Procurement Policy

The NOK group's procurement from suppliers complies with its Procurement Policy

The NOK Group believes that if we are to fulfill our corporate social responsibility, it is essential that our awareness is shared across the procurement supply chain.
We are asking our suppliers to understand the Procurement Policy shown on the left and respect the NOK Charter of Corporate Behavior and CSR Procurement Guidelines in business transactions with us.

1.Procurement Policy

  • We comply with laws, regulations and social norms.
  • Based on the idea of free competition, we select suppliers in a stringent manner by providing fair and equal opportunities.
  • We share mutual interests and benefits with suppliers based on the idea of mutual prosperity.
  • We engage in open communication and build a relationship of trust with suppliers.
  • We conduct improvement activities proactively in collaboration with suppliers.

2.CSR Procurement Guidelines

To fulfill our corporate social responsibility, we request that not only our Group but also our suppliers refer to these guidelines and actively promote CSR activities, including within their supply chains.

1Compliance with laws and regulations

We will comply with laws and social norms in each country, including competition laws, trade-related laws, and environment-related laws.

2Respect for human rights

  • We do not deal with business entities that use forced or child labor, that engage in unlawful employment of foreign nationals or any other illegal employment, and that do not satisfy occupational safety and health regulations.
  • We do not discriminate on the grounds of race, ethnicity, creed, gender, age, marital status, physical characteristics, disability, etc., in any employment or treatment (application, recruitment, promotion, remuneration, right to receive education, work grants, wages, welfare, punishment, dismissal, retirement, etc.).
  • We comply with the laws and regulations of each country and region where employees are entitled to minimum wages, overtime, wage deductions, piece-work payment, other benefits, working hours (including overtime), holidays, and annual paid holidays. In particular, we recommend that wages exceed national and local laws and regulations, and we do not work excessive overtime hours.
  • We respect the freedom of association and the right to participate in collective bargaining, and engage in good faith dialogue and consultation directly with employees or their representatives. We also recognize employees’ right to freely associate or not in accordance with the laws and regulations of each country and region.
  • We do not accept any form of harassment, including abuses of power and sexual harassment.

3Safety

We prioritize the safety of customers and consumers, and purchase products that satisfy safety regulations.

4Green procurement

We carry out procurement activities based on the NOK Group Green Procurement Guidelines with consideration for conserving the global environment.

5Confidentiality

We deal with suppliers that can appropriately manage and control the confidentiality of information on customers, individuals and technologies, etc., obtained through business transactions.

6Elimination of anti-social forces

We do not deal with any organized crime groups, any of their members and related individuals, any other antisocial forces, or any business entities associated with them.

7Activities regarding conflict minerals

We strive to avoid purchasing minerals and their processed products sourced from countries where inhumane armed forces are active and mining minerals for their financial resources.

8Contribution to local community and society

We contribute to the development of the local community and society by proactively doing business with local suppliers.

9Information disclosure

We disclose business information related to management and finance, product handling and safety, quality, environment information, etc., to all stakeholders in a timely and appropriate manner, and develop and maintain mutual understanding and trust through open and fair communication.

10Deployment of CSR to suppliers’ own supply chain

To advance initiatives throughout the supply chain, we ask suppliers to implement initiatives throughout their own supply chain equivalent to those described in the NOK Charter of Corporate Behavior and CSR Procurement Guidelines.

In November 2020, the NOK Group revised the basic principle and rights on labor stipulated in this Guidelines in line with the UN Global Compact.
We will continue to review this Guideline in accordance with the demands of society, including ESG issues.
We request our suppliers to take actions in line with this revised Guidelines to ensure that the work environment is adequately safe, to treat workers with respect and dignity, and to conduct work with ethics and responsibility for the environment.

3.Declaration for Building Partnerships

NOK joined the “Declaration for Building Partnerships” by the Cabinet Office and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, which was announced on April 1, 2022.

Declaration for Building Partnerships logo
  • Website of Declaration for Building Partnerships

    • 3.Requests to Our Suppliers

    Our Policy on Gifts and Entertainment

    Please note that we will decline the following gifts and entertainment from our suppliers.

    • We will not accept any cash, gift certificates, gift cards for books, merchandise, or other types of gifts.
    • We will not accept any special discount for the supplier’s products.
    • We will decline invitations to such events as dining and golfing, unless otherwise agreed between the supplier and our company in advance.
    • We will not sell or buy stock based on the supplier’s internal information.
    • We will not accept any other gifts or entertainment that are socially inappropriate.

    4.Consultation Desk

    We have a consultation desk to address compliance issues regarding transactions with NOK Group companies.
    (Legal Affairs Section, Legal Affairs Department, Corporate Administration Office, NOK CORPORATION)

    NOK's production activities are centered on industrial components made from polymeric materials, such as synthetic rubber and resin. We are committed to environmental conservation activities such as managing environmentally hazardous substances used in production processes, saving energy and resources, and reducing waste.
    To extend these controls beyond production processes to procurement activities, we have established the NOK Group Green Procurement Guideline. Controlling environmentally hazardous substances and building a system to guarantee the non-inclusion of these substances throughout the supply chain are our priorities.