Respect for human rights
Based on the principle of “Respect for Human Rights and Friendly Work Environment” set forth in the CSR Charter and Code of Conduct, we have established the Human Rights Policy. In accordance with the policy, we respect the fundamental human rights of each individual. We prohibit and do not tolerate any form of harassment, child labor, forced labor, or complicity in the infringement of human rights while ensuring that the rights, cultures, and customs of workers are respected.
Specific efforts
The Group Risk Management Committee identifies and implements efforts to mitigate business risks related to human rights, while the CSR Committee sets targets and monitors progress toward them. Our targets set forth in the medium-term sustainability plan, Sustainable Value 2026, include those related to conflict minerals monitoring. Both committees are headed by the CEO and report decisions made to the Board of Directors.
Internal efforts with employees
In accordance with the CSR Charter, we are ingraining respect for human rights among employees through education focusing on topics such as preventing discrimination and human rights violations and respecting labor rights. This program covers a growing range of case studies in light of expectations from society and provides updated courses annually. The Group companies in Japan conduct e-learning, while the overseas Group companies distribute materials translated into multiple languages. Additional seminars are held to address individual topics, such as harassment prevention, and to meet needs specific to job levels and roles such as those of managers and employees transferred overseas.
Another initiative is Sustainability Talks, in which the members of each department regularly exchange views on topics related to sustainability. Resources on human rights issues, such as preventing harassment and promoting understanding of sexual minorities, are provided to help individuals think about these issues more realistically and foster an organizational culture respectful of human rights.
External efforts with suppliers
Being part of the supply chain for the electronic devices and other industries, the SCREEN Group has established the SCREEN Supplier Code of Conduct in reference to the CSR Charter as well as the Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) Code of Conduct and other standards. It calls on suppliers to join the group-wide efforts to respect human rights.
The Group regularly conducts CSR surveys of its major suppliers, namely the top 240 suppliers in transaction value, to confirm their compliance with the Supplier Code of Conduct in areas such as the protection of labor rights and the working environment. Suppliers of components containing specific minerals are also surveyed with the Conflict Minerals Reporting Template (CMRT), which is offered by the Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI). The Group will continue and improve on these activities by expanding the questionnaire items and the scope of suppliers to be covered in phases.
The SCREEN Supply Chain Sustainability Site is a website portal dedicated to suppliers and offers materials and webinars focused on human rights.
Whistleblowing system
We have established the Internal Reporting Hotline, a whistleblowing system for early detection of harassment cases and suspected violations of corporate ethics. Our global whistleblowing system comprises an independent, website-based hotline to accept inquiries from all Group employees and suppliers in Japan and overseas. In line with the amended Whistleblower Protection Act, there are also rules in place regarding anonymity and privacy protection, as well as for ensuring that no one will be given disadvantageous treatment for having used the whistleblowing system.
Inquiries received through the whistleblowing system are responded to mainly by the Legal, IP & Compliance Department and regularly reported to the representative directors and corporate auditors. In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, there were 39 inquiries (including those unrelated to human rights) made through the whistleblowing system, and the Group responded to all of them.
Hikone Site achieves Platinum Status in the RBA VAP audit
SCREEN Semiconductor Solutions Co., Ltd. (SCREEN SPE) had its Hikone Site (including its Taga Site) undergo a Validated Audit Process (VAP) performed by a Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) certification agency in October 2024.
The RBA is the world’s largest industry coalition dedicated to delivering sustainable value to workers, the environment, and businesses throughout the entire global supply chain.
The audit covered the sites’ labor, health, safety, environment, ethics, and management systems. Following the inspection, the agency confirmed that all systems were operating appropriately and awarded the company Platinum Status under the RBA’s certification program.
Codes and standards referenced for human rights efforts
● UN Global Compact
● Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
● Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)
● United Nations Convention against Corruption
● UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights
● Responsible Business Alliance (RBA)
● International labor standards
● OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises
● OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas
● ISO 26000