Toyota Motor Corp. and Hitachi Ltd. said Thursday they will launch a joint venture to help small businesses deal with a new environment-protection law that takes effect April 1.
The firm will be set up in March.
The new law will require companies to submit reports on the release and transfer of chemicals. Toyota and Hitachi expect the service to stir demand from small businesses that do not have experts with the ability to fill out the reports.
Specifically, the new company, Eco Research, will offer an online database tool that will prepare reports based on information from clients.