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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.

Tens thousands 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 2022, Samsung's Hwaseong site obtained an additional AWS certification. As a result, Samsung Semiconductor is the first in the semiconductor industry to have obtained multiple global water environment certifications. 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 making great efforts to actualize sustainable management. Having obtained our first Platinum AWS certification for our Hwaseong site, we will make efforts to continue obtaining AWS certifications for our semiconductor manufacturing sites located both in Korea and abroad.

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

    삼성전자는 AWS(Alliance for water Stewardship)의
    5가지 목표 (Challenge)를 달성하기 위한 5 Step을 성실히 이행하겠습니다.
    1. 1삼성전자는 수자원에 대한 당사 및 국가차원의 리스크, 지역사회의 요구, 도전과제,
      기회 등을 파악하겠습니다.
    2. 2삼성전자는 AWS의 5가지 목표를 달성하기 위한 수자원 책임주의
      (Water Stewardship) 추진전략을 수립하겠습니다.
    3. 3삼성전자는 국가/지역 수자원 관리 계획에 적극적으로 참여하고 이행하겠습니다.
    4. 4삼성전자는 수자원 책임주의 추진전략에 대해 평가하고 지속적으로 갱신하겠습니다.
    5. 5삼성전자는 수자원 책임주의 성과에 대해 이해관계자들과 공유하고 소통하겠습니다.

    송두근 부사장/센터장
    환경안전센터(글로벌 제조&인프라총괄)
    삼성전자

    List of Responsible Officers

    Name Department Responsibilities
    Liz Lim Environment
    conservation group    		 Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) certification
    Jungyoung Lee
    Taewoan Koo Water withdrawal, Discharge water quality, Governance
    Donghwan Kim Aquatic ecosystem
    Hyerim Kang Corporate Sustainability
    Management Office(DS)    		 Stakeholders, Water quality, Governance

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