we were able to downsize the packaging for our endoscope repair tools. Specifically, the staycoil separator used in the new i20c series of colonoscopes has been redesigned from a one‑piece tool to a multi‑piece type. This redesign has allowed us to
reduce packaging size by over 50%,
save both materials and labor,
reduce packaging time by 30 minutes per unit,
lower the consumption of cushioning material.
By optimizing the design and packaging of our repair tools, we are able to minimize waste, reduce storage space requirements, and improve overall efficiency.
This effort is part of our broader commitment to making every aspect of our operations as eco-friendly as possible.
Local procurement reducing carbon
PENTAX Medical has also taken steps to localize procurement, reducing the environmental impact of transportation.
Historically, adhesives used in our repair services were imported from Japan to global service regions.
In 2023, we made some of these adhesives available for local purchase for the first time.
This change has reduced transportation costs and CO₂ emissions, while also decreasing the time and effort required for order management and inventory control. We are continuing to explore opportunities for local procurement in other product categories to further enhance our sustainability efforts.
A strong commitment to infection prevention
Endoscopy is continuously innovating to improve clinical outcomes, while significant opportunities remain for enhancing patient safety and infection prevention. In today’s environment of heightened environmental awareness and staff shortages, improving endoscope decontamination has become increasingly critical.
Patient health and safety is central to everything we do at PENTAX Medical. Through innovative products, optimized processes, and healthcare worker partnerships, we continuously improve patient safety and infection prevention.
Our comprehensive hygiene solutions offer the power of choice, ensuring the right solution for each individual patient while reducing the risk of cross-contamination.
Educating healthcare professionals in hygiene
In healthcare, knowledge is everything. We see it as our responsibility to ensure the continuous development and training of healthcare professionals (HCPs).
Drawing upon decades of experience, PENTAX Medical actively shares know ledge through training, educational courses, and clinical applications. Our PENTAX Medical Forward Academy™ connects talented professionals with renowned mentors from leading worldwide hospitals, creating ambassadors for the future of endoscopy.
Through our global training centers and partnerships with worldwide leading educators like GIEQs and IRCAD, we’ve developed comprehensive curricula to address field disparities and empower HCPs.
Our commitment focuses on enhancing skills and elevating patient outcomes through carefully designed educational programs.
Women in endoscopy
Studies show a significant underrepresentation of women in advanced endoscopy, with only 12.8 % of advanced endoscopy fellowship matches being women in 2019. PENTAX Medical actively addresses this disparity through a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We proudly partner with key organizations including
Women in Endoscopy (WiE),
FAIR Foundation and
WEGE (Women empowerment in gastrointestinal endoscopy)
Our aim is to level the playing field and accelerate progress toward parity. These initiatives aim to create a more equitable future in endoscopy.
At PENTAX Medical, we recognize that inclusivity in endoscopy goes beyond representation – it also means designing solutions that meet the diverse needs of all practitioners. That’s why we are constantly exploring innovations in ergonomics and usability to create instruments that support the well‑being and performance of all endoscopists, including women.
Dedicated to expanding our knowledge in sustainability
Recognizing sustainability as an emerging focus in endoscopy, we’re actively seeking partnerships with academic institutions to develop innovative solutions.
Our pilot collaboration with Switzerland’s Sustainability Management School (SUMAS) is a good example of this approach. In May 2024, students from SUMAS presented their inspiring ideas at our office in Italy, sharing how they would suggest to enhance our operational sustainability.
Building on this positive experience, we plan to expand our partnerships with additional universities to expand our knowledge base and continue learning from the latest research in sustainability. By fostering these partnerships, we aim to develop new strategies and solutions that can further enhance our sustainability efforts.
These collaborations represent the first steps in our commitment to improving environmental performance and implementing innovative practices across our operations.
Product Safety Assurance Policy and Structure
Each company in the HOYA Group complies with the standards required of products in Japan and elsewhere around the world. We also comply with laws, regulations, and other standards related to product quality and safety.
Safety and Health
The HOYA Group is pushing for the creation of a pleasant workplace environment where every one of the employees can work in good health and safely. The Group believes that such a work environment is essential for a fulfilling life of each of the employees and a lasting development of our enterprise.
Labor Management
The HOYA Code of Conduct stipulates the basic guidelines to be complied with when performing operations based on the Corporate Mission and values of the HOYA Group.
Training
At the HOYA Group, we provide a work environment that respects individuality and diversity and promotes the growth of individuals while giving consideration to the safety and health of employees.
Supply Chain Management & Human Rights
PENTAX Medical is deeply committed to ensuring that human rights are respected throughout our supply chains. We conduct thorough risk assessments to identify and address potential human rights violations.
Compliance
Elke werknemer moet zich aan compliance houden.
Integriteit bij het bereiken van zakelijke doelen op alle niveaus.
Naleving van de HOYA-code, met de nadruk op wettig en ethisch gedrag.
Strikt verbod op ongepaste betalingen, wereldwijd gehandhaafd.
