Respect for Human Rights

1. Establishment of Astellas’ Human Rights Statement

The Astellas Charter of Corporate Conduct and the Astellas Group Code of Conduct clearly state that members of the Astellas Group shall respect human rights and the personality and individuality of all its employees, observe all applicable international rules and local regulations, and embrace all cultures and customs. The recognition of the importance of respecting human rights is shared by Group companies worldwide.

Astellas has disclosed its Position on Human Rights  since April 2017. Wherever we operate, Astellas complies with applicable local labor and employment laws and respects internationally-recognized basic human rights and labor standards, such as the International Bill of Human Rights, the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), and the International Labour Organization's (ILO's) Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work.

Our Position on Human Rights is revised as necessary to reflect changes in both external and internal environments, and is communicated to all employees.
Policies & Position Statements | Astellas Pharma Inc.
 

2. Governance Structure

Astellas has established the Sustainability Advisory Panel, and Environment, Social and Governance Working Group (E・S・G Working Group) led by the Sustainability division and consisting of cross-functional team members. These internal organizations promote activities that contribute to sustainability for all departments from a long-term, strategic and groupwide perspective.

Initiatives and issues concerning human rights are to be discussed at the internal Human Rights Sub-Working Group, part of the Social Working Group, and to be addressed in collaboration with relevant divisions in an appropriate manner. 
Astellas’ Sustainability Governance | Astellas Pharma Inc.
 

3. Identification of Human Rights Issues

Astellas conducts human rights impact assessments periodically in response to changes in internal and external environments. In a human rights impact assessment, Astellas analyzes the current status of our human rights initiatives and governance by interviewing relevant divisions, with the cooperation of external specialist organizations. As a result of these assessments, Astellas has identified human rights issues for rights holders (individuals or social groups who are likely to face the human rights issues) related to Astellas operations by using the evaluation criteria (salience and likelihood).

Astellas has identified five human rights issues to which we pay particular attention as;

  • Human rights in clinical trials and other research and development activities
  • Product safety and counterfeit drugs
  • Access to Health
  • Human rights in the workplace
  • Human rights in the community and environment
     

4. Education and training regarding respect for human rights

Astellas believes that it is important to establish the concept of respect for human rights based on our position on human rights within our a corporate culture.  To operate our business with respect for  human rights, Astellas is implementing the following initiatives;

  • Conducting human rights-themed training to enhance employees' knowledge of human rights
  • Distributing a corporate-wide message on Human Rights Day (December 10) every year to raise employees' awareness of human rights
     

5. Grievance mechanism

Astellas accepts all types of reports and consultations, including those related to human rights, not only from employees but also from outside the company.
Contact Us | Astellas Pharma Inc.
 

6. Engagement

In order to identify and address the human rights issues, Astellas believes that it is essential to update and collect the latest information on human rights issues, share that information among peer companies and learn from other companies’ best practices.

Astellas participates in external human rights working groups, such as the Global Compact Network Japan to liaise with companies, nonprofit organizations and non-governmental organizations effectively.
Stakeholder Communications | Astellas Pharma Inc.

7. Response to the Modern Slavery Act

Under the UK Modern Slavery Act of 2015, Astellas publishes a Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement for each financial year, describing what steps we have taken to address the risk of slavery or human trafficking occurring in our operations and  supply chains.

Astellas also publishes the Modern Slavery Act in the countries where we have business presence and a necessary the legal requirement to disclose. We will continue to address legal requirements and disclosures related to human rights in an appropriate manner.

 

For Financial Year ended 31 March 2023

 

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Related Links

The Astellas Charter of Corporate Conduct
The Astellas Group Code of Conduct 
Position on Human Rights