Green Product Health and Safety Management

We use the life cycle assessment method assess the high-quality electronic products produced by the Primax Group at various stages, such as raw material procurement, manufacturing, transportation, product use, and waste, to reduce the impact of our products on the environment. To effectively carry out life cycle assessment, Primax completed the development of a GHG Portal platform for carbon footprint calculation in 2021, as a basis for low-carbon product design.

In 2022, we have completed the establishment of an Eco-design management system and an environmental footprint database and combined ISO 14021, the single product regulations, and our existing information management systems (PLM, SAP, GP Portal) in compliance with ISO 14040 and 14044, to establish a complete green product management system. Additionally, in 2022, we conducted environmental footprint life cycle assessments for five key products (gaming mouse, keyboard, multifunctional printer, medium-sized speaker, and headphones), covering raw material production, transportation, manufacturing, product usage, transportation, and disposal of hazardous waste within the facility. These assessments accounted for approximately 41 % of the total revenue. In 2023, we will further expand our efforts by conducting product carbon footprint assessments, encompassing the entire product lifecycle from cradle to gate and during product usage.

Ecological Design

In 2022, we have completed the establishment of an Eco-design management system and an environmental footprint database and combine ISO 14021, the single product regulations, and our existing information management systems (PLM, SAP, GP Portal) in compliance with ISO 14040 and 14044, to establish a complete green product management system. During the product development process, clear requirements for ecological design are understood (such as regulations, customer standards, eco-labels, product specifications, etc.). By conducting life cycle assessments and integrating systematic management into the design process, products that meet low-carbon, non-toxic, and low environmental impact criteria are achieved. In 2022, based on ecological design criteria, environmental footprints (including water/air/ soil...footprints) of major products were analyzed, identifying emission hotspots for reference in ecological design improvements to gradually reduce environmental impacts.

Chemical and hazardous substance management

Primax has a green product management platform in place to control its raw material supply chain at the source. With PDM® system at the base, the Company has developed an integrated management information system by combining GP Portal®, SAP® and other information platforms to effectively reduce the time and cost of our processes. This integrated system controls virtually every aspect of our operation from customers' requirements, regulations, design, suppliers, procurement, production, to training.

It is mandatory for suppliers to guarantee that all products sold to the Group are free of hazardous substances prohibited by local regulations, whether in raw materials, dyes, solvents, consumables, packaging, or production process. Furthermore, suppliers are also demanded to comply with Primax's specific requirements and terms of QW- 5 Q 002 - Green Product Chemicals Specification for all substances contained in raw materials, dyes, solvents, consumables, packaging, and production process.

Compliance with law 

The sources of raw materials produced and used by Primax Group are in compliance with the EU Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive (RoHS), the EU Registration, Evaluation, and Authorization of Chemicals (REACH), California Proposition 65 (Prop 65 ), and the US Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). We will respond to changes and updates of laws and regulations one year earlier.

Hazardous substance disclosure

Primax Group utilizes Product Data Management (PDM), Primax GP Portal®, and SAP® systems to verify the composition of all components used in our production. Suppliers should meet Primax Group’s Restricted Substances Specifications for Green Products (QW- 5 Q 002 ) and upload the raw materials contained in the components to the GP Portal. We comply with, adopt, and update a variety of international standards and regulations from time to time as the best practice guidelines for identifying raw materials in our products, including assessing various chemicals in these components, to help us understand the impact of these parts on human health and the environment.

All information that we provide to clients includes a statement that all products have passed health and safety assessments, a statement of compliance, hazardous substances test reports, substance safety surveys, and safety/EMC standards conformity reports. In 2022, no product and service was found to have violated any health or safety regulations or self-regulating rules. There was also no record of fines imposed in this respect.

Hazardous substance management and execution

Primax Group's hazardous substance management efforts are guided by International Electro technical Commission's IECQ HSPM QC 080000 standards (Electrical and Electronic Components and Products Hazardous Substance Process Management System Requirements), and we have obtain a third-party verification certificate, as per which we duly manage hazardous substances in products. These standards are being followed strictly from customer/legal requirements, component identification, supplier management, raw material examination, production, inventory, shipment, to employee training. All production sites of the Group are equipped with chemical laboratories and instruments of equivalent grade as the ones used by third-party examiners. These laboratories enable the Company to analyze and manage hazardous substances. Instruments and equipment are calibrated on a regular basis and tested with the assistance of independent third parties. Employees are required to undergo proper training and pass tests before proceeding with testing works. Primax introduced an input materials inspection data platform in the second half of 2020 , along with robust information practices (barcode labeling and scanning), to record test statistics on input materials and ensure accuracy of data on samples.

If any toxic substance is detected within products, steps will be taken immediate to reduce and eliminate them from design, or explore safer, alternative sources of supply. By eliminating toxic substances from the production process, Primax not only protects workers but also prevents consumers from harm and avoids causing pollution to land, air and water.

Reduction project

Today, countries including the USA, Japan and the EU have prioritized their efforts to control this type of substance through regulations. Examples of which include California Toxic Toy Bill AB- 1108 , REACH Annex 17 , and Taiwan BSMI's CNS 4797 . Given the fact that phthalate ester (PAE) is a very common plasticizer used in the production of plastics and poses potential threat to human health, the Group has completed the phthalates control project.

China strengthened its VOCs control program in 2020 , mainly targeting coatings, inks, adhesives and rinse agents containing VOCs. After the plant-wide inspection, Primax has replaced the unqualified products, and the coatings, inks, adhesives and rinse agents currently used all meet the requirements. We further control substances, including 1 -bromopropane, benzene, toluene, methanol, methylene chloride, n-hexane, trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene, and N-methylpyrrolidone, which may cause severe harm to the human body in the case of exposure or inhalation, and we have investigated whether the raw materials, auxiliary items and consumables, and chemicals used in the plants contain these substances and have formulated a reduction project to ban the use of such substances by the end of 2023 .

From Q 4 of 2021 to the end of 2022 , a total of 71 , 238 materials (including consumables) were investigated. Among them, 93 materials were found to contain at least one of the substances mentioned. These materials are currently without substitutes due to specific product requirements. However, it is important to note that their usage complies with the local country's occupational workplace limit requirements.

Environmental Labels & Declarations

The products produced by Primax are mainly OEM and ODM products, and we will assist clients to apply for type 1 eco labels, such as Energy Star, EPEAT, (for multifunctional office machines and scanners), Taiwan’s Green Mark (for mousses), China’s Ten-Ring verification (for scanners), and electrical safety verification (such as EU CE or China CCC). Our power supplies for audio products have been verified by Energy Star.

Primax Group conducts carbon footprint inspection as per ISO 14067 : 2018 for our main products, such as mousses, keyboards, Bluetooth earbuds, speakers, and multifunctional office machines, and increases the quantity of recycled PCR and paper year by year. Through the process of obtaining the carbon/carbon reduction labels for Taiwan EPA, we have successfully established a management model for product eco labels and declarations within the plants and in the supply chain. By incorporating green designs into our products, we aim to fulfill Primax's vision toward environmental protection and sustainability. Over time, we shall apply this technology to other product categories to meet customers' requirements and further enhance product competitiveness.

Green Procurement

Since 2020, Primax Group has been prioritizing the procurement of information products with large purchasing quantities (such as computers, monitors, multifunction printers, and printers) and high-energy-consuming products like refrigerators, water dispensers, and ice machines. Our priority is to select products that carry domestic or international environmental certifications or energy-saving labels (such as EPEAT, Eco label, Energy Star, TCO, Blue Angel, etc.). In 2022 , the total procurement amount for environmentally certified products reached 75 , 350 , 000 NTD, accounting for 87 . 24 % of the total procurement. This represents an increase of 13 , 100 , 000 NTD compared to the 2021 procurement amount of 62 , 250 , 000 NTD for environmentally certified products.

Raw material consumption statistics