Compliance Control

Fundamental Concepts Regarding Compliance

A tradition of “faithfully following the right path” exists for all members of the Hitachi Group. The Hitachi Information Systems’ Corporate Code of Conduct Guidebook states, “There are some things that will not change, no matter how much the world changes”; this is the “foundation”.
“Respecting each individual’s human rights and acting without resorting to ambiguous methods, means, or actions”; this is the “right path”.
The fundamental concepts in our Corporate Code of Conduct are the “right path and foundation”. They clearly state that individuals are asked to observe not only corporate and social laws and ethics, but also to gain an understanding of the concepts and actively adhere to the codes of conduct.

The Corporate Code of Conduct

Because our corporation was founded upon ethics and a respect for the law, we established our Corporate Code of Conduct in November of 1983. We have continuously revised it ever since in an effort to respond to the demands of the times. In January of 1988, cards describing the code were printed and distributed to all employees and directors, allowing for easy reference during daily work. In 1999, further methods were undertaken to ensure the dissemination of the code throughout the company, including the printing of a Corporate Code of Conduct Guidebook.

The Compliance Reporting System

In recent years, there is a lot of expectation from society for correct corporate conduct and activities that's focused on abidance of the law and social manners and ethics. Responding to these expectations, we have set up an exclusive information desk for employees so that they can directly report any breaches or wrongdoings for early prevention or quick action and in July 2004 established the Compliance Reporting System for the purpose of heightening this capability.
Taking this idea further, in February 2006, we introduced a whistle-blower system for all employees in Hitachi, Ltd. , and from April 1st of the same year we expanded this system to accept inquiries or reports not only from all employees in Hitachi, Ltd., but also from former employees, as well as employees of the entire Hitachi Group, suppliers, and temporary staff, etc.

Compliance related Regulations

The role of the Board of Directors & executive directors in observing the law and ethics	Established in July 2003. In order for the Board of Directors and the executive directors to secure the reliance and the trust of the entire company, the regulations that need to be observed and corporate ethics are clarified.
Organizational rules for Observing the Fair Trade Law	Established in 1994 and revised in July 2003. To practice articles 4 (Ethics) and 5 (Fair Competition and Trade) in the standard corporate conduct guide, we have set up a liability, support, and guidance system.
Rules regarding the Prevention of socially unacceptable dealings	Established in 1999, revised in March 2005. The management organization for preventing unlawful and socially unacceptable dealings and precautionary measures for new business dealings are defined here.
Operating Regulations for the Compliance Reporting System	Established in July 2004 and revised in February 2006. Full adherence to the Public Reporting Protection Regulation enforced April 1, 2006.

Completeness of Fair Transaction

Hitachi Information Systems codes of conduct state, “Conduct will be based on principles of fair and orderly competition”.
There are also Basic Guidelines for Fair Transaction Compliance and Rules on Preventing Anti-social Dealings, and trainings for employees and internal audits for each office are regularly implemented.
Our codes of conduct also cover “Due respect for the value of ones own information and that of others” and “Compliance with trade-related legislation”.
In the former, we raise awareness relating to patents, copyright, trade secrets and intellectual property rights and, as a business which has been accredited with a privacy mark, are providing education concerning recognition of the importance of information related to assets and personal information protection.
In the latter, we specify regulations including Security Export Trade Control Regulations for the running of an export trade control system.

Orientation for our business contract system

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