SocialSupply Chain Management
Basic ApproachBack to Top
We promote sustainable procurement throughout the entire supply chain based on our Purpose & Values, a philosophy shared across the Group. This supply-chain-wide initiative shaped by respect for human rights will satisfy the preconditions we are required to meet to fulfill our social responsibilities and support a sustainable society. The sustainable procurement also enhances corporate value for our suppliers and subcontractors (“business partners”), as well as TOPPAN.
Under the TOPPAN Group Sustainable Procurement Guidelines shared across the supply chain, we will accelerate this endeavor in cooperation with our partners through a cycle of operations, audits, and refinement.
The Sustainable Procurement Guidelines
The TOPPAN Group Sustainable Procurement Guidelines consist of the Basic Procurement Policy, which is to be observed by every department responsible for procurement or involved in operations linked to products and services, and the Sustainable Procurement Standards, which are to be satisfied by our business partners.
The Sustainable Procurement Standards comprise nine sections: “legal compliance and respect for internationally recognized standards,” “human rights and labor,” “health and safety,” “environment,” “fair business and ethics,” “quality and safety,” “information security,” “business continuity planning,” and “establishing a management system.”
We strive for co-prosperity with business partners through sustainable procurement. Based on the TOPPAN Group Human Rights Policy, the TOPPAN Group Environmental Policy, and the Declaration of Partnership Building, we respect human rights throughout the supply chain, conserve biodiversity, maintain good business practices with business partners, and provide the partners with advice and suggestions on their business continuity planning.
The Structure of the TOPPAN Group Sustainable Procurement Guidelines
This is a basic policy that applies to all workers involved in procurement activities at the TOPPAN Group.
We fairly and impartially offer opportunities to all Business Partners and potential Business Partners.
We comply with domestic and overseas laws and regulations and conduct fair business transactions based on corporate ethics.
We strictly control the information obtained through procurement activities.
We work to conserve the environment and reduce impact on the environment.
We pursue QCD (Quality, Cost, Delivery) in order to meet the needs of the market.
We work to foster mutual cooperation and build relationships of trust with Business Partners.
We promote sustainable procurement throughout the entire supply chain.
These are sections that set out requirements for suppliers and subcontractors*.
- 1.
- Legal Compliance and Respect for Internationally Recognized Standards
- 2.
- Human Rights and Labor
- 3.
- Health and Safety
- 4.
- Environment
- 5.
- Fair Business and Ethics
- 6.
- Quality and Safety
- 7.
- Information Security
- 8.
- Business Continuity Planning
- 9.
- Establishing a Management System
- *
- “Subcontractors” are referred to as “Business Partners” in these guidelines.
Promotion Framework and MechanismsBack to Top
The executive officer heading the Corporate Planning Division spearheads sustainable procurement initiatives at TOPPAN. The Sustainability Promotion Committee deliberates on concrete measures and reports the results to the Board of Directors through the Management Committee. The directors make comprehensive decisions on sustainable procurement and discuss, monitor, and continuously oversee the implementation, target setting, and progress of measures. Sustainable practices are followed not just by the procurement departments, but by every department involved in operations linked to products and services. Production control, purchasing, planning, personnel & labor relations, and other departments in the Supply Chain Management (SCM) Working Group work with related departments in operating companies to implement sustainability measures in close cooperation with their business partners.
Supply Chain Management Framework

Departments that Work with Business Partners
Departments | Significant Business Categories |
---|---|
Production control | OEMs |
Purchasing | Suppliers |
Planning | Subcontractors |
General affairs | Temporary staffing agencies |
Supply Chain Overview
Below are percentages of our business partners by industry category in fiscal 2023.
Partners by Industry Category

- *
- Based on the FTSE industry classification
Selecting Significant Business Partners
The screening process for selecting significant business partners, both new and current, takes place in several steps. The first step is an assessment of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) risks specific to the countries and industries (business sectors) of our partners, primarily focusing on those with whom we do ongoing business. Next, the “significant business partner” designation is applied to the companies that collectively account for 90% of the monetary value of TOPPAN’s total procurement, or the companies with higher country-specific or sector-specific ESG risks. And significant business partners are divided into four major categories. Country-specific risks are identified with reference to the Global Slavery Index and other indicators. Sector-specific risks are assessed based on the industry classification benchmark from the Financial Times Stock Exchange (FTSE). ESG risks (e.g., labor rights, pollution of air, soil, water, etc.) corresponding to detailed sector classification (e.g., manufacturing, service, printing industries) are also considered.
Screening Process for Designating Significant Business Partners

Group Policies and Measures for Sustainable Procurement
Group Policy | Policy (details) | Risks Identified through Assessments | KPI Benchmark or Management Metric or Standard | Business Partners Covered |
---|---|---|---|---|
TOPPAN Group Human Rights Policy | Human rights initiatives | Forced labor, harassment, or other human rights issues in the supply chain | Dissemination of the human rights policy and confirmation of compliance | Significant business partners* |
TOPPAN Group Sustainable Procurement Guidelines | Basic Procurement Policy | Compliance violations (violations of subcontract law, etc.); acts contrary to accepted social ethics | Compliance training in procurement departments | Related departments within the Group |
Training on the Sustainable Procurement Guidelines in procurement departments | Related departments within the Group | |||
Monitoring on compliance in procurement departments and the assessment of monitoring results | Significant business partners* | |||
Sustainable Procurement Standards | Quality-related incidents, environmental incidents, legal violations, insufficiencies in raw material supply, or other incidents in the supply chain that can develop into issues in wider society | Number and percentage of business partners (meeting the Group’s sales criterion) that have signed cooperation agreements, basic transaction agreements, and basic sale & purchase agreements stipulating the observance of the TOPPAN Group Sustainable Procurement Guidelines | Significant business partners* | |
Self-assessment questionnaires (SAQs) business partners can use to assess their own ESG efforts based on the TOPPAN Group Sustainable Procurement Standards | Significant business partners* | |||
Declaration of Partnership Building | Continuation of business operations with business partners in the event of a disaster | Supply disruption of materials, components, or equipment caused by earthquakes, storms, floods, or other natural disasters | Enhancement of the business continuity competencies of business partners (through annual SAQs and workshops on BCP) | Significant business partners* |
Observance of good business practices with business partners | Damage to social credibility arising from failures to rectify business practices concerning pricing methods, payment terms, work style reform, intellectual property usage, the sharing of expenses for mold management, etc. | Training on good business practices (training on transaction-related legislation and the Declaration of Partnership Building) | Related departments within the Group | |
TOPPAN Group Environmental Policy | Control of chemical substances in products | Reduced product safety resulting from the admixture of hazardous substances into raw materials | Dissemination of the TOPPAN Group Standards for the Management of Chemical Components of Raw Materials | Significant business partners* |
Biodiversity conservation | Suspension of operations at paper manufacturers resulting from interruptions in the supply of lumber derived from forest resources (the main material of paper) that are considered to have significant impact on biodiversity | Verification of the legality of lumber to promote the sustainable use of forest resources for paper production | All paper manufacturers in the supply chain | |
Supply stoppage of printing paper and suspensions of printing operations | Dissemination of the Paper Procurement Guidelines for the Sustainable Use of Forest Resources | Significant business partners* |
- *
- Significant business partners are those who engage in ongoing business with TOPPAN and either collectively account for 90% of the monetary value of the total supply or have country- or sector-specific ESG risks.
Sustainable Procurement InitiativesBack to Top
Applying the Sustainable Procurement Guidelines
We have been implementing the following measures since fiscal 2022 to apply the TOPPAN Group Sustainable Procurement Guidelines throughout the entire supply chain, in cooperation with significant business partners.
- ・
- Hold briefing sessions on the procurement guidelines
- ・
- Conclude cooperation agreements, basic transaction agreements, and basic sale & purchase agreements that stipulate the observance of the procurement guidelines
- ・
- Ask business partners to fill out self-assessment questionnaires (SAQs) on the procurement standards and encourage them to remedy any issues they have identified
- ・
- Confirm the BCP steps business partners are taking to address wide-scale disasters
TOPPAN has also established the Standards for the Management of Chemical Components of Raw Materials, a set of criteria to control chemical components throughout the entire supply chain.
Advocating the Basic Procurement Policy (Fair transactions by procurement departments)
Sustainable procurement should be built upon trust between business partners and TOPPAN. We have set up a Supplier Hotline to enhance transparency and fairness in transactions and deepen relationships of trust with business partners. The hotline is open for use by all of our partners.
We also send the partners questionnaires to monitor whether our procurement departments operate properly in accordance with the Basic Procurement Policy in their transactions with the partners.
Conserving Biodiversity
We promote the sustainable use of natural resources based on the TOPPAN Group Environmental Policy. As a mechanism for governing the procurement of raw materials, we have formulated a set of paper procurement guidelines to advance the sustainable use of paper, a resource representing 70% of our material input.
As an assurance for the sustainable use of forest resources, TOPPAN cooperates with paper manufacturers in the supply chain to confirm that the lumber they use for paper production is legally obtained.
Main Activities and ResultsBack to Top
Designating Significant Business Partners
For wider dissemination of the sustainability initiatives throughout the supply chain, we select significant business partners and ask them to observe the TOPPAN Group Sustainable Procurement Guidelines.
In procuring paper, a resource accounting for 70% of our material input, TOPPAN has designated a group of significant paper manufacturers that collectively represent more than 90% of total paper purchases by monetary value. Efforts to ensure our sustainable use of forest resources are conducted through surveys that confirm the legality of lumber used in paper production by these significant partners.
No. of Significant Business Partners
Rank | Fiscal 2023 | |
---|---|---|
No. of Companies | Share of Procurement by Monetary Value*1 | |
Significant partners in Tier-1 | 2,919 | 94% |
Significant partners in Tier-2 (paper manufacturers)*2 | 24 | − |
Significant business partners*3 | 2,943 | − |
- *1
- Transaction amount with significant business partners in Tier-1
- *2
- Significant partners not in Tier-1
- *3
- Total for partners in Tier-1 and Tier-2
Concluding Agreements with Business Partners
We have been promoting sustainable procurement throughout the entire supply chain by encouraging business partners to conclude cooperation agreements, basic transaction agreements, and basic sale & purchase agreements that stipulate the observance of the TOPPAN Group Sustainable Procurement Guidelines. Our goal is to conclude agreements with 90% of our significant partners by no later than fiscal 2025. If we discover that a partner has violated the procurement guidelines, we request the partner to take corrective actions. Should the corrections not be made within a set timeframe, we may reconsider how and if we will transact with the partner, and in some cases may choose to terminate our contract with the partner in accordance with the terms of the agreements concluded.
Turning to the environment, TOPPAN asks business partners to adhere to the procurement guidelines by setting specific standards such as the Standards for the Management of Chemical Components of Raw Materials and the Paper Procurement Guidelines for the Sustainable Use of Forest Resources.
Ex. 1: Cooperation Agreement text (excerpt)
The company understands the intent of sustainable procurement, and in transactions with TOPPAN Group companies, shall observe sustainable procurement standards and shall comply with said procurement standards or equivalent company standards.
Ex. 2: Basic Transaction Agreement (excerpt)
Article 41. Legal Compliance and Promotion of Corporate Social Responsibility
Through procurement, manufacturing, sales, disposal, and all other business activities, the company shall observe the Sustainable Procurement Guidelines, and shall request its own business partners to comply with said guidelines or with equivalent guidelines established by the company.
No. of Partners with Agreements
Fiscal 2023 | ||
---|---|---|
Target | 2,943 | |
Result | 2,068 | |
Rate of conclusion of agreements | 71% | |
Breakdown by business category | OEMs | 658 |
Suppliers | 1,072 | |
Subcontractors | 337 | |
Temporary staffing agencies | 1 |
Asking Partners to Fill out SAQs
The self-assessment questionnaires (SAQs) provide insight into the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices of business partners and help the partners verify and improve their adherence to the TOPPAN Group Sustainable Procurement Guidelines on their own. The SAQs are prepared based on international codes of conduct, guidelines, and assessment criteria on sustainability and human rights established by the Responsible Business Alliance (RBA), the Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association (JEITA), and other organizations. The SAQ results are fed back to business partners, along with requests for corrective actions whenever necessary. The same results serve as a useful reference for TOPPAN employees and contracted consultants as they organize onsite assessments and provide guidance on corrective measures.
The fiscal 2023 SAQs evaluated the management of working hours, the payment of appropriate wages, the extent to which a whistleblower system on harassment has been established, and several other assessment items specified in the “human rights and labor” section. Fifteen percent of the respondents reported that no whistleblower system on harassment had been in place. The respondents were given feedback on their overall SAQ ratings/item-based ESG-risk evaluations, the industry averages, specific items in need of improvement, and recommended improvement plans. No serious human rights abuses were found in the supply chain in fiscal 2023. TOPPAN employees carried out onsite assessments of the four partners who received low SAQ ratings/ESG evaluations.
SAQ sections (excerpt)
International certifications obtained / Policies and rules formulated
- 1.
- Legal compliance and respect for internationally recognized standards
- 2.
- Human rights and labor
- 3.
- Health and safety
- 4.
- Environment
- 5.
- Fair business and ethics
- 6.
- Quality and safety
- 7.
- Information security
- 8.
- Business continuity planning
- 9.
- Establishing a management system
No. of Partners Undergoing SAQs & Onsite Assessments
Fiscal 2023 | ||
---|---|---|
Target | 2,943 | |
Result | 1,952 | |
Percentage of responses received | 67% | |
Breakdown by business category | OEMs | 674 |
Suppliers | 919 | |
Subcontractors | 356 | |
Temporary staffing agencies | 3 | |
Feedback provided*1 | 468 | |
Subject to corrective actions*2 | 4 | |
Subject to an onsite assessment*3 | 4 | |
Corrective measures confirmed*4 | 1*6 | |
Transaction terminated*5 | 0 |
- *1
- No. of business partners receiving feedback on overall SAQ ratings/item-based ESG-risk evaluations, risk mitigation measures, and recommended improvement plans
- *2
- No. of partners assessed to have substantial actual or potential negative impacts
- *3
- No. of partners who underwent onsite assessments, among those assessed to have substantial actual or potential negative impacts
- *4
- No. of partners who were confirmed to have taken corrective measures, among those assessed to have substantial actual or potential negative impacts
- *5
- No. of partners whose transactions with TOPPAN were terminated, among those assessed to have substantial actual or potential negative impacts
- *6
- The three partners who have yet to complete their corrective plans continue to implement the corrective measures
Feedback on SAQ Results
The business partners who respond to the SAQs receive feedback on their overall ratings and the evaluation results for each ESG-risk item.
Overall SAQ Rating
Percentage breakdown of companies by overall rating. Respondent partners can use this chart to compare their positioning against other companies.
Sample Case

Industry Average
Respondent partners can check their positioning by comparing their own scores with the industry average for each risk section.
Sample Case

Detailed Evaluation by Risk Item (sample case)
Below are the ESG risks to be closely examined.
- Risks requiring confirmation:
- Items to be checked and addressed
- Further actions required:
- Items to be addressed through sustainability activities
- Risk factors:
- Items to be checked and addressed as risks
- Important management questions:
- Items that take higher priority
Sample Case
Section | Item | Risks Requiring Confirmation | Further Actions Required | Risk Factors | Important Management Questions |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1) Legal compliance and respect for internationally recognized standards | ![]() |
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2-1) Prohibition of forced labor | ||||
2-3) Management of appropriate working hours | ![]() |
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4. Environment | 4-1) Environmental permits and reports | ![]() |
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Improvement Plans by Risk Item (sample case)
TOPPAN provides business partners with recommended improvement plans for guidance.
Sample Case
Inadequate Environmental Approvals and Authorizations | As actions for improvement, the company is required to collect information on the latest applicable laws and regulations and to establish an in-house framework and mechanisms to ensure compliance. |
---|
Improvement Support via Onsite Assessments
TOPPAN has helped business partners develop concrete improvement plans to address each risk section specified in the fiscal 2023 assessment. Risk remediation through improvement measures has also been confirmed.
Section |
Targeted
No. of Partners |
and Labor
Human Rights |
Health and Safety |
Environment |
and Ethics
Fair Business |
Quality and Safety |
Information Security |
Planning
Business Continuity |
Management System
Establishing a |
Total No. of Cases |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Improvement support via onsite assessments | 4 | 9 cases | 7 cases | 1 case | - | 2 cases | 1 case | 3 cases | - | 23 cases |
Improvement measures confirmed | 1 | 1 case | 1 case | - | - | - | - | 1 case | - | 3 cases |

Enhancing BCP Competencies
TOPPAN expects business partners to prepare procedures in advance to ensure that production can be promptly resumed when a wide-scale natural disaster or other emergency affects their operations. The Declaration of Partnership Building released from TOPPAN Holdings Inc. in October 2023 voices our support for business continuity planning (BCP) at business partners to secure the continuity of their operations in the event of a disaster. We survey the BCP steps taken by significant business partners every year and invite those partners to participate in our BCP workshops.
Out of the 211 partners surveyed, 22 participated in online workshops and discussed BCP matters in fiscal 2023.
BCP Survey Results
No. of Partners Surveyed | No. of Partners Participating in Workshops | No. of Partners with Improved Evaluations after Workshops | No. of Partners with Improved Evaluations after Workshops (cumulative total) | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fiscal 2021 | Suppliers in Tier 1 | 63 | 14 | 2 | 6 |
Suppliers in Tier 2 | 122 | 6 | 1 | 9 | |
Total | 185 | 20 | 3 | 15 | |
Fiscal 2022 | Suppliers in Tier 1 | 25 | 7 | 2 | 8 |
Suppliers in Tier 2 | 223 | 73 | 9 | 18 | |
Total | 248 | 80 | 11 | 26 | |
Fiscal 2023 | Suppliers in Tier 1 | 119 | 16 | 4 | 12 |
Suppliers in Tier 2 | 92 | 6 | 3 | 21 | |
Total | 211 | 22 | 7 | 33 |
Procurement Guideline Training within the Group
The TOPPAN Group Sustainable Procurement Guidelines apply to every department that handles goods and services necessary for our business operations. Training on the guidelines is organized for employees in the relevant departments and for corresponding personnel from significant business partners.
The Declaration of Partnership Building, issued by TOPPAN Holdings Inc. in October 2023, pledges our ongoing commitment to the building of close relationships and the observance of good business practices with the partners.
TOPPAN holds training sessions on transaction-related legislation and on the Declaration of Partnership Building at the procurement departments to remind personnel of their obligation to practice the following commitment set forth in the Basic Procurement Policy: “We comply with domestic and overseas laws and regulations and conduct fair business transactions based on corporate ethics.”
Procurement Guideline Training within the Group
Training Result | Fiscal 2021 | Fiscal 2022 | Fiscal 2023 | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Breakdown | Production control | 327 | 653 | 781 |
Purchasing | 168 | 302 | 259 | |
Planning | ー | 1,019 | 311 | |
General affairs | ー | 155 | 141 | |
Total no. of participants | 495 | 2,129 | 1,492 |
Procurement Guideline Training for Significant Partners
Target | Fiscal 2023 Result | ||
---|---|---|---|
Breakdown | OEMs | 269 | |
Suppliers | 186 | ||
Subcontractors | 161 | ||
Temporary staffing agencies | 14 | ||
Total no. of partners | 630 | 630 |
Training on Partnership Building and Transaction-related Legislation
No. of Participants | Fiscal 2023 |
---|---|
Ordering departments, incl. procurement depts. | 6,480 |
Monitoring Compliance in Procurement Departments
TOPPAN regularly asks significant business partners to fill out questionnaires to clarify their transactions with the Group. With the questionnaire results, we monitor whether our procurement departments operate properly in accordance with the Basic Procurement Policy. No monitoring survey was carried out in fiscal 2023, however, as we concentrated on preparing for the shift to a holding company structure and on reviewing our transaction arrangements with suppliers who could be subject to the Subcontract Law of Japan. We will be sure to carry out the survey in fiscal 2024.
Monitoring Results
Fiscal 2020 | Fiscal 2021 | Fiscal 2022 | Fiscal 2023 | |
---|---|---|---|---|
No. of responding partners | 17 | 10 | 10 | 0 |
Cumulative no. of partners | 151 | 161 | 171 | 171 |
Verifying the Legality of Lumber for Paper Production
The TOPPAN Group Environmental Policy, formulated in April 2024, reaffirms our commitment to achieving zero deforestation associated with forest resources in paper procurement. As a major procurer of paper, a resource representing 70% of our material input, we promote the sustainable use of forest resources by surveying the legality of lumber, the main material of paper.
TOPPAN continues to monitor paper suppliers based on the environmental policy. A fiscal 2023 survey of 35 sites operated by 24 paper manufacturers around the world confirmed that all of the lumber they used to produce paper was obtained legally. These 24 partners supplied 100% of the paper TOPPAN Inc., one of our main operating companies, procured in fiscal 2023.
Survey Results on the Legality of Lumber for Paper Production
Fiscal 2020 | Fiscal 2021 | Fiscal 2022 | Fiscal 2023 | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Paper suppliers surveyed | 13 | 13 | 10 | 24 |
Purchase value basis | 90.0% | 91.8% | 97.4% | 100% |
Percentage of lumber sources verified as legal | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |