Samsung Semiconductor cares deeply about the environment and the health of employees and that’s why we have strict protocols and systems when it comes to managing chemical substances,
and why we work hard to minimize the negative effects of the chemicals used on-site and in our products.
Our internal regulations follow global environmental guides including the EU’s RoHS
(Restriction of Hazardous Substances) directive and REACH
(Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) regulation. We also have systems in place that monitor each step involving chemical substances,
from purchase to
disposal, ensuring a safe and sustainable management of the chemicals. And in the interest of transparency, we have publicly disclosed the Samsung Semiconductor Manufacturing Restricted Substances List since 2018.
Let’s take a more detailed look at what measures we have in place to ensure the chemicals we use are managed in a safe and
sustainable manner.
In addition to conducting regular inspections at our partner sites to make sure the working environment and conditions are safe,
we help our partners establish procedures to handle restricted substances and improve their substance control systems.
We also provide advice on updating local exhaust systems, chemical storage facilities and chemical leakage prevention facilities. In 2020, after carrying out site inspections and consulting for partners that handle chemicals of high concern, 13 partners were able to replace certain chemicals with safer alternatives,
and 7 partners upgraded their local exhaust systems.
Analyzing 6 items
and
4 types of
Phthalates stated
in RoHS
Determining the use of
restricted chemicals
within
the supply chain
Evaluating our suppliers’
environmental standards in
their parts, raw materials
and
production processes
We carry out strict control and management of all the chemicals in our products by conducting rigorous preliminary inspections and handling procedures for parts and raw materials.
In addition to maintaining control through our “Standards for Control of Substances used in products”, we also take preemptive measures by setting up plans to reduce the use of substances of concern, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and allergic dyes. Our Environment Chemicals Integrated Management System (e-CIMS) helps us determine the existence of restricted substances in the parts and products of our suppliers, ensuring that our products are safe and sustainable.
We carry out periodic training for employees who handle chemical substances and regular inspections of storage and handling facilities to create an environment for the safe and sustainable management of chemicals. We also set up safety measures at facilities that handle chemicals based on environmental safety expert evaluations. Reducing the use of chemicals is another area we place importance on. And taking a step further, we continue to develop substitute substances, reduce the concentration of chemicals used and discontinue the use of chemicals whenever possible. We also continue to strengthen our chemical management capabilities on all Samsung
Semiconductor sites and work hard to minimize damage in the event of chemical-related accidents.
*Review the optimal management process by analyzing hazardousness and danger to the environment, health, and safety (EHS)
Preliminary review: Based on the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), chemical warranty letters, and letters of confirmation (LOC)
Samsung Semiconductor has rigorous procedures that govern each step involving chemical substances, from procurement to disposal. Before purchasing any new chemicals, we submit the chemicals to experts for review. In 2020, a total of 7,829 chemical substances were reviewed, and only the approved chemicals were purchased. We track and monitor chemical substances from the moment they arrive at Samsung Semiconductor sites, beginning with measuring the exact amount that came in. The monitoring continues until the used chemicals are disposed of in a safe and sustainable manner, following a strict procedure.
Category | Substance | Limitations of Use* | Applied to |
---|---|---|---|
Prohibited | Benzene Benzene | All Process | All Samsung Electronics worksites and all suppliers |
Prohibited | n-Hexane n-Hexane | All Process | All Samsung Electronics worksites and all suppliers |
Restricted | Dimethylformamide Dimethyl-formamide | Cleansing/ Degreasing |
All Samsung Electronics worksites and all suppliers |
Restricted | Nitromethane Nitromethane | Cleansing/ Degreasing |
All Samsung Electronics worksites and all suppliers |
Restricted | Chloroform Chloroform | Cleansing/ Degreasing |
All Samsung Electronics worksites and all suppliers |
Restricted | TCE TCE | Cleansing/ Degreasing |
All Samsung Electronics worksites and all suppliers |
Restricted | Toluene Toluene | Cleansing/ Degreasing |
All Samsung Electronics worksites and all suppliers |
Restricted | PCE PCE | Cleansing/ Degreasing |
All Samsung Electronics worksites and all suppliers |
Restricted | Methanol Methanol | Cleansing/ Degreasing/ Cooling |
All Samsung Electronics worksites and all suppliers |
Restricted | Cyclohexanone Cyclohexanone | Cleansing/ Degreasing |
All Samsung Electronics worksites and all suppliers |
Restricted |
Dichloromethane
Dichloro- methane |
Cleansing/ Degreasing |
All Samsung Electronics worksites and all suppliers |
Restricted |
Ethylene Oxide
Ethylene- Oxide |
Cleansing/ Degreasing |
All Samsung Electronics worksites |
Restricted |
2-Methoxyethanol
2-Methoxy- ethanol |
Cleansing/ Degreasing |
All Samsung Electronics worksites |
Restricted |
2-Methoxyethyl acetate
2-Methoxy- ethyl acetate |
Cleansing/ Degreasing |
All Samsung Electronics worksites |
Restricted |
2-Ethoxyethanol
2-Ethoxy- ethanol |
Cleansing/ Degreasing |
All Samsung Electronics worksites |
Restricted |
2-Ethoxyethyl acetate
2-Ethoxyethyl- acetate |
Cleansing/ Degreasing |
All Samsung Electronics worksites |
Restricted | Formaldehyde Formaldehyde | Cleansing/ Degreasing |
All Samsung Electronics worksites |
Restricted |
Diethylene Glycol Dimethyl Ether Diethylene- Glycol- Dimethyl Ether |
Cleansing/ Degreasing |
All Samsung Electronics worksites |
Restricted |
1, 2-Dichloropropane
1, 2-Dichloro- propane |
Cleansing/ Degreasing |
All Samsung Electronics worksites |
Restricted | 1, 2-Butadiene 1, 2-Butadiene | Cleansing/ Degreasing |
All Samsung Electronics worksites |
Restricted |
N, N-Dimethylacetamide
N, N-Dimethyl- acetamide |
Cleansing/ Degreasing |
All Samsung Electronics worksites |
Restricted |
1-Bromopropane
1-Bromo- propane |
Cleansing/ Degreasing |
All Samsung Electronics worksites |
Restricted |
2-Bromopropane
2-Bromo- propane |
Cleansing/ Degreasing |
All Samsung Electronics worksites |
Restricted | Acrylonitrile Acrylonitrile | Cleansing/ Degreasing |
All Samsung Electronics worksites |
Restricted | Vinyl chloride Vinyl chloride | Cleansing/ Degreasing |
All Samsung Electronics worksites |
Our list of restricted and prohibited chemical substances was most recently disclosed in the Samsung Electronics Sustainability Report 2021. The 25 chemicals on the list were categorized as either strictly prohibited or allowed only under restricted conditions. Benzene and n-Hexane, for example, were classified as strictly prohibited,
while the remaining 23 chemicals, including Nitromethane and Methanol, were designated for use only under
certain conditions.