Uphold human rights and ensure fair, safe work environments
YKK believes in the universal philosophy of respecting the dignity and rights of all
human beings and is committed to contributing to a diverse and sustainable society.
Goals
- By valuing diversity, being inclusive, respecting human rights, and improving the work environment, we will create better and safe workplaces throughout our supply chains. We will ensure that each individual can work with peace of mind, make the most of his or her individuality, and lead a healthy and happy life.
- Implement YGCC audit (YKK Global Criteria of Compliance), a comprehensive standard based upon YKK’s “Cycle of Goodness” philosophy and the ISO26000 guidelines, at YKK Group facilities. Periodic evaluations by 3rd party auditors are conducted to assure transparency and improvement of sustainable practices.
Topics
YGCC Audits
YKK formulated the YKK Global Criteria of Compliance (YGCC) and is carrying out periodic evaluation and improvement activities based on these criteria. In FY2020, YGCC audits were carried out at manufacturing plants possessing major facilities. We are also working to improve the YGCC through reviews of the items for audit and other means.
Compliance with The UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights through the Supply Chain
To ensure compliance with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights through the supply chain, we will promote confirmation and review of audit and correction items, etc., and make them synonymous with human rights due diligence. Going forward, YKK will sequentially expand the target of the audits as well as promote sound response and audits.
Procurement
Fundamental Approach
The YKK Group adopted the following Procurement Policy so that it can fulfill its social responsibilities throughout the supply chain.
YKK Group Procurement Policy
Ever since YKK's founding, we have based our business activities on the conviction, under the "Cycle of Goodness" YKK Philosophy, that an enterprise is an important member of society, that it must thereby coexist with other elements of society, and the value of its existence will be recognized by the benefits it shares with society. The belief behind this is that no one prospers without rendering benefit to others. We carry out business activities with the aim of bringing mutual prosperity, and our intent is that innovative ideas and inventions will result in business expansion for the YKK Group, which in turn would bring prosperity to customers and trading partners, and thus benefit all society. This is none other than our execution of sustainability.
Organizational Governance
In Japan and overseas, we endeavor to understand and know each country's laws and regulations that pertain to our business, and to observe them in our activities. We endeavor to conduct fair and transparent dealings, and do not enter into cartels or collusion.
Human Rights
We strive to conduct dealings with due consideration of human rights, and endeavor to conduct transactions that do not involve forced labor, child labor, human trafficking, illegal employment of foreign workers, unfair discrimination, or other such practices.
Labor Practices
We encourage and pursue procurement from business partners whose employment conditions and health and safety standards, including remuneration and working conditions, comply with the laws and regulations of the countries and regions in which they conduct their activities, and who promote the creation of workplaces where employees can work with peace of mind.
Environment
We aim for Sustainable Procurement, which gives due consideration to environmental protection, resource conservation, climate change countermeasures, and similar.
Fair Operating Practices
We appropriately consider the various values involved in a transaction, including quality, price, delivery dates, and procurement periods, and engage in rational decision-making accordingly.
We evaluate the business conditions, technological capability, and corporate attitude of business partners, and pursue transactions that respect corporate social responsibilities.
Consumer Issues
We listen to the opinions of stakeholders and endeavor to bring an ethical awareness to our dealings.
Socially and Environmentally Conscious Procurement Activities
We undertake CSR procurement so that we can fulfill our social responsibilities throughout the entire supply chain. In all processes, from raw materials to finished products, we take measures to procure materials that do not contain hazardous substances and to procure goods that were produced through appropriate manufacturing processes and labor environments. We continuously administer CSR procurement questionnaires to determine the CSR conditions of suppliers and provide feedback on the evaluation results. We also make visits and conduct interviews to encourage suppliers to make improvements. These measures are being expanded to YKK Group overseas companies as well.
CSR Procurement Process
Request to Our Trading Partners
In carrying out our business activities around the world, the YKK Group is expected to undertake sustainability throughout its supply chain. Working hand-in-hand with our trading partners is essential to achieve this.
For this reason, and so that we may promote mutual understanding with our trading partners, the YKK Group has specified the following requests as “Basic Principles of Procurement”. We ask for your understanding and assent, and we hope that you will join us in the fulfillment of our responsibilities to society.
Basic Principles of Procurement
Deployment of the Higg FSLM in Manufacturing Facilities
YKK is a member of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC), an international sustainability organization for the apparel industry. We have implemented Higg Facility Social & Labor Module (Higg FSLM), an industry standard social compliance assessment tool developed by the coalition, in 13 plants around the world (FY2020). Through Higg FSLM, we are confirming our compliance with industry-standard social responsibilities and sharing that information with our business partners.
Higg Index FSLM Assessment Items
- Recruitment and Hiring
- Working Hours
- Wages and Benefits
- Employee Treatment
- Employee Involvement
- Health ans Safety
- Termination
- Management Systems
- Empowering People and Communities
Learn more about our Higg Index Scores