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Samsung Semiconductor
awarded the highest level of
AWS through innovative
technology

* Alliance for Water Stewardship

Globally-recognized water resource management certification with strict verification, AWS

Water is essential to all living things on Earth. Alliance for Water Stewardship ("AWS"), consisting of businesses, nonprofits, and public institutions, is a global cooperative organization that works to protect water.
AWS verifies stable water management, water quality hygiene, water resource conservation, and domestic impact of biodiversity. AWS further assesses a company's level of cooperation with local stakeholders to protect water resources. By virtue of AWS's strict assessment process, any certification by AWS indicates a company's compliance with global standards.

AWS highly evaluates the water management excellence of Samsung semiconductors and unusually certifies platinum at the first attempt.

Several million tons of water must be used on a daily basis to manufacture semiconductors. Therefore, Samsung Semiconductor is making great efforts to preserve water resources. Our wastewater purification policy is more stringent than government standards, and by setting specific goals, we are also trying to keep our water usage level consistent. In 2021, we were the first in the semiconductor industry to be certified to have implemented a "water footprint" by the Carbon Trust, and we were credited for our management system that strives to preserve water resources.
In extension, starting with the Hwaseong site, Korea, in 2023 and Giheung and Pyeongtaek site, Korea, as well as Xi'an site, China, obtained the highest level of AWS certification in 2024. An AWS certification requires a very strict assessment process, and it is very unusual to receive a Platinum rating at the first attempt. These accolades prove that Samsung Semiconductor's water resource management system is excellent even by international standards.

AWS's Water Management Objectives

Summary of AWS Certification Process

  1. 1
    Inspect water management status and perform risk analysis

    Samsung Semiconductor performs a risk analysis while managing its water supply chain, and collects data on potential problems and impact. Domestic sites disclose relevant information on current status and risks, and closely collaborate with the central government, local governments, and industry partners.

  2. 2
    Develop a water stewardship plan

    Establish action plans for responsible water resource management. Briefing sessions with environmental groups and environmental workers, communication with local residents, and various channels are used to establish action plans and reach agreements with stakeholders.

  3. 3
    Implement

    Separatley manage water by types , calculate reuse, and set annual savings goals to improve the impact of water resource management. In addition, we encourage our partners to set water management and savings goals and annually monitor their performance so that they can work together to manage water resources.

  4. 4
    Evaluate

    We evaluate, improve, and update the management performance of the water resources used, and cooperate with NGOs, local researchers, communities, and executives and employees to monitor the ecosystem near the workplace and preserve the river ecosystem.

  5. 5
    Communicate & Disclose

    We are open to the public about the water resources we use and communicate continuously. In addition, the water management strategy is communicated with stakeholders through the Reuse Committee under the Ministry of Environment, and it is transparently disclosed through the company's website and report.

Samsung Semiconductor plans to expand its leadership in water stewardship to its other semiconductor manufacturing sites located both in Korea and abroad in the future.

Samsung Semiconductor is committed to sustainability. In particular, in accordance to AWS requirement, we strive to expand and maintain our certification at a Platinum-level.

As of 2024, Samsung Semiconductor has obtained AWS certifications for Hwaseong, Giheung, Pyeongtaek and Xian site (SCS). Furthermore, on-site AWS certification audits for Cheonan/Onyang Plant will be conducted in August 2024, which will.

Samsung Semiconductor will continue to develop technologies and cooperate to preserve water resources by communicating with various stakeholders.

  • Advantages

    of AWS

    1. 1
      Understanding water dependency and its impact
    2. 2
      Mitigating threats to water supply chains
    3. 3
      Establishing responsible water resource operation procedures
    4. 4
      Building trust relationships with community officials
    5. 5
      Cooperating to solve water-related challenges

    AWS

    Certificate

  • Promise for
    5 AWS Goals

    Samsung Semiconductor will continue to work toward meeting AWS’s(Alliance for Water Stewardship)
    Standards to improve site water performance.
    1. 1Samsung Semiconductor will Gather and understand water-related data in terms of geopolitical risks, community demand, challenges, and opportunities.
    2. 2Samsung Semiconductor will commit to water stewardship and create a water stewardship strategy accordingly.
    3. 3Samsung Semiconductor will implement established water stewardship plans.
    4. 4Samsung Semiconductor will continue to evaluate the performance of the plans it has committed to.
    5. 5Samsung Semiconductor will communicate and disclose progress with stakeholders.

    Dooguen Song
    Corporate EVP, Head of EHS Center
    (Global Manufacturing &
    Infra Technology)
    Samsung Electronics

    List of Responsible Officers

    Name Department Responsibilities
    Liz Lim Environment
    conservation group    		 Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) certification
    Jongnam Lee (John)
    Taewoan Koo Water withdrawal, Discharge water quality, Governance
    Donghwan Kim Aquatic ecosystem
    Jungwon Lee Water withdrawal, Discharge water quality, Governance
    JongHun Kim Pyeongtaek EHS Team Environment Group Pyeongtaek Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) certification Lead
    Kyoungjin Heo Pyeongtaek water withdrawal, governance, aquatic ecosystem
    Youngdeok Jeong Pyeongtaek water discharge quality
    Sungwon Heo Cheonan EHS Team Cheonan Disaster Prevention and Environment Group Cheonan/Onyang Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) certification Lead
    Youngpil Kang Cheonan water withdrawal, governance, aquatic ecosystem, water discharge quality
    Heesook Lee Onyang EHS Team Onyang Disaster Prevention and Environment Group Onyang water withdrawal, governance, aquatic ecosystem, water discharge quality
    JuSeop Yeom Corporate Sustainability Management Office(DS) Stakeholders, Water quality

    ※Samsung Semiconductor continues to expand certification from AWS (Alliance Water for Stewardship), a global water environment certification that verifies stable water management, water sanitation, water resource conservation, and impact on business site’s aquatic ecosystem. Samsung Semiconductor‘s Hwaseong campus acquired AWS platinum certification in February of 2023, and is pursuing a multiple site certification for Giheung/Hwaseong and Pyeongtaek site within 2023. By being certified from a globally certified institute, Samsung Semiconductor plans to demonstrate the company’s high-level water resource management capability.

    For inquiries related to Samsung Semiconductor’s AWS certification, please refer to FAQ area within the Sustainability section of this website or contact the certification body via email at ogawanaoya1@yahoo.co.jp.

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