Efforts in International Standardization Work
Advantest believes that engaging in international standardization activities is an important mission in terms of considering the various stakeholders. We hope to contribute to the development of the global market and realize innovations that help solve social issues by collaborating new social norms with diverse stakeholders around the world and providing solutions that meet international standards.
IEC
International standards for electronic devices such as semiconductors are developed and managed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). There are two working groups (WG) under IEC/TC91 that are involved in international standardization activities related to semiconductor design automation (EDA), and Advantest plays a major role in both WGs.
One of Advantest's directors received the IEC 1906 Award*1 from IEC in October 2016. This was in recognition of many years of his contribution to the automation of design testing. In October 2023, a manager of Advantest received the Industrial Standardization Award from the Director-General of the Industrial Science and Technology Policy and Environment Bureau at METI (Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry)*2. He was recognized for his work in establishing IEC63055 (a language that can be used universally between LSI, packages and boards), the design standard for IEC/TC91/WG13, and for promoting its application domestically and internationally.
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*1The IEC 1906 Award is given to experts on individual technical committees who have made significant contributions to the IEC and its efforts to standardize electrical and electronic technology.
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*2The Industrial Standardization Award is given to individuals and organizations that have contributed to the development and promotion of these standards.
IEEE
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) is the world’s largest technical organization. IEEE provides many services to the engineering community, among which is the creation and promulgation of industry standards, through an operational unit, IEEE Standards Association or IEEE SA.
Ken Butler is an IEEE Fellow and has been a member of IEEE SA for several years. He was invited to join the team which eventually became the IEEE P2427 Working Group in 2017 as the sole representative of a previous employer, and he has continued through his employment with Advantest. The IEEE P2427 Working Group is now composed of dozens of members from more than twenty companies and universities worldwide. Members of any IEEE SA Working Group can contribute to standards development for the betterment of the industry, influence the direction of those standards, and have a good understanding of the content of the standard prior to its publication.
IEEE P2427 is the draft standard for defect modeling and coverage. As of this writing, it should successfully complete its second round of balloting soon and be submitted for approval by the IEEE SA Standards Board. The standard documents rules, recommended practices, and procedures for performing defect coverage analysis for tests for analog circuits. For many decades, the test industry has had in place de facto standards for measuring coverage for digital circuits, but there has been no similar reference for analog circuits, and coverage analysis approaches have been mostly ad hoc. With the ratification of IEEE 2427, the industry will have an established and aligned methodology to measure the coverage of analog test sequences and compare among various test approaches and tools. The result will be an overall improvement in defect coverage for analog circuits and better overall device quality for the consumers of those same devices.
Commitment to External Initiatives
Advantest's management goal is to improve corporate value over the medium to long term by contributing through our business activities to a sustainable society that is safe, secure, and comfortable. As part of this, we hope to develop balanced relationships with all stakeholders through activities such as our sponsorship for and participation in various domestic and international statements and guidelines, and international standardization activities.
Initiatives/Organizations Advantest is Involved In
Advantest participates in international initiatives and organizations to contribute to solving social issues on a global scale and promote sustainable activities.
| Name of Initiative/Organization | Details of Activities | |
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| UN Global Compact (UNGC) |
The United Nations Global Compact is a voluntary initiative that calls for each company and group to act as a good member of society by demonstrating responsible and creative leadership and to participate in the creation of a global framework for realizing sustainable growth. Advantest joined the UN Global Compact in 2019 and supports its ten principles in four areas, namely "protection of human rights," "elimination of labor abuses," "environmental protection,"and anti-corruption," and we continuously endeavor to realize these goals. Report at the United Nations Global Compact Annual Forum 2024In March 2024, the Annual Local Network Forum (ALNF), the annual meeting of the United Nations Global Compact, was held in Japan, and approximately 153 members from the United Nations Global Compact and local networks in 58 countries around the world came to Japan. Group CEO (at the time) Yoshiaki Yoshida attended the high-level meeting held in conjunction with the ALNF, and reported on the company's initiatives to address climate change to the executives of each company, including Assistant Secretary-General and CEO of the United Nations Global Compact Sanda Ojambo. |
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| Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) |
In April 2020, Advantest announced its support for the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD)*3. We analyze the risks and opportunities posed by climate change on our business from the perspectives of strategy, risk management, and governance and globally deploy proactive measures. We also promote the enhancement of information disclosure based on the recommendations of the TCFD to achieve sustainable growth for the Advantest Group, enhance corporate value, and foster a sustainable society.
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| RE100 |
In August 2020, Advantest participated in RE100*4, an international initiative that aims to procure 100% renewable electricity for its energy consumption in business activities. Expanding the adoption of renewable energy is essential to achieve 100% reduction of CO2 emissions, which is one of our long-term goals related to climate change. By participating in RE100, which tackles the social issue of climate change on a global scale, we are promoting the further utilization of renewable energy with other participating companies.
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| Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) |
In November 2021, Advantest obtained certification from the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi)*5, a global corporate climate initiative that strives for science-based targets which provide a pathway for companies to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, for committing to its 1.5-degrees Celsius target. This certification recognizes that Advantest's greenhouse gas reduction goals are based on scientific evidence and will contribute to achieving the target, as determined by the Paris Agreement.
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| Green Power Partnership (U.S.EPA) |
Green Power Partnership was established by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2001 to encourage organizations to use green power voluntarily to protect human health and the environment. Advantest America, Inc. (AAI) joined Green Power Partnership in 2012. AAI has purchased Green Electricity Certificate for wind power generation and sourced 100% of its electricity from renewable energy sources. AAI will continue to contribute to expansion of green energy. |
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| Semiconductor Climate Consortium (SCC) |
Advantest has joined Semiconductor Climate Consortium (SCC), a consortium established by the Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International (SEMI), as a founding member in 2022. We are currently working with companies that agree to the commitment of the SCC to speed industry value chain efforts in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the semiconductor ecosystem. Our commitment to the SCC is also posted on SEMI's website. In November of the same year, we shared a "We Commit" video during the SCC session of the 27th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 27), demonstrating our active engagement in solving climate change issues. In addition, in January 2023, our SCC representative was also appointed as a new member of the SEMI North American Advisory Board (NAAB), serving as the primary advocate for member companies located in North America to address various challenges in the supply chain. |
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| Japan Climate Initiative (JCI) |
Japan Climate Initiative (JCI) is a network of non-state actors who make serious efforts towards the 1.5-degrees Celsius target and the realization of a decarbonized society. Advantest supports the declaration of the JCI, "Joining the front line of the global push for decarbonization from Japan," and participated in the initiative to support the transition to a decarbonized society by 2050. We will contribute to the realization of a decarbonized society by voluntarily and proactively taking actions on climate change and by working together with local governments and private companies, which are actively engaged in climate change countermeasures. |
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| 30by30 Alliance for Biodiversity |
Since April 2022, Advantest has been a member of the 30by30 Alliance for Biodiversity, a coalition of volunteer companies incorporated in the 30by30 Roadmap formulated by the Ministry of the Environment. 30by30 is a global promise agreed upon among all G7 countries at the G7 Summit held in June 2021, committed to conserving, or protecting at least 30% of their national land and sea areas by 2030 (“30by30”) toward the goal of halting and reversing biodiversity loss (nature positive). |
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Initiatives/Organizations Used as Reference