2016/04/01

Kao Corporation has revised the Kao Business Conduct Guidelines (BCG). The revised edition will apply to all Kao Group companies in Japan as of today, April 1, 2016. The BCG embodies a code of conduct for individual executives and employees working at Kao Group companies worldwide, and it provides specific guidance on how to put the Kao Way, Kao Group's corporate philosophy, into practice. The revised edition will be implemented by the Group's overseas companies sequentially throughout 2016.

Since the BCG was first formulated in 2003, it has been revised several times in line with social changes surrounding Kao as well as changes within the Group itself. The main revisions this time are as follows:

1. Guidance for encouraging Kao's business partners to understand the BCG and comply with the spirit embodied therein
2. Clarification of appropriate purchasing and procurement processes by describing in-company regulations and other matters related to procurement
3. Addition of items related to human rights protection in accordance with Kao's Human Rights Policy

With these revisions, Kao aims to continuously build fair relationships with business partners and stakeholders.

Kao upholds 'Integrity' as one of the 'Values' stated in the Kao Way. Integrity is a core belief that was bestowed by the founder of Kao, and it directs all Kao members to behave lawfully and ethically, and to pursue sincere and virtuous business activities. Kao regards integrity as the starting point of compliance. While implementing integrity in its daily operations, the Kao Group continually strives to undertake business activities, with an aim to be widely supported by global societies.

Kao Corporation issued this content on 01 April 2016 and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 01 April 2016 02:25:53 UTC

Original Document: http://www.kao.com/jp/en/corp_news/2016/20160401_003.html