TSZ0001G Control Method for Substances Causing Environmental Concerns

The “TSZ0001G Control Method for Substances of Environmental Concern” standard, a Toyota engineering standard, is a key Toyota engineering standard that defines control methods for environmentally harmful substances (SOCs) in Toyota automotive parts, materials, and components.

This standard aims to:

• To prohibit, restrict, or reduce the use of environmentally harmful substances in vehicle parts and raw materials.
• To support Toyota's sustainability and green sourcing goals while ensuring compliance with global environmental regulations.
• To minimize the risk of environmental pollution caused by substances that are difficult to control at the end of their life cycle or during production.

This standard applies to:

• All parts and materials supplied for Toyota vehicles.
• Direct raw materials used in vehicle production.
• Related products such as paints, sealants, adhesives, and solders.

This standard is classified under Toyota’s engineering documentation system and is updated regularly to reflect evolving regulations.

The basic characteristics of the TSZ0001G standard are as follows:

• Prohibited/restricted substances: Lists substances that are prohibited or restricted, including heavy metals, certain flame retardants, ozone-depleting compounds, and persistent organic pollutants.
• Compliance with global standards: this standard is compliant with the following important international frameworks:
• European Union ELV directive (end-of-life vehicles)
• RoHS directive (restriction of hazardous substances)
• REACH regulation (registration, evaluation, authorization and restriction of chemicals)
• GADSL (global automotive declarable substance list)
• Various national laws (for example, Japan's Chemicals Control Act, Ozone Layer Protection Act, etc.)
• Reporting requirements: Suppliers must declare material compositions, generally for original equipment parts, via the International Material Data System (IMDS).
• Exemptions: Certain uses or low levels of impurities (typically no more than 0,1%) are exempt if they are unavoidable and below defined thresholds.
• Integration with other Toyota standards: Frequently refers to Toyota's prohibited substances lists (e.g., TMRSAS0126n for production standards) and green purchasing guidelines.

Toyota requires all its suppliers to comply with the latest version of the TSZ0001G standard. Non-compliance may prevent parts from being approved for use in Toyota vehicles.

Many suppliers issue compliance declarations stating that their products (e.g., foams, coatings, or raw materials) fully meet the requirements of the TSZ0001G standard. This standard supports Toyota’s broader environmental commitments, including the reduction of hazardous substances throughout the vehicle lifecycle (from production to recycling).

In short, the TSZ0001G standard is an internal engineering standard that defines how Toyota controls, limits, or prohibits environmentally harmful chemicals in materials and components used in its vehicles. This standard is part of Toyota's environmental management framework and applies to vehicle parts, raw materials, and indirect materials used in production.

The primary objective of the TSZ0001G standard is to ensure that Toyota products comply with environmental regulations and sustainability policies by controlling hazardous chemicals in automotive materials. This standard specifies the following procedures:

• Prohibition or restriction of hazardous substances in vehicle components.
• Monitoring and managing the presence of chemical substances in materials.
• Reducing environmental impact and health risks from automotive products.
• Toyota's materials management is being brought into compliance with international environmental regulations.

By implementing this standard, Toyota supports global initiatives such as recycling regulations and the reduction of hazardous substances in vehicles.

The TSZ0001G standard applies to the following:

• All materials and components used in Toyota vehicles.
• Raw materials and parts obtained from suppliers.
• Indirect materials used in production processes
• Packaging materials and auxiliary production materials.

This standard requires suppliers to report and control the chemical substances in their products and ensure that prohibited substances are not present above permitted limits.

Hazardous substances are defined as chemicals that can negatively affect human health or environmental protection. Typical controlled substances include:

• Bullet
• Cadmium
• Mercury
• hexavalent chrome
• Polybrominated biphenyls (PBB)
• Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)

These substances have strict maximum concentration limits or are completely banned in many applications.

Toyota requires all its suppliers to comply with the TSZ0001G standard in their product development and manufacturing processes. Key responsibilities include:

• Material declaration: Suppliers are generally required to declare the chemical composition of materials, usually through systems such as the International Materials Data System (IMDS).
• Prohibited substance control: Suppliers must ensure that prohibited substances are not used unless specifically exempted.
• Data submission and verification: Toyota may request chemical data questionnaires and conduct audits to verify compliance.
• Continuous updates: This standard is periodically revised to reflect new environmental regulations and company policies.
• Relationship with other regulations and standards: This standard is compliant with global environmental and automotive regulations, including:
• European Union end-of-life vehicles (ELV) directive
• Global automotive declarable substance list (GADSL)
• Regional environmental protection laws

Many Toyota material standards and component specifications require compliance with the TSZ0001G standard before parts can be approved for production.

The TSZ0001G standard plays a critical role in sustainable automotive production. The main benefits of this standard are as follows:

• Reducing hazardous chemicals in vehicles
• Protecting human health and the environment.
• Improving the recyclability of vehicle components.
• Harmonizing supplier environmental practices worldwide.

Due to its stringent requirements, the TSZ0001G standard has become a key reference for suppliers working with Toyota and other automotive manufacturers that follow similar chemical management systems.

In summary, the TSZ0001G standard is Toyota's environmental chemical control standard regulating hazardous substances in automotive materials and components. It ensures compliance with global environmental regulations, promotes sustainable production, and requires suppliers to carefully manage and report the chemical content of all materials used in Toyota vehicles.

For many years, our organization, with its competent and experienced staff, has been understanding the needs of its clients, providing the advanced testing services they require, and assisting them in the establishment, implementation, and improvement of management systems. Within this framework, we also provide testing services compliant with the TSZ0001G standard.