Social Responsibility
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Promoting Compliance
We have created a unified global system for assuring compliance, based on the Group Charter of Corporate Behavior.
Ensuring Thorough Compliance
Our Konica Minolta Group Charter of Corporate Behavior handbook is published in nine languages.
Multilingual Handbook of Konica Minolta Group Charter of Corporate Behavior
To share the spirit of the Konica Minolta Group Charter of Corporate Behavior, which is the basis of the Conduct Guidelines, we prepared 55,000 copies of the handbook, each containing the text of the Charter in nine languages (Japanese, English, Chinese, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and Russian). At the beginning of fiscal 2005, we provided the handbooks to all employees serving at our Group companies around the world. In addition, some subsidiaries outside Japan have prepared signboards showing the Charter of Corporate Behavior in their languages, and are displaying them in a visible location. We are also looking into other measures to explain and share the core spirit of the Charter of Corporate Behavior.
Preparation of Compliance Manual
We issued a Chinese version of the Compliance Manual.
Konica Minolta Compliance Manual
In April 2004, we completed the Konica Minolta Compliance Manual and provided copies of it to all employees of Group companies in Japan to enable them to act in accordance with the Konica Minolta Group Conduct Guidelines in all their daily activities. The Compliance Manual gives nearly 100 examples of situations in which employees may find themselves, and identifies various problems involved in those situations and suggests appropriate acts to take.
In May 2004, we prepared a Chinese version of the Compliance Manual (2,000 copies), which we distributed to employees in China. Since laws, regulations and commercial practices differ from country to country, the Chinese version is not a translation of the Japanese version, but was prepared as an original version conforming to local laws and regulations. In the U.S. and Europe, on the other hand, our affiliates have developed the Code of Conduct, which, in place of the Compliance Manual, stipulates standards to be observed by employees.
Compliance Education
We conduct a broad range of compliance education in and outside Japan.
The Konica Minolta Group companies in Japan provide their employees with various educational programs on compliance. In fiscal 2007, we held thematic educational programs nationwide on topics such as the Antimonopoly Act (546 participants), the Subcontracting Law (372 participants), and the Personal Information Protection Law (256 participants), and held seminars in which the Group employees can voluntarily participate. In addition, an educational program was offered for all people in management positions on the topic of prevention of workplace harassment. The Group also conducted other position-based compliance education for a total of 400 individuals in different positions: new employees (new graduate and mid-career employments), mid-level employees, new directors, and new managers.
At Konica Minolta Technology Center, Inc., information security seminars were held for all employees. In North America, local staff members (company lawyers) held educational sessions on issues including competition laws, sexual harassment, and import and export regulations. In Europe, education was provided through such means as the publication of handbooks on matters including environmental directives and competition laws.
Confirming Compliance Progress
Every month, we prepare reports on the status of compliance promotion.
Our Group companies in Japan must report each month on the status of compliance assurance to the Group Compliance Committee. Overseas Group companies are also required to submit quarterly reports on the progress of their compliance activities, to both the compliance committee of their parent company and the Group Compliance Committee. These reports serve to foster employee awareness regarding the importance of compliance at Group companies worldwide. Based on these reports, the Group Compliance Committee compiles monthly reports for submission to the Auditing Committee.
Protecting Whistleblowers
Our employees have access to multiple hotline services.
Konica Minolta Group Hotline (Japan)
In Japan, the Konica Minolta Group maintains a Group-wide hotline that allows employees to report any compliance violations that are discovered. Employees can consult directly with the President and CEO, the Group Compliance Officer, or the General Manager of the legal division at Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc. through different means such as telephone, email, or letter. In addition, independent hotlines have been set up at each business company in Japan for the business company's organization including its subsidiaries.
Likewise, some of the Group companies outside Japan also maintain their own hotlines. Konica Minolta provides independent internal hotlines even at its Group companies outside Japan. For example, Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc., an office equipment sales company in the U.S., established a Whistleblower's Hotline in October 2006, as a measure to protect those that report compliance problems.
In fiscal 2007, ten calls were made to the Group Hotline, and several reports were also submitted to the subsidiary hotlines. Information was also received by the hotline at Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., and it is operating effectively. The content of the hotline reports was investigated, while ensuring that the callers suffered no negative consequences, and instructions were given for immediate improvements.
Export Control
We ensure strict export control to help maintain international peace and security.
Today there is heightened concern over weapons of mass destruction and terrorist attacks. Japan's Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Control Law regulates the trade not only of weapons, but also of products and technology that could be used to create weapons. When exporting a product, part, or technology, firms are required: (1) to determine whether or not it is an advanced technology or technology product that could be used for weaponry as listed under international agreements (applicability determination); and (2) to check the recipient and the intended use for any risk of it being used for the development or manufacture of weapons of mass destruction (transaction screening). To comply with such regulations, Konica Minolta has established an Export Control Code for Security Purposes, and has created a control system for Group companies in Japan, in order to determine applicability, screen transactions, and audit relevant activities.
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