Other Important Initiatives
Preservation of Clean Air
Honda recognizes that efforts for preservation of clean air have been a critical issue since the 1960s when the pollution problem became serious. The Company, therefore, has been working to protect the clean air through the development of technologies that reduce the gases emitted from its products.
Honda has reduced exhaust emissions from motorcycles by switching the engines of all its motorcycles on the market to four strokes, with the Honda Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI) system being applied to more than 88% of models sold worldwide for better combustion efficiency.
With regard to automobiles, the Accord Plug-in Hybrid has become the first in the world to certify to SULEV*1 20 of California’s LEV*2 III emissions regulations, deemed to be the toughest in the world. In addition, Honda has introduced technologies to reduce emissions in advance of other advanced emission regulations, such as Euro 6 in Europe and Stage 6 of particulate matter (PM) emissions in China.
As for power products, Honda has cleared compliance with United States Environmental Protection Agency Phase 3 regulations, the most stringent in the world, through engine enhancement technology without using a catalyst.
The solvents found in paint and thinner used mainly in paint processes can generate Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC), the cause of photochemical oxidants. Accordingly, Honda is working to reduce VOC emissions such as through the improvement of painting efficiency and the installation of equipment to remove VOC.
In the production of automobiles, the Company is promoting the global introduction of Honda Smart Ecological Paint*3, a highly functional painting technology that shortens the automobile painting process, from the Saitama Factory Automobile Plant.
Honda will continue to reduce emissions and set milestone sales ratios for electrified products in an effort to preserve clean air.
- Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle
- Low Emission Vehicle
- A technology that eliminates a middle coating process from the commonly used 4-coat/3-bake auto body painting process, thereby realizing a 3-coat/2-bake water-based painting process
- Carbon-free products: Products that do not emit CO₂ when being used
Carbon-free products*4
Management and Reduction of Chemical Substances
Honda works to ensure the appropriate management and reduction of the chemical substances contained in automotive components from the product design and development stages in order to reduce those materials that impact the environment.
Laws and regulations have been introduced in each country to ensure the appropriate management of chemical substances and the reduction of harmful substances contained in automotive components. These legislations are based on the goal set by the United Nations in 2002 of minimizing the impact of chemical substances on people and the environment by 2020.
The International Material Data System (IMDS), a mechanism for collecting information throughout the supply chain on the materials and chemical substances contained in components making up a vehicle, was developed in response to this trend largely by the German Association of the Automotive Industry. Honda is also tabulating and managing chemical substances via its independently developed global management system, called the Management System of Chemical Substances(MoCS), which collects information based on IMDS.
Honda promotes the management of chemical substances via MoCS to comply with the Regulation concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) and other regulations on the use of substances of concern in each country. In addition, Honda is moving ahead with the reduction of four types of heavy metals (lead, mercury, hexavalent chromium and cadmium), in accordance with the European Directive on End-of-Life Vehicles (ELV Directive).
