Sustainable Growth with society
Six material issues that we address with priority to achieve sustainable growth with society.
The basis for the Sumitomo Corporation Group’s operations can be found in Sumitomo’s Business Philosophy, which has formed the foundation for Sumitomo’s sustainable development over the course of 400 years. One of the credos of this philosophy states: “Benefit for self and others, private and public interests are one and the same.” We interpret this credo advocates Sumitomo’s business activities must benefit not only Sumitomo, but also society around us to achieve sustainable growth together. It is important to reconsider how we should address social issues through our business activities. To achieve sustainable growth together with society into the future, we have identified material issues that we should address with priority by leveraging our strengths in line with Sumitomo’s Business Philosophy and Sumitomo Corporation Group’s Corporate Mission Statement.
Build resilient and prosperous society
We create a virtuous circle in which all people can enjoy physically and mentally enriched lives, and we can grow and develop together with local communities by stepping ahead in dealing with the needs of people in various countries and regions.
Overcome climate change
We work together with stakeholders to decarbonize society and promote the realization of a carbon-neutral and resilient society, while taking into consideration the characteristics of the respective industry and region.
Preserve and regenerate natural capital
To achieve a world living in harmony with nature, we avoid or minimize the impact on natural capital caused by our business activities and go beyond preservation to also pursue regeneration and effective use of natural capital through the building of a circular economy and other measures.
Respect human rights
Striving to respect the human rights of every stakeholder involved in our supply chain is the foundation of all corporate activities. We work to identify and to prevent or mitigate any adverse impact on human rights, as well as to ensure the safety and security of our stakeholders.
Develop talent and promote DE&I
We recognize Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) as the core enabler for value creation, innovation and competitiveness. In order to create new value and innovation by allowing our diverse personnel to fully exercise their abilities in a variety of fields, we will promote the development and empowerment of human resources, which represent our most important management resources.
Maintain and strengthen governance
We will develop an autonomous Group management system that responds to changes in the business environment with agility, and maintain and strengthen our efficient, sound, and transparent governance system.
EcoVadis Score
In 2024, we acquired the Silver Medal through the sustainability assessment by EcoVadis, an international rating agency headquartered in France. EcoVadis comprehensively evaluates corporate sustainability under the four themes of: Environment, Labor & Human Rights, Ethics, and Sustainable Procurement. We will continue pursuing further improvement in sustainability.
From the Perspective of ESG
Under the six material issues, we promote ESG measures as follows.
Environment
Human beings are facing serious global environmental issues, and their resolution has become an urgent requirement. Based on the Sumitomo Corporation Group Environmental Policy provided below, we at SPI strive to reduce environmental impact and achieve a sustainable society through energy saving and waste reduction in pharmaceutical manufacturing, recycling end-of-use items in laboratories, shifting to paperless office operation, reusing office supplies, and other measures.
Sumitomo Corporation Group Environmental Policy
I.Basic Policy
The Sumitomo Corporation Group recognizes that environmental issues are global in scale and that they are long-range concerns affecting future generations. As a global organization, the Sumitomo Corporation Group, through sound business activities, will strive to achieve sustainable development aimed at both social and economic progress and environmental preservation.
II.Basic Guidelines
In pursuing its diversified business activities both within Japan and overseas, the Sumitomo Corporation Group shall comply with the following guidelines, and, through cooperation between its Group companies, work to achieve the aims of its environmental Basic Policy.
1.Basic stance with regard to the environment:
To place great importance on protecting the global environment as a good corporate citizen in accordance with the Sumitomo Corporation's Activity Guidelines.
2.Compliance with environmental legislation:
To strictly observe legislation related to environmental matters not only in Japan but also overseas, and to abide by any agreements made.
3.Caring for the natural environment:
To place great importance on preserving the environment, including the natural ecosystem and biodiversity.
4.Response to climate change:
To place great importance on mitigating climate change and adapting to its impact.
5.Efficient use of resources and energy:
To be mindful of the finite availability of resources and energy and strive to use them both efficiently and effectively.
6.Contributing to the building of a recycling-oriented society:
To endeavor to help build a recycling-oriented society by reducing waste and reusing and recycling resources.
7.Promotion of businesses that contribute to environmental preservation:
To utilize our integrated corporate strength to promote businesses and projects, which contribute to environmental preservation and reduction of the impact of society on the natural environment.
8.Establishment of environmental management:
To use an environmental management system to prevent environmental pollution and set environmental objectives and targets which are regularly reviewed and continuously upgraded.
9.Disclosure of the environmental policy:
To communicate this Environmental Policy to all people who are working for or on behalf of the Sumitomo Corporation Group, as well as disclosing it externally.
Environmental Management Structure
SPI is a member of SC's ISO 14001 integrated certification group companies. We have established an environmental management structure with our President & CEO serving as the Environmental Management Representative. As shown in the structure on the right, all employees improve their recognition of environmental issues, pursue increased productivity, and engage in sound business activities, thereby achieving sustainable development.
SPI is a member of SC's ISO 14001 integrated certification group companies. We have established an environmental management structure with our President & CEO serving as the Environmental Management Representative. As shown in the structure below, all employees improve their recognition of environmental issues, pursue increased productivity, and engage in sound business activities, thereby achieving sustainable development.
JQA-EM0451
*EMS：Environmental Management System
JQA-EM0451
case 01
In vivo imaging system contributes to minimization of experimental animals
Our in vivo imaging instrument makes it possible to observe the expression of genes and the cell behavior in living animals over time by capturing weak light emission within the organism without injuring them in the experiment. Additionally, one of these instruments was installed in the "Kibo" experimental module within the International Space Station by JAXA in 2021, contributing to the program of human life sciences research in space.
case 02
Initiative for environmental impact reduction with iFactory
We invest in iFactory Inc., which develops iFactory®, a continuous manufacturing facility for chemicals that consists of modular-based unit operation system (such as reaction, extraction, crystallization, filtration and drying). The module consists of a cubic metal frame with each unit of operation inside, which can be reconfigured to flexibly adapt a variety of manufacturing processes. The verification in the laboratory has confirmed that this system is expected to reduce energy consumption by about 80% and waste materials by about 30 to 40% compared with the conventional batch production method. We will continue to proactively support this system as an initiative for environmental impact reduction.
Society
We fulfill our corporate responsibility as a pharmaceutical trading company in the supply chain toward the achievement of a sustainable society, through the stable supply and quality assurance of drugs, stringent compliance with laws and regulations, and other measures. Based on the Sumitomo Corporation Group Sustainable Supply Chain Action Policy, we at SPI continuously promote diversity, human resource development, an employee-friendly work environment, and occupational safety management.
Sustainable Supply Chain Action Policy
Based on the “Sumitomo Business Philosophy” and our Management Principles, the Sumitomo Corporation Group regards contributing to the sustainable development of society through sound business activities as our fundamental mission. Our Group conducts business activities in accordance with international standards regarding human rights and other matters, including the “International Bill of Human Rights,” the International Labour Organization (ILO) “Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work,” the United Nations “Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights,” and the “Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact.”
As a general trading company conducting diverse business operations globally and maintaining diverse supply chains, in order to build sustainable supply chains together with our business partners and suppliers, our Group seeks their endorsement, understanding, and implementation of the matters set forth below. We will fulfill our social responsibilities by working with our business partners and suppliers to engage in dialogue and consultation with stakeholders for identifying and addressing issues within the relevant supply chains.
1.Respect for Human Rights
Under our Human Rights Policy, our Group is committed to respecting human rights, avoiding causing or contributing to adverse human rights impacts through our own activities, and seeking not to contribute to adverse human rights impacts through our supply chains. Specifically, our Group respects fundamental labor rights, ensures reasonable working hours and sufficient rest periods, and ensures appropriate payment of a living wage. Our Group also prohibits discrimination, violence, and harassment, and does not tolerate involuntary labor, such as forced or child labor. Our Group respects freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining, and strives to provide a safe, hygienic, and healthy working environment. Our Group also takes into consideration the safety and rights to land and territories of local residents and indigenous peoples.
2.Environmental Considerations
Our Group recognizes environmental challenges such as climate change (including the measurement and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions), biodiversity, the efficient use of resources and energy, water resource conservation, and pollution prevention, and we are committed to reducing our environmental impact and preserving the global environment.
3.Ensuring Quality and Safety
Our Group ensures the quality and safety of the products and services we provide, earning the peace of mind and trust of our stakeholders.
4.Fair Trade and Anti-Corruption
Our Group complies with applicable laws and regulations as well as international standards, and strictly upholds fair business practices. We prevent all forms of corruption, including bribery and extortion.
5.Ensuring Information Security
Our Group properly manages the information we handle and strives to ensure information security and protect privacy and personal information.
6.Coexistence with Local Communities
As a member of the local communities where we conduct our businesses, our Group values dialogue with these communities and contributes to their sustainable development.
7.Information Disclosure
Our Group will regularly disclose appropriate information regarding our initiatives related to this Policy.
Furthermore, where adverse human rights, environmental, or other impacts, including conduct inconsistent with this Policy, are identified within our supply chains, we will request remediation by our business partners and suppliers through dialogue with them and in accordance with internationally recognized human rights and other relevant standards, and request that they develop and implement corrective action plans aimed at addressing such impacts as necessary. If, despite ongoing engagement, guidance, and support to the extent of our Group’s leverage, in accordance with internationally recognized human rights and other relevant standards, we determine that such impacts would not be sufficiently addressed, we will consider appropriate measures, including the temporary suspension or review of business transactions.
case 01
The statement for the UK Modern Slavery Act 2015
In accordance with the UK Modern Slavery Act, the Sumitomo Corporation Group has announced a statement resolved at the Board of Directors meetings of the group companies concerning their activities for preventing slavery and human trafficking in cooperation with suppliers and business partners.
- Click here for the statement concerning the UK Modern Slavery ActThe Sumitomo Corporation Group’s Basic Principles on Social Contribution Activities
Objective
We, as a global organization, will work on social issues through our business activities and social contribution activities with the aim of building a sustainable society by implementing the Sumitomo Corporation Group’s Management Principles and Activity Guidelines.
Activities
We will engage in social contribution activities aimed at developing the next generation of human resources who will drive the sustainable development of society, and contributing to local communities in areas we do business all over the world. We will also take part in various activities as a good corporate citizen.
Approach
We will perform and seek to continuously improve our activities with modesty and high aspirations and endeavor to maintain a high level of transparency while strengthening our relationships with all our stakeholders.
case 02
Partnership with SFIDA Setagaya Blind Football Club
We have been supporting activities of SFIDA Setagaya BFC based on a sponsorship contract since Season 2022. Blind football is played by 5-a-side teams using a ball which contains bells and voice signs, with all players (with or without visual impairment) putting on blindfold. We support the provision of opportunities for people with a disability to become familiar with sports.
Governance
Compliance Policy and System
We consider that all officers and employees must never violate compliance as a result of excessive pursuit of corporate profit. To ensure stringent compliance, we have established a Compliance Committee and undertakes continuous measures for preventing non-compliance. As part of these efforts, we distribute a Compliance Manual indicating the Sumitomo Corporation Group Compliance Policy to all officers and employees so that no questionable acts from the perspective of compliance will be tolerated. In the event of a compliance issue, it is immediately reported to a manager or supervisor. In this case, or if dishonesty is suspected from inside or outside the company, it is promptly investigated to take the best possible measures as a stringent rule.
- Click here for compliance information of the Sumitomo Corporation GroupCompliance education initiatives
We implement periodic training on compliance and harassment for all officers and employees. We also provide access at all times to applicable laws and regulations as well as current versions of the relevant guidelines on the company intranet.
Speak-up System
We have introduced a Speak-up System that enables direct reporting of compliance issues to the Compliance Committee, in addition to the one through office. This system is aimed at prevention, early detection, and correction of compliance issues by enabling officers and employees who notice an issue to directly provide relevant information to the Chair of the Compliance Committee in case reporting through office is difficult.
