Green thinking on a global scale is nothing new to Bosch. One of Bosch’s core values is commitment to preserving the environment through innovative approaches to the products they manufacture, as well as the partnerships they form with leaders in various industries. Sustainability, responsibility and continuous improvement are tenets shared by associates and partners around the world. This has been demonstrated by the company’s proven track record in providing technological solutions that save energy, protect the environment and make life itself safer.



In practice, Bosch employs low-impact manufacturing processes while designing the most efficient products on the market. In fact, Bosch introduced a global integrated management system for environmental issues that makes certain they maintain high standards for environmental responsibility wherever their operations take them. More than 40% of Bosch’s Research and Development budget goes into products that conserve resources and protect the environment.



One of the key topics for the 2008 Annual Bosch Press Conference in Stuttgart, Germany was “Growth Through Energy Conservation Technologies”. Whether in the automotive, heating, power tools, home appliances, automation/packaging, or security and communications industries, Bosch continues to work on environmental friendly technologies, including solar, wind, alternative fuel, and geothermal renewable energy sources. For example, Bosch is a key player in the manufacturing of large gears for wind power generators, and is pushing research in the areas of solar collection and ocean wave collection systems. At the consumer level, Bosch continues to develop solar technologies used in water heating systems around the world.



In the Bosch automotive technologies division, the company is a leader in the common rail diesel and gasoline direct injection markets. Both technologies, when compared to regular gasoline vehicles, offer consumers substantially improved fuel economy as well as reduced CO2 emissions.



Bosch is also designing and manufacturing engine management systems and injection components compatible with alternative fuels, as well as working on “start-stop” technologies reduce fuel consumption by up to 8 percent in urban traffic.



In the power tools division, the company recently introduced the industry’s first lithium-ion battery platform with the option of two different battery packs, offering consumers and trade professionals reduced weight and increased runtime.



Additionally, Bosch is unparalleled for its innovations in the design and manufacture of eco-friendly home appliances. For example, saving money while protecting the environment just became easier for homeowners and builders, thanks to the new online Green Resource Center launched by Bosch Home Appliances Corporation. The only manufacturer with a complete portfolio of EPA ENERGY STAR® qualified appliances across all product segments, Bosch has created a user-friendly, one-stop destination at www.boschappliances.com with unique tools, such as an Energy Savings Calculator that quickly computes energy costs and savings for individual Bosch appliances and a localized rebate finder. Bosch was named in GreenBuilding’s sixth annual list for most exciting Green Building Products in 2007.



In the company’s security and communications division, Bosch was one of the first professional audio companies to fully comply with all applicable environmental laws and regulations, including the European Union’s Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) and Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directives.** By January 1st, 2006, a full six months before the directives were enforced, Bosch pro audio brands Dynacord, Electro-Voice, and Midas had converted its Straubing, Germany-based production facility entirely to lead-free soldering. The switch to water-based soldering flux was implemented in August 2005, leading to a reduction of 4,000 kilos annually in solvent use. Bosch also completed conversions of products as required for sale in and to the European Union, and material composition data and certification is continuously being updated for all component parts.



The Bosch facility in Straubing, Germany has a long tradition of environmental awareness in its production methods. Besides the transitioning from solvent-oriented to water-based processes—which are far less harmful to the environment—over the past several years synthetic materials have come to comprise the majority of its loudspeaker enclosure production, eliminating the discharge of harmful solvents. A further giant step was taken in 2004 with the installation of a perfectly adapted filter plant at the Hohenwarth production facility, whose air quality has been rated “dust-free”. The company’s main loudspeaker production facility in Morrilton, Arkansas and microphones/electronics production facility in Lincoln, Nebraska have also made significant improvements consistent with Bosch’s continual approach to reducing the environmental impact of its manufacturing technologies. All products manufactured in Morrilton and Lincoln and placed on the market in the European Union or Peoples Republic of China are RoHS compliant. Likewise, Bosch’s automotive manufacturing facility in Charleston, South Carolina has employed an innovative approach to treating wastewater, thereby reducing the use of chemicals, heavy metal pollutants and sludge sent to the landfill. The list goes on.



Ultimately, Bosch is a great example of how a company can make the most of its environmental strategy to innovate, create value and build a competitive advantage. A company respected around the globe, Bosch continues to prove its core values of environmental and social responsibility are integral to its success. The company’s historical, contemporary, and forward-looking efforts prove that green thinking is more than marketing and catchy slogans; it’s purpose put into practices that positively affect us all.

Notes

** WEEE Directive (2002/96/EC)

The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE) applies to companies that manufacture, sell, distribute, recycle or treat electrical and electronic equipment to consumers in the European Union (EU). It covers all large and small household appliances, IT equipment, radio and audio equipment, electrical tools and telecommunications equipment. The directive aims to reduce waste arising from electrical and electronic equipment and to improve the environmental performance of all those involved in the life cycle of these products.

WEEE Recycling/Disposal Instructions

The Wheelie Bin symbol found on the product or in the manual indicated that this product must not be disposed of with other waste. It is the user’s responsibility



to properly dispose of their waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) at the end of its life. Due to the differences in each EU country’s management of WEEE, please contact your local authorities, waste disposal service, recycling center or the dealer where you purchased the equipment for information on the correct method of disposal.

RoHS Directive (2002/95/EC)

The Restriction of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (RoHS) Directive was passed into law by the EU. It affects manufacturers, sellers, distributors and recyclers of electrical and electronic equipment containing Lead, Cadmium, Mercury, Hexavalent Chrome, Polybrominated Biphenyl (PBB) and Polybrominated Diphenyl Ether (PBDE). As of July 1st, 2006, the use of these materials has been restricted in new products sole in Europe.



As of 1st April 2008, the use of Deca-BDE (Decabromodiphenyl ether) as a flame retardant has been banned in Norway and has been banned in Europe effective from the 30th June 2008.

Applicable to all products “Placed on the Market” in the Peoples Republic of China.

China RoHS

As of 1st March 2007, the Management Methods for Controlling Pollution Caused by Electronic Information Products regulation went into force. It affects manufacturers, sellers, distributors and recyclers of EIP’s (Electronic Information Products) containing Lead, Cadmium, Mercury, Hexavalent Chromium, Polybrominated Biphenyl (PBB) and Polybrominated Diphenyl Ether (PBDE) placed on the market in the People’s Republic of China. All products placed on the market in the Peoples Republic of China are marked in accordance with the “Marking for Control of Pollution Caused by Electronic Information Products”, People’s Republic of China Electronic Industry Standard SJ/T11364-2006, issued by the Ministry of Information Industry. EIP’s that contain any of the six listed substances above the MCV (Maximum Concentration Value) including those that currently have an EU exemption are marked with an EPUP (Environmental Protection Use Period) label. China RoHS does not include any exemptions.



A China Information Table is shipped with all EIP’s placed on the market in the Peoples Republic of China. The Table identifies sub assemblies that contain any of the six substances and an X indicates the presence of that substance.



EIP’s that either do not contain or contain any of the six listed substances below the MCV are marked with the compliant green “e” label. If the product is too small or irregularly shaped, the “e” symbol is placed in the user.



EVI Audio GmbH complies with all the requirements specified by China RoHS for all products placed on the market in the Peoples Republic of China.