Sustainability

Management with an Emphasis on Sustainability

Participation in External Initiatives

Sustainability

United Nations Global Compact

The United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) is a voluntary initiative by businesses and organizations which was proposed by then UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan at the World Economic Forum in Davos in 1999 and launched in 2000 to actualize sustainable growth.

UN Global Compact Logo

In February 2020, Brother Industries, Ltd. (BIL) showed its support for the initiative and the president and representative director signed the agreement to participate in UNGC. Through compliance with the UNGC's 10 principles focusing on four different areas: human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption, all the respective Brother Group employees will continue to maintain high awareness of social issues and to pursue activities to become a company that contributes to sustainable development of society further.

The 10 Principles of the UN Global Compact
Human Rights Principle 1: Businesses should support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights; and
Principle 2: make sure that they are not complicit in human rights abuses.
Labour Principle 3: Businesses should uphold the freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining;
Principle 4: the elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labour;
Principle 5: the effective abolition of child labour; and
Principle 6: the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.
Environment Principle 7: Businesses should support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges;
Principle 8: undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility; and
Principle 9: encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies.
Anti-corruption Principle 10: Businesses should work against corruption in all its forms, including extortion and bribery.

Responsible Business Alliance

The Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) is a non-profit organization* that supports the rights and well-being of workers and communities that are affected by global supply chains.
Since BIL joined the RBA in January 2019, it has been conducting audits of Brother Group facilities through third-party organizations certified by the RBA. As a result, in FY2020 and the following years, 4 Manufacturing facilities received RBA certification.

RBA Certified Facilities in the Brother Group (as of May 2024)
Facilities Main Business Status Date of Acquisition
BROTHER INDUSTRIES (VIETNAM) LTD. Manufacturing of printers and All-in-Ones Silver April 14, 2024
BROTHER TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) LTD. Manufacturing of printers and All-in-Ones Platinum October 3, 2023
BROTHER INDUSTRIES (PHILIPPINES), INC. Manufacturing of printers, All-In-Ones and labeling systems Platinum November 18, 2023
BROTHER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
(Hoshizaki Factory)
Manufacturing of inkjet printheads and related components, etc. Platinum May 3, 2024

The RBA Code of Conducts sets out standards to ensure that working conditions are safe, that workers are treated with respect and dignity, and that business operations are conducted environmentally responsibly and ethically. The organization requests its members to pursue compliance with the respective standards through their management systems.
As a member of the RBA, BIL, will assess manufacturing processes of the entire group from global perspectives and propel activities to establish sustainable supply chains further to become a company trusted by all the stakeholders.

The RBA Code of Conduct Version 8.0 (2024)
A. LABOR
  1. Prohibition of Forced Labor
  2. Young Workers
  3. Working Hours
  4. Wages and Benefits
  5. Non-Discrimination/Non-Harassment/Humane Treatment
  6. Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining
B. HEALTH and SAFETY
  1. Occupational Health and Safety
  2. Emergency Preparedness
  3. Occupational Injury and Illness
  4. Industrial Hygiene
  5. Physically Demanding Work
  6. Machine Safeguarding
  7. Sanitation, Food, and Housing
  8. Health and Safety Communication
C. ENVIRONMENT
  1. Environmental Permits and Reporting
  2. Pollution Prevention and Resource Conservation
  3. Hazardous Substances
  4. Solid Waste
  5. Air Emissions
  6. Materials Restrictions
  7. Water Management
  8. Energy Consumption and Greenhouse Gas Emissions
D. ETHICS
  1. Business Integrity
  2. No Improper Advantage
  3. Disclosure of Information
  4. Intellectual Property
  5. Fair Business, Advertising and Competition
  6. Protection of Identity and Non-Retaliation
  7. Responsible Sourcing of Minerals
  8. Privacy
E. MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
  1. Company Commitment
  2. Management Accountability and Responsibility
  3. Legal and Customer Requirements
  4. Risk Assessment and Risk Management
  5. Improvement Objectives
  6. Training
  7. Communication
  8. Worker/Stakeholder Engagement and Access To Remedy
  9. Audits and Assessments
  10. Corrective Action Process
  11. Documentation and Records
  12. Supplier Responsibility
  • Founded in 2004 as the Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition (EICC), and renamed RBA in 2017

TCFD Recommendations

In February 2020, the Brother Group expressed our support for the recommendations made by the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD).

TCFD-logo

In FY2021, based on the TCFD's recommendations, we analyzed the risks and opportunities that climate change brings to our business and disclosed relevant information for our Printing & Solutions Business, Machinery Business, Personal & Home Business, and new business. In the future, we will expand the scope of analysis, such as to our Domino Business, and work to enhance our information disclosure. At the same time, we will promote further measures for mitigating climate change to contribute toward creating a carbon-free society.

Japan Climate Initiative

In February 2020, BIL joined the Japan Climate Initiative* in support of its declaration: "Joining the front line of the global push for decarbonization from Japan."

  • The Japan Climate Initiative is a network designed to strengthen the exchange of information and opinions among corporations, municipalities, NGOs, and others actively addressing climate change in Japan.

Japan Climate Initiative logo

Japan Partnership for Circular Economy (J4CE)

In August 2022, BIL joined the Japan Partnership for Circular Economy (J4CE)* founded by the Japanese Ministry of the Environment, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and Keidanren (Japan Business Federation), in support of its purpose.

  • J4CE is an organization founded for the purpose of strengthening public and private partnerships, with the aim of further fostering understanding of the circular economy among a wide range of stakeholders, including domestic companies, and promoting initiatives in response to the accelerating global trend toward a circular economy.

logo

Circular Partners

In March 2024, BIL joined Circular Partners* (an industry-government-academia partnership for a circular economy) launched by the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry so as to promote activities to realize a circular economy.

  • Circular Partners is an alliance of organizations for a circular economy (CE) across Japan, including the national government, local governments, universities, companies, industry associations, and relevant institutions and organizations, to discuss and explore measures necessary to achieve a CE in Japan.

CPs_logo_square_posi_siro

Green x Digital Consortium

In October 2021, BIL participated in the Green x Digital Consortium established by the Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association (JEITA). The Green x Digital Consortium promotes corporate carbon neutrality and optimization activities coordinated with the times of industry and society.
BIL is demonstrating leadership within the industry by serving as a sub-leader of the Methodology Sub-Working Group, which establishes a framework for CO2 data calculation and sharing methods.

logo

Green x Digital Consortium website   (a link to the Green x Digital Consortium website) (in Japanese only)

30by30 Alliance for Biodiversity

In October 2023, BIL joined the 30by30 Alliance for Biodiversity*1, a coalition of volunteers launched by the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) to actively develop initiatives for biodiversity conservation. In addition, the MOE has recognized BIL's "Brother Forests in Gujo," which BIL has been operating since 2008 as part of its environmental protection activities, as a "Nationally Certified Sustainably Managed Natural Site"*2 to achieve the 30by30 target.
BIL will continue to actively deploy initiatives to conserve biodiversity and contribute to the achievement of the 30by30 target.

  1. 30by30 is a target to effectively conserve at least 30% of the land and sea in healthy ecosystems by 2030, aiming to achieve the goal of becoming "nature positive" to halt the loss of biodiversity and restore it, which was agreed at the G7 Summit in 2021.
  2. Nationally Certified Sustainably Managed Natural Sites are areas where biodiversity is being conserved through private initiatives and other means as part of actions taken in Japan to achieve the 30by30 target, and the government has begun certifying them since FY2023.

CDP

BIL has been responding to the Climate Change and Water Security Questionnaires by CDP* since 2015.

  • CDP is a British NGO that operates a global disclosure system to help investors, companies, cities, states and regions manage their environmental impacts.

Eco-First Commitments

Eco-First Commitments-logo

BIL is certified under the Eco-First Program.
The Eco-First Program is a certification program by the Minister of the Environment. Under this program, companies make voluntary promises regarding environmental conservation—such as global warming measures and measures related to waste and recycling—to the Minister of the Environment, who certifies these companies as companies conducting business activities that are advanced, unique, and industry-leading in the environmental field.

To visit Eco-First Program website  (the link to the site of the Ministry of the Environment)

Share This Page