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CSR

Management Philosophy

We will endeavor to enhance the corporate value of the company and make a broad contribution to society by manufacturing products that enable people to live fuller and more comfortable lives, with all employees striving to meet the confidence of customers through sound and fair corporate activities.

(Revised on June 1, 2006)

Guiding Principles

The Freudenberg Guiding Principles relating to value for customers, leadership, responsibility, innovation, people and a long-term orientation set standards for the daily activities of all Freudenberg employees worldwide. They serve as a compass in dealing with customers, business partners, colleagues, neighbors and many other stakeholders.
These Guiding Principles provide all employees with support and orientation. They are the guidelines for sound business interactions. At the same time, they have a unifying effect throughout the entire Freudenberg Group while building its identity.

VALUE FOR CUSTOMERS
Our commitment is to anticipate, understand and meet our customers’ needs and expectations.
As a conscientious supplier with a passion for detail, we give our customers the support they need to be successful. We provide superior value through dedication to quality, service, reliability and our global presence.
LEADERSHIP
Entrepreneurship is our heritage. It is the foundation of our success. We are continuing this tradition by delegating responsibility and promoting freedom of action and personal accountability.
We believe in an inclusive and respectful leadership style. It relies on personal example, humility, trust in people and the promotion of a team spirit. We want to develop our future leaders within the Freudenberg Group.
RESPONSIBILITY
We are committed to the highest standards of personal behavior. Fairness and integrity guide our actions within the company and in the communities where we operate. These values govern our behavior towards customers, suppliers and other business partners.
We are committed to sustainability and responsible behavior in all the countries and communities where we operate. We are dedicated to workplace and product safety.
INNOVATION
Groundbreaking technological innovation of our processes, products, materials and services provides solutions to our customers’ challenges. Continuous innovation and a willingness to change are our tradition and are essential to our long-term success.
We are leaders in continuous improvement and operational excellence. Our culture encourages and rewards the creativity and initiative of all our employees.
PEOPLE
As a family-owned company, we are committed to the well-being and personal development of our employees. We reject all forms of discrimination and harassment and treat each other with understanding and respect.
We foster a multicultural environment where employees work together in global teams to enrich our culture and contribute to our collective success. We believe in the value of lasting relationships with customers, suppliers and industry partners.
LONG-TERM ORIENTATION
Since Freudenberg was founded in 1849, we have constantly adapted to changing conditions, resulting in a successful and diversified company. Being a family-owned company gives us stability. We firmly believe that our long-term business orientation is a major strength which benefits our shareholders, customers, employees and partners.
Financial prudence, sound risk management, innovation, sustainability, long-term partnerships and profitability will continue to set the direction and pace of our strategic development.

Japan Vilene Group Occupational Health and Safety Policy

The Japan Vilene Group will position the safety and health of ‘all workers’ as one of the top priorities of management, and actively promote ‘prevention of occupational accidents’ and ‘provision of a healthy and motivating working environment’.

  1. We will aim to improve the group's occupational health and safety levels by each site setting occupational health and safety objectives and striving for continual improvement of occupational health and safety levels, based on this policy.
  2. We will comply not only with occupational health and safety-related legal requirements and other applicable standards but also with Freudenberg Group's HSE standards, draw up necessary site-specific standards, and aim to improve management levels.
  3. We will work on occupational health and safety activities with the participation of all workers by identifying hazards related to occupational health and safety, and by reducing risks with incorporating appropriate technologies and methods such as risk assessment.
  4. We will invest appropriate management resources in implementation of occupational health and safety activities, continually maintain and improve the occupational health and safety management system in terms of management and operation.
  5. We will position consultation and participation of workers as the essential and work on occupational health and safety activities based on good communication.
  6. We will systematically and continually provide trainings to all workers and establish a workplace where each worker can improve occupational health and safety levels with their pride and awareness.

This policy will be thoroughly disseminated to ‘all workers’ of the Japan Vilene Group and disclosed to interested parties.

Representative Director, President and CEO
Takuya Yakata
(Established on January 1, 2024)

Code of Conduct (Extract)

1. HUMAN RIGHTS, HEALTH, OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY, ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE PROTECTION

Health protection and occupational safety
Freudenberg is fully committed to ensuring safe working conditions and complying with regulations on occupational health and safety, as well as environmental protection, in order to preserve the health of associates, protect third parties, and prevent accidents, injuries, and work-related health hazards.

Environmental and climate protection
We take responsibility for making our actions as environmentally compatible as possible. Our mission is to use natural resources for our production processes, products, and services as conservatively and prudently as possible.

Human rights
In accordance with our Guiding Principles, Freudenberg respects internationally recognized human rights and fundamental freedoms in harmony with the principles of the UN Global Compact, to which we are a signatory. We oppose child labor and any form of forced labor or slavery at the Freudenberg Group companies, as well as at our direct and indirect suppliers. Our employees have the free choice to join or form a union/employee advocacy organization of their choice without discrimination, threats, intimidation, or any other form of retaliation.

2. COOPERATION

The Freudenberg Group promotes open communication and teamwork.

Equal opportunities and non-discrimination
Associates of the Freudenberg Group mirror the diversity of society and represent a great variety of languages, cultures, and lifestyles. We value the uniqueness of each associate. We respect people of all cultures and ethnic origins.

Violence and harassment in the workplace
Violence in the workplace is not tolerated. This includes explicit or implicit threats, intimidation, physical assault, and any form of harassment.

3. COMPANY PROPERTY AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION

Freudenberg company property and proprietary information
Every associate must handle company property responsibly and protect all Freudenberg assets from loss, damage, theft, misuse, and unauthorized use.

Information about other companies
While it is permissible to collect generally available information about other companies, it is prohibited to obtain information about other companies through unlawful, unfair, or otherwise dubious methods.

4. SOFTWARE, EMAIL, SOCIAL MEDIA AND INTERNET

Information technology (IT) systems, including hardware, software, and the data they process and store, are crucial in Freudenberg’s business operations. They are company property and, as such, may only be used for Freudenberg’s business purposes.

5. ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL REPORTING

Annual financial statements and accounting books, records, and accounts of every legal entity within the Freudenberg Group are part of the company records and therefore constitute company property and important assets. They must be accurate and comply with all statutory and fiscal requirements, as well as with Freudenberg’s internal accounting policies.

6. DATA PROTECTION

Freudenberg protects the personal data of associates, customers, suppliers, and other data subjects.

7. COOPERATION WITH BUSINESS PARTNERS

Freudenberg also expect our business partners, in particular, suppliers and distribution agents, to share and observe our basic principles of ethical behavior, human rights, compliance with legal standards, and environmentally friendly operation.

8. ANTITRUST AND COMPETITION LAWS

Freudenberg complies with all laws prohibiting unfair or deceptive trade practices. Likewise, Freudenberg does not enter into any coordinated or informal agreements on boycotting customers or other business partners.

9. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

We expect our associates to maintain the highest ethical standards. The company’s interests must be a priority in all business transactions with existing or potential customers, suppliers, competitors, and other partners. Business decisions may not be based on personal interests or benefits.

10. CORRUPTION

Prohibition of corruption
Corruption, bribery, embezzlement, fraud, acceptance of advantages, and any other form of corrupt action in business transactions are strictly prohibited at Freudenberg.

Gifts, invitations, and hospitality
We have internal guidelines on the handling of gifts, hospitality, and invitations to events to clarify which benefits are appropriate and which steps must be observed when accepting and granting benefits.

11. PROHIBITION OF MONEY LAUNDERING AND FINANCING OF TERRORISM

We do not allow transactions with Freudenberg Group companies to be misused for the purpose of money laundering or the financing of terrorism. We oppose any transaction through which a third party secures the “fruits” of a crime.

12. PRODUCT CONFORMITY AND SAFETY

We are responsible for ensuring to the greatest degree possible that no injuries or dangers to health, safety, the environment, and the assets of our customers or third parties result from the use of our products and services.

13. FOREIGN TRADE LAW AND EXPORT CONTROL

Associates involved in import and export matters (such as purchasing, sales, research and development, and supply chain) must be familiar with the applicable regulations and comply with the processes established in order not to violate the regulations.

Corporate Governance

The Company's position on corporate governance is that we should maximize returns to shareholders and stakeholders by continuing to grow and develop under changing social and economic environments. Recognizing this, we have taken a number of steps to improve corporate governance. For instance, we have accelerated key decision making, clarified responsibilities with respect to the execution of duties, improved and strengthened our compliance systems and internal controls, and sought to make timely disclosure.

1. Corporate Governance System

2. Preventing acts in violation of laws and ordinances

The Company set up the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Committee as a body that decides on and improves legal compliance, fairness and ethics. We also established the Guiding Principles and have made clear our stance on CSR.
We also laid down a Code of Conduct as the basic mindset that employees of the Company and its group companies should maintain, and we have a clear commitment to protecting the environment and contributing to the community. We are also dedicated to full legal compliance, which will achieve by ensuring that all employees are familiar with our Code of Conduct through briefings and other means.
In addition, we established the Internal Auditing Department as part of the internal control system. The department conducts periodic audits of the Company and its Group companies.

3. Strengthening of the functions of the Board of Directors

The Company has clarified its decision-making and bolstered its monitoring functions with the seconding of part-time directors from two large shareholders.
Important problems about the conduct of business are deliberated and examined by the Corporate Officers Meeting, attended by directors, corporate officers, deputy directors and corporate auditors to accelerate decision-making. The Board of Directors focuses on the monitoring of management.
Management and the decision-making process are monitored by corporate auditors, who attend important meetings of the Company and Group companies. At present, all two corporate auditors (including one outside auditor) are full time and are responsible for monitoring management.
In April 2006, we set up a Personnel Committee, raised the level of transparency of human resources affairs and the treatment of directors and the like. We have also developed a more active management organization.

Basic Environmental Principle

Japan Vilene Company, Limited recognizes that the conservation of the global environment is the most important issue confronting the planet. We will provide technologies and products that are compatible with the environment so that we can contribute to the development of society, paying attention to environmental protection in every aspect of our corporate activities.

(Established on January 1, 1999)

Environmental Policies

  1. We consider the conservation of the global environment one of the most important responsibilities of management.
  2. We will comply with domestic and international laws and regulations related to the environment and voluntarily establish management standards that encourage environmentally efficient activities.
  3. We will accurately gauge the impact of our business activities on the environment and repeatedly make regular reviews of the established environmental objectives and targets to prevent contamination and make continuous improvements.
  4. To create a sustainable recycling society, we will improve our technological and management activities to reduce the burden on the environment, such as resource savings, energy savings and a reduction in waste materials.
  5. In the development of new products and new technologies, we will make an environmental impact assessment throughout the production lifecycle, from the selection of raw materials to manufacturing, distribution, use and disposal to reduce the environmental burden.
  6. We will take steps to raise the environmental awareness of all employees through education and internal activities and to provide information and communications to local communities and government offices.

(Established on April 1, 2005)

Quality Policies

  1. We will remain constantly committed to preserving the global environment and providing technologies and products that are compatible with the environment.
  2. We will improve and refine quality and deliver great products that earn the trust of customers.
  3. We will identify the causes of any problems or defects and quickly and completely correct them so that we earn customer satisfaction and make a better contribution to the development of society.

(Revised on April 1, 2006)

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