Konica Minolta Signs the United Nations Global Compact
January 22, 2009
Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc., has recently become a signatory to the United Nations (UN) Global Compact, endorsing the Global Compact's Ten Principles in the areas of human rights, labour, the environment and anti-corruption.
Today, enterprises are required to fulfill their responsibility not only in the financial aspects, but also in environmental and social aspects.
The Konica Minolta Group engages in corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives based on the Konica Minolta Group's Charter of Corporate Behavior and its management philosophy of "Creation of New Value."
By becoming a signatory to the Global Compact initiative, Konica Minolta has declared its commitment to implement the Global Compact's Ten Principles on a global and Group-wide basis, through various activities including compliance and global environmental initiatives, and implementation of socially responsible procurement.
Overview of UN Global Compact Initiative
The Global Compact is an initiative proposed by former UN Secretary-General Kofi Anan, which was officially launched at UN Headquarters in 2000. The Global Compact is a set of principles for businesses to voluntarily put into action. The initiative gives businesses a framework from which to show creative and responsible leadership in attempting to resolve various issues impacting the globe, such as global warming, environmental issues and social inequality. Under the initiative, businesses commit to achieving sustainable growth on a global scale by engaging in conduct that reflects good corporate citizenship.
Our Participation
The public increasingly expects corporations to contribute to environmental and social issues and work toward the realization of a sustainable society. In order to earn the widespread confidence of society, corporations must make their presence felt by declaring and implementing corporate principles in a visible and accessible way.
The Konica Minolta Group will actively work toward implementing the Global Compact's Ten Principles, and will communicate the Group's initiatives to the world.
The UN Global Compact's Ten Principles
Human Rights
Principle 1:Businesses should support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights; and
Principle 2:make sure that 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:the elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labour;
Principle 5:the effective abolition of child labour; and
Principle 6:the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.
Environment
Principle 7:Businesses should support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges;
Principle 8:undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility; and
Principle 9:encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies.
Anti-Corruption
Principle 10:Businesses should work against corruption in all its forms, including extortion and bribery.
Related Links
Konica Minolta Holdings is registered as a participant at the UN Global Compact website.