Policy
Since its foundation, Mitsubishi Corporation (MC) has adhered to the Three Corporate Principles which have guided its corporate philosophy and which place considerable emphasis on the importance of its corporate social responsibilities. Moreover, our Corporate Standards of Conduct outline our commitment to comply with all relevant laws and international regulations and to act responsibly and to respect the highest social standards. Our Corporate Standards of Conduct further elaborate on our commitment to preserving the global environment and pursuing sustainable development through all aspects of our business activities.For MC, as a global company involved in businesses across a wide range of products and services, ensuring sustainable supply chains is a key issue. MC has established the Mitsubishi Corporation Policy for Sustainable Supply Chain Management, 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 all its suppliers.In recognition of the fact that certain products we handle may be associated with environmental issues, such as impacts on climate and nature as well as social issues, such as adverse effects on the human rights of workers, indigenous peoples, and local communities, we have established Individual Guidelines that outline our approach to addressing these environmental and social challenges in procurement. These guidelines serve to covey MC’s fundamental perspective to suppliers worldwide and work together to advance responsible sourcing practices.
Sustainable Supply Chain Management
- Policy
For MC, as a global company involved in businesses across a wide range of products and services, ensuring sustainable supply chains is a key issue. MC has established the Mitsubishi Corporation Policy for Sustainable Supply Chain Management, 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 all its suppliers.
- Forced Labor
Suppliers shall employ all employees of their own free will with no employee being subject to forced or bonded labor. - Child Labor
Suppliers shall not employ people under the minimum legal working age of the country in question. - Safe and Healthy Working Environments
Suppliers shall work to provide employees with safe and healthy working environments. - 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. - Discrimination
Suppliers shall strive to ensure equal opportunities in the workplace and shall not engage in discrimination with regard to recruitment and employment practices. - Abuse and Harassment
Suppliers shall respect employees’ human rights and must not tolerate abuse or any form of harassment. - 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. - 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. - Anti-Corruption
Suppliers shall engage in fair business practices, avoid corruption including bribery and extortion, and comply with applicable laws and regulations. - 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. - Information Disclosure
Suppliers shall disclose information with respect to the aforementioned matters in a timely and appropriate manner.
- Monitoring
MC conducts annual surveys of suppliers to monitor the status of their compliance with the Basic Policy and to strengthen communication with suppliers. Furthermore, MC visits suppliers to check the status of their activities when it determines that site visits are necessary based on region and business activities. Audit reviews are carried out based on the audit lists prepared with the advice of an outside advisor, and guidance is given to the suppliers. - Response to Compliance Violations
If a violation of the Basic Policy 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 re-evaluate its business relationship with the relevant supplier.
Review of our Purchasing Policy
By sharing its Policy for Sustainable Supply Chain Management in its contracts with suppliers*, MC ensures its suppliers abide by the Basic Policy. MC may ask a supplier to correct their business behavior if there is a violation of the Basic Policy, and will re-evaluate its business relationship with the relevant supplier if no correction has been made. MC will continue to work with its suppliers to ensure that environmental and social considerations are taken into account.
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The terms and conditions of purchasing contracts, consignment sales agreements, long-term purchasing contracts, etc.
Individual Guidelines
MC has formulated individual guidelines for certain products.
Soybean Procurement Guidelines
Timber and Paper Products Procurement Guidelines
Palm Oil Procurement Guidelines
Tuna Procurement Guidelines
Coffee Bean Procurement Guidelines
Cocoa Bean Procurement Guidelines
Animal Welfare Policy for Suppliers
The MC Group prioritizes maintaining comfortable living environments for livestock as well as aquaculture species and believes that the resulting reduction of stress and illness contributes to improved productivity as well as the production of safe livestock and marine products. We see animal welfare as vital to the establishment of sustainable supply chains and work closely with our suppliers to improve animal welfare, including the monitoring of related initiatives through our Sustainable Supply Chain Survey.
Our consolidated subsidiary Cermaq has established an animal welfare policy
as well as a number of indicators to ascertain whether animal welfare is being upheld.
On October 2024, Cermaq was awarded by the NGO Compassion in World Farming with their Special Recognition Prize for Cermaq’s welfare practices for humane slaughter of its salmon.
For more information, please visit the Fish health and welfare page on the Cermaq Global website
.
Bluefin Tuna Sustainable Sourcing Policy
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.