Key regulations and policies, and our certification status

• Environment
• Society
• Governance

Environment

Regulations

• The PLUS Group Environmental Philosophy and Policy

  Environmental Philosophy

  Realization of socially optimality system

  PLUS Corporation omits the unnecessary duplication from raw material procurement to manufacturing, sales, use, disposal, collection and recycling based on the corporate philosophy “Unique Values ‑ Higher Satisfaction” stated in “PLUS no kokoro”^*.
  PLUS contributes to the sustainable development of a recycling‑oriented economic society in which resources and energy are effectively utilized without waste by discovering and creating “social optimality system” which reconstructs businesses in a rational and simple manner.

  • *

    A summary of the PLUS Group's corporate philosophy, vision, values, and action guidelines.

  1. Product Development
     As a manufacturer, we strive to develop unique, ecological and user‑friendly products which create a new value for consumer.
  2. Distribution Development
     From a social point of view beyond the scope of a company, we work on reconstruction of the business structure to improve efficiency of distribution by sharing functional capabilities in distribution network.

  Environmental Policy

  We put our Environmental Philosophy into action according to the following principle.

  1. We consider the environmental impact of our business activities, products and services, and strive to prevent pollution.
     • We develop unique environmentally friendly products and services that create new value.
     • We promote environmental conservation activities in all areas of our business activities.
     • We reduce the environmental load by eliminating any overlapping operation.
  2. We comply with all relevant environmental laws and regulations, and requirements agreed upon by each department.
  3. We will grasp the environmental impact of our business practices, set environmental objectives and targets for improvement, operate plans, review them, and strive for continuous improvement of our environmental management system.
  4. We strive to conserve energy and resources as well as to reduce and recycle waste in our business practices.
  5. We seek to raise awareness of environmental conservation among employees through environmental education.
  6. We share this Environmental Policy with all employees working in PLUS and people working with PLUS, and make it accessible to the general public.

Certification status

ISO14001 Certification

Environmental Management System (EMS) created by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in 1996

• PLUS Corporation (Date of first registration February 29, 2000)
• PLUS VIETNAM INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD（ Date of first registration October 3, 2013）
• ASTRUM CORPORATION (1) Ibaraki Plant, (2) Yoshikawa Plant (The respective first registration dates are (1) February 19, 1999, (2) July 10, 1998)
• PENTEL STATIONERY (TAIWAN) CO., LTD. (Date of first registration May 3, 2002)
• PENTEL (THAILAND) CO.,LTD. (Date of first registration 2015)
• PLUS Logistics Corporation (Date of first registration February 13, 2024)

ISO50001 Certification

Energy Management System designed to manage and continuously improve the energy used by companies, etc.

• PLUS VIETNAM INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD. (Date of first registration October 21,2020)

Green Management Certification

A certification system for transport operators (trucks, buses, taxis, passenger ships, coastal shipping, port transportation, and warehouses) who conduct initiatives aimed at environmental conservation.

• PLUS Cargo Service Co., Ltd. (Date of first registration August 10, 2005)

FSC^® Forest Certification

An international certification system for responsibly managed forests and forest products that have been properly procured so that limited forest resources can be used on into the future.

• PLUS Corporation (Date of first registration February 11, 2004)
  Certificate Code: SGSHK‑COC‑001642 Licence
  Code: FSC‑C009302

PEFC Certification

An international certification system that promotes sustainable forest management and assesses the management of forests and forest products while taking into consideration forest biodiversity, the protection of water resources, and respect for the rights of local communities.

• PLUS Corporation, JOINTEX Company (Date of Initial Registration: July 23, 2024)
  CoC Certification No.: SGSJP‑PEFC‑COC‑2049
  License No.: PEFC/31‑31‑1676

Society

Regulations

• The PLUS Group Procurement Policy and Procurement Standards

  Guided by our philosophy, “Unique Value, Higher Satisfaction,” the PLUS Group pursues uniqueness and delivers safe, reliable, and high‑quality products and services that provide value to society and our customers. We promote the Procurement Standards set forth in this policy across the PLUS Group and, with the support and cooperation of our business partners, carry out procurement activities in accordance with these standards and on the basis of fair agreements.

  1. Compliance with and implementation of fair trade practices and corporate ethics
     We conduct impartial and fair trades according to international regulations, laws of each country we operate in, and corporate ethics.
  2. Respect for human rights, adequate working conditions and health and safety
     We respect human rights of all people involved in our business activities, and provide adequate working conditions that ensure health and safety.
  3. Improvement of quality and safety
     We work on quality improvement according to the PLUS Group Quality Policy to assure our customers that our products and services are safe and reliable.
  4. Environmental conservation
     We strive to protect and improve the earth's environment and build a sustainable society according to the PLUS Group Environmental Policy.
  5. Complete Information Management
     We strictly control all confidential and personal information involved in our procurement trading in an appropriate way.
  6. Contribution to society
     We engage in social contribution activities as a member of local society.

  The PLUS Group's Procurement Standards items

  1. Compliance with and implementation of fair transactions and corporate ethics
     1. 1‑1. Prohibition of corruption and bribery
     2. 1‑2. Prohibition of abuse of a superior position
     3. 1‑3. Prohibition of giving or receiving inappropriate advantages
     4. 1‑4. Prohibition of anticompetitive actions
     5. 1‑5. Respect for intellectual property
     6. 1‑6. Prevention and early discovery of wrongdoing, and preventive measures
     7. 1‑7. Proper price‑setting based on market competition principles
     8. 1‑8. Responsible procurement of resources and raw materials
  2. Consideration for human rights, labor, safety, and health
     1. 2‑1. Compliance with labor‑related laws and regulations
     2. 2‑2. Prohibition of child labor, forced labor, and inhumane treatment
     3. 2‑3. Prohibition of illegal employment of foreign workers
     4. 2‑4. Prohibition of discrimination because of race, ethnicity, religion, nationality, language, gender, or disability
     5. 2‑5. Respect for individual employees' dignity
     6. 2‑6. Appropriate wages and work hours, and respect for employees' right to organize
     7. 2‑7. Compliance with laws and regulations related to safety and health
     8. 2‑8. Maintenance of an appropriate work environment
     9. 2‑9. Health management for employees, and appropriate handling of occupational accidents and illnesses
  3. Improvement of quality and safety
     1. 3‑1. Compliance with the safety standards that are required in each country and region
     2. 3‑2. Ensuring product quality and safety
     3. 3‑3. Provision of appropriate information concerning products
     4. 3‑4. Building and operation of a quality management system
     5. 3‑5. Stable supply of products
  4. Preservation of the earth's environment
     1. 4‑1. Compliance with environmental laws and regulations
     2. 4‑2. Preservation of the earth's environment, and building and operation of an environment management system
     3. 4‑3. Compliance with the PLUS Group's green procurement standards
     4. 4‑4. Compliance with laws and regulations related to wastewater, sludge, and exhaust, and establishment of self‑imposed standards when necessary
     5. 4‑5. Effective utilization of resources and energy
     6. 4‑6. Reduction of the amount of greenhouse gas emissions
     7. 4‑7. Reduction of waste
  5. Thorough information management
     1. 5‑1. Defense against computer network threats
     2. 5‑2. Prevention of leaks of personal information
     3. 5‑3. Prevention of leaks of customers' and third parties' confidential information
     4. 5‑4. Prevention of leaks of our own companies' confidential information
  6. Contributions to society
     1. 6-1. Promotion of voluntary activities that can contribute to the development of international society and regional society
• The PLUS Group Quality Charter/Quality Policy

  The Quality Charter

  We, the PLUS Group, are committed to providing safe and reliable products and services to our customers.

  Quality Policy

  1. To provide our customers safe products and services, we work to improve our technology, and to create frameworks for an environmental protection and quality assurance.
  2. We comply with laws and regulations, strive to improve the accuracy control through regular inspections of operations based on global standard quality control system.
  3. We carry out the necessary process management in compliance with a process under safe working conditions to ensure quality stability or our products and services.
  4. We work with our supplier and trading partners to ensure quality and safety of source, and conduct transactions based on fair agreements.
  5. In the event of a quality issue with products or services, we report and disclose the case according to laws and regulations, carry out appropriate subsequent measures, and conduct an investigation to determine the cause to prevent reoccurrence.
  6. We appreciate reports, complaints and feedbacks concerning quality issues from the customers, and deepen trusting relationship in the process of gathering such information.

Certification status

ISO9001 Certification

Quality Management System (QMS) created by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in 1987

• ASTRUM CORPORATION (1) Development and manufacture of stationery, (2) Development and manufacture of applicators and containers for cosmetics, (3) Design and manufacture of mechanical pencils and lead for mechanical pencils, (4) Design, development, and management of consigned manufacture of electronic input devices and their peripheral devices, (5) Design, manufacture, and installation of automatic machines, robots, jigs and tools, and volume reduction containers, (6) Design and management of consigned manufacture of containers (for medical products, cosmetics, etc.), (The respective first registration dates are (1)(2) June 1, 1995, (3) August 29, 1995, (4)(5)(6) November 24, 1998)
• PLUS Cargo Service Co., Ltd. (Date of first registration December 1, 1997)
• PLUS Corporation Furniture Company (Date of first registration February 23, 1998)
• Pentel Stationery (Taiwan) Co., Ltd. (Date of first registration April 3, 1999)
• PENTEL CHEMICAL Cp., Ltd. (Date of first registration July 24, 2000)
• PLUS LOGISTICS CO., LTD. (Date of first registration March 9, 2004)
• SHANTOU PLUS INSTRUMENTS CO., LTD. (Date of first registration June 12, 2008)
• Pentel de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. (Date of first registration 2009)
• PLUS VIETNAM INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD. (Date of first registration April 23, 2018)
• Pentel Stationery (India) Pvt. Ltd. (Date of first registration April 7, 2015)
• Pentel (Thailand) Co., Ltd. (Date of first registration 2015)
• PLUS Stationery Shanghai Co., Ltd. (Date of first registration June 30, 2026)

ISO13485 Certification

An international standard for quality management systems specialized for the medical device industry

• PENTEL CHEMICAL CO., LTD. (Date of first registration August 17, 2018)
• PLUS VIETNAM INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD. (Date of first registration September 27, 2021)

SA8000 Certification

An international standard for the exercise of the rights of all workers, and for the protection of workers

• PLUS VIETNAM INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD. (Date of first registration February 8, 2018)

Governance

Regulations

• The PLUS Group's Human Rights Policy

  Since it was founded in 1948, PLUS Corporation has aimed to be a company that benefits the world. Moreover, based on a philosophy of using new value to provide new satisfaction, the PLUS Group is materializing a Sustainability Policy of using unique ideas to optimize society and connect to a sustainable future, taking initiatives to use unprecedented unique ideas to resolve social tasks, and aiming for richness, safety, and peace of mind in daily life and realization of a society in which everyone can shine, work, and live enjoyably, excitedly, and energetically.

  In order to bring about a sustainable future, the PLUS Group is aware that there is a possibility of directly or indirectly affecting human rights when we conduct business activities, and we will carry out our responsibility to respect human rights, which are basic rights that all people innately hold.
  This policy promises initiatives for respect for human rights, based on the PLUS Group's corporate philosophy “PLUS's Heart” and the PLUS Group's Sustainability Policy, Compliance Policy, the PLUS Group Procurement Policy, the PLUS Group Procurement Standards, and related internal policies and regulations.

  1. Fundamental perspectives related to human rights

     As a member of society, the PLUS Group is aware of the importance of respect for human rights in all business activities and it will respect the international human rights principles below.

     • The United Nations' (UN's) International Bill of Human Rights
     • The International Labour Organization's (ILO's) ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work and Multinational Enterprises Declaration
     • The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development's (OECD's) Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct
     • The United Nations' (UN's) Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs)

     The PLUS Group will comply with related laws and regulations in each of the countries or regions in which it conducts business activities. When there is a contradiction between internationally recognized human rights and a law or regulation of an individual country or region, we will pursue a method for giving the maximum amount of respect to the human rights that are recognized under international human rights principles.

  2. Scope of application
     The PLUS Group will apply this policy to all of the officers and employees of the PLUS Group (PLUS Corporation and its subsidiaries and affiliated companies).
     We will also ask all of the transaction partners that are related to the PLUS Group's business, products, or services to understand and comply with the principles stipulated by this policy.
  3. Responsibility for respecting human rights
     The PLUS Group will not infringe the human rights of any people related to its business activities.
     If negative effects on human rights arise in the PLUS Group's business activities, we will promptly conduct appropriate handling aimed at correction and thereby take the initiative to respect human rights.
  4. Human rights due diligence
     The PLUS Group will follow procedures based on the United Nations' (UN's) Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) to build a mechanism for human rights due diligence, identify the negative effects on human rights that the PLUS Group has on society, and take the initiative for the prevention and mitigation of those negative effects.
  5. Correction and relief
     If it is revealed that the PLUS Group's business activities are causing or promoting negative effects on human rights, we will strive to correct those effects through appropriate procedures and take the initiative for relief.
  6. Education and training
     The PLUS Group will have this policy incorporated into all business activities and reflect it in the necessary procedures, and it will conduct appropriate education and training for all of the PLUS Group's officers, employees, transaction partners, and related parties so that this policy will be understood and effectively executed.
  7. Person responsible
     The PLUS Group will clarify the officer in charge who has responsibility for execution of this policy and will supervise the state of implementation of this policy.
  8. Conversations and discussion
     When executing this policy, the PLUS Group will receive advice from independent external experts and sincerely engage in conversations and discussions with internal and external related stakeholders.
  9. Information disclosure
     The PLUS Group will, appropriately and in a timely manner, disclose on the website the state of implementation of the initiatives for respect for human rights.
  10. Important initiative themes
      In order to build a corporate culture that is abundant in a spirit of respect for human rights that values people's personalities and individuality, the PLUS Group is taking the initiative by using the items below as important themes with respect to human rights.
      • Prohibition of inhumane treatment and forced labor
        We will not allow cruel and inhumane treatment, including abuse or any type of harassment. We also will not allow any form of forced labor, including human trafficking.
      • Prohibition of child labor
        We will prohibit employment of child subjects who are younger than the minimum working age stipulated by the laws and regulations of the country or region.
      • Prohibition of discrimination
        We will not tolerate any human rights infringement, such as discrimination or harassment based on race, ethnicity, religion, nationality, language, gender, social status, lineage, age, mental or physical disability, or sexual orientation.
      • Prohibition of illegal employment of foreign workers
        We will not conduct illegal employment of foreign workers or other illegal or unjust employment.
      • Respect for individuals' dignity
        We will eliminate discrimination in job recruitment and employment and achieve fairness in equal opportunities and treatment.
      • Appropriate wages and work hours, and respect for the right to organize
        We will comply with wage‑related laws for the statutory minimum wage, overtime work, and statutory benefits, and we will not unjustly reduce wages. In addition, we will respect the employees' right to organize as a means of bringing about discussions between labor and management about the work environment and wage standards.
      • Occupational safety and health, and appropriate handling of work‑related accidents and illnesses
        In accordance with laws and regulations, we will provide a work environment in which people can continuously work safely, with peace of mind, and with good mental and physical health and proactively maintain facilities and an environment that make it possible for all employees to sufficiently demonstrate their abilities. We will also ascertain the situation of work‑related accidents and work‑related illnesses and take the appropriate countermeasures.
      • Creation of a healthy and uninhibited workplace environment
        We will have a fundamental spirit of respecting and defending human rights, and we will always have mutual respect and think and act by putting ourselves in the other person's shoes. We will value teamwork and build a workplace filled with an uninhibited atmosphere in which people can freely discuss anything.
• The PLUS Group Intellectual Property Policy and Guideline

  We manage and use that intellectual property with the utmost respect for the uniqueness and intellectual property of other parties in the global community. not violate social and/or consumer's common‑sense.

  1. Management and use of intellectual property
     We acquire and manage intellectual property in an appropriate manner, and actively use it in our sales activities and business development.
     We also take a firm attitude against infringement of our intellectual property by other parties, such as counterfeit goods.
  2. Respect for intellectual property of other parties
     We carry out necessary research to ensure that we do not infringe on intellectual property rights of others in the process of development of new products and services.
  3. Training
     We provide training to improve understanding of intellectual property for our employees on an ongoing basis.
  4. Promotion
     Our Intellectual Property Department works with other relevant departments to handle the acquisition, management and employment of all of PLUS's intellectual property.
• Personal Information Protection Policy

  Our main businesses are the manufacture and sale of office furniture, stationery, office supplies, electro-optical equipment, and educational equipment, as well as the design, construction, and interior work of office environments. In this context, we consider the protection of personal information to be a prerequisite for maximizing customer satisfaction, and have established a policy and management system for the protection of personal information, which we will disseminate to our directors, employees, and related staff to fulfill our social responsibilities.

  1. Acquisition, use, and provision of personal information
     We establish a system to protect and manage personal information, and develop and comply with internal rules pertaining to the appropriate collection, use and provision of personal information. When acquiring, using, or providing personal information, we specify the purpose of use and do not use it for any other purposes. We take appropriate management measures and educate our employees to ensure that they do not use personal information for other purposes.
  2. Security measures for personal information
     We ensure the safety and accuracy of personal information by building an information security management system(ISMS) to prevent unauthorized access to personal information as well as the loss, destruction, falsification, and leakage of personal information. We take prompt corrective measures should any problem occur.
  3. Compliance with laws and regulations regarding the protection of personal information
     We comply with laws and regulations, national guidelines, and other standards regarding the handling of personal information.
  4. Continuous improvement of the personal information protection management system
     In order to maintain the appropriate protection of personal information, we develop and operate a personal information protection management system, periodically conduct audits of its operational status, and continuously improve it.
  5. Setup of a contact point for inquiries regarding personal information
     Please use the contact point shown below for any inquiries or comments regarding personal information.

  12F, Toranomon Towers Office, 4‑1‑28, Toranomon, Minato‑ku, Tokyo 105‑0001, Japan
  Personal Information Contact Point, Corporate Division, PLUS Corporation
  TEL 03-5860-7000
  FAX 03-5860-7070
  

  PLUS Corporation
  President & Chief Operating Officer Tadahisa Imaizumi

  Established April 1, 2005
  Revised July 30, 2008
  Revised February 1, 2017

• Information Security Policy of PLUS Corporation

  PLUS Corporation and the PLUS Group companies (hereinafter referred to as “The PLUS Group”) consider it an extremely important duty to protect the information assets we retain from risks such as leaks and falsifications, and to use them safely. This is important in order to live up to the trust placed in us by our customers, and also from the perspective of our corporate social responsibility. Accordingly, the PLUS Group has established the following policy with regard to information security, which will serve as a guideline for our initiatives related to information security.

  1. Creation of a system to manage information security
     We will create a safe information security management system by ensuring that all employees who use any information assets retained by the PLUS Group understand this policy, comply with relevant laws, ordinances, and other norms related to information security, and strive to protect information assets appropriately.
  2. Assignment of persons with responsibility for information security
     In order to gain an accurate grasp of the information security management situation and ensure that it functions continuously and effectively, the PLUS Group appoints persons with responsibility for compliance, the management of trade secrets, and the protection of personal information.
  3. Scope
     This policy applies to all employees who handle information assets retained by the PLUS Group. The term “employees” used here includes executives, regular employees, contract employees, temporary employees, and short‑term employees.
  4. Policy regarding the handling of information assets
     Based on this policy, we ensure that all employees are fully aware of our clear policy regarding the handling of information assets in general.
  5. Compliance with laws and ordinances, etc.
     In addition to complying with this policy, the PLUS Group complies with laws and ordinances related to information assets used in business activities, and various other norms and guidelines.
  6. Information security measures
     The PLUS Group has in place an appropriate information security organizational system and implements physical, technological, operational, personnel and counter‑accident measures to prevent any incidents such as unauthorized access, destruction, leaks or falsification related to information assets.
  7. Safety measures at subcontractors
     When outsourcing the management and operation of information assets held by the PLUS Group to an outside party, we investigate their suitability as a subcontractor, conclude a contract to ensure that they maintain an appropriate security level, and conduct a review of the subcontractor to confirm that security level.
  8. Boosting information security literacy
     The PLUS Group strives to boost the information security literacy of all our employees. We continuously provide education and training so that appropriate management of the PLUS Group information assets is carried out.
  9. Provision and implementation of periodic internal audits
     In order to improve the effectiveness and reliability of information security, we have established a system that enables us to conduct internal audits on a regular basis regarding the status of compliance with this policy and internal regulations, etc.

  President & Chief Operating Officer: Koji Imaizumi
  Established January 1, 2019

• The PLUS Group Compliance Policy

  Definition of Compliance

  The PLUS Group defines “Compliance” as fair, good‑faith business practices that comply with laws and regulations and do not violate social and/or consumer's common sense.

  Basic Practices

  These practices are ethical standards that everyone working in the PLUS Group must follow.

  1. Social Responsibility
     We strive to be a good corporate citizen and contribute to society.
     We actively engage in environmental measures on its own initiative.
     We increase its trustworthiness and transparency through active communication with society and fair disclosure of information.
  2. Respect for Human Rights
     We build a corporate culture that emphasizes respect for human rights and respects the identities and differences of all people.
  3. Global Environment
     We strive to protect and improve the global environment and build a sustainable society.
  4. Compliance with Laws and Regulations
     Not only complying with laws and regulations, but also we do not engage in any behavior that will violate social and/or consumer's common sense.
     We do not engage in uncertain business practice or empty forms to ensure fair, transparent and free competition.
     Not only complying with international regulations and the laws of each country, but we also respect local customs and culture, and contribute to the development of the areas where we operate.
     Complying with labor laws, we assess the state of injuries or illnesses occurring in the workplace and take appropriate health and safety measures.
  5. Compliance with the Antimonopoly Act and Proper Transactions Act
     We engage in air trade with our business partners and suppliers in compliance with the Antimonopoly Act.
  6. Product Liability Act and Intellectual Property Rights
     We acknowledge that compliance of product safety and intellectual property rights is particularly important relevant to our business.
  7. Appropriate Management of Information
     We ensure that we appropriately manage information such as personal information and customer information.
  8. Action against Antisocial Forces
     We take decisive action against antisocial forces that may threaten civil society.
  9. Governments and Administrations
     We maintain a sound and normal relationship with government and local society.
  10. Contribution to Society
      We actively engage in social contribution activities to society as a member of local community.

Certification status

Privacy mark (JIS Q 15001)

Businesses that meet certain requirements for the protection of personal information are permitted to use the Privacy Mark

• PLUS Logistics corporation (Date of first registration September 20, 2005)
• PLUS Corporation (Date of first registration October 24, 2006)
• PLUS Cargo Service Co., Ltd. (Date of first registration June 11, 2009)
• NSK Corporation (Date of first registration August 19, 2013)
• OFFICECOM Co.,Ltd. (Date of first registration April 13, 2018)

ISO27001 Certification

An international standard that regulates systems to manage information security measures

• Biznet Corporation (Date of first registration June 1, 2007)
• PLUS Cargo Service Co.,Ltd. (Date of first registration May 25, 2022) *Japanese version only