2013/03/07

Kao (President and CEO: Michitaka Sawada) was named one of the World's Most Ethical Companies 2013, announced by Ethisphere Institute, a U.S. think tank, on March 6, 2013 (U.S. time). Since the list's inception in 2007, Kao has received this recognition for seven straight years. This year, more than 1,000 companies, a record-high number, in over 100 countries and 36 industries were surveyed. Among those companies, only a very few have had the honor of being recognized for seven consecutive years and, of them, Kao is the only Japanese company.

Ethisphere Institute specializes in research on corporate ethics and social responsibility. Since 2007, the institute has surveyed and evaluated companies the world over to select the World's Most Ethical Companies in five categories: Ethics and Compliance Program; Reputation, Leadership and Innovation; Corporate Citizenship and Responsibility; Governance; and Culture of Ethics.

As a foundation of its business activities, Kao advocates Integrity. This principle, inherited from the Kao founder, indicates that Kao is committed to abiding by laws and ethics to engage in honest and healthy corporate activities. To apply this principle in daily business practice, Kao has established "Kao Business Conduct Guidelines," and instills the concept in all Group members through training programs that incorporate the characteristics and case studies of individual countries. Moreover, compliance hotlines that members can contact to report or consult about matters that might infringe legal and ethical guidelines have been organized at each Group company, allowing them to take responsible actions without worry.

In addition to these approaches, Kao has been proactively involved in contributing to preservation of the global environment and has taken on such societal issues as health and aging through its business activities. This corporate stance was also highly evaluated in the selection. Kao continues to endeavor to contribute to a sustainable society, while striving for the wholehearted satisfaction and enrichment of the lives of people globally.

Kao creates high-value-added products to help consumers around the world enrich their everyday lives. Over 20 leading brands such as Asience, Attack, Bioré, Goldwell, Jergens, John Frieda, Kanebo, Laurier, Merries and Molton Brown are part of the lives of people in Asia, Oceania, North America and Europe and help generate about 1,200 billion yen (about $US13 billion) in annual sales. Kao employs about 35,000 people worldwide and has more than 120 years of history in innovation. Please visit the Kao group web site for updated information.
http://www.kao.com/group/en/group/

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