KAKETSUKEN obtained an International Standard for environmental management "ISO 14001: 1996" at its Head Office (at 1-6-1 Okubo Kumamoto, Japan) dated November 22, 2001.

As a responsibility of an organization belonging to an industry closely related to human health, KAKETSUKEN has continuously engaged in environmental issues, commencing with environmental pollution control measures. KAKETSUKEN defined its environmental policy in January 2001, and is developing this policy by complying with environmental regulations, reducing industrial waste disposal, saving energy, as well as implementing the additional programs noted below.

KAKETSUKEN is conducting forestation to secure water resources in a section of National forest (6.23hr) in Naidaijin Yabe, Kumamoto Japan, under a contract of forestation with the forest administration bureau. Employees of KAKETSUKEN also participate in the so-called forestation program "The KAKETSUKEN Forest." Approximately 19,000 broadleaf trees such as keyaki and Japanese beech are currently growing in the KAKETSUKEN Forest.

A new manufacturing factory (manufacturing plant for blood plasma derivatives; NS Building) was completed in December 2001. This factory was constructed in consideration of the environment by installing energy-saving and water-saving facilities, in addition to the primary objects of increasing manufacturing capacity and securing high quality.

In addition to compliance with new regulations such as the Containers and Packaging Recycling Law, KAKETSUKEN is making efforts to develop new products while reducing the burden on the environment. Kaketsuken is working on improved product packaging for their waste package materials to be properly treated and handled after use in medical institutions. One example is of changing (to simplified packaging) from product packaging (paper boxes) to PP (polypropylene) banded packaging.

The approximately 1,000 employees at KAKETSUKEN's Head Office are working on further reductions of the burden on the environment by continuing attempts to improve KAKETSUKEN's environmental management system.