CSR News : Hitachi Ltd. joins the United Nations Global Compact

As part of its commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility, Hitachi Ltd. became a signatory of the United Nations Global Compact on 27th February 2009. The UN Global Compact is a strategic policy initiative for businesses committed to aligning their operations and strategies with Ten Principles based on human rights, labour, the environment, and anti-corruption.

We believe that in order to continue our business growth globally, it is necessary to follow global standards which go beyond individual countries' local regulations. We will work to uphold the Ten Principles by strengthening our management foundation, whilst also reaching out to partners, consumers and the public at large.

Hitachi's vision has always been to contribute to the solution of fundamental global issues, whilst pursuing the realisation of a better, more prosperous global society. To find out about Hitachi's Corporate Social Responsibility Vision and what we do to realise it, please visit: http://www.hitachi.com/csr/

United Nations Global Compact Ten Principles

• Human Rights
  • Principle 1: Businesses should support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights; and
  • Principle 2: make sure that they are not complicit in human rights abuses.
• Labour Standards
  • Principle 3: Businesses should uphold the freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining;
  • Principle 4: the elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labour;
  • Principle 5: the effective abolition of child labour; and
  • Principle 6: the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.
• Environment
  • Principle 7: Businesses should support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges;
  • Principle 8: undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility; and
  • Principle 9: encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies.
• Anti-Corruption
  • Principle 10: Businesses should work against corruption in all its forms, including extortion and bribery.