Consumer electronics makers
Panasonic Corporation (formerly Matsushita Electric Industrial) is one of the world's top consumer electronics makers. Company activities are 30% electronics with 70% of net sales now from housing, automotive, avionics, energy, and devices. Listed on the Japan and USA stock markets. Acquired Sanyo in 2010.
Company Assessment
(Last updated Jul 2024)
Praise
Criticism
Information
Panasonic Corporation
Praise
Criticism
Information
CDP Climate Change score of A
In 2023, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change risk. Responding companies are scored across four key areas: disclosure; awareness; management; and leadership. This company received a CDP Climate Change score of A.
Source: CDP
(2023)
CDP Water Security score of B
In 2023, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts to manage and govern freshwater resources. Responding companies are scored on six key metrics: transparency; governance & strategy; measuring & monitoring; risk assessment; targets & goals; and value chain engagement. This company received a CDP Water Security score of B.
Source: CDP
(2023)
66/100 in TIME rankings
World's Most Sustainable Companies of 2024 by TIME and Statista recognises the Top 500 most sustainable companies in the world. From a selection of 5,000 of the world's largest companies, non-sustainable businesses were excluded, and the remaining companies were rated on Commitment & Ratings, Reporting & Transparency, and Environmental & Social Stewardship. This company received a total score of 66.4/100, ranking 165th overall.
Source: TIME
(2024)
9/100 in KnowTheChain Benchmark
In 2022 KnowTheChain benchmarked 60 information, communications and technology (ICT) companies on their efforts to identify and tackle forced labour risks in their supply chains. This company received a score of 9/100. The average score was 20/100 and the highest score was 63.
Source: KnowTheChain
(2022)
Forced labour in China
The Chinese government has facilitated the mass transfer of Uyghur and other ethnic minority citizens from the far west region of Xinjiang to factories across the country. Under conditions that strongly suggest forced labour, Uyghurs are working in factories that are in the supply chains of at least 83 well-known global brands in the technology, clothing and automotive sectors, including brands owned by this company. The Australian Strategic Policy Institute's 2020 report estimates (somewhat conservatively) that more than 80,000 Uyghurs were transferred out of Xinjiang to work in factories across China between 2017 and 2019, and some of them were sent directly from detention camps.
Source: ASPI
(2020)
0/100 in Solar Scorecard
The 2018-19 Solar Scorecard, produced by the Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition, rates solar panel producers on their commitment to the environment and worker safety. Areas looked at include emissions reporting, chemical reductions plan, workers rights and conflict minerals. This company received a score of 0/100.
12.4% in Human Rights Benchmark
The 2022 Corporate Human Rights Benchmark assessed 127 companies in the food and agriculture, ICT and automotive manufacturing sectors on their human rights performance. This company received a score of 12.4%. The overall average score was a disappointing 17.3% and the highest score was 50.3%.
44.8% in conflict minerals rankings
As You Sow's 2019 report, Mining the Disclosures, is a deep analysis of 215 companies' human rights performance in relation to sourcing conflict minerals from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This company's score was 44.8% (Minimal).
Source: As You Sow
(2019)
4.5/20 in Social Benchmark
The 2024 Social Benchmark assesses the world's 2,000 most influential companies on their responsibility in meeting society's fundamental expectations towards three measurement areas: respecting human rights, providing decent work, and acting ethically. This company was assessed in 2023 and received a score of 4.5/20. The average score was an alarmingly low 4.6/20 and the highest score was 15.5/20.
38/100 S&P Global ESG Score
This company received an S&P Global ESG Score of 38/100 in the Leisure Equipment & Products and Consumer Electronics category of the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment, an annual evaluation of companies' sustainability practices (last updated 23 Sep 2022). The rankings are based on an analysis of corporate economic, environmental and social performance, assessing issues such as corporate governance, risk management, environmental reporting, climate strategy, human rights and labour practices.
Source: S&P Global
(2022)
US recycling report card
The Electronics TakeBack Coalition's Recycling Report Card evaluates takeback and recycling programs for computer, TV, printer and game console companies. The report card focuses on the programs available to consumers in the US, and relies on publicly available information, as of Sept 2010. This company received a grade of D+ for its recycling efforts in the USA.
Water pollution in China
In 2006 a Chinese subsidiary of Panasonic has been blacklisted by various levels of government for releasing wastewater not sufficiently treated. [Listed under information due to age of report]
Source: Polaris / IPE
(2006)
Action on Darfur
Identified in 'The Big Chill: Too Scared to Speak' report which identified Chinese Olympic Sponsors response to Darfur crisis in Sudan. Received Fs for a poor response or none at all.
Source: Dream for Dafur
(2008)
Price fixing in USA
In Sept 2010 Panasonic Corp and a unit of Whirlpool Corp agreed to plead guilty to conspiring to fix prices for compressors used to cool home and commercial refrigerators and freezers, violating US antitrust laws. Panasonic were fined US$49.1 million. [Listed under information due to age of court finding]
Source: news article
(2010)
Price fixing in Europe
Six firms, including this company, were fined a record 1.47b euros (AU$1.89b) in Dec 2012 by EU antitrust regulators for fixing prices of TV and monitor cathode-ray tubes for nearly a decade between 1996 and 2006. Panasonic had a penalty of 157.5m euros. [Listed under Information due to age of court finding]
Source: Financial Review
(2012)
Price fixing in USA
This company pleaded guilty to price fixing auto parts and laptop battery packs, leading to a $56.5m fine. The price fixing had been taking place since 1998 but the plea agreement was only reached in July 2013. Panasonic worked with companies to manipulate prices of auto parts sold to car makers and the fine is $45.8m and a number of executives will be serving jail time. Sanyo, a subsidiary of Panasonic, and L G Chen were fined $10.731m for their role in price fixing laptop battery packs during 2007-2008. [Listed under Information due to age of court finding]
Source: US Dept of Justice
(2013)
Climate action commitments
As listed on the We Mean Business website, this company has committed to the following climate action initiatives: commit to 100% renewable power; adopt a science-based emissions reduction target.
Source: We Mean Business
(2021)
B- grade at Behind the Barcode
B- grade in the Baptist World Aid Australia's Behind the Barcode 'Ethical Electronics Guide 2016', which grades companies on their efforts to mitigate the risks of forced labour, child labour and worker exploitation throughout their supply chains. Assessment criteria fall into four main categories: policies, traceability & transparency, monitoring & training and worker rights. [Listed under Information due to age of report]
Sustainability claims
This company has sustainability claims on its website, including for labour practices and the environment.
Source: company website
(2014)
60.3% in Newsweek Green Ranking 2017
This company received a score of 60.3/100 in the Newsweek Green Ranking 2017, which ranks the world's largest publicly traded companies on eight indicators covering energy, greenhouse gases, water, waste, fines and penalties, linking executive pay to sustainability targets, board-level committee oversight of environmental issues and third-party audits. Ranking methodology by Corporate Knights and HIP Investor.
Source: Newsweek
(2017)
Responsible Minerals Initiative member
This company is a member of the Responsible Minerals Initiative (formerly the Conflict-Free Sourcing Initiative), which helps companies address conflict minerals issues in their supply chains. The RMI provides information on conflict-free smelters and refiners, common tools to gather sourcing information, and forums for exchanging best practices on addressing conflict minerals. Membership is open to companies that use or transact in tantalum, tin, tungsten or gold (3TG). Founded in 2008 by members of the Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition and the Global e-Sustainability Initiative.
Source: RMI
(2019)
37.8% for supply chain practices in China
The Green Supply Chain Corporate Information Transparency Index (CITI) evaluates consumer-facing companies that have a sizeable supply chain in China. The evaluation uses government supervision data and public information to assess the environmental management of their supply chains in China. This company received a score of 37.8/100 (retrieved 24 Nov 2023).
Source: IPE
(2023)
Conflict Minerals Ranking
In November 2017 the Enough Project published Demand the Supply, which ranked consumer electronics and jewelry retail companies on their efforts to develop conflict-free minerals supply chains from Congo. Companies were ranked on reporting; sourcing conflict-free minerals from Congo; supporting the artisanal mining communities in Eastern Congo; and conflict-free minerals advocacy. This company received a score of 42.5/120. [Listed under Information due to age of report]
Source: Enough Project
(2017)
Modern Slavery statement
California, the UK and Australia have all enacted legislation requiring companies operating within their borders to disclose their efforts to eradicate modern slavery from their operations and supply chains. Follow the link to see this company's disclosure statement.
Source: company website
(2021)
BHRRC company profile
Business & Human Rights Resource Centre digital platform presents news and allegations relating to the human rights impact of over 20,000 companies. Their enhanced Company Dashboards also include financial information, key data points based on corporate policies, and scores from prominent civil society benchmarks. Follow the link and use the search function to view this company's dashboard.
Source: BHRRC
(2022)
42% in Digital Inclusion Benchmark
The 2023 Digital Inclusion Benchmark ranks 200 companies on their responsibility to advance a more inclusive digital society. The companies were assessed using four measurement areas: access, skills, use and innovation. This company ranked #60/200, with a total score of 42/100.
Company Details
Type:
Public company
Revenue:
75.3 billion USD
(2019)
Employees:
273,858
(2019)
Subsidiaries:
Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd
Consumer and commercial electronics manufacturer
Sanyo means three oceans in Japanese. Merged with Panasonic in 2011 and restructured into Panasonic Appliance Company in 2013.
Panasonic Australia Pty Ltd
Electronic equipment wholesaling
Panasonic products and service have been available in Australia since 1962, and its local subsidiary was set up in 1989.
Contact Details
Products / Brands
Panasonic Australia
Lumix
Cameras/Camcorders
Panasonic
Audio Equipment
Panasonic
Blu-Ray/DVD Players
Panasonic
Irons
Panasonic
Soundbars
Panasonic
Televisions
Panasonic
Cameras/Camcorders
Panasonic
Air Purifiers
Panasonic
Air Conditioners
Panasonic
Fridges & Freezers
Panasonic
Microwaves
Panasonic
Washing Machines & Dryers
Panasonic
Small Kitchen Appliances