Management Structure
Promotion Structure
Takara Group has established the Takara Group Sustainability Promotion Committee chaired by the Representative Director and President of Takara Holdings under the supervision of the Board of Directors. Based on the decisions made by this committee, the Executive Office of Sustainability Promotion Committee establishes and implements specific activities for each Group company.
Eleven Important Issues (Materiality)
Materiality Formulation Process
Takara Group formulated the Takara Group Sustainability Policy based on the recognition
that it is necessary to take greater initiatives to resolve various social issues if we
are to continue to achieve the creation of social value through business activities into
the future.
The Takara Group Sustainability Policy takes up eleven important issues (materiality),
including “Safety and Reliability,” from among the social issues surrounding the Group,
and lays out initiative policies for each one, taking into account the expectations of
stakeholders and the impact on the Group’s business.
Initiative themes and Specific Initiatives(Medium- to Long-Term Targets)
In June 16 2021, Takara Group established the Medium- to Long-Term Targets, which set specific medium- to long-term goals based on the Takara Group Sustainability Policy.
| Materiality | Themes | Measures | Medium- to Long-Term Targets | Related SDGs |
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| Environment | (1) Climate Change | Reduction of CO2 emissions |
[ Takara Shuzo / Takara Shuzo International Group ] - Reduce CO2 emissions at production sites (Scopes 1, 2) by 46% compared with FY2018 by FY2030. [ Takara Bio Group ] - Reduce CO2 emission intensity*1 by 50% compared with FY2018 by FY2030. [ Takara Holdings / Takara Shuzo / Takara Shuzo International (Takara Sake USA, Takara Shuzo Foods, The Tomatin Distillery) ] - Reduce CO2 emissions (Scope 3) by 30% compared with FY2024 by FY2035. [ Entire Group ] - Achieve net-zero CO2 emissions (Scopes 1, 2, 3) on a consolidated Group basis by FY2050. - Update and disclose on an ongoing basis in accordance with the TCFD Framework. [ Takara Shuzo / Takara Shuzo International Group ] - Maintain third-party assurance for CO2 emissions at production sites. [ Takara Shuzo ] - Obtain third-party assurance for the amount of energy used at production sites. [ Takara Shuzo (Distribution) ] - Reduce CO2 emission intensity in shipping*2 of Takara Shuzo products by 20% compared with FY2018 by FY2030. |
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| (2) Water | Use water resources sustainably |
[ Takara Shuzo ] - Reduce water use intensity*3 by 20% compared with FY2017 by FY2030. - Obtain third-party assurance for the amount of water used at production sites. - Continue appropriate wastewater treatment and water quality monitoring. |
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| (3) Circular economy | Reduce plant waste volume and promote recycling |
[ Takara Shuzo ] - Continue reusing 98% or more of waste, etc. generated in Takara Shuzo’s production processes. - Reduce plastic waste to less than 250 t*4 by FY2030. |
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| Initiatives to reduce food loss |
[ Takara Shuzo ] - Improve the effective use rate of raw materials such as scarce Japan-produced fruits. - Drive efforts to increase the life of Takara products and the processed foods that use them. |
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| (4) Environmentally conscious products | Develop environmentally conscious products |
[ Takara Shuzo ] - Annually launch 5 environmentally conscious items. - Continue selling products by weight. - Facilitate the introduction of sustainable containers and packaging that consider the 3Rs, and achieve 100% adoption by FY2050. - Maintain 100% usage of paper with forest protection certification in paper carton products. - Maintain 100% usage of biomass ink in paper and plastic labels. [ Takara Bio Group ] - Revise packaging and shipping methods, aiming to reduce their environmental impact. - Maintain 100% usage of paper with forest protection certification in paper carton products. - Maintain 100% usage of aluminum-free packaging for single-sided pouches. - Maintain 100% usage of vegetable oil-based ink in paper packages. |
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| Free distribution of booklets to raise awareness on recycling |
[ Takara Shuzo ] - Continue distributing free to those who are interested. |
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| (5) Biodiversity | Promote activities protecting ecosystems and biodiversity |
[ Takara Holdings ] - Disclose information related to our dependence and impact on the natural environment in accordance with the TNFD Recommendations. - Encourage support for research and activities that contribute to biodiversity through the Takara Harmonist Fund. - Continue activities at business sites that contribute to local communities. |
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| Safety and Reliability | (1) Ensuring safe and reliable quality at Takara Shuzo | Maintain safety management system (FSSC22000 at six plants in Japan) |
[ Takara Shuzo ] - Maintain FSSC22000 at all six plants* in
Japan.
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Creating safe products at Takara Shuzo - Examine compliance with laws, regulations, and voluntary standards at the design stage - Stable procurement of raw materials whose safety has been confirmed - Maintain manufacturing lines that ensure safe and reliable quality |
[ Takara Shuzo ] - Ensure to check the safety quality in each of product design, raw material procurement, and production phases, thereby further enhancing the quality control system. - Maintain a completion rate of 100% for the auditing and quality control assessment of new outsourcing contractors and raw material suppliers. - Maintain a completion rate of 100% for checking the safety of raw materials with warranties. - Hold regular study sessions on related laws, etc. for people in charge of product planning and development. - Carry out regular analyses of pesticide residues on products and raw materials. |
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| Pursue customer satisfaction (ISO10002) |
[ Takara Shuzo ] Improve the process of handling complaints and increase the knowledge of departments handling them. a. The Quality Control Department provides training sessions at least once a year to improve the knowledge of Customer Contact Office staff members. b. Lectures on customer response and comprehension tests are carried out to improve the knowledge of sales staff.(Achieved a 100% test completion rate) |
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| (2) Ensuring safe and reliable quality at Takara Bio Group | Maintain the quality management system (ISO9001, etc.) at Takara Bio Group |
[ Takara Bio Group ] - Maintain ISO certifications obtained by business offices and strive to increase quality and customer satisfaction. Expand the scope of areas to obtain ISO certifications where necessary. - Maintain licenses, registrations, and the like necessary for operating business. - Establish and continuously improve a quality control system and ensure a stable supply of marketed products for regenerative medicine, cell therapy, and gene therapy. |
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| Comply with and maintain various quality, manufacturing, and safety standards, including GMP/GCTP (*5), and third-party certification systems | ||||
| Foster a corporate culture that emphasizes quality |
[ Takara Bio Group ] - Organize the Task Force to Foster Quality Culture and use education, training, and continuous improvement to cultivate a corporate culture that emphasizes quality and a sense of responsibility. |
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| Appropriately disclose product information |
[ Takara Bio Group ] - Provide information for Takara Bio products (reagents) through SDS*6 in multiple languages (Japanese, English, Chinese). |
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| (3) Ensuring safe and reliable quality at Takara Shuzo International Group |
Efforts toward the establishment of a global quality assurance system - Understand information on overseas food safety laws and regulations and comply with them - Promote the obtainment of certifications on food safety by overseas group companies. |
[ Takara Shuzo International Group ] - Properly carry out food regulation surveys for exported products. - Support quality improvement initiatives by conducting quality audits on overseas Group companies and taking appropriate corrective measures if any quality risk factors are found. - Verify safety through documentation reviews and conduct on-site audits as necessary when adding new suppliers. |
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| Responsible Alcohol Producer | (1) Spreading awareness on the appropriate consumption of alcohol | Educational efforts using our website and pamphlets |
[ Takara Shuzo ] - Post information on the appropriate consumption of alcohol regularly (several times a year) to the appropriate consumption of alcohol awareness page on the Takara Shuzo website, and reach 1 million page views over the 5 years until FY2030. |
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| Awareness programs for employees |
[ Entire Group ] - Raise awareness of employees throughout the entire Group on the appropriate consumption of alcohol. Give lectures on overall alcohol-related issues when new employees are being trained to deepen their knowledge of the appropriate consumption of alcohol. (Covers Takara Holdings, Takara Shuzo, Takara Shuzo International, Takara Bio, and more) - Maintain our 100% completion rate for e-learning and other educational programs on the appropriate consumption of alcohol by all employees of Domestic Group Companies*7. |
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| (2) Implementation of responsible marketing | Responsible advertising |
[ Takara Shuzo ] - Maintain zero violations of the Voluntary Code for the Advertising and Marketing of Alcohol Beverages. - Update as needed (at least annually) the Industry Voluntary Standards and Detailed Rules and the Takara Shuzo Voluntary Standards on Advertising and Marketing, and ensure compliance. |
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| Responsible product labeling |
[ Takara Shuzo ] - Update as needed (at least annually) the Takara Shuzo Voluntary Standards on Product Labeling, and ensure compliance. - Disclose on the website the amount of pure alcohol in core products. Continue to display the amount of pure alcohol contained on packages of all consumer products sold in Japan, except for alcohol-based seasonings. - In addition to the prohibition of underage drinking, display warnings about the risk of drinking for expectant and nursing mothers, and warnings to raise awareness on the appropriate consumption of alcohol on all consumer products, except for alcohol-based seasonings. |
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| Consider the appropriate use of new advertising media (social media, etc.), etc. |
[ Takara Shuzo ] - Create additional regulations for and organize the Industry Voluntary Standards and Detailed Rules and the Takara Shuzo Voluntary Standards on Advertising and Marketing. |
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| Prohibition on underage drinking |
[ Takara Shuzo ] - Update age verification system specifications to strengthen restrictions on access to our website by underage persons. |
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| (3) Respect for global guidelines | Respecting the UN Political declaration on NCDs and WHO’s global strategy on alcohol |
[ Entire Group ] - Express support for the global strategy on
alcohol of the World Health Organization (WHO) based on the UN
Political Declaration on Prevention and Control of
NCDs*8. |
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| (4) Participation in external initiatives | Participation in dissemination and awareness raising programs on appropriate drinking practices by public interest corporations and other organizations. |
[ Takara Shuzo ] - Proactively participate in activities to raise awareness on appropriate drinking practices conducted by the Health and Medicine of Alcohol Association and the Advertising Review Board of Alcoholic Beverages, as a planning committee member and a working member. |
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| Community | (1) Education for children | Hold events for the purpose of environmental education and food education, and conduct on-site classes at local elementary schools |
[ Takara Shuzo ] - Continue offering Takara Shuzo Farm School. [ Takara Bio Group ] - Hold PR workshops for university students. - Hold bio classes at elementary schools, etc. - Hold educational programs in concert with universities, etc. |
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| (2) Contribution to the promotion of local communities and culture | Participate in local cleaning activities and support local communities |
[ Entire Group ] - Continue to participate in and cooperate with activities such as participation in cleaning activities as volunteers throughout Japan and sponsorships at local events. |
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| (3) Promotion of local economies | Continually foster community- based products |
[ Takara Shuzo ] - Continue Takara CRAFT, which uses the precious gifts of the local natural environment and connects agricultural producers with consumers, and developing and nurturing products only available in specific regions that are tailored to local tastes. - Annually hold 20 activities supporting local fruit farming (harvest support/fundraising, etc.) by FY2030. |
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| Develop local economies by effectively utilizing untapped resources |
[ Takara Shuzo ] - Develop 10 upcycled products by FY2030. |
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| Fulfilling Dietary Lifestyle | (1) Providing the richness of food to people throughout the world through the Japanese alcoholic beverage and Japanese food |
Conveying and providing the appeal and new value of the Japanese alcoholic beverage: - Stimulating demand and developing markets through new products - Disseminate information with websites and social media - Spread the appeal and value of the Japanese alcoholic beverage overseas |
[ Takara Shuzo ] Japanese alcoholic beverages: - Use social media to promote the appeal of
Japanese alcoholic beverages, targeting a demographic with high
levels of interest in shochu and sake.
[ Takara Shuzo International Group ] - Develop 50 overseas-only products over the 5 years until FY2030. |
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Conveying and providing the appeal and new value of Japanese food: - Hold events such as cooking labs and seminars on seasoning in collaboration with sellers - Participation in external initiatives - Disseminate recipes featuring hon-mirin, cooking sake, and seasonings - Spread Japanese food culture overseas |
[ Takara Shuzo ] Seasonings: - Continue holding the Japanese Cooking Class
Taught by Kyoto Chefs in tandem with the Japanese Culinary
Academy, and promote recipes using hon-mirin, cooking sake, and
seasonings to convey the appeal of Japanese food as well as
develop new demand.
[ Takara Shuzo International Group ] - Participate in exhibitions held around the world and disseminate information to further promote Japanese food overseas. - Continue training chefs in sushi and Japanese cuisine at Japanese culinary schools run by Mutual Trading. |
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| (2) Creating communication through sake and providing a social lubricant |
Disseminate information about the enjoyment of sake and sake culture |
[ Takara Shuzo ] - Hold brand fan meetings at least 5 times over the 5 years until FY2030. |
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| Wellness | (1) Support for the development of global life science research | Provide extensive support for the development of life science research and industry |
[ Takara Bio Group ] - Support the development of global life science research and industry by developing new products and services leveraging our strengths in biotechnology and providing them through our global sales networks. |
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| Contribute to the life science community |
[ Takara Bio Group ] - Promote understanding of biotechnology, from basic concepts to the latest technologies, by holding seminars (including on-demand programs and exhibitions). |
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| (2) Application of genetic analysis technology to testing and diagnostics | Provide genetic testing and diagnostic products, etc. |
[ Takara Bio Group ] - Provide genetic testing and diagnostic products globally through the development, manufacture, and sale of enzyme raw materials for infectious disease testing products and diagnostic reagents. |
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| (3) Commitment to the advancement of gene therapies | Gene therapy technology development to fulfill unmet medical needs |
[ Takara Bio Group ] - Drive the business of supporting the development and manufacturing of regenerative medical products (CDMO business). |
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| (4) Supply of health- conscious products | Develop non-alcoholic beverages as well as zero-sugar or low-sugar products |
[ Takara Shuzo ] - Work on the development of non-alcoholic beverages that offer both great taste and a satisfactory drinking feel so that a wide range of customers can enjoy them without worrying about the effects of alcohol. - Develop products with no or low carbs to cater to the needs of customers without affecting their taste or effects on cooking. |
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| Appeal of salt-free cooking liquor |
[ Takara Shuzo ] - Raise the recognition of the salt-free feature of cooking sake to 35% by 2030. |
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| Offer organic foods, etc. |
[ Takara Shuzo International Group ] - Expand our range of organic and vegan products to 1,703 items by FY2030.(An additional 160 items from FY2025) |
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| Develop food-allergy- conscious products |
[ Takara Shuzo International Group ] - Expand our range of gluten-free products to 1,863 items by FY2030.(An additional 170 items from FY2025) |
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| Value Creation in New Business Areas | (1) Creation of new social value through biotechnology | Create new businesses using biotechnology as our core competence |
[ Entire Group ] - Commercialize 2 new businesses by FY2030. - Achieve sales of 200 billion yen from new businesses by FY2050. |
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| Governance | (1) Promotion of corporate governance |
Establish an optimum corporate governance structure - Directors and Board of Directors - Audit & Supervisory Board Members and Audit & Supervisory Board - Appointment of independent officers - Officer compensation |
[ Takara Holdings ] Maintain a proper corporate governance structure to achieve sustainable growth for the Group and improve corporate value over the mid- to long-term. |
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| Consider optimum corporate governance | ||||
| (2) Promotion of compliance | Reinforce the compliance promotion structure |
[ Entire Group ] Entire Group ensures that every officer and employee acts in accordance with the Group Compliance Action Guidelines, and promote compliance throughout the entire Group, including overseas locations, to realize the corporate philosophy and long-term vision. - Distribute the Group Compliance Action Guidelines to all employees, which consists of action guidelines relating to laws and social ethics that every member of the Takara Group must comply with, and ensure compliance with said guidelines. - Regularly hold Risk Compliance Committee meetings. (Twice per year as a rule) - Improve awareness of officers and employees on compliance by holding training sessions in accordance with their position. (Once per year as a rule) - Carry out on-the-job training on key themes related to compliance. (Four times per year as a rule) - Regularly hold comprehension level tests aimed at verifying the degree of penetration and effects of education regarding compliance awareness. - Properly operate the whistleblowing system, and respond quickly and appropriately to whistleblowing reports to prevent the occurrence and recurrence of legal violations and misconduct. |
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| Implement compliance education | ||||
| Appropriately operate the whistleblowing system | ||||
| (3) Reinforcement of the risk management structure | Promote risk management (normal risk management) |
[ Entire Group ] Work to prevent the materialization of risks and to mitigate risks surrounding companies inside and outside of Japan, and establish and maintain a system enabling quick and appropriate response in a disaster or other emergency. - Monitor the state of risk management of each company and business site through measures such as workplace inspection reports, risk compliance checklists, and employee interviews to help reduces risks and prevent their materialization. (Once per year as a rule) - Regularly hold various drills (e.g. confirming safety, fire-fighting, AED usage). (Once per year as a rule) - Regularly hold information security training and drills, such as IT literacy training or targeted attack email response drills to raise employee awareness and strengthen risk response capabilities. |
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| Promote crisis management (emergency risk management) | ||||
| Human Resources | (1) Fostering human resources | Implement measures to foster human resources who will be responsible for the next generation |
[ Entire Group ] - Use executive candidate development training and next-generational leadership development training, etc., to foster human resources who can be responsible for the next generation of the Group. |
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| Foster human resources who will achieve global business growth (global human resources) |
[ Entire Group ] - Develop human resources capable of taking charge of global business growth by acquiring human resources through continuous career recruitment and job rotation, including the assignment of young employees to the Takara Shuzo International Group and overseas postings. |
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| Create venues and opportunities for all Takara Group employees to mingle |
[ Entire Group ] - Hold cross-organizational workshops and implement an internship program where employees can learn specialized roles at other Group companies as a way to promote understanding and a sense of unity among Group companies and to enable the mutual use of knowledge and expertise. |
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| (2) Promoting the active involvement of diverse human resources | Promoting the active involvement of female employees |
[ Entire Group ] - Increase the number of women in management
positions. - Provide job opportunities for people up to 70 years old through post-retirement reemployment. - Maintain a percentage of employees with disabilities equal to or more than the statutory required employment rate in Japan. - Utilize more mid-career hiring to acquire a more diverse workforce. *Source: Main targets in the Female Participation Promotion Act action plan from our major companies [ Takara Holdings, Takara Shuzo, Takara Shuzo International ] - Percentage of women among new graduate hires in administrative and technology roles: 40%+ - Percentage of women among managerial roles (by the end of FY2030): 13%+ [ Takara Bio ] - Percentage of women among managerial roles (by the end of FY2030): 25%+ |
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| Promote the active involvement of senior human resources | ||||
| Promote the hiring of people with disabilities | ||||
| (3) Achieving a comfortable workplace environment and a work-life balance | Ensure workplace safety and sanitation |
[ Entire Group ] - Reduce total working hours compared with FY2025 results. (Domestic Group Companies*7) - Increase the percentage of paid leave taken (no. of days taken) compared with FY2020 results. (Domestic Group Companies*7) - Encourage male employees to take childcare leave, and enhance measures and systems aimed at balancing work and home life. (Domestic Group Companies*7) |
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| Comply with labor-related laws and regulations | ||||
| Prevent long working hours | ||||
| Promote diverse working styles | ||||
| Human Rights | (1) Respect for human rights | Conduct human rights education at new employee training and rank-specific training sessions |
[ Entire Group ] - Respect the diversity (e.g., gender, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability), personality, and individuality of people in accordance with the Takara Group Human Rights Policy, and maintain a discrimination- and harassment-free workplace environment. |
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| Understanding and respect for multiple cultures (multinational cultures) | ||||
| Recruitment activities without discrimination | ||||
| Initiatives to prevent harassment | ||||
| Protect personal information and privacy | ||||
| (2) Initiatives ensuring due diligence to human rights | Implement a human rights due diligence process |
[ Entire Group ] - Based on a human rights due diligence process carried out primarily by a cross-organizational working team, implement a series of initiatives identifying and evaluating risks to human rights, preventing and reducing negative effects, and tracking and disclosing the results of our initiatives. - Carry out regular human rights awareness surveys to get an idea of human rights awareness among Group employees, and use them to develop indicators for promoting human rights due diligence. |
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| Procurement | (1) Sustainable procurement | Request guideline compliance from suppliers |
[ Takara Shuzo ] - Maintain a 100% supplier agreement rate for the procurement guidelines. - If information is obtained suggesting a human rights risk related to a raw material, a risk assessment will be promptly conducted for said raw material and its supplier. [ Takara Shuzo International Group ] - Promote obtaining agreement with the procurement guidelines among overseas Group companies. |
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- *1 CO2 emission intensity: The amount of CO2 emissions in Scopes 1 and 2 on a per-sales basis.
- *2 CO2 emission intensity in shipping: The amount of CO2 emissions on a shipping volume basis.
- *3 Water use intensity: The amount of water used on a production volume basis.
- *4 Criteria for large-scale waste generators under the new Plastic Resource Circulation Act: At least 250 tonnes
- *5 GMP: Good Manufacturing Practice, GCTP:Good Gene, Cellular, and Tissue based Products Manufacturing Practice
- *6 SDS: Safety Data Sheet (safety data sheets for chemical substances)
- *7 Domestic Group Companies: Takara Holdings, Takara Shuzo, Takara Shuzo International, Takara Bio, Kawahigashi Shoji, Total Management Business, Takara Butsuryu System, TB, Takara Bussan, Luc Corporation, Tokyo Mutual Trading,Takara Supply Communications(Former Taihei Printing, and Former Takara Yoki)
- *8 UN Political Declaration on Prevention and Control of NCDs: Global declaration on noncommunicable diseases and mental health