Basic approach

Nippon Paint Group has formulated its own policy and Global Code of Conduct, referring to international standards and guidelines regarding sustainability, such as the International Bill of Human Rights, the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, and ISO 26000. Based on the laws and regulations of countries around the world, the Japan Group aims to eliminate discrimination based on factors such as race, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, disabilities, nationality, and to become a company where people can fully demonstrate their individuality and capabilities. In addition to respecting the basic human rights of individuals regarding all of our stakeholders, we do not discriminate or commit acts in violation of human rights, and we abide by the principles of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and the Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work issued by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in conducting our actions. Specifically, we guarantee the prohibition of forced labor, discrimination, and inhumane treatment; elimination of child labor; protection of young workers, adequate wages; appropriate management of working hours; and the right of employees to organize (freedom of association and collective bargaining).

Policy Implementation Structure

The Nippon Paint Group has clearly stated in the Nippon Paint Group Global Code of Conduct that we respect the human rights of employees and stakeholders.

Due diligence in human rights

Actions of the Japan Group

The Group companies in Japan utilize self-diagnosis (the UN Global Compact SAQ Survey) provided by UN Global Compact Network Japan to facilitate awareness of supply chain risks, in an effort to survey and understand the status of various ESG-related supplier activities. This survey assesses the level of an organization’s initiatives with regard to corporate governance, human rights, labor, the environment, fair corporate activities, quality/safety, information security, supply chains, and coexistence with local communities.

Actions of DuluxGroup (responses to the Modern Slavery Statement)

For the past two years, DuluxGroup has published its Modern Slavery Statement in compliance with Australian legislation. DuluxGroup is committed to identifying, assessing and addressing modern slavery risks within its operations and throughout its supply chain. Modern slavery is a serious violation of a person’s basic human rights. DuluxGroup opposes modern slavery in all its forms, and respects and supports the human rights and freedoms of workers within our operations and throughout our supply chain.
Modern Slavery Statement

Establishment of a harassment help desk

In 2020 Group companies in Japan set in place a harassment prevention policy and launched a Harassment Help Desk that people can consult, with the goal of constructing a working environment in which no employee has to deal with harassment themselves. These contact points were established separately to the NPHD Group Hotline—which allows people to report possible compliance violations—in order to offer an in-house consulting contact specifically to deal with harassment, thereby enlarging comfortable working environments and allowing employees to continue to work with peace of mind. A system to receive such reports has been established within the Human Resources Department , which takes appropriate measures to prevent recurrence of harassment while giving due attention to preserving the privacy of employees who make reports and that of the people involved. Even in cases when harassment cannot be clearly identified, we have successfully prevented it by consulting with the people who made the reports.
In fiscal 2020 there were ten incidents of people consulting the harassment desk, with each incident dealt with in a prompt, appropriate manner.

Nippon Paint Holdings Harassment Prevention Policy

1. Harassment is a human rights issue, and is an act that harms the dignity and personality of the other party. We will not permit or overlook harassment.
2. We will seek to resolve any incidences of harassment promptly and appropriately. We will preserve the privacy of those who consult us and those who cooperate with us in checking facts, and will never place them at a disadvantage.
3. We will respect the individuality and diversity of others, and will continue to pursue healthy working environments that allow everyone to work as a team with peace of mind.