Supply Chain CSR

Communication and Training

Communications with Suppliers

Annual Supplier Conference

In addition to its commitment to delivering quality products, Epson believes that maintaining human rights, labor standards, and environmental conservation throughout its entire supply chain is an important part of its corporate responsibility. Epson therefore considers all suppliers to be important business partners.

Epson engages its suppliers throughout the year in many forms and at many different levels. An annual supplier conference is held in Japan as a top-level event at which we explain our procurement policies. We provide suppliers with an overview of our operations and share with them our important policies.

Epson's president and executive officers explain the company's policies and the business policies. The executive in charge of procurement requests that suppliers practice socially responsible procurement, take steps to cope with challenges in procuring chips and other electronic parts, and strengthen their business continuity management. Many suppliers attend this event every year.

Since 2021, the conference has been held online due to Covid-19, but prior to that it served as a valuable opportunity for meeting and speaking with suppliers directly.

Supplier Conference for CSR

At an annual socially responsible procurement supplier conference (held since 2016), we talk about CSR trends and our socially responsible procurement activities. We also ask our suppliers to engage with us in our efforts. Suppliers attend the conferences held at Epson manufacturing sites in Japan, China, and Indonesia.

At the conference, we ask suppliers to comply with our Sustainable Procurement Policy and the Epson Supplier Guidelines. We provide guidance for completing self-assessment questionnaires (SAQ) used to evaluate suppliers' CSR efforts and emergency response capabilities. We also ask suppliers to cooperation in conflict mineral surveys. Furthermore, due to the impact of natural disasters and infectious diseases on procurement and logistics in recent years, we remind suppliers of the importance of business continuity management.

Human Rights Seminar for Suppliers

In addition to explaining social demands and RBA requirements at supplier conferences for CSR, we also hold seminars and conferences to provide further detail and ask for cooperation. Many suppliers attend these events every year.

Epson believes that it is important for suppliers to take the initiative in launching their own CSR programs based on a solid understanding of the reasons for them. We see human rights as a priority issue-and one in which the expectations of society are rapidly evolving. We therefore hold seminars taught by outside consultants to provide suppliers with expert information.

Whistleblowing System for Suppliers

Epson has established compliance hotlines as grievance mechanisms that suppliers can use to report or discuss violations or potential violations of legislative requirements and the Epson Group Supplier Guideline. These hotlines are being used to further promote ethical corporate conduct, so we encourage their use. Reports may be made anonymously, and whistleblowers shall be protected, including by strictly handling their personal data and prohibiting any form of retaliation in accordance with applicable laws and Epson's internal regulations.

Suppliers can use the hotlines to report:

• real or suspected misconduct or legal, regulatory, or ethical violations relating to Epson's operations or involving Epson officers or employees;
• ideas or complaints relating to health and safety; and
• concerns relating to conflict minerals

How to report:

• For suppliers in Japan: Link
• For suppliers of Epson group companies outside Japan: Use the comments/opinions box located in the facility or refer to the facility's supplier guidelines to learn about other reporting channels.

Internal Training

The Epson Group's Management Philosophy champions respect for the individual and teamwork. Principles of Corporate Behavior, meanwhile, outlines conduct for creating a corporate culture by fostering employee independence and confidence through professional development. We believe it is particularly important to understand legal and other requirements to ensure compliance and sustainability in procurement. Epson thus provides general procurement training for all employees, as well as courses tailored to the needs of procurement staff.

Procurement Compliance Seminar (Japan domestic)

Procurement Compliance Seminar

Basic online course

RBA (Supply Chain CSR) Professional Training (Worldwide)

Epson provides professional training for procurement staff to manage supplier CSR. These programs are based on the RBA Code of Conduct and RBA (VAP) audit standards, including A. Labor, B. Health and Safety, C. Environment, D. Ethics, and E. Management Systems. Some programs are conducted by outside consultants.

For more information: RBA Code of Conducts    RBA (VAP) audit