CSR throughout Our Supply Chain

• Ricoh Group basic policy in procurement activities
• Ricoh Group supply chain
• Critical suppliers selection process
• Addressing CSR procurement
• Addressing the conflict minerals issues
• Supply chain BCM (business continuity management)
• Supplier Hotline

Our business activities give us a large sphere of influence when it comes to social accountability, so it is crucial for the many companies and individuals along our supply chain to help the Ricoh Group avoid or minimize unintended negative effects. We are a member of the RBA^*1 (Responsible Business Alliance), a global industry coalition dedicated to progressing social responsibility in global supply chains and we make sure not only our employees, but also the employees of our suppliers, always act ethically. We spotlight this concern in our international guidelines on human rights, labor, the environment and more, and are working continuously to raise our initiatives to the next level.

*1 RBA: Responsible Business Alliance, organizations promoting CSR in supply chain

Ricoh Group basic policy in procurement activities

The Ricoh Group’s businesses are supported by many suppliers. Recognizing these suppliers as our essential business partners, we build a relationship of trust with them, aiming at mutually beneficial development.

Today’s society faces various issues to address, such as those associated with the environment and human rights. To help solve these issues and achieve a sustainable society, the Ricoh Group promotes business activities so as to achieve SDGs, upholding the slogan of “Driving Sustainability for Our Future.” In order to effectively pursue this goal to meet social expectations, we need to cooperate with the entire supply chain, sharing our group policies and visions with individual suppliers. To this end, we have established the Ricoh Group purchasing regulation to appropriately deal with relevant CSR issues involving legal compliance, fairness and environmental and societal impacts. Using this as a tool, we are working to enhance our efforts on a global scale.

Ricoh Group Purchasing Regulation

To operate the purchase activities in impartial and fair manner which is open to all over the world, based on the economic rationality.

To operate, as a member of the global citizen, the purchase activities in such a manner as to contribute to the conservancy and the improvement of the global environment.

To operate the purchase activities bearing in mind CSR and based on the compliance with law and esteem of the social ethics.

To aim at coexistence and co-prosperity with excellent Suppliers on the basis of mutual responsibility.

Page Top

Ricoh Group supply chain

On a global basis, the Ricoh Group’s business has a total of approximately 1,800 supplier companies, posting a purchasing amount of 300 billion yen (as of March 2021). We work to achieve group-wide procurement optimization in cooperation with our global suppliers.

Page Top

Critical suppliers selection process

We specify critical suppliers primarily based on purchasing amount and volume, and the criticality and substitutability of materials/components, following the two steps below. As of March 2021, a global total of approximately 250 companies have been specified as critical suppliers.

【First Step】

When starting a new transaction, we select suppliers in accordance with the basic policy in purchasing activities, and include provisions related to ESG (Environment, Social and Governance) in the basic business agreement.

【Second Step】

From among the suppliers selected as satisfying the first step requirements, those involving large purchasing amounts, components for key products and strategic models, and non-substitutable parts are specified as “critical suppliers.”

Page Top

Building relationship with suppliers based on trust

We work to forge relationships of strong trust and long-term cooperation with our suppliers, aiming at mutually beneficial development. We do this by providing:

• The Ricoh Group Supplier Code of Conduct
• Production trend briefings
• ESG guidance
  We share our ESG policy and activities and the Ricoh Group Supplier Code of Conduct. In 2020, for the purpose of preventing the spread of Covid-19, we held online- briefings for the first time with our main global suppliers.
• Supplier Satisfaction Survey
  We conduct questionnaires for suppliers about Ricoh's procurement activities anonymously, and we improve Ricoh's own procurement activities based on the answers of questionnaires.

To join the Responsible Business Alliance (RBA)

In November 2019, Ricoh joined the Responsible Business Alliance (RBA), the world’s largest industry coalition dedicated to promoting corporate social responsibility in global supply chains. Ricoh shares the principals and goals of the RBA and has committed to adopting and implementing the measures initiated by the RBA, and also sharing them with our suppliers.

Ricoh Joins the Responsible Business Alliance, the World's Largest Industry Coalition Dedicated to CSR in Global Supply Chains
Responsible Business Alliance (RBA)

Ricoh Group Supplier Code of Conduct

In January 2006, the Ricoh Group established the Ricoh Group Supplier Code of Conduct for our suppliers to help them understand and support the Ricoh Group’s basic CSR policy and promote efforts aimed at improving society and the global environment as well as the sustainable development of businesses. The code of conduct is available in three languages (Japanese, English and Chinese) and is distributed to all our suppliers, who are required to comply with it. In August 2020, the Ricoh Group revised the "Supplier Code of Conduct" complying with the RBA Code of Conduct, which is based on major international human rights standards, including the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in line with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
　For suppliers implementing the Supplier Code of Conduct, the working environment is safe, and the workers are treated with respect and dignity. We would also like our suppliers to ethically work on this revised Code of Conduct for conducting business and, at the same time, to be environmentally responsible. We request our suppliers to sign the agreement form for the Ricoh Group Supplier Code of Conduct and ensure that Ricoh and our suppliers work in tandem.

Ricoh Group Supplier Code of Conduct
Ricoh Group Supplier Code of Conduct (English) (266KB)
Ricoh Group Supplier Code of Conduct (Japanese) (254KB)
Ricoh Group Supplier Code of Conduct (Chinese) (284KB)

Ricoh Group Supplier Code of Conduct Agreement form
Ricoh Group Supplier Code of Conduct Agreement form (English)（26KB）
Ricoh Group Supplier Code of Conduct Agreement form (Japanese)（52KB）
Ricoh Group Supplier Code of Conduct Agreement form (Chinese)（51KB）

The RBA Code of Conduct
The RBA Code of Conduct

Page Top

Ricoh Group Supplier Code of Conduct (Index)

Ricoh Group Supplier Code of Conduct is based on the RBA Code of Conduct and consists of five sections: labor, health & safety, environment, ethics and management systems.

Page Top

CSR procurement briefing sessions

Page Top

Supplier Satisfaction Survey

We aim for coexistence and co-prosperity and sustainable development through fair corporate activities with suppliers. In fiscal 2020, we started a supplier satisfaction survey (a pilot method for some suppliers) with the aim of becoming a company that continues to be selected by all stakeholders as a partner striving for the development of a sustainable society together.
We will conduct a questionnaire for our suppliers covering the following points: listening to the frank opinions of anonymous respondents and improving Ricoh's procurement activities.

Page Top

Addressing CSR procurement

While operating the business globally, the Ricoh Group considers the ESG in the supply chain and responds to the challenges of each field, we believe that working together with suppliers to address and solve the various problems of the global environment and society will be the driving force for the development of a healthy company and, ultimately will realize a sustainable society. For that we will promote this initiative from the perspective of long-term corporate value improvement.

Rollout of supply chain CSR

Green procurement

To reduce the environmental impact of its entire supply chain, the Ricoh Group works to enhance environmental protection efforts in cooperation with suppliers. As a measure to facilitate relevant efforts at suppliers to establish the Ricoh Group’s environmental management system (EMS), we have created the EMS Guidelines and Green Procurement Standard, to which we refer for purchasing raw materials and components from suppliers. Similarly, to help suppliers establish a chemical substance management system (CMS), we have developed the CMS Guidelines, and use it as a tool for providing training and operational support.

Green Procurement Standard

Page Top

Supply chain chemical substance management system

Targets and achievements of the CMS Training

The achievements of the CMS Training

※The CMS training was cancelled because of Covid-19 in 2020.

Page Top

Supporting suppliers’ decarbonization efforts

In pursuit of a zero-carbon society, the Ricoh Group is expanding its CO₂ emissions reduction activities that allow suppliers to join in with the Group’s efforts. One such activity involves supporting suppliers in switching to clean electricity.
We have shared the global warming countermeasures and information of trend on the environment that became a common global issue after the Paris Agreement, with the management of suppliers in order to aim to raise awareness about CO₂. Besides, based on practical cases and know-how in the Ricoh Group, we have supported suppliers on CO₂ emissions reduction activities. In the future, together with our suppliers, we will continue to practice environmental management that realizes environmental conservation activities and creation of profits.

Case report: Supporting suppliers in switching to “new power” to reduce CO₂ emissions

Miyazawa Machinery Industrial Co., Ltd. (Head office/plant in Omori-honcho, Ota-ku; plant in Jonanjima, Ota-ku; Website: http://www.m-mic.co.jp/)

Interview with Taizo Miyazawa, Representative Director

How did your company begin working to reduce CO₂?

We have been promoting energy conservation over several years in our major business sites at the head office and at plants. We installed LED lighting, energy saving air conditioners and other systems. In the summer of 2018, we received a request from Ricoh to switch to “new power,” which is provided by a power producer and supplier (PPS). Ricoh explained in earnest about the objective of promoting the initiative and its effect on society, which made us consider accepting their request. However, the switch was difficult to do immediately at the time, given the need to fulfill our ongoing contract for multi-year services. We decided to bring forward the issue for reconsideration when that contract expires.

What made your company adopt the CO₂-free option?

Ricoh offered to provide their accumulated know-how and operational support for switching to new power. We began to consider the possibility of the switch as an approach to cutting costs and CO₂ emissions at once. The company invited us to CSR briefing sessions and SDGs seminars, where we were impressed by their eagerness for environmental initiatives. As a parts supplier, we thought we should support Ricoh in pursuing the initiatives and decided to introduce new power. Our decision was driven particularly by a plan that could allow us to select a CO₂-free option and lower costs compared with the service by the previous power company. We became the first supplier to respond to Ricoh’s request, which also boosted our motivation.

What are your future plans?

Following the power company change, we plan to reduce power usage in order to further facilitate CO₂ emissions reduction. The Ricoh Group will also help us for this purpose, such as by sending specialists to provide know-how for power usage data analysis. Working with Ricoh, we will make continued efforts to reduce CO₂ emissions and contribute to achieving SDGs to create a sustainable society.

Page Top

Support to suppliers’ process improvement

We promote cost reduction programs jointly with suppliers to build long-term relationships of trust based on mutually beneficial cooperation. The programs aim to improve profits (financial statements) at our partners, and involve a range of processes, starting from consensus formation at the top management level among relevant companies, followed by sharing and analyzing information, checking facts and inspecting factories to select issues, executing improvement plans and verifying results.

Identifying risks associated with suppliers

We assess risks associated with each supplier in consideration of its location of operation and the possibility of involving environmentally hazardous substances. Based on the assessment, we identify high-risk suppliers and carry out measures to reduce the risk through periodically monitoring the financial situation, introducing the CSR Self-Assessment program and providing for third-party audits.
In fiscal 2018, we conducted two unannounced audits of suppliers with coating processes that may contain or contaminate prohibited substances. Thorough the inspection of their production sites, we confirmed that all products were lead-free electroless nickel-coated, and determined that there was no possibility of inclusion of prohibited substances.

CSR Self-Assessment System

We have introduced a CSR Self-Assessment System based on the RBA Code of Conduct that helps suppliers monitor their compliance with the Ricoh Group Supplier Code of Conduct. The system has been rolled out in Japan, China and Thailand. Company activities are assessed in labor, safety and health, environment, ethics, management systems, and living wages to identify issues to address. The results are fed back to the suppliers, who receive requests for improvement if applicable, together with advice and support on ways to meet society's needs and expectations. If a supplier's improvement activities are not sufficient, we would discuss the future business relationship with the supplier.
With the CSR Self-Assessment System, the Ricoh Group provides our suppliers with support in implementing a "plan, do, check, act" (PDCA) cycle by themselves to meet society’s needs and expectations.

CSR Self-Assessment Targets and Achievements

In fiscal 2018, we launched a new CSR Self-Assessment program based on the RBA Code of Conduct for suppliers in China and Thailand. From the analyzed responses (rate: 100%), we identified a number of issues. To address them, Ricoh provided related companies with advice for improvement measures and periodically monitors implementation progress in order to support their continued efforts.

Major targets and achievements regarding social responsibility

*Indicator 5 in Governance category: Response rate for CSR self-assessments by suppliers (%)

Implementation of CSR Audits

In fiscal 2018, we conducted internal audits of suppliers in Thailand and third-party audits of suppliers in China, both based on the RBA Code of Conduct, and identified issues to be addressed. We provided feedback about the audit results for each supplier and requested for corrective actions for areas needing improvements.
In fiscal 2020, we conducted CSR self-assessment for our main global suppliers and analyzed risks. We will work in tandem with the high-risk suppliers to reduce the risks. In fiscal 2019, we continuously conducted audits based on the RBA Code of Conduct both in Thailand and China. For Thai suppliers in particular, we implemented third-party audits by RBA (VAP audits^*2) and urged them to proceed with improvement activities based on the results. In addition, we conducted follow-up audits for Thai suppliers in order to confirm the improvement status of items pointed out in the audit in fiscal 2018.

*2 VAP audits: Validated Assessment Program. Third-party audits of supplier's compliance with the five elements of the RBA Code of Conduct to identify risks and opportunities for improvement.

Page Top

Supplier Awards

Every year, we select suppliers that have demonstrated excellent performance related to product quality, delivery time, environmental protection, environmental practices etc. and made significant contributions to the Ricoh Group’s business development. We set Ricoh Group’s criteria and select suppliers with the result of the latest one year. Manager of Global Procurement Division awards the selected suppliers directly and has built up strong relationships with the suppliers and aimed to goal for achievement of SDGs.

Addressing human rights issues

Risks associated with human rights are an emerging supply chain management issue. To deal with this concern, the Ricoh Group asks its suppliers to comply with the Supplier Code of Conduct, which includes prohibitions of human rights abuses, such as child labor and forced labor, while monitoring their compliance through the periodical CSR Self-Assessment program and requesting improvement efforts as necessary.
In response to the UK’s Modern Slavery Act, which came into force in October 2015, we have posted a relevant statement on the website of Ricoh Europe Holdings PLC, our sales arm in Europe. We also address conflict minerals issues* that are receiving growing public attention, carrying out continued activities, including information disclosure.

Ricoh Europe Holdings PLC 「Modern Slavery Act Transparency Statement」

Human Rights

Efforts to address child labor issues

Child labor is one of the priority issues of the Ricoh Group's TRM (total risk management) efforts, and relevant departments have been engaged in various projects to address child labor issues. The Ricoh Group has already surveyed the compliance with laws that prohibit child labor by manufacturing sites in Japan and abroad. In fiscal 2018, the survey results confirmed that there have been no violations. The self-assessment results from supplier companies also confirmed that there have been no reports of child labor violations. We will continue to monitor child labor.

Page Top

Addressing the conflict minerals issues

With regard to the responsible supply chain management of minerals from conflict-affected areas and high-risk areas, in order that companies respect human rights and avoid contributing to conflict through their mineral sourcing practices, it is expected to cultivate transparent mineral supply chains and companies’ sustainable growth by the righteous decision-making on the mineral resource procurement with a view to enabling countries to benefit from their natural mineral resources and preventing the extraction and trade of minerals from becoming a source of conflict, human rights abuses, and insecurity.

Basic approach

The Ricoh Group views the issues that the minerals mining or trading in conflict-affected and high-risk areas finances armed groups and fosters conflicts, or closely related to human rights abuses, labor issues or environmental destruction, etc. as an important CSR issue, and continues to secure transparency in the supply chain together with its business partners, also ensures responsible mineral sourcing practices.

The “Ricoh Group Supplier Code of Conduct” refers to 3TG (Tantalum, Tin, Tungsten and Gold) in asking suppliers to understand and cooperate with our policy of "Responsible sourcing of minerals". Since fiscal 2020, we have been requesting suppliers to include our policy of "Responsible sourcing of minerals" for cobalt as well.

Policy against Conflict Minerals

Citation from “Ricoh Group Supplier Code of Conduct”

In-house operation and participation in industry organizations

From 2012 the Ricoh Group started to study in-house system approaching conflict minerals issues, and established a cross functional task force in charge of dealing with conflict minerals issues, which consists of representatives from relevant departments within the Ricoh Group companies, and began considering what actions to be taken for the issues. We are continuing these activities, led by the Procurement Division and ESG Division.

In addition, Ricoh, as a member company of the "Responsible Minerals Trade Working Group", launched in May 2012 by JEITA^*3, is participating in a Working Group for the entire global supply chain, and studying activities unified in the electronics industry. In 2019, the Ricoh Group participated in RBA , and member companies of RMI^*4, and has asked the conflict minerals smelters related organizations in Japan to make inquiries about smelters and promote to be the Responsible Minerals Assurance Process (RMAP) conformant continuously.

*3 JEITA: Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association

*4 RMI: Responsible Minerals Initiative; former Conflict-Free Sourcing Initiative (CFSI)

Conflict minerals survey

The Ricoh Group addresses this conflict minerals issues referring to the “OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas". From 2013, we have been conducting a yearly conflict minerals survey targeting suppliers of raw materials and components to be used for the Ricoh Group’s products.
We ask suppliers to use the Conflict Minerals Reporting Template (CMRT) and the Cobalt Reporting Template (CRT), which provides conflict minerals reporting formats provided by RMI. From fiscal 2020, we provide information on high-risk smelters to our tier 1 suppliers and request them to switch to RMAP conformant smelters. We also ask tier 2 and subsequent suppliers to encourage upstream companies and smelters to switch to RMAP conformant smelters and obtain certification through tier 1. Also, because of growing concerns about unsafe working conditions and child labor in recent years in the mining of cobalt, we are conducting surveys of the cobalt supply chain. We have identified that our toner products are conflict-free.

Survey conducted in fiscal 2020 and future efforts

In fiscal 2020, based on the results of a survey conducted for worldwide first-tier suppliers of the Ricoh Group in fiscal 2019, we identified as accurately as possible each of the parts and raw materials used in the products manufactured or consigned during the year, and conducted a common survey on the use of conflict minerals and received responses from 94% of suppliers. In the survey of 2020, the Ricoh Group identified 229 smelter companies have acquired the certification of RMAP conformant and conflict-free.

The rate of RMAP Conformant smelters and refiners identified in the Ricoh Group's supply chain was 55% in the fiscal 2019 survey, but was 76% in the fiscal 2020 survey, an increase of 21% over the previous year.

As a result, analyzing the response information from the first-tier suppliers, it was confirmed that there was a possibility that a certain number of products contain the parts or materials which originated in the Democratic Republic of the Congo or an adjoining country, accordingly the Ricoh Group conducted due diligence on the relevant first-tier suppliers. We discuss our future business with the suppliers who have no response to this survey and are judged to require improvement based on the results of the CSR Self-Assessment.

In addition, in fiscal 2020, we began a trial survey of the cobalt supply chain by identifying major suppliers that had supplied the Ricoh Group with products and parts containing cobalt in the past. The response rate from surveyed suppliers was 85% of the 35 cobalt smelters and refineries and 9 RMAP conformant refineries identified. We also continue to cooperate with industry organizations, such as JEITA and RMI, and we continue to conduct due diligence.

Supply chain BCM (business continuity management)

The Ricoh Group’s extensive supply chain faces a broad range of external risk factors, such as natural disasters, changes in the international situation, and development of infection. Our customers are particularly aware of this in the wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake. They are demanding, as part of their business requirements, strong risk management capabilities to ensure that their business operations would not be affected even in the event of an emergency. The Ricoh Group's policy is to ensure that customers never have to suspend their work, and we have made our support of social infrastructure operations a high priority. We, therefore, require our suppliers to strengthen their BCM by maintaining redundant production bases and parts procurement channels, and to increase their stocks of materials and components in case of widespread disasters such as those caused by earthquakes, tsunami, floods, fire, accidents or infection including new strains of influenza and COVID-19.

Page Top

Supplier Hotline

Ricoh has set “Supplier Hotline” which accepts violations to the applicable laws and regulations, Ricoh Group Code of Conduct, and violations of contract with suppliers caused by Ricoh and Ricoh Group’s officers and employees.

The conduct of officers and employees of each Ricoh Group company is governed by laws and regulations, Ricoh Group Code of Conduct.
If you find that officers and employees of the Ricoh Group has (or may have) breached any of the above rules, laws or regulations, or any contract with you as a supplier, please contact Supplier Hotline with the details.
In addition, please refrain from reporting with improper purposes, such as reporting contents that are different from the facts, reporting contents for purposes of slander, intimidation or business.
In 2020, we had no reports to Supplier Hotline.

Reports to Supplier Hotline are accepted through the report form on this site.(See below)Please describe the name and e-mail address of whistle-blower in order to confirm more detailed facts.

Reports to Supplier Hotline are received and the relevant facts are confirmed by the department not in charge of Ricoh’s normal procurement. We conduct corrective actions promptly when necessary. The whistleblower shall not receive disadvantageous treatment by Ricoh Group merely by submitting the report itself.

The personal information collected in this form will not be disclosed to anyone other than to those that have the need to know, to confirm the facts and conduct the investigation, etc. We will only use the information in responding to your requests and for the necessary procedures.
The personal information sent by you will be managed under appropriate security measures and will be managed in strict confidence so that there will be no disadvantage caused to you through the investigations. We will not disclose or provide the information to third parties without your prior consent.
The personal information and requests collected in this form will be used to the extent necessary for confirming the facts and conducting investigation, and will be shared amongst the Ricoh Group related departments for the purpose of responding to your request, confirming facts and conducting investigation, and for improving the quality. Please refer to the “Handling of personal information” about how we handle your personal information.

Page Top