Supply Chain Management
As a company handling a diverse range of products and services across the globe, ensuring that our supply chains operate sustainably is crucial to our business. In order to reflect this, MC stipulates its requirements through the Mitsubishi Corporation Policy for Sustainable Supply Chain Management, established originally in February 2008. MC and all its suppliers take the same fundamental position towards the themes addressed in the Policy, which include human and labor rights, anti-corruption and environmental conservation.
Core Principles
Since its foundation, Mitsubishi Corporation has adhered to three corporate principles which have guided its corporate philosophy and which place considerable emphasis on the importance of its corporate social responsibilities. Moreover, Mitsubishi Corporation's Corporate Standards of Conduct state that the company will develop its business activities in compliance with all relevant laws and international regulations and that it will act responsibly and respect the highest social standards. The Corporate Standards of Conduct also underline Mitsubishi Corporation's dedication to preserving the global environment and pursuing sustainable development through all aspects of its business activities.
Mitsubishi Corporation Policy for Sustainable Supply Chain Management Updated: December 2017
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Policy
Mitsubishi Corporation (hereafter ‘MC’), as a global company with business in a wide variety of products and services, has established the Mitsubishi Corporation Policy for Sustainable Supply Chain Management, a policy which outlines MC's actions to address human rights, labor rights, and environmental issues in the supply chain. This policy serves to convey MC's fundamental perspective to its suppliers around the world, and expects all suppliers to understand, embrace and abide by it.
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(1) Forced Labor
Suppliers shall employ all employees of their own free will with no employee being subject to forced or bonded labor.
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(2) Child Labor
Suppliers shall not employ people under the minimum legal working age of the country in question.
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(3) Safe and healthy Working Environments
Suppliers shall work to provide employees with safe and healthy working environments.
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(4) Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining
Suppliers shall respect the right of employees to associate freely and engage in collective bargaining as methods of negotiating working environments, wages and other matters with employers.
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(5) Discrimination
Suppliers shall strive to ensure equal opportunities in the work place and shall not engage in discrimination with regard to recruitment and employment practices.
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(6) Abuse and Harassment
Suppliers shall respect employees' human rights and must not tolerate abuse or any form of harassment.
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(7) Working Hours
Suppliers shall ensure that employees' working hours and use of leave entitlements are appropriately monitored and that excessive overtime labor is prohibited, so as not to infringe upon any statutory regulations.
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(8) Suitable Remuneration
Suppliers shall pay employees at least the statutory minimum wage, endeavor to pay at least the living wage, and shall not unreasonably reduce wages.
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(9) Anti-corruption
Suppliers shall engage in fair business practices, avoid corruption including bribery and extortion, and comply with applicable laws and regulations.
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(10) Environment
Suppliers shall endeavor to protect the environment and consider the impacts of their business activities on local communities and ecosystems, while paying special attention to energy use efficiency, climate change issues such as greenhouse gas emissions, sustainable use of resources, waste reduction, and air, soil and river pollution.
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(11) Information Disclosure
Suppliers shall disclose information with respect to the aforementioned matters in a timely and appropriate manner.
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Monitoring
MC conducts regular surveys of suppliers to monitor the status of their compliance with basic policies and to strengthen communication with suppliers.
Furthermore, MC visits suppliers to confirm the status of their activities when it determines that site visits are necessary based on the regions where suppliers are active and their business activities. -
Response to Compliance Violations
If a violation of the basic policies is confirmed, MC will demand that the relevant supplier implement corrective measures and will provide guidance and assistance to the supplier as necessary.
If MC determines that the supplier is unlikely to implement corrective measures even after providing continuous guidance and assistance, MC will review its business relationship with the relevant supplier.
Surveys and Supplier Visits
MC conducts surveys of suppliers of a range of products, including those industries where CSR considerations are particularly impactful, such as agricultural produce and apparel.
In 2016, MC conducted annual survey for the fiscal year ending March 2016 and replies were received from 439 companies in 40 countries and regions. Respondents answered questions pertaining to matters such as the existence of regulations and legal compliance; forced labor, child labor and prohibition of discrimination; environmental conservation; and information disclosure.
No particular problems were identified by this survey, but supplier surveys and site visits provide a valuable opportunity to communicate MC's stance on CSR and environmental affairs and will therefore be conducted on an ongoing basis.
Supplier Visits
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Visit to a coffee farm which supplies to Olam Colombia
Recognizing the importance of managing environmental and social impacts in our supply chains, we have established the Mitsubishi Corporation Policy for Sustainable Supply Chain Management. In addition to sharing the policy with business partners, we also conduct a regular questionnaire to confirm compliance with this policy.
Furthermore, MC employees conduct site visits of suppliers. In December 2016, MC was provided an opportunity by Olam to visit Olam Colombia's* milling plant and coffee farms from which Olam Colombia sources its coffee in order to better understand Olam's philosophy and approach to sustainability. MC also toured another coffee plantation of the Colombian Coffee Growers Federation (FNC). In each of these locations, MC confirmed that there were no problems related to sustainable supply chain management such as forced labor or child labor. These visits also helped to identify areas for further improvement related to health and safety (e.g. additional safety signage), and these improvements were quickly implemented. In collaboration with MC Group companies, MC will continue to work with its suppliers to make these sorts of improvements throughout the company's supply chains.
- *Olam Colombia is a subsidiary of Olam International Limited.
Archive
Introduction of Olam as a Frontrunner in Sustainability
Modern Slavery Act Statement for FY 2016
As a corporation which carries out business in the UK, MC has published a statement to comply with Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015. Please refer to the link below for details.
Mitsubishi Corporation's Statement on Modern Slavery Act for FY2016 (PDF:112KB)
Our Bluefin Tuna Business
As a corporation playing a major role in the marine products business, MC recognizes the crucial part that we play in conserving marine resources and ensuring a sustainable supply for future generations. To find out more about MC's stance on Bluefin Tuna and the specific measures we are implementing, please refer to our most recent policy below.
Mitsubishi Corporation's Bluefin Tuna Sustainable Sourcing Policy (Updated 7/28/2017) (PDF:116KB)
