Atlas Copco Tools receives environmental certification

24 jun 2002

Stockholm, Sweden, June 24, 2002 - The product company of Atlas Copco Tools and Assembly Systems in Tierp, Sweden, has been granted ISO 14001 certification for its operations according to its documented Environmental Policy. With the recent certification, 79% of the Atlas Copco Group’s production sites worldwide are ISO 14001 certified.

The ISO 14001 certificate can only be gained by complying with strict international standards in terms of protection of the environment and safety at work. To retain the certification, the company’s environmental performance will be checked continuously.  Manifesting the Group’s intention to comply with environmental legislation and make continuous improvements in environmental performance, the environmental policy covers virtually all aspects of Atlas Copco Tools and Assembly Systems’ operations.  The following changes in the manufacturing process reflect the company’s commitment to minimizing the environmental impact of its manufacturing operations:  · For component cleaning, trichloroethylene has been replaced by a non-toxic degreaser.  · For surface coating of components, a new, more environmentally friendly black oxide process has been installed.  · For equipment cooling freons have been replaced with another cooling medium with less ozone depletion potential (ODP).  · Waste is sorted at source into different categories to avoid adding to landfills.  The environmental improvements are not restricted to the manufacturing side. Office air conditioning systems now use environmentally friendly cooling media. The design department enforces a policy that avoids using toxic chemicals and focuses on recycling and energy efficiency. And the purchasing department places clearly defined environmental demands on the products and services of sub-suppliers and contractors. CONTACT:  Fredrik Ljungdahl, Sustainability Communications Manager, Atlas Copco AB  +46 70 200 94 91, [email protected]  Anna Brandhorst-Satzkorn, Environmental Manager,  Atlas Copco Industrial Technique, + 46 8 7439290, or +46 70 3779290,  [email protected]  Atlas Copco Tools and Assembly Systems develops, manufactures and markets hand-held electric and pneumatic tools and assembly systems. The products are primarily sold to the automotive and general industry worldwide. With customer service centers in many parts of the world, the company offers not only a complete range of products and services, but also global project management for multi-national customers. The division employs more than 1700 people worldwide, with headquarters located in Stockholm, Sweden. Atlas Copco Tools and Assembly Systems is a division within the Industrial Technique business area of the Atlas Copco Group. See www.atlascopco.com/tools  Atlas Copco is an international industrial Group with its head office in Stockholm, Sweden. In 2001, the Group had revenues of SEK 51 billion, with 98 percent of revenues outside Sweden, and close to 26,000 employees. The Group produce and market compressed air equipment and generators, construction and mining equipment, electric and pneumatic tools, assembly systems, and offers related service and equipment rental. The Group owns famous brands like RSC, Milwaukee, Chicago Pneumatic and AEG Power Tools. More information can be found on the web site: www.atlascopco-group.com.