Collaboration with suppliers throughout the supply chain is essential to delivering high-quality products to customers while giving consideration to the environment. Based on a spirit of mutual trust and shared growth with its suppliers, Roland DG is committed to building a sustainable supply chain by promoting open and fair transactions, pursuing appropriate costs and excellent quality, and advancing green procurement that takes the global environment into consideration.
As a global corporation, Roland DG complies with the European RoHS Directive, the REACH Regulation, the U.S. TSCA, the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs Convention), and the GHS* recommended by the United Nations, while also responding promptly to changes in various applicable laws and regulations. The REACH Regulation is particularly stringent, and as it requires thorough management of information on chemical substances contained in materials procured through the supply chain, we work to strengthen collaboration across the supply chain. We will further deepen its relationships with suppliers, overseas group companies, and distributors, strengthening collaboration throughout the supply chain with the aim of complying with global chemical substance regulations.
- GHS (Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals): a system of international standards for hazardous material classification and labeling schemes (labels and SDS) relating to chemicals requiring hazard (toxic) classification.
In consideration of the impact of its products and business activities on the environment and society, Roland DG has established green procurement guidelines and, with the understanding and cooperation of its suppliers, is promoting activities to reduce the environmental impact of parts and materials from the procurement stage onward. For supplied parts and materials, Roland DG asks suppliers to give consideration to environmental aspects—such as improving energy efficiency, conserving resources, and ensuring ease of recycling, dismantling, and disposal—as part of efforts to contribute to reducing GHG emissions. Furthermore, to strictly manage prohibited and restricted substances, Roland DG asks suppliers to establish chemical substance management systems in accordance with the "Guidelines for the Management of Chemical Substances Contained in Products" and to comply with the "Parts Delivery Procedures, Etc." and "Delivery Specifications" established by the Purchasing Department when making deliveries.
Before beginning any transactions, suppliers are screened using the “Supplier Acceptance Guide.” In addition to verifying suppliers' financial condition, this guide is used to assess the health of business owners or senior management, whether successors have been identified and the status of their development, and any potential earthquake or flood risks at business sites, as part of efforts to build a foundation for sustainable collaboration and mutual growth. Roland DG also asks suppliers to agree to the contents of its “CSR Procurement Standards” and to submit a confirmation letter. The Standards set out the key issues Roland DG addresses throughout its supply chain—respect for human rights and prohibition of discrimination; prevention of child labor, forced labor, and excessive working hours; reduction of environmental impact; proper management of chemical substances; consideration for the global environment; establishment of environmental and quality management systems; and protection of personal and confidential information and prevention of leaks, among others—and Roland DG requests suppliers' cooperation in these efforts.
Roland DG conducts “Supplier Performance Evaluations” of all suppliers that supply parts to the Company. The evaluations cover six categories: management, quality, cost, delivery, environmental factors, and manufacturing capability. In terms of environmental factors, in addition to the effectiveness of chemical substance management systems, the status of environmental management system development, and compliance with environmental laws and regulations, the Company evaluates activities that contribute to reducing environmental impact, with the scope extending beyond energy, resources, and waste to include initiatives that contribute to addressing climate change issues. Depending on the evaluation results, the Company requests that suppliers take corrective and improvement measures, such as the submission of an improvement plan.
Roland DG is headquartered in Hamamatsu City in Shizuoka Prefecture—one of Japan's leading manufacturing hubs—and, ever since its establishment, has valued close communication with local suppliers based in Hamamatsu with the aim of achieving mutual growth. In recent years, with the expansion and consolidation of production functions at its factory in Thailand, Roland DG has been expanding its network of suppliers into the Asian region, and the local parts procurement rate has increased. Extending the geographic scope of suppliers and establishing multiple, diversified procurement sources are becoming increasingly important from the perspectives of business continuity planning (BCP) for large-scale disasters, as well as responses to pandemics and rising geopolitical risks. Going forward, we will continue to strengthen these mutually complementary relationships and work to hedge risks.