AKABA, S.A.is a company sensitive to environmental issues and is consequently committed to comply with different environmental standards. As a result, AKABA S.A. is involved in a continuous process of revision and improvement of the Control and Management of its activities.

The implementation of an environmental management system is a strategic and competitive challenge accepted by our company, resulting from the firm commitment accepted by AKABA S.A. with society to take care of the environment. The main principles of this challenge are:

• To design products and processes that minimize the consumption of raw material and the rational use of resources as well as to re-use or recycle waste.
  
  
• To reduce air, water and soil pollution adopting preventive measures to avoid environmental accidents .
  
  
• To be aware of and to comply with the Legislation and Regulations related to the environment and that affect the activities of AKABA, S.A.
  
  

Among the actions already undertaken we have to highlight the elaboration of an Environmental Diagnosis of the company, following the EKOSCAN program of the Basque Government.

This previous step is necessary in order to obtain the certification of the activities of AKABA, S.A. under the Norm ISO 14001.

Nevertheless, the following specific areas witness AKABA’s awareness in ecological responsibility:

• All plastics used are PP, PA 6, PE and PS, all classified as non hazardous. Also, the plastic parts are marked so that they can be easily re-used or recycled..
• No chemical product is used that can cause harm in the workplace.
• The paint used is in powder, free of paint thinner.
• The painting process is done in a running water cabin which minimizes release of powder into the atmosphere.
• Wood is varnished in front of a waste absorbing wall constantly covered with water.
• No use of exotic wood, imported or endangered.
• All the paper waste, foam and textiles are recycled.
• All metallic waste is recycled.
• All hazardous waste is classified and sent to authorized waste dealers.

These activities, among others, belong to a group of actions undertaken sistematically by AKABA, S.A. following the commitment with the environment and its protection.

Lasarte, June 2003

Josean Diez Mintegui Managing Director

Roberto Alfonso Quality Manager