Procurement Policy
In conducting its business activities, the Tomoku Group recognizes social and environmental issues and, guided by its Management Philosophy, complies with relevant laws and regulations in Japan and overseas and conducts fair and impartial procurement.
- Fair and Impartial Opportunities and Procurement
- We provide fair competitive opportunities to suppliers, regardless of whether they are located in Japan or overseas.
- We select suppliers through fair evaluation of the quality, price, delivery, stable supply, and safety of their products and services; the soundness of their management; their ethics and compliance with laws and regulations; their social and environmental initiatives; their technical capabilities; their proposal capabilities; and other relevant factors.
- Compliance with Laws, Regulations, and Social Norms
- We comply with relevant laws, regulations, and social norms in Japan and overseas.
- We strictly manage and maintain the confidentiality of suppliers’ confidential information obtained through procurement transactions.
- We respect the intellectual property rights of third parties and suppliers, and do not engage in transactions that would infringe such rights.
- We ensure that any entertainment or gifts involving suppliers remain within the bounds of generally accepted social norms and are handled in accordance with internal rules.
- Consideration for Social Issues
- In accordance with the Tomoku Group’s CSR Policy and Human Rights Policy, we strive to conduct responsible transactions that give due consideration to respect for human rights at suppliers, workers’ rights, occupational health and safety, and business ethics.
- Consideration for Environmental Issues
- In accordance with the Tomoku Group’s CSR Policy and Environmental Policy, we strive to conduct responsible transactions that give due consideration to resource conservation at suppliers, conservation of the environment and biodiversity, and responses to climate change.
- Communication
- We build long-term relationships of trust with suppliers through information sharing and work toward mutual prosperity.
- We disclose information appropriately and work to improve our procurement activities through dialogue with stakeholders.
Sustainable Timber and Paper Procurement Guidelines
Through the Packaging Business, centered on corrugated containers, which are regarded as a model of the circular economy, and the Housing Business, which provides wooden homes that contribute to long-term carbon storage, the Tomoku Group deeply recognizes that its businesses depend on natural capital. The Group sincerely addresses risks related to sustainable development, including environmental issues such as global warming and biodiversity loss caused by deforestation, as well as human rights issues, and is committed to sustainable and responsible procurement.
In the procurement of paper and timber, the Group supports zero deforestation and promotes actions that minimize the impact of its business activities on ecosystems, conserve the environment and biodiversity, and respect human rights.
- In the Packaging Business, the Group preferentially purchases certified forest products produced with consideration for the environment, biodiversity, respect for human rights, and other factors. In the Housing Business, the Group preferentially purchases materials with verified legal origin, including certified forest products, and aims to achieve 100% procurement of such materials by 2030.
- The Group promotes traceability of origin to advance procurement from forests where sustainable forest management is practiced with consideration for the environment, biodiversity, respect for human rights, and other factors. The Group does not purchase timber harvested through illegal logging.
- The Group monitors suppliers in accordance with its Procurement Policy.
- The Group also preferentially purchases certified forest products for office-use paper products, including copy paper, envelopes, printed materials, and brochures.
Based on its Management Philosophy, the Tomoku Group has established its Procurement Policy to ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations in Japan and overseas and to conduct fair and impartial procurement with consideration for social and environmental issues.
The Sustainable Procurement Guidelines (the “Guidelines”) have been established as guidelines for the Tomoku Group to work with its suppliers and conduct transactions in accordance with the Procurement Policy.
The Tomoku Group conducts appropriate procurement transactions in accordance with these Guidelines.
We ask our suppliers to understand and support the Procurement Policy and these Guidelines, and to conduct transactions in a manner that respects these Guidelines, including throughout their own supply chains.
Through its business activities, including procurement from suppliers, the Tomoku Group will work to contribute to a sustainable society and environment.
1. Compliance with Laws, Regulations, and Social Norms, and Respect for International Norms
The Tomoku Group and its suppliers comply with laws, regulations, and social norms applicable in the countries and regions where they are based and conduct business, and respect international norms. They also practice fair and impartial transactions and ethical, highly transparent corporate governance.
2. Respect for Human Rights and Workers’ Rights, and Ensuring Occupational Health and Safety
Prohibition of Forced Labor
We do not use any form of slave labor, bonded labor, or forced labor, and do not use labor obtained through human trafficking.
Prohibition of Child Labor and Consideration for Young Workers
We do not employ children below the minimum working age or allow young workers under the age of 18 to engage in work that may harm their health or safety, such as night work or hazardous work.
Prohibition of Discrimination, Harassment, and Abuse
We respect the human rights of all individuals and do not engage in discrimination based on race, nationality, ethnicity, gender, religion, beliefs, personal status, birth, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other status. We do not engage in harassment or abuse that undermines individual dignity.
Freedom of Association and the Right to Collective Bargaining
We comply with the laws and regulations applicable in each country and region, and recognize freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining in an effective manner.
Appropriate Management of Working Hours
We comply with all laws, regulations, labor agreements, and other arrangements applicable in the relevant countries and regions with respect to working hours, days off, and leave, and manage these matters appropriately.
Payment of Appropriate Wages and Employee Benefits
We comply with the laws and regulations applicable in each country and region, pay appropriate wages that take living standards into account, and do not impose unjustified wage reductions.
Ensuring Occupational Health and Safety
We comply with the laws and regulations applicable in each country and region and respect international standards. We identify and assess risks related to occupational health and safety, eliminate causes of work-related injuries, ill health, diseases, and accidents, and develop and provide safe, healthy, and hygienic work environments.
Respect for the Rights of Local Communities
We respect the rights of local communities and Indigenous Peoples in the countries and regions where we conduct business.
3. Environmental Considerations
Response to Climate Change
We strive to continuously reduce greenhouse gas emissions by improving energy efficiency, using renewable energy, setting greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets, and taking other measures.
Effective Use of Resources and Waste Management
We promote the effective use and circulation of resources. We reduce waste and recycle as much as possible.
Water Management
We manage water use and promote the efficient use and reuse of water resources.
Prevention of Environmental Pollution
We comply with applicable environmental laws and regulations and strive to prevent air, water, soil, and other forms of environmental pollution.
Biodiversity and Resource Conservation
We consider ecosystems in all business activities and strive to conserve biodiversity. We procure raw materials sustainably and strive to conserve resources.
See the Sustainable Timber and Paper Procurement Guidelines.
4. Safety and Quality of Products and Services
Ensuring Product and Service Safety and Compliance with Laws and Regulations
We comply with applicable laws, regulations, and other requirements, and ensure the safety of products and services.
Product and Service Quality Control and Assurance
We comply with quality standards and meet customer requirements through appropriate quality control of products and services.
Ensuring the Stable Supply of Products and Services
We work to ensure the stable supply of products and services by preparing for emergencies such as disasters, infectious diseases, and accidents, including by establishing business continuity plans (BCPs).
Provision of Accurate Product and Service Information
We provide accurate information related to products and services.
5. Information Security
Protection Against Computer and Network Threats
We implement security measures against computer and network threats to prevent damage before it occurs.
6. Confidentiality, Prevention of Intellectual Property Rights Infringement, and Protection of Personal Information
We appropriately manage and protect not only our own confidential information but also confidential information received from all suppliers and third parties, and prevent infringement of intellectual property rights. We also appropriately manage and protect all personal information, including that of suppliers, customers, consumers, and employees, in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.