Compliance

Our Compliance Integrity Policy

In recent years, the external environment has changed remarkably rapidly, and the social responsibilities that companies must fulfill have expanded, with particular emphasis on the prohibition of bribery and compliance with fair competition rules.
On this basis, Nagase Viita complies with the Risk Management and Compliance Code of Conduct shared across the NAGASE Group, and ensures that all employees are familiar with the Rules for Compliance Consultation and Reporting. Understanding that every director and employee is personally responsible for advancing compliance, we work to act with integrity toward everyone we deal with, as set out in our value, “Live Our Integrity,” in every aspect of our business.
Through these activities, we hope to earn and strengthen the trust of our business partners and all other stakeholders.

The NAGASE Group Risk Management & Compliance Code of Conduct

In accordance with our Group-wide business philosophy that “We recognize our responsibility to society and offer beneficial products and services while maintaining the highest standards of integrity. Through our growth, we will contribute to society and enrich the lives of our employees, ” we hereby establish the following eight-point Risk Management & Compliance Code of Conduct. This Code of Conduct describes specific matters regarding standards that are particularly important for all directors and employees of the NAGASE Group to follow in their corporate conduct, and that are common to all NAGASE Group companies. See the NAGASE Group Risk Management & Compliance Code of Conduct here.

Nagase Viita's directors and employees are required to act in accordance with these standards, and at the same time, to focus on making these standards known to all relevant parties and internal organizations, and in the event of an incident that may conflict with these standards, to endeavor to resolve the problem without delay, investigate the root cause, and improve operations to prevent a recurrence.

1. Comply with laws, regulations, and internal rules: We conduct our business honestly and fairly, in keeping with laws, internal rules, and social norms.; We operate in line with internationally accepted norms and pursue further growth as a global enterprise.; Strictly comply with all applicable laws and regulations, including anti-bribery and competition laws.

2. Exclude antisocial forces: We take a firm stand against antisocial forces that threaten public order and safety, and we resolutely exclude them.

3. Provide products and services of value to society: We contribute to society by providing products and services that are of value to it.

4. Respect the rights of everyone involved in our business: We foster a corporate culture in which each employee's initiative and creativity are respected and put to use in our business.; We also respect the rights of everyone involved in the NAGASE Group's supply chain and business activities, not only our own employees, and we contribute to a sustainable economy and society.

5. Disclose information to our stakeholders: We work to ensure transparency and demonstrate good faith by proactively and fairly disclosing information to customers, business partners, employees, shareholders, and other stakeholders.

6. Protect the global environment: We recognize that protecting and enhancing the Earth's environment is a corporate responsibility, and we act accordingly.

7. Manage risk: We manage the risks that could impede the NAGASE Group's operations in a rational and optimal manner, advancing risk management that supports stable business continuity and sustainable growth.

8. Uphold the responsibilities of top management: The top management of every NAGASE Group member company takes the lead in ensuring that the business is run by people who walk the path of integrity as members of society.

Initiatives for Compliance

Fair Business Practice

Nagase Viita will continue to carry out activities to promote understanding of the Antimonopoly Act, including publishing a booklet for employees called Manual for Compliance with the Antimonopoly Act. In light of the globalization of the company’s business, we will strengthen awareness of the prevention of bribery of foreign public officials under the Unfair Competition Prevention Act, while also paying careful attention to the extraterritorial application of anti-bribery regulations such as the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and the UK Bribery Act. Education and awareness activities regarding anti-bribery regulations will be carried out both domestically and internationally.

Tax Policy

In tax practice, we strive to maintain and improve compliance as well as to adhere to the following principles.　

We comply with tax-related laws and regulations as well as other accounting-related laws and regulations in their respective countries and regions, always conducting tax treatment appropriately.
We are working with tax authorities to identify tax issues through prior consultations and other means.

Preventing Corruption

Nagase Viita is committed to preventing all forms of corruption, including bribery, improper kickbacks, money laundering, improper conflicts of interest, fraud, insider trading, and inappropriate lobbying or political donations, and to maintaining sound and appropriate relationships with business partners and governments. In particular, with regard to bribery, we strictly comply with the NAGASE Group's Basic Regulations for Prevention of Bribery and the laws, regulations, and internal rules clearly defined in the Compliance Code of Conduct. We take the following measures to ensure sound and appropriate relationships with business partners and governments.

Neither grant nor obtain any unfair benefits in commercial transactions
Directors and employees must comply with laws and internal regulations such as the Basic Regulations for Prevention of Bribery and the Insider Trading Prevention Regulations, and act with sound judgment and proper conduct to prevent misunderstandings and public scandal

Internal Reporting System

We manage the risks that could impede the NAGASE Group's operations in a rational and optimal manner, advancing risk management that supports stable business continuity and sustainable growth. Nagase Viita operates an internal reporting system that gives employees and other personnel a direct channel for reporting, and seeking advice on, conduct they believe may be improper. To make this channel more reliable and more transparent, we are also taking steps to improve how it functions, including skills training for the personnel who handle whistleblower reports, a manual for handling reports, and disclosure of the system's record.

Nagase Viita Internal Reporting Contact Point: The contact point accepts reports and provides advice on a wide range of compliance-related matters such as violation of law, harassment, human rights violations, and bribery and other forms of corruption. Contact can be made anonymously if desired.; In addition to the Nagase Viita contact point, the NAGASE Group operates a headquarters contact point of Nagase & Co., Ltd. and also has a designated law firm to provide support. All contact points take due care to protect confidentiality.; Consultations and reports are accepted by letter, telephone, or e-mail.; To ensure the confidentiality of each case, measures are taken to protect the personal information of the individual who makes contact, and ensure that they experience no negative consequences.; Nagase Viita will conduct investigations and take other actions in consideration of the rights of the party in question, not merely the whistleblower.; The contact point is also available to board members and former employees who have been retired for less than one year.

Compliance Training

To raise compliance awareness, Nagase Viita provides training for all employees and directors, from new hires to managers: workshop-style harassment prevention training, together with programs on insider trading and legal compliance. We will continue to run these programs actively, fostering a compliance mindset grounded in our value, “Live Our Integrity.”

Security Trade Controls

To ensure appropriate trade practice in line with laws and regulations as a member of international society, Nagase Viita has established its Export Control Secretariat. The Secretariat confirms whether export permission is required under regulations such as the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act and the U.S. Export Administration Regulations, and stays up to date with legal and regulatory revisions. This ensures that only those goods and technologies approved by the export control manager are put into the system as products allowed for export.

Regulatory Compliance of Products

Conformity of our products to the laws and regulations of each country is an essential part of business operations. To ensure regulatory compliance for the sale and use of our products in Japan and overseas, we collect and manage information on related laws and regulations, and have established a compliance system using the NAGASE Group network.

Specific Compliance Framework: To make our products available not only in Japan but worldwide, we make sure to research and obtain the relevant approval or license in each country for each product, whether food ingredients or additives, cosmetic or industrial raw materials, or pharmaceuticals. To ensure that we stay up to date with changing laws and regulations and provide accurate information to customers, we take out membership of relevant industry organizations.