ARTICLE

Axis Communications is
committed to the
environment

Created: Aug 24, 2005

Last updated: Aug 24, 2005
Rev: 1.0
 ARTICLE – Axis Communications Axis Communications is committed to the environment

Table of Contents

1 AXIS COMMUNICATIONS IS COMMITTED TO THE

ENVIRONMENT 3
1.1 Complying with RoHS 3
1.2 A long-term commitment 3

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 ARTICLE – Axis Communications Axis Communications is committed to the environment

1 Axis Communications is committed to the

environment
In August 2004, the directives 2002/95/EC and 2002/96/EC were passed into laws by the European
Union. These two directives complement the larger plan of reducing waste within the EU.
2002/96/EC, also known as WEEE, Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment, states that producers
of electronic and electrical equipment are responsible for taking back and recycling their products, at
no charge for the consumers.

1.1 Complying with RoHS

A complement to this directive is 2002/95/EC, also known as RoHS, Restriction of Hazardous
Substances. This directive is aimed at reducing toxic components in the recycling system by
prohibiting the use of various heavy metals such as lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium
and the flame retardant materials polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) and polybrominated diphenyl
ethers (PBDE), in electrical and electronic equipment. After July 1st, 2006, electronic products that do
not comply with RoHS may not be sold on the EU market.
Axis has been working hard together with the component suppliers to secure a smooth transition of all
products to comply with RoHS. This work has been going on for over a year, and starting this fall, all
Axis’ print servers, network cameras and video servers will comply with RoHS.

1.2 A long-term commitment

Commitment to the environment is nothing new at Axis. In 2003, Axis cooperated with Sony in an
effort to reduce hazardous substances. All components and materials used in the production of Axis’
products were traced all the way back to the suppliers of the raw materials, to guarantee that all toxic
substances were reduced or completely removed. As a result of this work Axis was the first company
in Sweden to be selected a Sony Certified Green Partner. For a long time now, all packaging materials
have been fully recyclable.

One of the largest insurance companies in Sweden examines all publicly listed companies on the
Stockholm Stock Exchange, rating them based on their impact on the climate. They measure the
amount of carbon dioxide that is emitted from the company, as a result of its actions (production,
travels, transportation, heating etc). For 2004, Axis received the highest available rating, 5 stars, for its
low impact on the environment.

Read more:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/waste/weee_index.htm
http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/procurementinfo/ss00259/index.html
http://www.folksam.se/folksam/miljo/miljoindex/main.htm (in Swedish only).

Below you can read more about the Axis commitment to the environment in an interview with
Patrik Qvarfordh, Quality Manager at Axis.

- Why make an effort to make the products environmentally friendly before we have to?
Two years ago when we became aware of the directives and how they would affect the market we tried
to do this. But at that time, our suppliers were not ready to deliver lead free components; the
components were available on the market, but not in quantities for serial production. The first
products now released are the ones where we can guarantee that both the availability of components
and the production process will be on just as high a level as usual. Due to our wide range of products
and our wish to control the transformation to lead free products, we have to have an early start. With

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 ARTICLE – Axis Communications Axis Communications is committed to the environment

this work procedure we will make sure that we will avoid the “traffic jam” when everyone else wants
to convert. This will ensure both our quality and ability to deliver.

- How will the lead free process affect the products?

We have made investigations and have accredited our suppliers. The goal the entire time has been that
the lead free products should be of equal quality or better than the leaded ones. All processes and
equipment have been discussed. Samples have been examined by certified laboratories and we are
now satisfied with the results.

- How will WEEE affect Axis?

The directive was launched several years ago and the purpose was then to create conditions for a joint
environmental law. But it is the national laws that will apply and they will vary between countries. It is
unfortunate that the national laws have been delayed and have just recently been released. In order to
get an overall impression of the situation throughout Europe, we cooperate with law firms in several
countries. According to the directive it is the “producer” who is responsible for enabling the recycle
collection of products. The “producer” is the company that imports the products in each EU country
respectively. In our case it is our distributors who will become the producers. We are conducting
discussions in order to make this work. In Sweden Axis is the producer and this is resolved since 3
years through a collaboration with “Elkretsen” who collects and destroys the products that we have
put on the market.

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