In order for Yokohama Rubber to be a company that continues providing value to society, partnerships with suppliers based on strong trust relationships are essential. In addition, the scope of corporate social responsibility has expanded to not only include one’s own company, but also suppliers for the procurement of raw materials, goods, and services required for business activities, and we believe that it is necessary for Yokohama Rubber to promote CSR that improves corporate value for suppliers so that it is a win-win relationship for both companies. In particular, because there are suppliers from emerging and developing countries in the upstream of the supply chain for our business, we also recognize the importance of assessment from a social and environmental perspective.
This stance is declared in the Basic Procurement Policy, and the actions that should be taken by employees are stipulated in the Yokohama Rubber Group Action Guidelines.

In 2009, Yokohama Rubber announced its basic purchasing policy based on the CSR Management Vision. Furthermore, in order to promote CSR activities in the value chain, we have established CSR Guidelines for Suppliers and have held briefings not only internally but also for our suppliers to share our CSR policy and philosophy.
In 2012, we joined the United Nations Global Compact and have been promoting initiatives to address human rights, labor, and environmental issues throughout the value chain. In 2022, we have revised our corporate environmental policy and announced the three pillars of our environmental agenda ("carbon neutrality," "circular economy," and "living with nature") and our human rights policy.
In line with the revision and implementation of these policies, we have shifted our procurement activities to one that emphasizes CSR and sustainability. In addition, we have revised our CSR Procurement Guidelines in light of changes in social conditions and from the perspective of strengthening our commitment to the three pillars of environmental issues and respect for human rights.
Based on the purpose of this guideline, we expect our suppliers to comply with laws and regulations and their spirit, and to practice them within their own companies, and furthermore, to ask their suppliers to develop and practice the same purpose.

CSR Procurement Guidelines

In 2018, Yokohama Rubber joined the Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber (GPSNR), which was established by the Tire Industry Project (TIP) of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) as a founding member.
In addition, we have established our own "Sustainable Natural Rubber Procurement Policy" and through activities based on this policy, we aim to achieve sustainability of natural rubber throughout our supply chain.

Procurement Policy for the Sustainable Natural Rubber

The Yokohama Rubber Group’s Procurement Policy is “to build relationships of trust based on equitable and fair trade in its aim for co-existence, prosperity, and mutual development” and to select suppliers based on economical reasonability under consideration of comprehensive perspectives; their quality, price, stable supply, ability for technology development, and consideration to the environment, human rights, and occupational safety and health. We believe that true CSR consists of expanding business with suppliers that can understand and support our policies in the areas near our production bases and working towards co-prosperity with the region rather than as a single company. We aim to be seen as working on CSR together with our suppliers, and we hold "CSR Supplier Study Meetings".

Kazuhito Yanadori
Officer, Head of Procurement Division

• We will further collaborate with the procurement departments of our overseas subsidiaries to promote and expand CSR activities that are unified across the YRC Group.

In Japan, the Compliance Promotion Department has established two contact points, which it calls the "Corporate Compliance Hotline" and the "General Counseling Room”. In addition, a "Compliance Promotion Manager" has been assigned to every division and affiliated subsidiary. The Compliance Promotion Manager absorbs complaints and consultations from constituents.
In February 2018, the Global Whistle-blower System was successively introduced at overseas bases, starting in Asia.
The Compliance Officers in procurement and sales departments gather complaints and inquiries from suppliers concerning business transactions through the CSR procurement contact point and other organizations.
Complaints concerning social impact are jointly resolved by the Corporate Compliance Department, Legal Department and HR departments in addition to the responsible department.
The Corporate Compliance Department confirms the facts related to the consultation by the whistle-blower. The necessary measures are taken in consultation with the procurement departments and sale & marketing departments.
The results are directly reported to the whistle-blower if they have disclosed their name. Reminders are issued within the company as necessary if the whistle-blower is anonymous.
Please see “Compliance”.

The Yokohama Rubber Group is a member of the Japan Center for Engagement and Remedy on Business and Human Rights (JaCER), which provides a non-judicial grievance redress platform in compliance with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. The Yokohama Rubber Group has established a system to receive complaints from all domestic and overseas stakeholders of the Yokohama Rubber Group through the complaint reporting desk of JaCER, and respond to them appropriately.
Please see “Human Rights”.

Japan Center for Engagement and Remedy on Business and Human Rights (JaCER) Grievance Desk (Go to external site)

The following items have been established as the main action items that the Yokohama Rubber Group will address first, taking into account the level of impact of business activities and the level of social interest.

Fair Operating Practices (300KB)