Aiming to promote legal and regulatory compliance across the Group, OMRON set up a Corporate Ethics & Business Conduct Committee.

In recent years, the committee has expanded its activities from the promotion of compliance to quick detection and sharing of risks associated with changes in laws and regulations and other external environment factors, as well as changing internal conditions such as launching of new businesses and entering emerging markets. The committee members comprise corporate ethics officers from each business company and corporate headquarters divisions in charge of human resources, general administration, and legal affairs.

In fiscal 2011, OMRON formulated Basic Rules for Global Crisis Management, which defined reporting routes in case a crisis occurs in or outside of Japan, and the basic procedure for contingency measures. Risk analysis was also conducted at Group companies outside Japan, along with compliance monitoring for high-priority risks such as those related to personnel and labor affairs.

Group companies in Japan also appointed corporate ethics officers in charge of offering compliance education selected from among manager- and higher-rank employees. A corporate ethics officer meeting is held once a year with all these members participating, to exchange information regarding the implementation of a PDCA cycle in accordance with an action plan, as well as hosting compliance training.

In fiscal 2012, based on the results of deliberations at the Corporate Ethics & Business Conduct Committee meetings held in fiscal 2011, OMRON will mainly accelerate business continuity planning (BCP) and promote legal and regulatory compliance at the global level, in order to further strengthen risk management practices.

In Japan and North America, a whistleblower hotline is in place inside and outside of the company for OMRON Group executives, full-time employees and temporary staff as well as their families.

The corporate legal department staff handles hotline contacts within the company, while an external law firm also serves to accept contacts. In fiscal 2008, it became possible to make hotline contact or seek advice through the electronic bulletin board on intranets in Japan, in addition to conventional telephone and email accesses.

In fiscal 2011, a total of 15 hotlines contacts were made in Japan and 2 in North America. For the operation of the whistleblower hotline, response to whistleblowers is based on OMRON’s CSR Practice Guidelines. There are also regulations that clearly state strict security and protection of whistleblowers from any detrimental treatment. OMRON informs employees of the availability of the hotline through corporate ethics cards, intranets, and new employee training.

Moreover, case studies will be conducted on an ongoing basis to help improve the skills of advisors. OMRON will continue making the hotline available and refining its response to whistleblowing.