In a groundbreaking move, Hitachi Rail has unveiled the world's first Social Product Declaration (SPD), revolutionizing the way the social and ethical impact of trains is tracked. While environmental impacts have long been monitored, this new declaration takes it a step further by evaluating the social performance and adherence to ethical working practices throughout the entire life cycle of the trains.
Collaboration with EDP International
Collaborating with EDP International, Hitachi Rail has developed a pioneering system that records and evaluates the work done by suppliers across the value chain. This evaluation process encompasses all aspects, from design and sourcing of materials to manufacturing, decommissioning, and recycling. By doing so, Hitachi Rail can assure operators and passengers that their trains are produced in line with modern ethical working practices, including employee safety, fair salaries, gender equality, labor laws, and the rule of law.
Hitachi Rail's Commitment to Sustainability
For years, Hitachi Rail has been at the forefront of calculating the environmental impact of its trains, optimizing efficiency, reducing emissions, and achieving high recyclability rates. This commitment to sustainability has led to the company's recent achievement of the rigorous PAS 2080 carbon reduction standard for Britain's HS2 fleet. Now, with the introduction of the Social Product Declaration, Hitachi Rail is taking its commitment to transparency and responsibility to new heights.
Alignment with United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals
The Social Product Declaration aligns with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and marks a significant milestone in the industry.
Automated Platform for Information Gathering and Certification
With over 20,000 suppliers in its supply chain, Hitachi Rail plans to create an automated platform to manage information gathering and certification for future fleets. This will further streamline the process and ensure that social and environmental credentials are upheld across all products.
Luca D'Aquila's Perspective
Luca D'Aquila, COO of Hitachi Rail Group and CEO of Hitachi Rail Italy, expressed pride in launching this world-first certification for trains. He emphasized that the Social Product Declaration allows for the assessment of supply chain practices, giving customers and passengers confidence in the social impact of Hitachi Rail's products. D'Aquila also hopes that other companies will follow suit, contributing to a more sustainable and socially responsible industry.
Third-Party Verification
The Social Product Declaration has undergone third-party verification by Claudia A. Peña, an independent SPD verifier. It has been published in the International EPD System, owned by EPD International AB. Gustav Sandin, PCR Manager at EDP International, commended Hitachi Rail's achievement, highlighting how this declaration provides a more complete picture of a product's societal impact.
Masaccio Hybrid Fleet and EuroMasaccio
Hitachi Rail's Social Product Declaration was designed following rigorous testing on its Masaccio hybrid fleet. This fleet, currently being rolled out in Italy, has already demonstrated its ability to significantly reduce carbon emissions by 50% compared to existing trains. Building on this success, Hitachi Rail is now preparing to launch EuroMasaccio, an evolution of the product aimed at serving the central European market by 2027.
Setting a New Standard in the Rail Industry
The introduction of Hitachi Rail's Social Product Declaration sets a new standard for transparency and accountability in the rail industry. By tracking not only environmental but also social impacts, Hitachi Rail is leading the way towards a more sustainable and socially responsible future. As this world-first initiative gains recognition and support, it is hoped that other organizations will follow suit, furthering the cause of sustainable development across all industries.
(This article is sourced from globalrailwayreview.com and curated by Thetransporteronline24)
