Environmental Management

Environmental stewardship has been an important principle at Cooper from its very beginnings and permeates throughout the Company’s manufacturing operations today. A leader in environmental protection, Cooper continuously seeks to minimize the environmental impact of its operations. With comprehensive training and well-established internal controls, Cooper’s plants exemplify environmentally responsible manufacturing. Many of Cooper’s plants now meet the ISO 14001 environmental management system standard, including Cooper’s plant in Mexico City, which was certified in 2001.

In 1990, Cooper Industries issued a formal policy to affirm its commitment to the environment. The principles of this policy, highlighted here, reinforce standards of operation already in place and remind employees throughout the world that environmental considerations have the highest priority at Cooper.

Principles of Cooper Environmental Policy include:

• To observe all environmental laws and regulations.
• To respond effectively to environmental concerns involving Cooper facilities and products.
• To minimize and, wherever possible, to eliminate the generation of all wastes.
• To conduct operations in a manner that demonstrates respect for the environment.
• To cooperate with national, state and local governments in developing scientifically based environmental standards.
• To encourage the development of environmentally sound procedures and to conduct business with the best-available technology.
• To maintain environmental monitoring programs that ensure compliance with governmental requirements and these principles.
• To provide training programs that emphasize the individual’s responsibility for sound environmental decisions.

To learn more about Cooper’s environmental management program, please view Cooper’s Environmental Statement, a brochure designed for use with customers and others interested in Cooper’s approach to this important issue.

Cooper launched a recognition program in 1994, designed to salute outstanding performance in environmental protection and resource conservation efforts at the Company’s plants. Winners in this program earn the right to make a grant from the Cooper Industries Foundation to a local environmental group. To date, more than $350,000 has been contributed to organizations in Cooper communities around the world. Please view the winners of the Company’s 2004 Environmental Excellence Awards Program.