Life cycle approach in rolling stock purchases

VR is committed to addressing environmental impacts in its procurement of materials and services. Ethical instructions for purchasing activities were confirmed, which obligate suppliers to address environmental issues. VR updated its design standards for rolling stock to incorporate a lifecycle approach.

VR aims to reduce the number of items in the chemicals register and to ensure the availability of Safety Data Sheets. Altogether 824 tonnes of chemicals were purchased for the use of VR’s workshops and depots in 2008.

The chassis structures of old wagons are recycled and used in the production of freight wagons at the Pieksämäki workshop. In 2008 the workshop built 185 modernized and 102 completely new wagons.