Corporate Environmental Report

Validation

Validate to EMAS standard, or equivalent, 50% of sites by the end of 1996, and 100% by the end of 1997.

EMAS

The Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) is the voluntary European Community scheme for companies performing industrial activities for the evaluation and improvement of environmental performance. Site validation by an accredited third party within the EMAS scheme is achieved through:

the establishment and implementation of an appropriate company policy, program and environmental management system;

the systematic, objective and periodic evaluation of environmental performance and publication of the results to the public.

ISO 14001

This International Standard specifies requirements for EMS to enable an organization to formulate its policy and objectives on the environment. This Standard is applicable to any organization that wishes to:

implement, maintain and improve an environmental management system;
assure itself of conformance with its stated environmental policy;
seek certification of its EMS by an external organization;
make a self-determination and self-declaration of conformance to this International Standard.

By the end of 1997, all 17 of ST's manufacturing sites were EMAS validated and ISO 14001 certified. As a pre-requisite to obtaining EMAS validation, every site prepared and published a detailed Environmental Statement outlining its consumption of natural resources and release of substances to the environment. As required by EMAS, all sites update this Statement annually.

To maintain ISO 14001 certification, all sites receive a yearly surveillance visit by third parties. By the second quarter 1999, six manufacturing sites have been successfully EMAS re-validated and ISO 14001 recertified after the three year cycle. Revalidation/recertification of four other sites is planned for 1999, with the seven remaining scheduled for the year 2,000.

Highlights regarding EMAS and ISO are listed in Appendix 5.

Awards and Accolades received by STMicroelectronics are listed in Appendix 6.