SES No. 2402 Restriction of the Use of Substances Harmful to the Environment

Developed by Suzuki Motor Corporation as part of its environmental/chemical management standards, the “SES N 2402 Restriction of Use of Harmful Substances” standard forms a key part of Suzuki’s green procurement and environmental compliance framework in its global operations.

The primary purpose of this standard is to control and restrict the use of hazardous or environmentally harmful substances (substances of concern, SOCs) in parts, materials, raw materials, sub-materials, packaging, and related materials delivered to Suzuki and its affiliates. This helps Suzuki comply with international environmental regulations, reduce the ecological footprint of its supply chain, and promote sustainable production in the automotive and motorcycle industries.

The main issues addressed by this standard are as follows:

• Prohibited and restricted substances: Compliance with global regulations such as the ELV directive (end-of-life vehicles) valid in European Union countries, the restriction of hazardous substances (RoHS), the registration, evaluation, authorization and restriction of chemicals (REACH) and other similar standards.
• The banning of specific chemicals: For example, heavy metals (lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium), some flame retardants, asbestos, and other substances of concern (SOCs) on Suzuki's controlled chemicals list.
• Supplier requirements: Suppliers must ensure compliance, generally by establishing declarations, tests, international materials data system reporting, and substances of concern (SOC) management systems.
• Prohibition in products: Parts and materials supplied to Suzuki must not contain prohibited substances above threshold levels.

The SES N 2402 standard is frequently referenced in Suzuki's green sourcing guidelines published by various regional organizations. Suppliers are explicitly required to comply with this standard as a condition of doing business. Compliance typically includes:

• Submission of agreements and self-audit forms.
• Provision of environmental assessment reports.
• Allowing inspections.
• Controlling second-tier and lower-tier suppliers in the supply chain.

For example, the guidelines state that suppliers must comply with the SES N 2402 standard for SOC restrictions and, in some cases, contact Suzuki if there is a lack of necessary documentation or implementation.

The SES N 2402 standard has undergone revisions over time. This standard supports Suzuki’s broader corporate goals under its global environmental mandate, focusing on green products from green suppliers, carbon dioxide reduction, volatile organic compound (VOC) emission controls, and overall environmental efforts.

Independent laboratories offer specialized testing services according to the SES N 2402 standard to verify the restriction of environmentally impactful substances for components such as mufflers or instrument panels.

In short, the SES N 2402 standard outlines requirements for controlling and restricting environmentally harmful substances in materials, components, and manufacturing processes used in Suzuki vehicles and related products. This standard is primarily designed to ensure compliance with environmental regulations and Suzuki's internal sustainability policies for suppliers, material manufacturers, and component manufacturers in Suzuki's global supply chain.

The primary objectives of the SES N 2402 standard are as follows:

• Hazardous materials restriction: This identifies any substances that are prohibited, restricted, or required to be declared in materials and parts supplied to Suzuki.
• Compliance with international environmental regulations: This standard ensures that suppliers' practices are aligned with regulations such as the ELV directive 2000/53/EC, which restricts heavy metals and other hazardous substances in vehicles.
• Supply chain environmental management: Suppliers are required to establish systems to identify, track, and report on the chemicals used in their products.
• Sustainable production and reduced environmental impact: This standard supports Suzuki’s environmental initiatives, including reducing harmful substances and improving the recyclability of automotive products.

The SES N 2402 standard applies to the following:

• Raw materials used in automotive components.
• Parts and assemblies supplied to Suzuki
• Packaging and auxiliary materials used in production.
• Chemicals used in production processes

This standard typically affects first-tier, second-tier, and raw material suppliers within the automotive supply chain.

The SES N 2402 standard generally categorizes materials into three main categories:

• Prohibited substances: Substances that should not be used in products supplied to Suzuki or in its manufacturing processes. Examples typically include:
• Lead in certain applications
• Mercury
• Cadmium
• hexavalent chrome

These restrictions are compliant with important environmental directives affecting the automotive industry.

• Restricted substances: These substances may only be used within the specified limits or conditions. Suppliers must verify concentration levels and demonstrate compliance with defined thresholds.
• Substances that must be declared: These substances are not necessarily prohibited, but their presence in a product must be reported. This reporting helps Suzuki monitor potential environmental risks and ensure regulatory transparency.

Suppliers working with Suzuki should do the following:

• Establishing chemical management systems.
• Monitoring the material composition of products.
• Providing material declarations and compliance documents.
• Conducting internal audits related to hazardous materials.
• To ensure the traceability of materials and components.

In many cases, suppliers must provide compliance information through environmental reporting systems or supply documentation.

SES N 2402 generally refers to or conforms with the following international chemical management frameworks:

• ELV Directive 2000/53/EC
• Registration, evaluation, authorization and restriction of chemicals (REACH) regulation
• Global automotive declarable substance list (GADSL)

The use of these frameworks ensures that Suzuki’s material restrictions are consistent with global automotive environmental compliance requirements.

The SES N 2402 standard plays a critical role in the automotive supply chain. The main reasons for this are as follows:

• Ensures the environmental compatibility of vehicle components.
• It reduces the environmental impact of automotive production.
• It supports vehicle recycling and sustainable design.
• The supplier aligns its practices with global chemical regulations.
• It increases transparency regarding the use of chemicals in products.

For suppliers, compliance with the SES N 2402 standard is generally mandatory in order to maintain their approval as a Suzuki supplier.

In summary, the SES N 2402 standard is an engineering standard that regulates hazardous substances in Suzuki's automotive materials and components. This standard ensures that products supplied to Suzuki comply with environmental regulations and sustainability requirements by restricting, monitoring, and reporting the chemicals used throughout the supply chain.

The SES N 2402 standard is not a consumer product or public regulation, but an internal engineering requirement that mandates Suzuki's selection of environmentally friendly materials throughout its supply chain. It plays a crucial role in helping Suzuki meet global sustainability standards when manufacturing vehicles and motorcycles.

For many years, our organization, with its competent and experienced team, 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 SES N 2402 standard.