1 General
The basis of Toyota's foundation was an aspiration to create happiness for all. All of Toyota’s corporate activities are driven by the desire to bring happiness to people other than ourselves through social contribution. Toyota Norge AS (hereinafter referred to as “Toyota Norge” or the “Company”) endeavours to identify and monitor the human rights risks within its supply chain with reference to global issues; which are considered as essential and a high priority.
This Supplier Code of Conduct (“SCoC”) is based on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and UN Global Compact’s 10 principles for sustainable development, to which Toyota Norge is committed.
Toyota Norge is also committed to respecting human rights as laid out in our Policy for Responsible Business Conduct, and as set out in in the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights” (UNGP), the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights of 1966, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights of 1966 and the ILO's conventions on fundamental principles and rights at work (together “International Human Rights”). Thus, the requirements set out in this SCoC, shall be interpreted in accordance with International Human rights.
The SCoC is also based on the Guiding Principles at Toyota, Toyota Motor Corporation’s Code of Conduct and Supplier Sustainability Guidelines, and Toyota Motor Europe’s Sustainable Purchasing Guidelines. The SCoC shall be read and construed in conjunction with these policies.
The SCoC applies to Toyota Norge’s suppliers and business partners and their subsidiaries and affiliates, as well as any sub-suppliers providing goods or services to Toyota Norge (each a “Supplier”).
2 Compliance with the supplier code of conduct
The SCoC shall be considered as an essential and integral part of any contract entered into between Toyota Norge and the Supplier in question.
Toyota Norge will assess whether its potential and existing Suppliers are compliant with the SCoC. When selecting Suppliers, Toyota Norge will, in addition to other elements, consider compliance with this SCoC.
In order to ensure compliance with this SCoC, Toyota Norge may require relevant information and conduct on-site audits of Suppliers. Suppliers must allow Toyota Norge, or any third party designated by Toyota Norge to evaluate the Supplier’s facilities and operations, and the Supplier’s compliance with this SCoC in general. Suppliers may also be requested to perform self-assessments based on this SCoC.
3 Violations and termination
In the event of violations of the SCoC, Toyota Norge will discuss corrective actions through an open dialogue with the Supplier in question. The Supplier must implement corrective actions within reasonable time and provide information to Toyota Norge about the measures taken.
If the Supplier or sub-supplier does not implement the necessary corrective actions within reasonable time, or there are severe and/or multiple violations, Toyota Norge is entitled to terminate the relevant contract(s) with the Supplier.
4 Legal compliance
4.1 Compliance with applicable laws and regulations
Toyota Norge’s Suppliers are required to comply with applicable laws and regulations of each country and region where they operate, and to establish and implement policies, structure and mechanism for ensuring and verifying legal compliance including a code of conduct, confidential compliance hotline and training.
4.2 Management and Protection of confidential information
Suppliers shall manage and protect the Company’s confidential information such as trade secrets and use such information in an appropriate manner. Additionally, Suppliers shall obtain confidential information concerning other companies only from authorized personnel by legitimate means. Verify the permissible scope of use and other conditions concerning such confidential information and use it only within the scope allowed, while maintaining its confidentiality and not infringing upon the rights of the other companies.
Suppliers shall also obtain personal information concerning employees, customers and business partners only by legitimate means. Manage and protect such information in a secure manner, and use the information only within the scope allowed.
4.3 Protection of intellectual Property
Suppliers shall continually monitor and protect all intellectual property of the Company against any infringement by others. Additionally, Suppliers shall not infringe the intellectual property (such as patents, utilities, designs and trademarks) of others, illegally use such intellectual property or make illegal copies of software or publications.
4.4 Compliance with the Competition Laws
Suppliers shall not engage in illegal acts against the competition laws and regulations of each country and region including private monopolies, unreasonable restraint of trade (cartel, collusive bidding, etc.) or unfair trade practices.
4.5 Export Controls
Suppliers are required to comply with laws and regulations concerning export controls, thoroughly implement such controls and establish management as confirming whether products, technology or other exports are subject to regulations, and prepare and provide documentation of such confirmation.
4.6 Anti-bribery and corruption
Suppliers shall comply with applicable laws and regulations concerning political donations or contributions and strive to build transparent and fair relationships with political parties or administrative bodies. Suppliers must also comply with Toyota Motor Europe’s Anti-bribery and conflict of interest Guidelines. Suppliers shall not engage in giving or receiving presents, entertainment or money with customers, suppliers and other business partners in order to acquire or maintain unjust interest or wrongful preferential treatment. For further information, see chapter B in Toyota Motor Europe’s Sustainable Purchasing Guidelines, which also applies to the Suppliers of Toyota Norge.
5 Labour and human rights
5.1 Compliance with Toyota Norge’s Human Rights standards and policies
Suppliers must respect and refer to international norms such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGP), and also promote activities related to human rights based on UNGP.
Suppliers are strongly encouraged to establish and continuously implement a Human Rights Due Diligence system in accordance with the standards set out in the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Business Conduct, in order to fulfil the responsibility to respect human rights. The due diligence process shall implement the identification, prevention, and mitigation of risks in relation to labour and human rights. Suppliers shall implement adequate measures and procedures to mitigate the risks.
The Suppliers shall implement procedures and guidelines in regard to corrective actions of any violation or adverse impact on human rights and decent working conditions identified by internal or external audits, assessments, inspections or investigations. Additionally, Suppliers shall promptly notify Toyota Norge of any adverse impact on human rights or decent working conditions identified in their business activities or supply chain.
Suppliers shall strive to disclose the actions taken for respecting human rights, together with the appropriate measures. Suppliers shall also develop and operate a practical remediation mechanism or expand the function of existing grievance mechanisms.
5.2 Non-discrimination
Our Suppliers must comply with the ILO Convention 100 and 111, in addition to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights of 1966 article 7 and 8. We require that our Suppliers do not discriminate on the basis of personal characteristics protected by local applicable laws and regulations, with regards to all aspects of employment, including application process, hiring, promotion, compensation, access to training, job assignment, wages, benefits, discipline, termination and/or retirement.
5.3 Respect and dignity – harassment
We expect that our Suppliers, in accordance with the ILO convention 190, do not tolerate any form of harassment in the workplace based upon the personal characteristics protected by local applicable laws and regulations, such as race, ethnic and national origin, religion, age, gender, etc.
Harassment may involve verbal, visual or physical conduct that negatively interferes with work performance, diminishes the dignity of any employee, or created an intimidating, hostile or otherwise offensive work environment. Suppliers must implement procedures for prompt reporting and examination of any harassment complaints and enable employees to report any instances of harassment without fear of reprisal, intimidation, or harassment.
5.4 Child Labour
Child labour, as defined by the ILO convention 138 and 182, shall be prohibited in Toyota Norge’s supply chain. Where local laws and ILO Convention 138 are in conflict, the Supplier shall operate in accordance with ILO Convention 138. Suppliers shall take reasonable measures to ensure that there is no child labour at their own production site or production or operations of their sub-suppliers.
The minimum age for employment shall be 15 years of age, the legal minimum age for employment, or the age for completing compulsory education, whichever is greatest under the local applicable laws and regulations. Suppliers shall not use employees under 18 years of age for hazardous work. However, bona fide job training or apprenticeship programmes permitted under the local applicable laws and regulations may be allowed.
Suppliers shall have a certified copy of an official document showing the workers’ date of birth. If this is not possible, the suppliers and business partners must use other appropriate methods for evaluating the age.
5.5 Forced labour
The Suppliers shall ensure that all work is voluntary, and that there is no use of human trafficking, slavery, forced or bonded labour or other forms of involuntary labour in their business activities and supply chain, pursuant to the ILO convention 29 and 105. Suppliers must ensure that employees are free to leave work or terminate their employment. Suppliers must not require employees, who must work in a legal status, to surrender passports, government-issued identifications, or work permits as a condition of employment.
5.6 Living wage
Toyota Norge will strive for and encourage Suppliers’ follow-up on securing living wage for employees, i.e. wages and benefits covering at least the basic needs for the employee and his or her family, in accordance with the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights of 1966 article 7 and 8.
Suppliers shall ensure that wages as a minimum meet local applicable laws or industry standards, whichever is highest. Payments are to be made timely, in legal tender and fully documented. Wages shall include overtime hours, deduction from wage, piece rates and other elements of compensation.
Suppliers must provide legally mandated benefits and ensure wages, other compensation, benefits and deductions are detailed and explained, in compliance with local applicable laws and regulations, clearly and regularly to the employees.
5.7 Working environment
Suppliers shall place the highest priority on safety and health programmes and policies at work, so that each employee is able to work without undue concerns and strive to prevent accidents and injuries from happening at work. Additionally, Suppliers shall support efforts to improve the health of employees through health promotion activities at work, guidance for preventing illness, and other means.
5.8 Working hours
Suppliers shall be compliant with applicable laws and regulations regarding employees’ working hours, days of rest and overtime work. Suppliers shall ensure that workweeks are not exceeding 60 hours, including overtime. Workers shall have at least one day off every seven days, except in emergencies or unusual situations.
5.9 Right to join trade unions
Suppliers shall recognize employees’ right to freely associate, or not to associate, complying with local applicable laws and regulations, and in accordance with the ILO core conventions. Suppliers shall also encourage employees to communicate openly and directly with management without fear of reprisal, intimidation, or harassment.
5.10 Whistleblowing routine
Suppliers shall provide a complaint mechanism for employees to report workplace complaints and compliance violations in accordance with local laws and regulations. The protection and confidentiality of whistle-blowers shall be ensured, and retaliation shall be prohibited.
5.11 Responsible sourcing of materials
Suppliers shall care to avoid the procurement or use of materials which are unlawful, or which are obtained through unethical or otherwise unacceptable means (such as conflict minerals). We expect Suppliers to take appropriate steps to discontinue procurement of these materials if use is detected. Suppliers that consider the use of conflict minerals as a risk in their business operations shall exercise due diligence in accordance with the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas and other applicable international standards.
6 Local and global community
6.1 Environment
Our Suppliers are required to be compliant with Toyota Motor Europe’s Sustainable Purchasing Guidelines, which also applies to the Suppliers of Toyota Norge. For further information regarding what we expect from our Suppliers regarding the environment, please see chapter F.
Suppliers must pursue growth in harmony with the environment and aim for zero-emissions in your business activities. Suppliers are required to establish an Environmental Management System (EMS) that can promote environmental preservation activities and continuously improve them, in addition to comply with applicable environmental laws and regulations in each company.
Suppliers must also promote proper management for environmental Substances of Concern (SoC) as well as improving environmental performance.
6.2 Responsible Material Procurement
Our Suppliers must obtain materials with full deliberation and care to avoid the procurement or use of materials which are unlawful, or which are obtained through unethical or otherwise unacceptable means (such as conflict minerals). We expect Suppliers to take appropriate steps to discontinue procurement of these materials if use is detected. Conflict minerals are minerals originating from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighbouring countries that have directly or indirectly contributed to the financing of armed groups.
6.3 Social Contribution
Suppliers must strive to pay attention to the societal challenges of each community in order to promote its prosperity and development, and to conduct social contribution activities leading to the solution of such challenges in cooperation with the local communities.
6.4 Disclosure of Information to Stakeholders
Suppliers shall strive to disclose to stakeholders such information as is pertinent to them, including management, financial condition, environmental preservation, community and social contribution, in a timely and fair manner and to build and maintain positive relationships with stakeholders through open and fair communication.
6.5 Developing and Deploying Policies and Guidelines for Business Partners
Our Suppliers shall strive to deepen and expand CSR initiatives with business partners (e.g., tier 2 level) by developing and deploying individual CSR policies and guidelines incorporating the guidelines outlined above. Suppliers must also promote the above activities in consideration of the whole supply chain and conduct the necessary countermeasures for follow-up and improvement of business partners.
7 Implementation and follow-up
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8 References
Toyota Norge’s Policy for Responsible Business Conduct
https://www.toyota.no/bærekraft/responsible-business-conduct-policy
Guiding Principles at Toyota
https://global.toyota/en/company/vision-and-philosophy/guiding-principles/
Toyota Motor Corporation’s Code of Conduct
Toyota Motor Corporation’s Supplier Sustainability Guidelines
https://global.toyota/pages/global_toyota/sustainability/esg/supplier_csr_en.pdf
United Nations Global Compact
https://www.unglobalcompact.org
OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Business Conduct
https://www.oecd.org/investment/due-diligence-guidance-for-responsible-business-conduct.htm
OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas
https://www.oecd.org/corporate/mne/mining.htm
ILO Core Conventions