Strengthening Global Partnerships
The Takasago Group conducts international procurement activities utilizing its global organization with the Procurement Department inside headquarters at their center. Through the activities, we strive to contribute not only to our customers’ successes but also to all stakeholders by ensuring the stable supply of high quality, safe and sustainable products. For this purpose, we engage in dialogue with suppliers in person and online, implement an array of policies, questionnaires, and Requests for Quotation (RFQs) to manage relationships with suppliers.
At the end of 2021, we shared the Takasago Responsible Sourcing Policy with our all suppliers. The main objective is to ensure they understand and are aligned with the policy. We support them using the Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) and encourage them to become members of Sedex.1 This strategy aims to further assess sourcing and ESG risks and take any necessary mitigation actions.
1 An online platform for sharing information on ethical and responsible practices.
Sustainable Procurement Activities
We are investigating the risks and potential impact of our procurement activities in the fields of human rights, labor, the environment and anti-corruption based on the Takasago Responsible Sourcing Policy and using our or Sedex SAQ. If the possibility that negatively impact to our supply chains is identified, we will promptly plan improvement and take collective actions with suppliers and other stakeholders.
As of April 2022, 42% of suppliers have signed onto the Takasago Responsible Sourcing Policy, and now we have started to ask suppliers to become members of Sedex or respond to our SAQ. We continue to ensure that our all suppliers understand the policy and cooperate for the realization of a sustainable society.
Collaboration with a Third Party
In order to further respond regarding its responsible sourcing aspirations, The Takasago Group has joined social organizations promoting sustainable and ethical sourcing. On October 2020, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced a national action plan (NAP) on business and human rights. Following the direction of the NAP, we are planning to conduct human rights due diligence in the supply chain to proactively manage any potential or actual adverse human rights impact of our supply chains.
We also have been a member of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO)*2 and the Japan Sustainable Palm Oil Network (JaSPON)*3 to promote a sustainable palm supply chain. Our affiliate in France received RSPO Mass Balance certification and has provided certified products to our customers who request it since 2019. Our fragrance affiliate in the U.S., in Harriman, NY, became RSPO-MB certified in January 2021. Our affiliate in Singapore received its first RSPO certificate in 2022 for the manufacture and sale of fragrance compounds using the RSPO-MB supply chain model. Being the first RSPO certified site in Singapore, the affiliate trained the staff on RSPO matters for the sustainable management of the system. Further, they are also working towards a similar certification for flavors as well.
In early 2016, we joined Sedex (AB membership) facilitating the assessment of suppliers in the areas of work environment, health and safety, environmental management and ethical business practices. Using the world’s largest collaborative platform for sharing supply chain data globally along with a separate supplier questionnaire, we ensure an ethical supply chain. As mentioned in the Strengthening global partnerships section, we have started to ask suppliers to become Sedex members or respond our SAQ so that we can monitor suppliers’ compliance with the Takasago Responsible Sourcing Policy. As a result, 204 Sedex members have established links with The Takasago Group. We will continue to encourage new business partners to become Sedex members when starting transactions and promote activities that prioritize existing suppliers joining Sedex for sustainable relationships.
*2 A social organization trying to transform the palm oil industry to ensure its sustainability and reduce its impact on the environment.
*3 A platform for the sustainable procurement and consumption of palm oil in Japan.
Please see our Forests Guideline from the below button.