Environmental Policy

Coherent is committed to improving the environment and to reducing the global environmental footprint of our laser products, services and manufacturing facilities.  We recognize the necessity for environmental legislation in shaping the way to a better future for us all.  Coherent therefore commends the spirit of such legislation, and is committed to compliance with all applicable environmental laws, such as EU RoHS, WEEE, China RoHS, and REACH.    As additional legislation is enacted by various governments, it is Coherent’s intent to comply with all applicable requirements in a timely and responsible manner.  

Environmental Program

Coherent’s commitment is evidenced in many areas.  Coherent has developed ever more energy-efficient laser technologies, such as solid state laser technology, which is quickly displacing older and much less efficient ion laser technology.  The new technologies have enabled significant reductions in power consumption for our customers and for our manufacturing operations.  Coherent has developed laser-based materials processing applications that increase efficiency and reduce pollution in diesel and gas turbine engines. Our initiatives to streamline and consolidate factories over the past several years have dramatically reduced Coherent’s overall impact on the environment. 

Questions and requests for more information about Coherent’s environmental policies and programs can be directed to green@coherent.com.

Environmental Regulatory Compliance
As a global corporation, Coherent is affected by environmental laws and regulations in many countries.  Coherent therefore maintains a global environmental management program, intended to ensure compliance and to develop ways for Coherent to be a “greener” corporate citizen.  The specific compliance programs described below are examples about which we frequently receive inquiries.  This is not intended to be an exhaustive discussion of all legislation that may affect us, nor of all applicable requirements under the legislation that is mentioned.

EU RoHS
The RoHS Directive [2002/95/EC] generally requires European Union (EU) Member States to ensure that, as of July 1, 2006, new electrical and electronic equipment put on the market within the EU does not contain lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls, or polybrominated diphenyl ethers.

Coherent operates a comprehensive RoHS program to ensure that all Coherent products entering the EU market comply with the requirements of RoHS.   In fact, as part of our commitment to the environment, most Coherent products being sold anywhere in the world today are fully compliant with RoHS.  To obtain a declaration of compliance for a specific Coherent product, or to request more information about Coherent’s RoHS program, please contact green@coherent.com.

China RoHS
What is commonly called “China RoHS” [Order #39, Measures for Administration of the Pollution Control of Electronic Information Products], was released by the Ministry of Information Industry of the People’s Republic of China on February 28, 2006, and pertains to the same substances as the EU RoHS Directive.  Among other things, the first phase of implementation, effective March 1, 2007, specifies labeling and material content disclosure for certain “Electronic Information Products”.    Coherent maintains an active China RoHS program to ensure that all products sold into China comply with the requirements of China RoHS.  To obtain additional information about Coherent's China RoHS program, please contact green@coherent.com.

WEEE
The WEEE Directive [2002/96/EC] generally requires European Union (EU) Member States to establish requirements for the collection, treatment, recycling and recovery of waste electrical and electronic equipment, and makes producers responsible for financing most of these activities.

In Member States where Coherent is a producer, Coherent must, among other things, comply with product design, labeling and information requirements, producer registration and reporting requirements, and waste take-back requirements.  Coherent fully supports responsible recovery and recycling of its products, and has partnered with recycling consortia in Europe to provide these services.  To obtain additional information, or to arrange for recovery and recycling of a Coherent Product, please contact a Coherent Sales office or Representative Coherent Sales Offices or contact green@coherent.com. Information for end users is also provided in our relevant product manuals and instructions for use.

REACH
The Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals Regulation, otherwise known as the REACH Regulation [(EC) No 1907/2006], applies to substances imported, manufactured or placed on the market in the EU, whether on their own, in mixtures or solutions ("preparations") or in parts and finished products (“articles”).    REACH was promulgated with the goals of ensuring the evaluation of all relevant substances and providing controls over those that adversely affect human health and the environment. 

Coherent is subject to certain of the requirements of REACH in connection with its activities in Europe.  Information regarding REACH for end users is provided in our relevant product manuals and instructions for use.  To obtain additional information, please contact a Coherent Sales office or Representative Coherent Sales Offices or contact green@coherent.com. 

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