The release of the plumbing industry’s first Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for its WASHLET S7 bidet seats and NEOREST NX and WX smart bidet toilets.
TOTO, the world’s largest plumbing manufacturer with annual sales of approximately $5.34 billion, announced the release of the plumbing industry’s first Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for its WASHLET S7 bidet seats and NEOREST NX and WX smart bidet toilets. These breakthrough EPDs present extensive life cycle assessment (LCA) and material health data in an understandable format, showcasing TOTO’s continuous leadership in sustainability and product transparency.
This feat builds on TOTO’s historic 2013 breakthrough as the first plumbing manufacturer to incorporate EPDs into its high-efficiency toilets. TOTO pioneered product transparency over a decade ago, establishing a lasting precedent for sustainability in the plumbing sector and paving the road for today’s innovative innovations.
“As a company dedicated to creating a more sustainable future, TOTO is proud to be the first in the plumbing sector to offer environmental product declarations for its WASHLET and NEOREST models. This is a huge step forward in providing our clients and the design-build community with the information they need to make better informed, sustainable decisions,” stated Hidemi Ishikawa, CEO of TOTO USA. “We believe transparency is key to creating a better world, and we are honored to lead the way.”
Key Features of TOTO’s Innovative EPDs
TOTO’s bidet seats and smart bidet toilets now feature Transparency Reports [EPD]™ from Sustainable Minds (SM), which present extensive LCA and material health data in an easy-to-read format. TOTO, the first firm to develop EPDs for bidet seats and smart bidet toilets, is once again displaying its commitment to environmental transparency and sustainable innovation. These reports provide clear and actionable insights into the environmental performance and material health data of TOTO’s WASHLET S7 series bidet seats, as well as the NEOREST NX and NEOREST WX series smart bidet toilets, from raw material extraction to manufacturing and disposal.
During the development of its SM Transparency Reports [EPD], TOTO meticulously analyzed over 1,600 component parts in its WASHLET and NEOREST products, spending five months collecting data across the TOTO Global Group and another four months conducting analysis using advanced LCA modeling software.
TOTO’s SM Transparency Reports [EPD], which have been verified by NSF to meet worldwide environmental reporting standards, set a new industry standard for sustainable plumbing products and transparent environmental reporting.
“TOTO’s leadership in transparency and sustainability has set a powerful example for the entire industry,” stated Terry Swack, CEO of Sustainable Minds. “Through our work together, we’ve seen firsthand how providing meaningful environmental and material data can transform how consumers and design-build professionals make informed purchasing decisions that help create higher-performing, healthier buildings.”
Advancing Sustainability and Material Health: The Living Building Challenge and Declare Program
TOTO is pleased to announce that its NEOREST NX, NEOREST WX, and WASHLET S7 series are also “compliant” with the International Living Future Institute’s Living Building Challenge (LBC) materials requirements. Known as one of the most demanding sustainability frameworks. Globally, the LBC encourages regenerative design, healthier built environments, and non-toxic materials. Obtaining “compliant” status under the stringent LBC framework demonstrates TOTO’s ongoing dedication to sustainability and material health. It demonstrates TOTO’s leadership in developing new products that serve global environmental, wellness, and material health goals while also promoting a sustainable built environment.
These TOTO items were evaluated for material health and sustainability using the ILFI’s Declare Program, which simplifies and facilitates the transparent exchange of product component information. The NEOREST NX series has received LBC “Red List Free” designation, verifying the absence of dangerous compounds specified on the LBC’s Red List. Furthermore, the NEOREST WX and WASHLET S7 series have achieved “Red List Approved” status by meeting the LBC’s high transparency standards and adhering to its approved exceptions. These distinctions demonstrate TOTO’s commitment to creating sustainable, transparent, and ecologically responsible goods that contribute to the creation of healthier, more sustainable buildings.
Empowering Consumers and Professionals
TOTO’s SM Transparency Reports [EPD] with LBC and Declare data serve both design-build professionals and consumers by providing clear, trustworthy data on the sustainability and material health of its products.
For consumers, this eliminates the need to choose between luxury and sustainability. Products such as the WASHLET S7 bidet seat and NEOREST smart bidet toilets offer high-performance, luxurious features while remaining ecologically conscious and using safe, non-toxic materials.
These studies also contribute crucial points toward LEED certification for sustainable construction projects.
A Reflection of TOTO’s Corporate Social Responsibility
TOTO’s environmental leadership is also visible in its efforts to reduce the company’s worldwide carbon footprint, which is a key component of its WILL2030 objectives and pledges to the Science Based Targets program (SBTi). TOTO’s commitment extends to accurate environmental reporting and sustainable production, which reinforces the company’s overall commitment to corporate social responsibility and sustainable innovation.
Global Recognition by the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP)
The Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) awarded TOTO a “A List” leader in environmental openness and effectiveness, recognizing the company’s sustainability initiatives globally. This award recognizes TOTO’s dedication to lowering carbon emissions, expanding water conservation efforts, and achieving the CDP’s stringent environmental performance and transparency standards.
In 2023, over 23,000 enterprises registered with the CDP, but only 400 received an A rating. This honor positions TOTO in the top 1.74% of firms worldwide, highlighting its sustainability leadership and aggressive strategies to reduce environmental impact.
Industry Impact and Future Innovation
With 22 EPDs now published and more in the works, TOTO’s commitment to transparency reporting is growing.
The next stage is to expand its SM Transparency Reports [EPD] to encompass other product categories, including as commercial and residential fixtures, lavatories, and faucets. Building professionals have already lauded these reports for assisting them in making well-informed, sustainable design decisions. TOTO’s new standard for environmentally conscious innovation will promote green building practices in the industry. “As an independent and accredited third-party certifier, the credibility of NSF-certified environmental information cannot be overstated,” said Dave Purkiss, VP of Water at NSF. “SM Transparency Reports [EPD] are an important contribution to the plumbing industry’s sustainability efforts, and we’re proud to provide TOTO third-party support to help them fulfill their vision.”
