Responsible Supply Chain

Practicing Responsible Minerals Procurement

Click to jump to the corresponding section in this page

Background of Initiatives

Konica Minolta is working to address responsible minerals procurement to prevent human rights violations associated with conflict.

It has been pointed out that the mining of the mineral resources for tungsten, columbite-tantalite, gold, and cassiterite in the Democratic Republic of the Congo or adjoining countries can end up fueling conflict.
Seeking to prevent conflict-related violations of human rights such as child and forced labor, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) established Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas and requires that companies take responsible initiatives in the supply chain. Additionally, Section 1502 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, which was passed in 2010 in the United States, requires companies listed on a U.S. stock exchange to disclose information about conflict minerals^*1 derived from regions of conflict. In addition, the EU Conflict Minerals Regulation went into effect in 2021, and the EU also released a list of Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas under the Regulation. Corporate organizations also pursue initiatives for Responsible Minerals procurement, including the Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI)^*2, which has a global reach, and in Japan the Responsible Minerals Trade Working Group, established as part of the Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association (JEITA)^*3.

*1: Conflict minerals: Cassiterite (tin), coltan (columbite-tantalite), gold, wolframite (tungsten), or their derivatives; also known as 3TG.
*2: Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI): An international organization that supports responsible corporate practices in minerals procurement from conflict-affected and high-risk areas.
*3: Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association (JEITA): An industry association in Japan’s IT and electronics sector with about 400 companies and organizations.

Back to top

Framework for Initiatives

Konica Minolta carries out initiatives for responsible minerals procurement in line with the Five-Step Framework for Risk-Based Due Diligence in the Mineral Supply Chain in the OECD Guidance.

Step 1: Establish Strong Company Management Systems

Konica Minolta has established the Konica Minolta Responsible Minerals Policy Statement, which addresses the prevention of human rights violations caused by conflicts. The Company works to ensure that all suppliers of direct materials are made aware of this policy and requires, in its basic transaction contracts, that business partners engage in responsible minerals initiatives.

In addition, a mechanism for implementing Responsible Minerals surveys, including production sites in Japan and overseas, has been prepared to identify the smelters or refiners in the supply chain. The management and staff in the procurement divisions in charge of procurement are given training to enhance their understanding of Responsible Minerals initiatives and motivate them. In addition, the grievance platform developed by RMI is used.

Step 2: Identify and Assess Risk in the Supply Chain

Using the Conflict Minerals Reporting Template (CMRT), Extended Minerals Reporting Template (EMRT) issued by RMI, Konica Minolta implements surveys on minerals of necessity for the high functionality of Konica Minolta products (3TG, cobalt and mica). The survey confirms the content of 3TG, cobalt and mica surveys the country of origin, identifies the smelters or refiners in the company’s supply chain, and confirms their due diligence. Based on the results of the survey and information about the identified smelters or refiners in the supply chain, Konica Minolta assesses the risk to the supply chain overall, by each business partner, and by each product. These results are reported to the officer in charge.

Step 3: Design and Implement a Strategy to Respond to Identified Risks

Based on the results of the risk assessment, Konica Minolta requests all suppliers of direct materials to take any needed steps to ensure that their business is not in any way complicit in the funding of conflict forces. Konica Minolta conveys any customer concerns to suppliers using smelters or refiners when customers have expressed concerns about, and asks that they respond appropriately, such as reassessing the smelters or refiners in question. Indirect efforts are also made to eliminate the risk of conflict complicity, such as activities building awareness about the issue of responsible minerals.

Step 4: Carry Out Independent Third-Party Due Diligence Audits for Smelters or Refiners

Konica Minolta is a member of RMI, which operates an audit program (the Responsible Minerals Assurance Process [RMAP]) certifying that smelters or refiners are conflict-free. In addition, through JEITA activities, smelters or refiners are encouraged to participate in RMAP.

Step 5: Report Annually on Supply Chain Due Diligence

Konica Minolta’s Responsible Minerals initiatives are disclosed every year on this website.

Minerals Procurement Survey

Survey Results

The response rates to the Conflict Minerals Survey using CMRT and the Cobalt and Mica Survey using EMRT conducted in fiscal 2024 in the Digital Workplace and Professional Print businesses were 95% and 94%, respectively.
In the Industry Business and Imaging Solutions Business, we also conduct minerals surveys based on customer requests. When conducting these surveys, we asked our suppliers to help improve supply chain transparency by reducing the number of unknown responses about smelter information and to implement due diligence aimed at ensuring non-involvement in conflicts.
Due diligence conducted on responses to the 3TG, cobalt, and mica surveys identified 484 smelters, 281 RMAP certified smelters, and 20 Active smelters^*. We also identified 148 countries or territories in the supply chain that are considered 3TG countries of origin (as of March 31, 2025).
As a result of these surveys, we confirmed that one of our main products, toner, and certain products such as some optical lenses and some functional films, were conflict-free. No evidence of conflict involvement was found in any of the supply chains surveyed.

* Active smelters: Smelters that are under RMAP audit or have committed to undergo an audit.

Targets and Results
KPI	Results					Targets
KPI	FY 2020	FY 2021	FY 2022	FY 2023	FY 2024	FY 2024	FY 2025
Percentage of suppliers returning conflict mineral surveys	98%	96%	96%	95%	95%	95% or more	95% or more

Smelter Due Diligence Results by Metal
	Identified Smelters or refiners	Smelters or refiners verified as conflict-free or in the audit process	Percentage
Gold	182	98	53%
Tantalum	47	42	89%
Tin	72	54	75%
Tungsten	57	37	64%
Total 3TG	358	231	64%
Cobalt	97	64	66%
Mica	30	7	23%

Response to Customers’ Request for Survey

In fiscal 2024, many customers in the Digital Workplace Business, Professional Print Business, Industry Business, and Imaging Solutions Business requested Responsible Minerals surveys. Konica Minolta appropriately responded to all such customers by submitting Responsible Minerals survey forms and taking other necessary actions. Inquiries about responsible minerals other than surveys were also responded to appropriately, based on survey results and the Company’s own initiatives. In addition, Konica Minolta has been conducting surveys on cobalt since fiscal 2018, and on mica since fiscal 2021, and has appropriately responded to customers’ for these surveys as well.

Targets and Results
KPI	Results					Targets
KPI	FY 2020	FY 2021	FY 2022	FY 2023	FY 2024	FY 2024	FY 2025
Percentage responding to requests for surveys from customers	100% response	100% response	100% response	100% response	100% response	100% response	100% response

Cooperation with External Organizations

Konica Minolta cooperates with external organizations, including participating in an initiative where members of JEITA’s Responsible Minerals Trade Working Group encourage smelters or refiners to participate in the Responsible Minerals Assurance Process (RMAP). In addition, the Company served as an instructor at the JEITA Conflict Minerals Survey Briefing, held by JEITA on June 14, 2019, and supported awareness-raising activities on responsible minerals regulations.