Regional Programs

Panasonic has a system in place in each country and region to promote and ensure compliance. Compliance activities are tailored to meet the characteristics of each region or business field in accordance with corporate policy. Here are some of the examples of these programs.

(1) In Europe

Legal Managers in Europe share and actively discuss Pan-European and individual company matters

In Europe, compliance with the competition laws of the European Union is a priority and various common initiatives have been introduced throughout the region to reinforce this. These include mandatory annual education and training programs, face-to-face reviews. In terms of education and training programs in fiscal 2008, in addition to the seminars organized by the various Legal Managers, the European Legal and International Affairs Department of Panasonic Europe Ltd. coordinated with certain Legal Affairs Managers in the group companies and held competition law seminars in 19 group companies in Europe, which a total of 355 employees attended. Furthermore, by coordinating with the business domain companies, the online training program for competition law was extended to more employees. As a result, it was completed by 934 people, including local staff and expatriates from Japan, as well as members of Head Office involved in EU business.

(2) In Asia Pacific

Participants attentively listen to presenters at the Asia Pacific Legal Network Enhancement Meeting in Singapore

In order to accelerate compliance management in the Asia Pacific region, the Regional Managing Director's Conference and Legal Network Enhancement Meeting were held in fiscal 2008, where the managing directors and legal managers from some 30 companies representing regional group companies attended. They shared the corporate-wide policies and common challenges they have on anti-trust law compliance and security and export control, and ironed out differences of opinion on the compliance initiatives.

Furthermore, in fiscal 2009, we will share the unique challenges each country faces at the Legal Network Enhancement Meeting, and enhance compliance throughout the workplace by taking concrete measures within the group companies.

(3) In China

In November 2008, the Panasonic China and Northeast Asia Legal Network Conference was convened inviting Legal Affairs staff from the Head Office, business Domains, Regional Headquarters. At the conference, participants proactively shared information and exchanged opinions on topics such as how to deal with the Chinese antitrust laws which came into force in August 2008, and the issues pertaining to the promotion of security export control.

Yukio Nakamura, Director of Corporate Legal Affairs Division, speaks about fostering a culture of compliance in the region at the China and Northeast Asia Legal Network Conference

Participants discuss concrete action plans at a breakout session of the China and Northeast Asia Legal Network Conference

Legal Coordinators in China lead compliance awareness activities

Additionally, to detect hidden compliance-related risks in the workplace, the Legal Department of Panasonic China formulated checklists tailored to 6 important legal fields, such as fair trade, export control, customs laws and corporate laws, etc. These checklists that detail risk items reflecting Chinese laws and regulations as well as the actual situation of Chinese business have been used at the group companies so that the self-assessment activity can be implemented in the business field.

(4) In North America

As a multi-national corporation with worldwide business activities, Panasonic must comply with the US Export Administration Regulations (EAR), which are applicable to both exports made from the US as well as some exports from other countries. Thus, the Legal Department of Panasonic Corporation of North America has been promoting compliance activities in coordination with the Legal Division of global headquarters. In fiscal 2008, we implemented an automated tool to simplify EAR compliance and help assure that exports are properly "classified" under the correct provision of the EAR. This tool is being used at group companies located in the US as well as in other regions where the EAR applies. Exports of US made goods or goods containing US made products and/or technologies are subject to the EAR from wherever they are exported.

Within the North American region, Panasonic has focused on initiatives such as holding seminars and conducting monitoring at R&D sites based in the U.S. where information related to advanced technologies is handled.

Legal Guidebook for Managers

We are getting the legal guidebooks lined up, which issue on a country-by country basis and cover circumstances unique to each country, and provide employees going to foreign country and local employees for better understanding of basic local laws.

Legal Guidebook for Managers

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