The quantity of raw materials going into Sonova’s annual production of hearing instruments is roughly equivalent to four mid-class passenger cars. Although the environmental impact is remarkably low Sonova’s ultimate ambition is to reduce its environmental exposure. During the course of 2006/07, we switched completely to lead-free soldering in the manufacture of our hearing systems. Despite the exemption rule that applies to medical applications, the Sonova Group has voluntarily begun to implement the EU directive RoHS 2002/95/EC, which bans the use of environmentally harmful substances in electrical and electronic equipment. This year we expect to be able to source exclusively lead-free components, thereby ensuring full compliance with the EU directive.

Carbon emissions
First groupwide CO₂ survey showed CO₂ emissions close to 1200t (Scope 1: Combustion and processes) whereof 655t from heating oil, 538t from gas and 4t from electricity (11MWh annual consumption). The energy consumption of the production processes is very modest. Climate control accounts for most of the energy consumed. Sonova has no formal written strategy for the reduction of CO₂ discharges but is however sensitive to CO₂ relevant factors.

No hazardous materials
Hearing systems are subject to standards imposed by the Medical Device Directive of the European Community, MDD 93/42/EEC, and by ISO standards 9001:2000 and 13485:2003. In order to comply with these rules, Sonova must not use hazardous raw materials or operating supplies in its production process. Unfortunately, these regulations also limit the use of recycled material or used components. Due to the premium quality of the input materials used, waste materials are still very valuable and are redirected into the recycling loop, which includes the recovery of plastic remnants from molding processes, cut-offs from printed circuit boards, and metals.

Low water consumption

Waste water from cleaning processes is filtered, filters are disposed of and the processed water redirected into the normal water cycle.

Waste management
The Sonova Group extended its recycling measures across the entire life cycle of the products and complies with the EU Directive WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) worldwide. This directive requires that consumers no longer simply dispose of old electrical devices in their household rubbish, but in an environmentally responsible way through individual collection and recycling systems. This directive also affects owners of hearing instruments. Sonova has affiliated itself to country-specific disposal systems. If these do not exist, Sonova takes back used devices and disposes of them correctly at its headquarters in Stäfa, Switzerland.