|
 |
Company Profile
Business Conduct Guidelines
Kao's Business Conduct Guidelines
This is the English translation of Kao's Business Conduct Guidelines applicable in Japan. All Kao Group companies worldwide have adopted Kao's Business Conduct Guidelines or their own ethical guidelines similar to Kao's Business Conduct Guidelines with such modifications, or having materially the same principles as Kao's Business Conduct Guidelines, as may be required by laws and legitimate business practices applicable in locations where those companies operate or sell products. These Guidelines set forth standards of conduct for employees of Kao Group companies in Japan but are not intended to create rights or grant rights to anyone.
Principles of Corporate Ethics
Kao Corporation seeks to be an honest and exemplary company, guided by sensible and fair actions and driven by a fundamental adherence to ethical principles that go beyond mere compliance with laws to earn the true respect of all stakeholders.
We shall not pursue profits at the expense of the ethical principles set out in Kao's Business Conduct Guidelines.
We support and implement the ten principles of the Global Compact advocated by the United Nations. [See Note]
Even within a legally acceptable scope, we shall take the most exemplary initiatives.
Illegal and unethical action is prohibited even if for the purpose of seeking to benefit the company or if following instructions from a supervisor.
We shall not ignore illegal, unethical or other questionable conduct. All such conduct should be brought to the attention of a supervisor, the Legal & Compliance Division or other appropriate department.
Kao shall protect and safeguard, to the maximum extent practicable, the identity of anyone who reports information regarding illegal, unethical or other questionable conduct or seeks consultation about such conduct.
No unfavorable treatment shall be accorded to anyone for providing such information or seeking such consultation.
If an employee of a Kao Group company breaches these guidelines, such employee will be subject to disciplinary actions based on the internal regulations of the company to which such employee belongs.
[Note]
The Global Compact consists of the following "ten principles" advocated by the United Nations and it encourages each company to embrace, support and enact, within their sphere of influence, a set of core values in the areas of human rights, labour standards, the environment, and anti-corruption.
Human Rights
Principle 1: Businesses should support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights within their sphere of influence;
Principle 2: Businesses should make sure they are not complicit in human rights abuses;
Labour Standards
Principle 3: Businesses should uphold the freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining;
Principle 4: Businesses should uphold the elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labour;
Principle 5: Businesses should uphold the effective abolition of child labour;
Principle 6: Businesses should uphold the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation;
Environment
Principle 7: Businesses should support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges;
Principle 8: Businesses should undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility;
Principle 9: Businesses should encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies; and
Anti-Corruption
Principle 10: Businesses should work against corruption in all its forms, including extortion and bribery.
|
