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Decision-Making Process for Key ESG Issues (Materiality)

In recent years, companies are strongly required to take global action toward achieving a sustainable society, following significant societal changes, such as the establishment of the SDGs, the adoption of the Paris Agreement, and trends in ESG-related investment.
In light of international trends and the business environment in which the Sanwa Group operates, the Group has used the process presented on the following steps to identify the priority ESG issues (materiality) toward which we should apply our energies.

STEP 1. Identify ESG Issues

We identified ESG-related issues taking into consideration the most prominent social issues concerning ESG, based on outside evaluations (FTSE, MSCI, Sustainalytics, Bloomberg), guidelines (GRI Standards, SASB), surveys (Toyo Keizai CSR Survey, Good Bankers SRI Survey, Eco-Brand Survey, NIKKEI Smart Work) and other means, as well as recent trends and actions by competitors.

STEP 2. Categorize Issues and Specify Key Issues Based on the Following Perspective

We evaluated the ESG issues we identified on two axes, importance to stakeholders and importance to the Sanwa Group. The evaluations took into consideration:

  • Degree of priority of the aforementioned outside evaluations and guidelines in the construction and building material fields
  • Social issues unique to the industrial fields in which the Group operates
  • Initiatives undertaken by industry peers
  • Interviews with ESG experts
  • Degree of impact on the Group’s operations (both positive and negative)
  • Issues exposed in employee awareness surveys

STEP 3. Confirm Appropriateness and Decide Key Issues

The Quality, Environment and CSR Promotion Council and Group CSR Promotion Council reviewed the key issues before deciding on them.

Concrete Action

We have decided on a policy for each key issue and are promoting concrete action.

ESG ISO 26000
Core Subjects		 Key Issues Sanwa Group Policy Main Initiatives
Environment Environment Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions The Sanwa Group contributes to the realization of a sustainable, affluent society through the reduction of CO2 and other greenhouse gases in order to appropriately address climate change risks.
  • Reduce facility energy consumption through demand monitoring, switching to LEDs,introducing air-conditioning equipment, etc.
  • Reduce logistics energy through using depots (small-scale delivery centers)
Appropriate Waste Management The Sanwa Group strives to promote recycling, minimize waste and reduce the environmental burden in all departments.
  • Reduce waste by stepping up recycling, increasing yields, etc.
Promotion of Green Purchasing The Sanwa Group actively conducts environmental management by promoting green purchasing that prioritizes materials with minimal environmental impact.
  • Promote the 3Rs for packaging materials by reusing wooden pallets, using reusable shipping cartons, etc.
  • Set green purchasing guidelines
Providing of Eco-Friendly Products The Sanwa Group contributes to the realization of an enriched, sustainable society by promoting mitigation and adaptation that reduces or prevents the effects of climate change through business activities.
  • Expand sales of energy-saving products, products that use renewable energy and greening products, which contribute to climate-change mitigation
  • Expand sales of waterproof products that protect people and property from floods,which contribute to climate-change adaption
Social Responsibility Human Rights Respect for Human Rights The Sanwa Group respects the character and individuality of each person from the perspective of respect for humanity and conducts business activities giving due consideration to the human rights of all stakeholders, including customers, shareholders and employees.
In adittion to legal compliance, discrimination will not be tolerated. Child labor and forced labor will also not be permitted.
  • Enhance awareness of human rights
  • Provide training on harassment
Labor Practices Work-Life Balance The Sanwa Group strives to create a work environment that motivates employees and allows them to lead fulfilling lives.
  • Accurately managed working hours
  • Revise long working hours
  • Promote telecommuting
  • Use of laptop PCs
Diversity The Sanwa Group creates new value that contributes to the resolution of customer and social issues generated by our organizational culture that respects and embraces the diversity of each employee.
  • Promote the active role of women
  • Recruit diverse personnel (global, female, physical/intellectual challenged)
  • Enhance childcare and family care systems
  • Use of Senior Employees
  • Implement athlete support programs
Human Resource Development The Sanwa Group focuses on the development of human resources capable of creating value by enhancing systems and work environments enabling employees to maximize their capabilities based on the view that human resources are vital management assets.
To ensure fair evaluations and treatment, we have developed a compensation system that conforms with laws governing the labor market and individual circumstances in each country and region.
  • Sanwa Professional Human Resources Training Plan
  • Training Personnel to Play an Active Role on the Global Stage
  • Secure and train installers (including internal installers)
Health and Safety As a company engaged in manufacturing, the Sanwa Group recognizes that ensuring the health and safety of employees is fundamental to our sustainability and our responsibility as a Company. Thus, the Group does its utmost to create a work environment that takes mental and physical wellbeing into consideration based on the notion that this is the responsibility of the company.
  • Expand safety education by conducting DVD-based training and VR-based training
  • Improvement of workplace to reduce physical burden
  • Labor-saving method of installation work
  • Reduce workplace accidents and prevent recurrence
  • Sanwa Group Health & Safety Month
Consumer Issues Offering Products and Services that Contribute to Safety, Security and Convenience The Sanwa Group aims to safeguard the valuable lives of people and realize a more affluent and comfortable society by providing products and services that contribute to the safety, security and convenience of customers around the world.
To contribute to the realization of a sustainable, enriched society through the development and provision of products and services that protect people’s lives and property from disasters and by promoting ways to lessen the impact of disasters.
  • Develop and sell products that protect from fire, floods and other disasters
  • Develop and sell products that contribute to improving the functions of infrastructure such as factories and warehouses
  • Develop and sell products that enhance the convenience of public spaces
  • Develop and sell products that ensure safe living and comfort for everyone
Strengthening of Quality Control The Sanwa Group works to improve quality and safety, the primary responsibilities of a manufacturer, in all processes from development to sales, production, installation and maintenance.
  • Formulate and implement quality Objectives
  • Expand quality management structure
  • Strengthen installation capabilities
  • Conduct quality audits
  • Secure and train installers
  • Skills contest
Improvement of Customer Satisfaction The Sanwa Group aims to be a company that continues to be chosen by society by conducting business activities from the perspective of our customers at all times and reflecting feedback from customers in product and service improvements.
  • Strengthen domestic support systems
  • Provide training on business etiquette and manners
  • Bolster overseas sales network
Community Involvement and Development Regional Contribution The Sanwa Group develops business activities based on close connections with local residents and, as a good corporate citizen, conducts activities aimed at contributing to the independent development of the local community.
  • Conduct community-based activities (local cleanups, product exhibitions, dialogue with local communities, using locally produced materials)
  • Participate and hold events finely tuned to the characteristics of each region
Social Contribution The Sanwa Group shares its resources, including accumulated technology and human resources, with the local community and actively works to resolve social issues without seeking direct compensation.
  • Provide support when large-scale disasters strike
  • Donations and volunteers to strengthen ties in communities
  • Promote activities through the Sanwa Group’s social contribution club
Corporate Governance Organizational Governance Corporate Governance The Sanwa Group works to create a more highly transparent and sound management system in order to continually enhance corporate value through the realization of our management vision.
  • Enhance the transparency and effectiveness of the Board of Directors and Audit & Supervisory Committee
  • Complying or explaining with the Corporate Governance Code
  • Disclose corporate governance guidelines
  • Conduct a questionnaire survey of members of the Board of Directors
Compliance The Sanwa Group ensures compliance with laws, corporate ethics, internal regulations and rules as an important foundation to garner trust and meet the expectations of society.
  • Step up efforts to propagate the Compliance Code of Conduct
  • Utilize internal whistleblowing systems
  • Provide compliance training worldwide
Risk Management The Sanwa Group ensures stable business management by implementing a Group-wide risk management system and working to predict and prevent potential risks, as well as by responding appropriately to risks as required for business continuity.
  • Establish and Operate a risk management system
  • Risk management of climate change
  • Business continuity planning
  • Establishment of the Information Security Countermeasures Council
  • Measure to IT-BCP
Stakeholder Dialogue The Sanwa Group proactively works to strengthen engagement with important stakeholders such as shareholders and investors as well as with the local community and employees.
  • Hold dialogue with institutional investors (ESG meetings)
  • Hold dialogue with individual investors (briefing sessions)
  • Hold dialogue with experts
Fair Operating Practices Fair Competition The Sanwa Group conducts fair business activities based on proper corporate ethics without ever engaging in unfair practices that restrict competition or improper transactions.
  • Provide training on antitrust laws
  • Enhance awareness of Guidelines on Regulations Concerning Contact with Associates from Industry Peers
Anti-Corruption The Sanwa group conducts fair and honest business activities rooted in legal compliance with anti-corruption laws without ever conducting embezzlement, money laundering or offering bribes or inappropriate benefits that violate laws and social norms.
  • Step up efforts to propagate the Compliance Code of Conduct
  • Compliance training prior to transfer to Asia

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