The JVCKENWOOD Group established the JVCKENWOOD Group Procurement Policy in October 2018 in pursuit of sustainable procurement via its comprehensive supply chain including suppliers. This Policy goes beyond merely complying with laws and regulations to broadly improve understanding of sustainable procurement and efforts in that regard in hopes of helping to develop a sustainable society. Henceforth, we will be familiarizing suppliers with this Policy and ask their understanding of, and cooperation with, this Policy as well as the JVCKENWOOD CSR Procurement Guidelines.

JVCKENWOOD Group Procurement Policy (Japanese)

JVCKENWOOD Group Procurement Policy (English)

JVCKENWOOD Group Procurement Policy (Chinese)

The JVCKENWOOD Group established the JVCKENWOOD CSR Procurement Guidelines in compliance with the code of conduct set out by the Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association (JEITA), and we began applying these Guidelines in 2017 to meet the sustainability-related expectations and requirements by a variety of stakeholders (customers, business partners, shareholders/investors, employees, governmental bodies/local communities, etc.).

The CSR Procurement Guidelines comprise eight categories: (1) compliance/respect for international norms, (2) human rights and labor, (3) occupational safety and health, (4) environment, (5) fair trade and ethics, (6) product quality and safety, (7) information security and (8) business continuity plan. The JVCKENWOOD Group’s supply chain is expected to comply with these eight categories, which serve as the policies for pursuing sustainable procurement across the entire Group. We are also asking our suppliers to understand and comply with our CSR Procurement Guidelines, the details of which are communicated to them at our Partners Meetings.

While gaining supplier understanding on the importance of sustainability procurement, our Group will be urging all suppliers to properly administer the Guidelines, including conducting studies of industry trends. 

JVCKENWOOD CSR Procurement Guidelines - Main Text （Japanese）（PDF: 745KB）

JVCKENWOOD CSR Procurement Guidelines - Main Text （English）（PDF: 677KB）

JVCKENWOOD CSR Procurement Guidelines - Main Text （Chinese）（PDF: 1,070KB）

The JVCKENWOOD Group works on the following initiatives in order to ensure socially responsible procurement practices. These initiatives are designed to ensure respect for human rights and fair labor practices through the prohibition of child and forced labor as well as the establishment of appropriate wage and working hour standards. In addition, they enable us to assess suppliers’ quality standards, cost, turnaround time, and technological capability.

We have New Supplier Selection Standard that address not only quality, cost, turnaround time, technological capability, and the ability to maintain a stable supply but also the sustainable use of resources, chemical substance management, and other aspects related to the environment, human rights, and occupational safety. We also regularly assess our existing suppliers based on those criteria.

The JVCKENWOOD Group conducts CSR procurement questionnaire surveys and follow-ups in order to identify risks in its supply chain. We use survey results in selecting new suppliers and in determining whether or not to continue doing business with suppliers.

Although it is not subject to the restrictions imposed by the U.S. Dodd–Frank Act, JVCKENWOOD is committed to advancing sustainable procurement globally. It is working to establish a responsible supply chain and ensure responsible mineral sourcing based on its policy of not using any components or parts that may contain four minerals (tin, tantalum, tungsten, and gold) that finance or benefit armed groups.

Significant human rights violations and environmental destruction by armed groups in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and surrounding countries have been broadly recognized as serious issues in the international community. While it has been noted that the minerals produced in this region finance or benefit armed groups, the U.S. Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd–Frank Act) names four minerals (tin, tantalum, tungsten, and gold) produced and refined in this region as conflict minerals and requires companies to disclose information on the smelters and refiners that supply components and parts that contain these minerals. In response, JVCKENWOOD has sent a conflict minerals questionnaire to its primary suppliers involved in the procurement of approximately 11,000 components/parts subject to the restrictions to identify 3TG* smelters and refiners. During the period FY2014–FY2018, JVCKENWOOD sent the questionnaire to a cumulative total of 1,558 suppliers, 96.22% of which responded.

Moreover, as a member of the Responsible Minerals Trade Working Group of the Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association (JEITA), JVCKENWOOD is actively working to raise awareness for responsible sourcing of minerals outside the company, for example, by serving as a facilitator and a lecturer at Responsible Minerals Sourcing Inquiry Briefings held by the JEITA.

A proactive approach to conflict minerals is important for establishing a responsible supply chain. Due attention should be paid so that we will not become complicit in human rights violations in the course of sourcing materials. The JVCKENWOOD Group will continue its group-wide efforts to address the issue of conflict minerals in collaboration with various other stakeholders, including public and private sector partners engaged in the establishment of responsible supply chains for minerals.