Responsible Minerals Procurement
Panasonic Energy Co., Ltd. recognizes that the procurement of tin, tantalum, tungsten, gold and cobalt from states in conflict areas and other high-risk areas may inadvertently fund organizations involved in bribery and other unlawful activities, which is a grave concern in terms of corporate social responsibility. Additionally, we are deeply concerned about human rights abuses such as child labor, harsh working conditions, and environmental destruction.
In order to further clarify our activities on these issues, we formulate the Responsible Minerals Procurement Policy and publish it to our company website as below.
Responsible Minerals Procurement Policy
Panasonic Energy Co., Ltd. recognizes that the procurement of tin, tantalum, tungsten, gold and cobalt from states in conflict areas and other high-risk areas may inadvertently fund organizations involved in bribery and other unlawful activities, which is a grave concern. Additionally, we are deeply concerned about human rights abuses such as child labor, harsh working conditions, and environmental destruction. In order to fulfill our corporate social responsibility, we promote responsible minerals procurement in the global supply chain.
We are implementing the following activities to promote the responsible minerals procurement.
- We establish an internal control structure and management system for responsible minerals procurement, based on the OECD Due Diligence Guidance.
- We adopt a survey sheet , which is the industry standard, and conduct surveys and risk assessments by tracing back through supply chains in cooperation with Tier 1 suppliers
- If a risk is identified, we develop a corrective plan and implement measures to minimize risk.
- We respond to requests from customers and other stakeholders and report on the risks identified based on evaluation standards and implement corrective measures if necessary.
Through the above-mentioned activities, we identify and procure materials from those smelters/refiners that underwent an audit and received a clean certification.
Director in charge of Procurement
Panasonic Energy Co., Ltd.
Details of initiatives
The supply chains of minerals, which are the main materials in batteries, pose a variety of CSR risks, such as human rights violations, poor working conditions, environmental destruction around mines, and the involvement of armed groups. In contrast, such supply chains represent an important economic activity for mineral-producing countries, and appropriate due diligence with regard to CSR risks is essential. In accordance with the Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas established by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), we have formulated a responsible mineral procurement policy and are promoting activities. we identify smelters and confirm their compliance with industry standard every year with the cooperation of our suppliers. In addition to encouraging non-conforming smelters to conform to industry standards, in the unlikely event that conflict-affected minerals are found, we would ask that they take steps to change suppliers or eliminate the use of such materials. Collecting survey forms from all our suppliers on an ongoing basis, we aim to procure only from smelters that conform to industry standards or are actively working toward conformity.
Due to the need to respond sensitively to the changing environment surrounding responsible mineral procurement activities, we have also established a Responsible Minerals Committee, which consists of relevant functions, such as procurement, legal and sales, and hold general meetings on a regular basis. Along with sharing the recognition of environmental changes in collaboration with relevant departments, at the general meetings we are promoting CSR risk responses by reporting, for example, the policy and status of responses to relevant problems and cooperating with related departments.
In fiscal 2024 (as in the previous fiscal year), we held a semi-annual general meeting (twice a year), as shown in the structure on the right, to confirm our policies and goals and to share global trends and results of our activities.
Responsible Mineral Procurement Committee Structure
Activities Regarding Tantalum, Tin, Tungsten and Gold
Item | Data |
|---|---|
Conflict minerals survey template collection rate | 99％ |
Ratio of smelters that conform to industry standards or are actively working toward conformity | 94.5％ |
Cobalt and mica related activities
Item | Data |
|---|---|
Conflict minerals survey template collection rate | 99％ |
Ratio of smelters that conform to industry standards or are actively working toward conformity | 61.4％ |
Integrated Report
The integrated Report is intended to help our various stakeholders deepen their understanding of our company by disseminating financial and non-financial information, including details of the management strategy, performance and financial status, and environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives.
