Respect for human rights
Basic approach
artience group is promoting business activities that respect the cultures and values of each region in accordance with the Corporate Philosophy (management philosophy) of People-oriented management and the Basic Policy on Respect for Human Rights (revised in January 2024).
Frameworks such as the OECD Multinational Enterprise Guidelines, the California Transparency in Supply Chains Act, and the UK's Modern Slavery Act 2015 require companies to fulfill their social responsibilities, including their supply chains, and we consider supply chains to be within the scope of our social responsibilities, and we are promoting initiatives that take into account human rights, labor, and the environment. In addition to the Basic Policy on Respect for Human Rights, we have established the Basic Policy on Procurement (revised in January 2024) and the Sustainable Supply Chain Guidelines (revised in May 2024), which are disseminated to Group Companies and suppliers in Japan and overseas.
The artience Group (hereinafter referred to as the “Group”), upholds a corporate philosophy of people-oriented management, and endeavors to respect human rights in all of its business activities, and to work with integrity and sincerity in cooperation with all stakeholders.
The Group acknowledges that its business activities may directly or indirectly impact human rights, and has formulated this Basic Policy on Respect for Human Rights (hereinafter this “Basic Policy”) to ensure that the human rights of all people affected by its activities are respected.
- Positioning
The Group actively supports and respects the international norms concerning the protection of human rights mentioned below. We have established this Basic Policy in accordance with these international norms, and carry out activities for respecting human rights based on this Basic Policy.- The International Bill of Human Rights (Universal Declaration of Human Rights, International Covenants on Human Rights)
- The UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights
- l The ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work
- The OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises
- The Children’s Rights and Business Principles
- Scope of application
This Basic Policy applies to all officers, corporate advisors, employees, contract employees, and part-time employees of the Group, as well as temporary dispatch workers and all other persons engaged in the Group’s business operations (hereinafter referred to collectively as “officers and employees.”) We also ask all suppliers, distributors, and other business partners who form the Group’s supply chain to understand and support this Basic Policy. - Observance of laws and international norms
The Group will comply with laws and regulations in countries and regions where it conducts business activities. In cases where these laws and regulations are insufficient in light of the international norms for the protection of human rights, or conflict with those international norms, the Group will seek methods of respecting internationally approved principles on human rights to the maximum extent possible. - Initiatives to ensure respect for human rights
The Group respects the human rights of all people directly or indirectly involved in its business activities, and endeavors not to infringe upon, not to be complicit in, and not to encourage human rights violations. In the event that our business activities cause a negative impact on human rights, we will take corrective and remedial measures. In addition, the Group will make efforts through its day-to-day business activities to prevent itself from becoming involved in any infringement of human rights or activities that negatively impact human rights.
In order to achieve the objectives of this paragraph, the Group recognizes that the following human rights issues related to its business activities are important elements of its corporate responsibility to respect human rights, and will focus on them.Human rights issues to be addressed
- child labor, forced labor
The Group will not tolerate child labor or forced labor. We will not tolerate any form of modern slavery, including debt labor or human trafficking, inhumane treatment, or unfair labor practices. - l Discrimination or harassment
The Group respects the dignity and diversity of individuals, and will work to eradicate all forms of discrimination and harassment for reasons including, but not limited to, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, region of origin, social background, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, philosophy, creed, religion, political affiliation or political opinion, disability, military service status, union membership, employment type, academic background, marital status, family circumstances, state of health and genetic information. - Freedom of association, collective bargaining rights and privacy protections
The Group will comply with the laws and regulations of the countries and regions in which it operates, and respect workers’ freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining. We will also respect the privacy of individuals and work to protect it. - Occupational safety and health, wages and working hours
The Group will work to create a comfortable working environment that takes safety and health into consideration. The Group will pay appropriate wages and manage working hours with care and consideration for the lives of officers and employees, and aim to create a work environment where employees can work with a sense of fulfillment and job satisfaction. - Responsible procurement
The Group will consider resources protection and environmental conservation and implement responsible procurement to avoid any involvement in any infringement of human rights in association with mining or trading in any conflict region or any high-risk region.
- child labor, forced labor
- Implementation of human rights due diligence
For the purpose of implementing activities to ensure respect for human rights, the Group will construct a system of human rights due diligence, and identify any negative impacts on human rights, and work to prevent or mitigate them. With regard to concerns about negative impacts on human rights within the Group, we will operate an effective grievance handling program that can be used by all employees, their close relatives, and all who have some relationship with the Group’s business. - Information disclosure
The Group will disclose its activities for respecting human rights and the results of these activities via its website and reports, and by other means. - Dialogue and discussion
The Group will identify stakeholders that have been or possibly may be negatively impacted by its business activities in relation to human rights and engage in dialogue and consult with them on a timely basis. - Education and training
The Group will provide appropriate education and training to ensure that its officers and employees have a correct understanding of human rights and various issues relating to human rights, and that this Basic Policy is firmly established and effectively implemented in all of its business activities. - Corrective and remedial measures
If it is found that the Group’s business activities have directly or indirectly caused or contributed to negative impacts on human rights, the Group will take prompt action to correct and remedy the situation through appropriate means, including dialogue. - Revision, abolition and management
Decisions regarding the revision or abolition of this Basic Policy shall be made by the Board of Directors of artience Co., Ltd.
The department in charge of the revision and abolition of this Basic Policy shall be the department that oversees human rights activities of artience Co., Ltd.
Established on March 10, 2023 (Resolved at Board of Directors on March 10, 2023)
Revised on January 1, 2024 (Resolved at Board of Directors on December 8, 2023)
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Promotion system
The Group responds to regulations and policies related to human rights by Human Resources Department. Regarding human rights issues and education on human rights, Human Resources Department and Compliance Committee are working on themes.
Risks related to human rights are addressed by incorporating them into relevant departments by theme, and under the leadership of the officer in charge of risk management (Risk Management Committee Director), the Risk Management Committee comprehensively and comprehensively manages risks across the entire Group and confirms them at subcommittees. Group Management Committee and Board of Directors are also reported on these initiatives and monitor their progress and challenges.
Risk management
human rights due diligence
Companies are required to fulfill their social responsibilities, including their supply chains, and we consider the supply chain to be within the scope of our own social responsibilities, and we are promoting initiatives that take into account human rights, labor, and the environment. In addition, based on the belief that it is necessary to understand and reduce the negative impact of our business activities on human rights, we are promoting initiatives by incorporating expected human rights-related risks into relevant departments by theme.
Regarding respect for human rights and labor practices within the Group, the Human Resources Department and General Affairs Department Legal Groups and related departments work together to ensure a healthy work environment through training, education, and awareness-raising activities.
For the supply chain, we confirm the status of our suppliers' sustainability activities, including human rights, through the distribution of the Sustainable Supply Chain Guidelines, which clearly state compliance with laws and regulations, respect for international norms, respect for human rights, fair working conditions and working environment, reduction of environmental impact, and prevention of corruption, as well as responses to CSR procurement questionnaires.
If the Group's business activities directly or indirectly cause participation in human rights violations or negative impacts on human rights, we will promptly address the issue through dialogue and appropriate procedures.
Human rights violation reporting point (complaint mechanism)
We have established internal and external Compliance Office as a reporting point for compliance, including human rights violations. In addition, we have set up an inquiry desk (also available in English and Chinese) on our website to respond to reports from outside. We investigate the facts of the report and take prompt action if there is a concern that a problem may occur, and we give the utmost consideration to the protection and confidentiality of the whistleblower.
In fiscal 2024, there were no reports that led to serious risks related to human rights violations.
Human rights issues to be addressed
We identify human rights issues that are at risk of negative impacts from our business activities and specify them as human rights issues to be addressed in the Basic Policy on Respect for Human Rights ((1) child labor, forced labor, (2) discrimination and harassment, (3) freedom of association, the right to collective bargaining, and privacy, (4) occupational health and safety, working hours and wages, and (5) responsible procurement).
We consider human rights issues to be addressed as human rights risks that should be addressed as a priority, and as an initiative to eliminate negative impacts, we promote DE&I and raise awareness in compliance activities (conducting training and education on the theme of respect for human rights and human rights violations), conducting internal questionnaires and CSR procurement questionnaires to suppliers.
Human rights issues to be addressed
- Child labor, forced labor
- Discrimination and Harassment
- Freedom of Association, Collective Bargaining Rights, Privacy
- Occupational Health and Safety, Working Hours and Wages
- Responsible Sourcing
- Human rights education and awareness activities
- Prevention of harassment
- Respect for workers' rights
- Child labor/forced labor