The Lawson Group ^*1 conducts a wide variety of business transactions with various domestic and international business partners,^*2 and cooperating with these business partners is essential for us to meet the expectations of our stakeholders and fulfill our responsibilities to society.
In addition to our own compliance with the “Lawson Group Corporate Conduct Charter” we have established the "Lawson Group Purchasing Policy” based on the "Lawson Group Corporate Conduct Charter" and select our suppliers based on this policy, in order to build strong partnerships with business partners who agree with the intent of the Charter and provide the highest satisfaction to all of our customers.

*1 "Lawson Group" refers to Lawson, Inc. and the group of companies that Lawson Inc. defines as being within the scope.

*2 "Business partners" include not only companies that have direct business relationships with the Lawson Group, but also businesses that are closely related to the Lawson Group's business even if there is no direct business relationship.

1. Customer Safety and Security

Our business partners must be able to ensure that the quality and safety of products and services are maintained throughout the entire process to the delivery of those products and services to customers. To this end, our business partners must pay close attention to the following items:

• Compliance with quality standards prescribed in the country of production and the country of sale
• Provision of products and services that do not cause physical, mental, or moral harm to children
• Provision of accurate and easy-to-understand information regarding products and services and compliance with labeling standards prescribed in the country of production and the country of sale
• Appropriate acquisition, use, storage, and disposal of customers' personal information
• Prompt and sincere response to customer inquiries

2. Compliance with Laws and Regulations

Our business partners must comply with the laws and regulations of the countries and regions in which they operate and relevant international rules, as well as the spirit of these, in addition to the provisions of this policy. In addition, business partners must have the necessary systems in place for this purpose.

3. Fair and Sound Business Activities

Our business partners must be engaged in fair and sound business activities. In addition, business partners must address the following items for this purpose, and have the necessary systems in place for such initiatives.

• Disassociate from antisocial forces such as organized crime groups and eliminate them from business activities
• Prevent the provision of improper benefits to domestic and foreign politicians, public officials, and their equivalents
• Prevent all forms of corrupt transactions, including extortion, bribery, and the offering or receipt of other improper benefits

4. Respect for Human Rights

Business partners must respect human rights in their business activities and strive to build relationships of trust with all people involved in their business activities through sincere dealings. In addition, business partners must address the following items for this purpose, and have the building of necessary systems in place for such initiatives.

• Support and respect international norms on human rights, including the International Bill of Human Rights and the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work.
• Prevention of complicity in human rights violations
• Implementation of remedial measures in cases where human rights violations are confirmed
• Prohibition of discrimination of any kind (including discrimination based on race, ethnicity, nationality, place of origin, gender, age, disability, religion, creed, ideology, career, gender identity, sexual orientation, or employment status)

5. Development of the Working Environment

Business partners must respect the diversity, personality, and individuality of their employees and have a system in place to prevent and cleanse itself of abuse and harassment (including sexual harassment and bullying). In addition, business partners must comply with labor-related laws and regulations so that their employees can work enthusiastically, and actively address the following items.

• Prohibition of child labor and protection of young workers
• Prohibition of forced labor
• Payment of wages necessary to support the standard of living in the countries and regions of operation
• Equal opportunity in employment
• Appropriate management of working hours and reduction of excessive working hours
• Workplace health and safety measures, and occupational accident and illness countermeasures
• Respect for the freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining based on free will
• Respect for personal information and privacy

6. Consideration for Environmental Conservation

Business partners must comply with laws and regulations related to environmental conservation with the aim of realizing a carbon-free society, conduct business activities that always consider the natural environment and local communities, and be able to realize the following items.

• Reduction of energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions
• Proper disposal and reduction of waste and prevention of pollution
• Efficient use of water resources and proper wastewater management
• Use of resources with due consideration for biodiversity and local communities

7. Sustainable Procurement

Business partners must cooperate with the Lawson Group to procure agricultural, livestock, and marine products for which sustainability is guaranteed and with consideration of the natural environment and local communities.

8. Information Management and Protection of Intellectual Property Rights

Business partners must properly manage the personal information of customers and employees, trade secrets and know-how, and take necessary security measures to reduce risks related to leakage, loss, falsification, and unauthorized use of information. In addition, business partners must be implementing initiatives so as to not infringe on the intellectual property rights of third parties.

9. Risk Information Sharing and Disclosure

If an incident, accident, or problem related to transactions with the Lawson Group occurs, or if a serious violation of this policy is confirmed, such as human rights violations or violations of laws and regulations, business partners must immediately notify us of such information and make every effort to investigate the cause, prevent the spread of damage, and prevent recurrence. In particular, if a fact arises that may be detrimental to the health or privacy of our customers, business partners must have systems in place to promptly publish such fact.

10. Building Relationships of Trust

In order to build a relationship of trust with the Lawson Group, business partners must be able to achieve the following items.

• Empathy with challenge and innovation that anticipates the needs of customers
• Continuous effort for technological innovation and cost improvement to provide better value to our customers
• Maintenance of financial strength to ensure stable supply

11. Expansion into the Supply Chain

Business partners must be willing to cooperate in the understanding and permeation of this policy within the businesses that make up the business partner’s supply chain. In addition, business partners must be willing to work with the Lawson Group to support corrective actions as necessary.

12. Monitoring

Business partners must be willing to cooperate with monitoring to confirm compliance with this policy. In addition, business partners must be willing to work with the Lawson Group to improve and correct any noncompliance with this policy that is identified as a result of monitoring.

Established on September 1, 2010

Revised on August 10, 2022