Compliance
Fundamental Approach
Formulating a Groupwide Code of Conduct
Compliance is the fundamental premise underlying the AGC Group's business activities. To that end, the AGC Group Code of Conduct sets forth requirements for all employees in the workplace. The code comprises global requirements of business conduct that all employees must follow, regardless of country or region, and regional requirement that take into account the laws, regulations, and business customs of those areas.
The working regulations of each AGC Group company state that a violation of the AGC Group Code of Conduct is grounds for disciplinary action. In addition, if an employee voluntarily reports his or her own Code of Conduct violation, this will be taken into consideration when determining disciplinary action.
Management Structure
Establishment of Global Compliance System
The AGC Group has appointed a Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) responsible for the development of the compliance framework and promotion of compliance in the AGC Group. Under the supervision of the CCO, a global compliance leader, the Global Compliance Committee, and regional compliance committees plan and implement compliance programs, monitor respective regions' compliance efforts, and regularly report to the Board of Directors regarding Groupwide policies and the current status of the compliance system. In accordance with the guidelines of the compliance reporting system, the AGC Group has established a system for promptly reporting serious compliance violations to senior management.
Global Compliance System (as of December 31, 2023)
Groupwide Initiatives
Establishment of a Global Hotline
The AGC Group has established various reporting and consultation hotlines regarding our Code of Conduct, including human rights. As a general rule, hotlines are set up at each Group company, while additional area-wide hotlines have been established in Europe, North America, and Asia. Further, in Japan, we have established a hotline for all employees of the Group to report to, as well as a hotline for them to seek advice from external lawyers, while in global locations we have established a common external hotline.
To encourage employees to use the hotlines, the Group makes full consideration to ensure the anonymity of whistleblowers and strictly forbids any act of retaliation. When whistleblowers offer their real names, communication is facilitated, and feedback is provided on the status and results of handling the reported issues.
To provide contact information for the hotlines, hotline contacts are listed in the AGC Group Code of Conduct distributed to all employees. These contacts are also publicized in each country and region through efforts such as placing posters at each site.
Hotline Reporting Route (AGC)
Maintaining Information Security
Fundamental Approach
Based on ISO 27000, the international standard for information security management systems, the AGC Group established the AGC Group Information Security Basic Policy, which is shared Group-wide, the Group appropriately stores, uses, and manages information assets and protects personal information.
Management Structure
Under the AGC Group Information Security Basic Policy, the AGC Group has formulated its management regulations and guidelines based on the AGC Group's common initiative items, and has established a necessary management system. In addition, in the event of a serious information security incident occurring, the Group has established a system to minimize the impact in accordance with the AGC Group Rules for Crisis Management and Business Continuity Management.
Groupwide Initiatives
Strengthening Response Capabilities against Cyberattacks
To maintain stable transactions with its customers, the AGC Group is reinforcing initiatives for tackling the increasing threat of cyberattacks.
- We have formulated Groupwide common management regulations based on international standards for measures to address the security of our information systems and production equipment as well as improve our protection and detection equipment. At the same time, we have put in place a management system under which we are working to improve structures and carry out training with a view to strengthening our ability to respond quickly in the event of an information security incident occurring.
- To achieve this goal, we are continuously implementing technological penetration testing and comprehensive assessments by third parties.
- In light of the diversification of working patterns in the post-COVID-19 era, we have responded by strengthening our existing security measures for remote work.
Internal Audits on Information Security
The AGC Group has selected “measures for preventing leaks of important confidential information” as one of the shared priority items for internal audits (see page 14: Internal Audits).
Respect for Intellectual Property Rights
Fundamental Approach
As stipulated in the AGC Group Charter of Corporate Behavior, the AGC Group properly manages and protects the Company's information, intellectual property rights, and assets, and it strives to respect the intellectual property rights of others, including customers and business partners.
Management Structure
The AGC Group considers intellectual property rights such as patents, utility model rights, trademark rights, design rights, and copyrights as valuable intangible assets, and the Intellectual Property Division takes the lead in protecting and enforcing these rights.
Groupwide Initiatives
Prevention of Infringement of the Intellectual Property Rights of Other Parties
The AGC Group is creating a framework, including employee education, to prevent infringement of the intellectual property rights of others. The Group continuously monitors the intellectual property rights of others and checks to make sure it will not be violating those rights before new products are released or new business operations commence.
Tax Payments
Fundamental Approach
The AGC Group recognizes that proper tax payments impact the economic and social development of each country and region. Ensuring proper tax payment as a corporate social responsibility, we endeavor to ensure accurate and timely tax return pursuant to the tax laws and the spirit of law of each country and region. We have formulated the AGC Group Tax Compliance Policy based on this basic view of taxation.