Supplier action standards
Supplier action standards
The mission of the Group is to become a “change agent group” that brings positive change to individuals and organizations. As we continue to grow ourselves and seek to fulfill this mission, the Group aims to achieve a sustainable society.
Society demands that companies take efforts for a sustainable society as social and environmental issues have worsened. As such, the Group has begun initiatives to address ESG issues and solve problems. In order to realize a sustainable society, we need not only to take efforts ourselves, but also have suppliers’ understanding and support in such efforts as our partners.
As such, we have established WILL GROUP Supplier Action Standards for our suppliers.
We ask that suppliers understand and agree to these standards and cooperate with us in efforts to realize a sustainable society as a partner of the Group.
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- Ⅰ．Scope
- Suppliers engaged in transactions with the Company or Group companies (hereinafter the “WILL GROUP”) are required to comply with these standards.
WILL GROUP also expects that any other third party companies involved in transactions with the WILL GROUP will comply with the same standards.
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- Ⅱ．Operation
- WILL GROUP selects suppliers who will comply with the provisions of these standards. After starting transactions, compliance with these standards will be one deciding factor in maintaining ongoing transaction.
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- Ⅲ．Inspection
- Suppliers shall answer questionnaires, accept on-site auditing, provide related materials and records, and respond to other requests of WILL GROUP so that WILL GROUP can confirm the status of compliance to these standards.
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- Ⅳ．Violation reporting and corrective measures
- If it has been confirmed that a supplier violated these standards (or is suspected of such; applies to entire provision), it must immediately report this to the WILL GROUP.
If the violation is confirmed, the supplier shall form a plan to resolve the violation, enact corrective measures, and report on the status of these measures to the WILL GROUP.
Depending on the details of the violation, this may result in a termination of contract with WILL GROUP.
1. Compliance with laws and regulations, etc.
Suppliers shall comply with all national and local laws and regulations where they perform business activities. Suppliers shall strive to comply with the international standards and industrial standards related to fair business practices, human rights, labor, and the environment.
2. Respect of human rights
(1) Prohibition of child labor*
- shall not employ children who are not of the minimum age to work.
- shall not allow labor that may negatively affect children physically, mentally, socially, or ethically.
- shall not allow employment that scars opportunities of children’s education or damages the development of children.
*Child labor refers to the employment of persons who have not reached the minimum employment age as established in conventions and recommendations of the ILO (International Labour Organization), as well as the neglect of protection of youth workers.
For example, in Japan, child labor is prohibited in the cases of employing persons less than 15 years of age or violating laws and regulations to protect youth workers. One example of laws and regulations that protect youth workers from employment that may damage their health, safety, or morals is the restriction on nighttime work or dangerous jobs. Overseas, employment of persons who have not reached the minimum employment age as established by national laws and regulations and protection duty violations are considered child labor.
For countries that do not have such laws and regulations, actions that violate the conventions and recommendations of the ILO (International Labour Organization) shall be considered child labor. (In principle, the minimum employment age is 15: ILO Convention No. 138)
(2) Prohibition of forced labor*
- shall acknowledge the rights of employees to join or leave a company based on their own free will.
- shall not allow forced labor, including slave labor and compulsory labor achieved through physical or mental restrictions.
Forced labor refers to any of the following cases.
- Labor forced on a person against their will. Labor forced on a person in order to return a debt in which they are unable to quit. Slave labor as a result of human trafficking. Inhumane prisoner labor in harsh environments is also considered forced labor.
- Labor in which there are no rights to freely quit. Labor that requires the confiscation of identification, passports, or work permits.
(3) Prohibition of discrimination*
- shall not discriminate in employment opportunities, remuneration, promotion, and termination of employees.
*Discrimination refers to allowing different opportunities or treatment in employment, promotion, remuneration, and training based on factors outside of those logical, such as individual skills, aptitude, and results.
For example, people may be discriminated against for race, ethnicity, nationality, place of origin, skin color, age, gender, sexual orientation, disabilities, religion, political views, union membership, and marital status. Also, unequal opportunities and treatment because of health exams and pregnancy exams can be viewed as a discriminatory act.
(4) Freedom to form labor unions and support for collective bargaining rights
- shall respect the rights of employees to form labor unions in accordance to laws and regulations, choose whether or not to join such unions, and collective bargaining rights, and shall not discriminate against employees due to the use of these rights.
(5) Appropriate working hours
- shall appropriately manage* the working hours, off-days, and leave of employees in order not to exceed legal restrictions.
- Annual prescribed work days do no exceed legal restrictions.
- Working hours per week (excluding emergencies), including overtime, does not exceed legal restrictions.
- Provide at least one off-day per week.
- Provide the right to annual paid leave according to laws and regulations.
(6) Appropriate compensation
- shall pay compensation to employees at or above minimum wage*1 as established by laws and regulations. shall not make improper reductions of compensation*2.
- *1: Minimum wage refers to the minimum amount of compensation paid according to the compensation laws and regulations in a country. This also includes overtime pay, set benefits, and other benefits.
- *2: Improper reductions in compensation refer to wage reduction that violates labor laws and regulations.
3. Safe and healthy labor environment
1. Workplace safety and health, and prevention of workplace disasters
- shall evaluate risks to the safety and health of a workplace and secure safety and health with appropriate design, technology, and management procedures.
- shall conduct training related to safety procedures for employees and prevent workplace disasters. shall grasp the situation of workplace disasters and take appropriate measures.
4. Environmental conservation
Suppliers shall maintain an awareness of the importance of environmental conservation, preserve a proactive stance towards environmental conservation through their business activities, and strive to contribute to the development of sustainable society, including conservation of biodiversity, limiting greenhouse gas emissions, reducing waste products and water, saving resources, recycling, and preventing pollution. Suppliers shall maintain an awareness of the importance of environmental conservation, and strive for operations that take into consideration the environment, including biodiversity and limiting greenhouse gas emissions, from the use of resources to the management of waste products.