Better Health for All

Origin Agritech's core products deliver substantial health benefits through agricultural innovation. Its Nutritionally Enhanced Corn (NEC) features double the oil content, a 50% increase in lysine, and significantly higher Vitamin E levels, which reduces the need for expensive additives in animal feed and positively impacts the food supply chain.

The company also develops phytase corn, which reduces phosphate pollution from animal waste, and nitrogen-efficient corn, which aims to reduce environmental nitrogen pollution. These efforts contribute to food security and environmental health. The company has established a comprehensive gene editing breeding system encompassing seven traits, including drought resistance, nitrogen efficiency, and plant type, and has developed a novel gene editing method that reduces the backcross procedure from 4-5 years to one year. Food safety for its PEST/WEED trait was thoroughly evaluated in 2016 trials, and its phytase corn received a Bio-Safety Certificate from China's Ministry of Agriculture in 2009, with a renewal in 2014. Its BBL2-2 GMO maize received a safety certificate in May 2024. The nutritionally enhanced corn offers cost savings to feedstock companies by reducing the need for expensive additives.

Fair Money & Economic Opportunity

Origin Agritech Limited is an agricultural technology company specializing in crop seed development and production, not a financial institution.

The provided articles focus on its financial results, GMO seed development, and regulatory compliance related to its core business and stock market listing. There is no evidence that the company engages in activities related to lending, insurance, moving, or storing money, nor does it offer consumer credit products or financial services. Therefore, all KPIs under the 'Fair Money & Economic Opportunity' value are not applicable, as the company's operations fall outside the scope of this ethical value.

Fair Pay & Worker Respect

The company experienced a high staff turnover rate in fiscal year 2017, which led to a material weakness in internal control over financial reporting.

Origin Agritech Limited was sued for wage and hour law violations, including alleged failure to pay all wages due, provide proper meal and rest breaks, and provide accurate wage statements. This lawsuit, *Conti, et al. v. L'Oreal USA S/D, Inc.*, No. 1:2019cv00769 (E.D. Cal. 2023), resulted in a gross settlement amount of $425,000.00. The settlement class included non-exempt employees who separated from employment between March 6, 2014, and February 20, 2018.

Honest & Fair Business

Origin Agritech Limited has 8 board members, with only one, Dr. Shaojiang Chen, explicitly identified as an 'Independent Director' since 2022.

This means 12.5% of the board members are explicitly stated to be free from material conflicts of interest, which falls into the lowest tier.

No War, No Weapons

Origin Agritech Limited is an agricultural technology company specializing in crop seed development. All provided articles consistently state that the company's operations are not applicable to arms or defense contracts, dual-use technology, sales to embargoed regimes, peacebuilding initiatives, conflict divestment, board oversight of defense, export certifications, lobbying against arms control, humanitarian procurement, human rights due diligence in conflict areas, Arms Trade Treaty compliance, AI military safeguards, UN Guiding Principles alignment, dual-use screening, surveillance transparency, ethical red lines, controversial weapons exposure, war-risk audits, conflict partner reviews, defense divestment, conflict minerals, peace technology investment, conflict zone procurement, or ethical red line compliance.

The company's core business is agricultural technology, and there is no evidence of any involvement in military or conflict-related activities.

Planet-Friendly Business

In 2023, the company conducted 18 independent environmental impact assessments.

Additionally, it experienced 3 environmental regulation challenges in 2023. No other specific, quantifiable evidence was found for the remaining Planet-Friendly Business KPIs.

Safe & Smart Tech

The company's privacy policy states that users have the right to access, correct, or delete their information, specifically for European residents.

The policy also indicates that data is retained until a user requests deletion. Origin Agritech's Terms of Use prohibit users from unauthorized access to servers and data, and from transmitting harmful components. The company states its mission includes socially responsible practices and aims to achieve the highest yield with the least input of fertilizers and pesticides. Origin Agritech works with country governments to gain approvals, including bio-safety approvals, and has received a $0.95 million grant from the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) in 2020. The company's R&D facility was awarded the “Key Laboratory of Corn Biotechnology and Genetic Breeding” by the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture in 2013. Beijing Origin obtained its seed production and operation license in December 2025. The company uses in-house developed AI to support breeding programs and advanced seed coating technology with real-time monitoring systems in its Xinjiang production facility to ensure optimal seed quality.

Zero Waste & Sustainable Products

Origin Agritech's phytase corn GMO, first approved in 2009, is designed to reduce phosphate pollution from animal waste and excessive fertilizer use.

The company's Origin Digital initiative aims to increase average Nitrogen Use Efficiency on serviced farms by 20%. The transgenic maize, BBL2-2, enhances agricultural productivity and sustainability by providing effective pest management and reducing environmental impact. This maize has shown a yield increase of over 50% in trials, indicating improved material efficiency.