GRI-419 Archives - SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine https://sustaincase.com/category/gri-standards/gri-419/ Insights on how you can protect the environment, maintain and increase the value of your company, through a structured CSR/Sustainability process with the use of the GRI Standards. Learn how Today's Best-Run Companies are achieving Economic, Social, and Environmental Success - and How You Can Too... Mon, 06 Mar 2023 07:19:46 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0.4 Case study: How IPG promotes ethical business conduct https://sustaincase.com/case-study-how-ipg-promotes-ethical-business-conduct/ Wed, 24 Nov 2021 07:05:12 +0000 https://ccprowebs.com/new-sustaincase.com/?p=13069 IPG is a recognised leader in the development, manufacture and sale of a variety of paper and film-based pressure-sensitive and water-activated tapes, polyethylene and specialised polyolefin films, protective packaging, engineered coated products and packaging machinery for industrial and retail use. The Board of Directors and management of IPG believe that the highest standards of corporate governance are essential in the effective management of the company, as well as its ability to build sustainable worth for customers, business partners, employees, investors and communities. This case study is based on the 2019 Sustainability Report by IPG published on the Global Reporting Initiative […]

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]]> IPG is a recognised leader in the development, manufacture and sale of a variety of paper and film-based pressure-sensitive and water-activated tapes, polyethylene and specialised polyolefin films, protective packaging, engineered coated products and packaging machinery for industrial and retail use. The Board of Directors and management of IPG believe that the highest standards of corporate governance are essential in the effective management of the company, as well as its ability to build sustainable worth for customers, business partners, employees, investors and communities.

This case study is based on the 2019 Sustainability Report by IPG published on the Global Reporting Initiative Sustainability Disclosure Database that can be found at this link. Through all case studies we aim to demonstrate what CSR/ ESG/ sustainability reporting done responsibly means. Essentially, it means: a) identifying a company’s most important impacts on the environment, economy and society, and b) measuring, managing and changing.

Abstract

IPG is committed to maintaining a high standard of corporate governance  Tweet This!, and regularly reviews and updates its corporate governance systems considering changing practices, expectations and legal requirements. In order to promote ethical business conduct IPG took action to:

  • implement a Code of Conduct
  • fight corruption
  • combat anti-competitive behaviour

What are the material issues the company has identified?

In its 2019 Sustainability Report IPG identified a range of material issues, such as product design and innovation, employee retention, product safety, human rights and employment standards, data security. Among these, promoting ethical business conduct stands out as a key material issue for IPG.

Stakeholder engagement in accordance with the GRI Standards              

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) defines the Principle of Stakeholder Inclusiveness when identifying material issues (or a company’s most important impacts) as follows:

“The reporting organization shall identify its stakeholders, and explain how it has responded to their reasonable expectations and interests.”

Stakeholders must be consulted in the process of identifying a company’s most important impacts and their reasonable expectations and interests must be taken into account. This is an important cornerstone for CSR / sustainability reporting done responsibly.

Key stakeholder groups IPG engages with:

To identify and prioritise material topics IPG engaged with its stakeholders through the following channels:

Stakeholder Group                Method of engagement
Charitable organisations

 

 ·      Financial support

·      Employee volunteering

·      Donation of time and products
Communities

 

 ·      Open houses

·      Sponsorship of local events

·      Participation in local chambers of commerce
Consumers

 

 

 ·      Product labelling

·      Social media

·      Website contact form
Distribution or retail customers ·      Sales processes for product

·      Supply around the bundle and the market

·      Marketing support

·      Training support

·      End user trials/New product trials

·      Trade show booth presence

·      Customer appreciation events at trade shows

·      Social media
Employees

 

 ·      Newsletters

·      Quarterly videos

·      Variety of social media

·      Employee training

·      Town halls

·      Employee engagement activities

·      Surveys

·      Union interactions
Government and regulators ·      Regulatory filings

·      Public reporting

·      Product labelling
Industry organisations and other NGOs ·      Participation at trade shows and conferences

·      Membership and leadership positions

·      Participation at local, regional and national events
Shareholders and the IPG investor community ·      Annual Report and Annual Sustainability report

·      Annual shareholders meeting

·      Investor meetings

·      Road show events

·      Press releases
Vendors – other ·      Contracts

·      Routine business communication
Vendors – raw material suppliers ·      Monthly/Quarterly meetings

·      Annual business reviews

·      Routine business communication

·      Senior management meetings

·      Collaborative R&D training

·      Joint development

·      Negotiation

What actions were taken by IPG to promote ethical business conduct?

In its 2019 Sustainability Report IPG reports that it took the following actions for promoting ethical business conduct:

  • Implementing a Code of Conduct
  • IPG’s Code of Conduct provides an overview of its commitment to doing business the right way and sets out basic guiding principles that apply to all governance body members, workers, business partners and other stakeholders, regardless of location or nationality. IPG holds periodic information and training sessions for all directors, management personnel and employees to promote compliance with laws and regulations, as well as IPG’s policies and procedures. The Code of Conduct requires compliance with laws, regulations, and IPG’s policies and procedures. These policies and procedures include: Anti-bribery and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Policy, Insider Trading Policy, Whistleblower Policy, Diversity Statement and a No Harassment Policy. The Code of Conduct also addresses expectations of behavioural norms related to conflicts of interest, confidentiality and fair competition, discrimination and harassment, record-keeping, confidential information and protection, proper use of corporation assets and the responsibility of each employee for maintaining a safe and healthy workplace. Human Resources Managers at each location provide all new employees with either a written or electronic version of the Code of Conduct. Where necessary, a translated version of the Code of Conduct is provided; the Code of Conduct is currently available in four languages. Salaried employees complete an online training module. The Senior Vice President of Human Resources is responsible for efforts to communicate and train all governance body members, workers, business partners and other stakeholders regarding the Code of Conduct. Employees are encouraged to talk to supervisors, managers, human resources, the legal department, or other appropriate personnel about observed illegal or unethical behavior, and when in doubt about the best course of action in a situation. It is the policy of IPG not to allow retaliation for reports of misconduct by others made in good faith by employees. IPG expects employees to cooperate in internal investigations of potential misconduct and maintains a Business Conduct and Ethics Hotline, while its Whistleblower Policy protects those who use it from retaliation for any good faith report.
  • Fighting corruption
  • Bribes, kickbacks and other illegal payments to or from any individual with whom IPG conducts business are strictly prohibited. All governance body members, workers, business partners and other stakeholders receive communication about anti-corruption via the Code of Conduct which includes basic information and encourages all to review the Anti-Bribery and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Policy. IPG has completed an assessment of all its operations and has a third party assessing vendor compliance, and reports significant risks and/or breaches to the Audit Committee.
  • Combating anti-competitive behaviour
  • IPG did not have any legal actions pending or completed during the reporting period related to anti-competitive behaviour and violations. Management and other employees throughout the company received training by an outside legal counsel to educate them on the laws concerning anti-competitive behaviour to ensure compliance with all anti-competitive laws and regulations. IPG’s Code of Conduct further emphasises the importance of compliance with these requirements. Furthermore, IPG has not identified any material non-compliance with laws or regulations in the social and economic areas.

Which GRI Standards and corresponding Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been addressed?

The GRI Standards addressed in this case are:

1) Disclosure 205-1 Operations assessed for risks related to corruption

2) Disclosure 205-2 Communication and training about anti-corruption policies and procedures

3) Disclosure 206-1 Legal actions for anti-competitive behavior, anti-trust, and monopoly practices

4) Disclosure 419-1 Non-compliance with laws and regulations in the social and economic area

 

Disclosure 205-1 Operations assessed for risks related to corruption corresponds to:

Disclosure 205-2 Communication and training about anti-corruption policies and procedures corresponds to:

Disclosure 206-1 Legal actions for anti-competitive behavior, anti-trust, and monopoly practices corresponds to:

Disclosure 419-1 Non-compliance with laws and regulations in the social and economic area corresponds to:

 

78% of the world’s 250 largest companies report in accordance with the GRI Standards

SustainCase was primarily created to demonstrate, through case studies, the importance of dealing with a company’s most important impacts in a structured way, with use of the GRI Standards. To show how today’s best-run companies are achieving economic, social and environmental success – and how you can too.

Research by well-recognised institutions is clearly proving that responsible companies can look to the future with optimism.

7 GRI sustainability disclosures get you started

Any size business can start taking sustainability action

GRI, ISEP, CPD Certified Sustainability courses (2-5 days): Live Online or Classroom  (venue: London School of Economics)

  • Exclusive FBRH template to begin reporting from day one
  • Identify your most important impacts on the Environment, Economy and People
  • Formulate in group exercises your plan for action. Begin taking solid, focused, all-round sustainability action ASAP. 
  • Benchmarking methodology to set you on a path of continuous improvement

See upcoming training dates.
References:

1) This case study is based on published information by IPG, located at the link below. For the sake of readability, we did not use brackets or ellipses. However, we made sure that the extra or missing words did not change the report’s meaning. If you would like to quote these written sources from the original, please revert to the original on the Global Reporting Initiative’s Sustainability Disclosure Database at the link:

http://database.globalreporting.org/

2) https://www.globalreporting.org/standards/gri-standards-download-center/

Note to IPG: With each case study we send out an email requesting a comment on this case study. If you have not received such an email please contact us.

The post Case study: How IPG promotes ethical business conduct appeared first on SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine.

]]> Case study: How Miele promotes compliance https://sustaincase.com/case-study-how-miele-promotes-compliance/ Wed, 23 Jun 2021 06:06:50 +0000 https://ccprowebs.com/new-sustaincase.com/?p=12685 With 13 plants at a total of 12 locations, 8 of which are located in Germany, Miele is the world’s leading supplier of premium appliances for kitchen, laundry and floor care, also offering solutions for commercial applications. and to comply with internal guidelines, as well as self-imposed social and ethical standards. This case study is based on the 2019 Sustainability Report by Miele published on the Global Reporting Initiative Sustainability Disclosure Database that can be found at this link. Through all case studies we aim to demonstrate what CSR/ ESG/ sustainability reporting done responsibly means. Essentially, it means: a) identifying a […]

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]]> With 13 plants at a total of 12 locations, 8 of which are located in Germany, Miele is the world’s leading supplier of premium appliances for kitchen, laundry and floor care, also offering solutions for commercial applications. All Miele employees worldwide are obliged to abide by the law at all times  Tweet This! and to comply with internal guidelines, as well as self-imposed social and ethical standards.

This case study is based on the 2019 Sustainability Report by Miele published on the Global Reporting Initiative Sustainability Disclosure Database that can be found at this link. Through all case studies we aim to demonstrate what CSR/ ESG/ sustainability reporting done responsibly means. Essentially, it means: a) identifying a company’s most important impacts on the environment, economy and society, and b) measuring, managing and changing.

Abstract

The corporate culture at Miele involves fair and cooperative conduct vis-à-vis customers, colleagues and business partners. That is why the Miele Code of Conduct was introduced in 2008. In order to promote compliance Miele took action to:

  • implement a Code of Conduct
  • raise employees’ awareness of compliance
  • introduce an external ombudsperson

What are the material issues the company has identified?

In its 2019 Sustainability Report Miele identified a range of material issues, such as resource-efficient and consumption-optimised products, climate protection, digital products and services, supplier management. Among these, promoting compliance stands out as a key material issue for Miele.

Stakeholder engagement in accordance with the GRI Standards

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) defines the Principle of Stakeholder Inclusiveness when identifying material issues (or a company’s most important impacts) as follows:

“The reporting organization shall identify its stakeholders, and explain how it has responded to their reasonable expectations and interests.”

Stakeholders must be consulted in the process of identifying a company’s most important impacts and their reasonable expectations and interests must be taken into account. This is an important cornerstone for CSR / sustainability reporting done responsibly.

Key stakeholder groups Miele engages with:

To identify and prioritise material topics Miele engaged with its stakeholders through the following channels: 

Stakeholder Group                Method of engagement
Employees ·      Works council

·      Employee reviews

·      Corporate suggestion scheme

·      Employee survey

·      Complaints office
Customers ·      Miele Customer Service and sales talks

·      Customer hotline

·      Usability tests for various product groups in the test studio

·      Brand positioning surveys
Dealers ·      Dialogue with dealers and project partners in the area of domestic appliances and commercial equipment, particularly concerning customer requirements
Suppliers and service providers

 

 ·      Common working groups

·      Discussions with Miele’s purchasing department

·      Dialogue in the context of audits and training

·      Product innovation workshops
Associations and interest groups

 

 

 ·      Membership and active participation in national and international associations and interest groups, such as the ZVEI or APPLiA

·      Conference participation

·      Participation in EU public consultations
Non-governmental organisations ·      Dialogue with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) on relevant topics in the sector
Science and research

 

 

 ·      Collaboration with scientific institutions such as the universities in Bielefeld, Paderborn and Munich, as well as the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft on issues such as product development

·      Commissioning of studies on specialist topics

·      Exchange with the Oeko-Institut
Policymakers and legislators

 

 

 

 ·      Dialogue at national and European level by participating in committees, working groups and conferences

·      International dialogue with the sales subsidiaries, which in turn are represented in working groups and committees

·      Personal exchange at a regional level
Society/ public/ media

 

 ·      Answering questions on sustainability topics

·      Sustainability communication and report
Local communities

 

 

 ·      Exchange with the citizens at the locations in direct contact and at events

·      Social engagement at the locations

What actions were taken by Miele to promote compliance?

In its 2019 Sustainability Report Miele reports that it took the following actions for promoting compliance:

  • Implementing a Code of Conduct
  • The Miele Code of Conduct, which is available on the Miele intranet, contains provisions on how to prevent bribery and corruption, as well as policies on proper conduct in relation to conflicts of interest, donations and sponsoring. It also requires strict adherence to competition and antitrust legislation. The Code of Conduct is based on the corporate philosophy, the ethical guidelines for procurement, the principles of the UN Global Compact, the social standard SA8000 and the APPLiA Code of Conduct (formerly CECED). Since 2011, Miele has been a member of the BME compliance initiative and has committed itself to the association’s code of conduct. Compliance with individual aspects of the Code of Conduct, such as receiving and offering gifts, or how to deal with conflicts of interest, is reviewed in internal audits. In the event of violations, Miele will agree on corrective measures. As a rule, however, it is the responsibility of the functional managers to put appropriate guidelines in place to ensure that their employees’ tasks are always carried out in compliance with applicable laws, internal rules and the self-imposed ethical and social standards.
  • Raising employees’ awareness of compliance
  • At Miele, it is mandatory for relevant groups of employees to participate in an online compliance training programme on the Miele Code of Conduct. This includes managers as well as employees for whom the contents of the Miele Code of Conduct and the issue of compliance are particularly significant. They work primarily in the purchasing, internal audit, sales/field sales and specialist sales departments or are customer service inspectors. The programme is also open to all other interested employees and new employees are automatically informed that they have to complete the programme. To date, 3,514 people worldwide have completed the software-based training programme on the Code of Conduct, 812 of whom completed it during the reporting period. Since the end of 2016, employees at all locations involved in issues relating to competition and antitrust law are obliged to use this self-learning software on the subject of competition and antitrust legislation. The programme ends with a test, and records are kept on whether tests were passed. There is also a legal management system for the areas of environmental protection, energy and occupational health and safety, and an information management software system addressing product-related regulation worldwide.
  • Introducing an external ombudsperson
  • Since 2010, an external ombudsperson can be contacted if there is a suspicion of corruption, fraud or theft within Miele’s sphere of influence. Employees, suppliers and third parties all over the world are able to contact the ombudsperson. All employees throughout the world, and all suppliers in Germany, are informed about the existence of the ombudsperson upon starting work or entering into a relationship with Miele. No notifications were made to the ombudsperson during the reporting period, and there were no instances of contracts with business partners being terminated or failing to be extended due to corruption-related violations.

Which GRI Standards and corresponding Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been addressed?

The GRI Standards addressed in this case are:

1) Disclosure 205-2 Communication and training about anti-corruption policies and procedures

2) Disclosure 205-3 Confirmed incidents of corruption and actions taken

3) Disclosure 206-1 Legal actions for anti-competitive behavior, anti-trust, and monopoly practices

4) Disclosure 419-1 Non-compliance with laws and regulations in the social and economic area

 

Disclosure 205-2 Communication and training about anti-corruption policies and procedures corresponds to:

Disclosure 205-3 Confirmed incidents of corruption and actions taken corresponds to:

Disclosure 206-1 Legal actions for anti-competitive behavior, anti-trust, and monopoly practices corresponds to:

Disclosure 419-1 Non-compliance with laws and regulations in the social and economic area corresponds to:

 

78% of the world’s 250 largest companies report in accordance with the GRI Standards

SustainCase was primarily created to demonstrate, through case studies, the importance of dealing with a company’s most important impacts in a structured way, with use of the GRI Standards. To show how today’s best-run companies are achieving economic, social and environmental success – and how you can too.

Research by well-recognised institutions is clearly proving that responsible companies can look to the future with optimism.

7 GRI sustainability disclosures get you started

Any size business can start taking sustainability action

GRI, ISEP, CPD Certified Sustainability courses (2-5 days): Live Online or Classroom  (venue: London School of Economics)

  • Exclusive FBRH template to begin reporting from day one
  • Identify your most important impacts on the Environment, Economy and People
  • Formulate in group exercises your plan for action. Begin taking solid, focused, all-round sustainability action ASAP. 
  • Benchmarking methodology to set you on a path of continuous improvement

See upcoming training dates.
References:

1) This case study is based on published information by Miele, located at the link below. For the sake of readability, we did not use brackets or ellipses. However, we made sure that the extra or missing words did not change the report’s meaning. If you would like to quote these written sources from the original, please revert to the original on the Global Reporting Initiative’s Sustainability Disclosure Database at the link:

http://database.globalreporting.org/

2) https://www.globalreporting.org/standards/gri-standards-download-center/

Note to Miele: With each case study we send out an email requesting a comment on this case study. If you have not received such an email please contact us.

The post Case study: How Miele promotes compliance appeared first on SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine.

]]> Case study: How Apical promotes ethical business behaviour https://sustaincase.com/case-study-how-apical-promotes-ethical-business-behaviour/ Mon, 14 Dec 2020 09:26:22 +0000 https://ccprowebs.com/new-sustaincase.com/?p=12020   Apical Group is one the largest exporters of palm oil in Indonesia, managing the downstream business of palm oil production including sourcing, refining, processing, manufacturing, trading, and the distribution of palm oil and its products for the domestic and international markets. , and in accordance with strict legal and ethical standards. This case study is based on the 2019 Sustainability Report by Apical published on the Global Reporting Initiative Sustainability Disclosure Database that can be found at this link. Through all case studies we aim to demonstrate what CSR/ ESG/ sustainability reporting done responsibly means. Essentially, it means: a) identifying […]

The post Case study: How Apical promotes ethical business behaviour appeared first on SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine.

]]>  

Apical Group is one the largest exporters of palm oil in Indonesia, managing the downstream business of palm oil production including sourcing, refining, processing, manufacturing, trading, and the distribution of palm oil and its products for the domestic and international markets. Apical is firmly committed to conducting all its business activities with integrity  Tweet This!, and in accordance with strict legal and ethical standards.

This case study is based on the 2019 Sustainability Report by Apical published on the Global Reporting Initiative Sustainability Disclosure Database that can be found at this link. Through all case studies we aim to demonstrate what CSR/ ESG/ sustainability reporting done responsibly means. Essentially, it means: a) identifying a company’s most important impacts on the environment, economy and society, and b) measuring, managing and changing.

Abstract

Carrying out its business activities ethically and according to the highest governance standards is a key priority for Apical. In order to promote ethical business behaviour Apical took action to:

  • implement a Code of Conduct
  • apply a robust grievance handling process

What are the material issues the company has identified?

In its 2019 Sustainability Report Apical identified a range of material issues, such as product quality and safety, employee wages and benefits, emissions reduction, community livelihood & empowerment, climate action. Among these, promoting ethical business behaviour stands out as a key material issue for Apical.

Stakeholder engagement in accordance with the GRI Standards             

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) defines the Principle of Stakeholder Inclusiveness when identifying material issues (or a company’s most important impacts) as follows:

“The reporting organization shall identify its stakeholders, and explain how it has responded to their reasonable expectations and interests.”

Stakeholders must be consulted in the process of identifying a company’s most important impacts and their reasonable expectations and interests must be taken into account. This is an important cornerstone for CSR / sustainability reporting done responsibly.

Key stakeholder groups Apical engages with:

To identify and prioritise material topics Apical engaged with its stakeholders through the following channels:

Stakeholder Group                Method of engagement
Customers &

Consumers

 ·       One-on-one communication (periodic)

·       Conference calls (regularly)

·       Sustainability Report (annually)

·       Presentations and meetings (ad-hoc)

·       Apical Website (ad-hoc)

·       Apical Sustainability Dashboard (ad-hoc)

·       Survey (periodically)

·       Materiality assessment (every 2-3 years)

·       Consumer Focus Group Discussions
Banks & financial

institutions

 ·       E-mail updates (regularly)

·       One-on-one meetings (periodic)

·       Sustainability Report (annually)

·       Apical Website (ad-hoc)

·       Apical Sustainability Dashboard (ad-hoc)

·       Survey (periodically)

·       Materiality assessment (every 2-3 years)

·       Site visits (ad-hoc)
Industry groups, trade associations and certification bodies ·       One-on-one Meetings (regularly)

·       Multi-stakeholder forums (regularly)

·       Sustainability Report (annually)

·       Apical Website (ad-hoc)

·       Apical Sustainability Dashboard (ongoing)

·       Survey (periodically)

·       Materiality assessment (every 2-3 years)

·       Multi-stakeholder forums and events (regularly)
Employees ·       Annual appraisals and PRP

·       Townhall meetings (annually)

·       Major festivals celebrations (annually)

·       HR training programmes (ongoing)

·       Apical Website (ad hoc)

·       Apical Sustainability Dashboard (ongoing)

·       Materiality assessment (every 2-3 years)
Local community

 

 ·       Dialogue with community groups and representatives facilitated by Apical’s dedicated SSL team (regularly)

·       Outreach programmes to improve livelihood (annually)

·       Apical’s grievance mechanism to understand and address community concerns including FPIC and environmental conservation (ongoing)

·       Complaint handling, grievance procedures and conflict resolution engagement (ad hoc)

·       Surveys (periodically)
Governments and regulatory bodies ·       One-on-one meetings (ad hoc)

·       Multi-stakeholder forums and events (regularly)

·       Consultations (regularly)

·       Apical Website (ad hoc)

·       Apical Sustainability Dashboard (ongoing)

·       Materiality assessment (every 2 years)

·       Field visits (regularly)

·       Survey (periodically)
Suppliers including smallholders ·       Anchor Programmes

·       One-on-one communication (ongoing)

·       Apical Website (ad-hoc)

·       Sustainability Report (annually)

·       Apical Sustainability Dashboard (ongoing)

·       Materiality assessment (every 2-3 years)

·       Survey (periodically)

What actions were taken by Apical to promote ethical business behaviour?

In its 2019 Sustainability Report Apical reports that it took the following actions for promoting ethical business behaviour:

  • Implementing a Code of Conduct
  • All members of Apical’s BoD and employees must adhere to the RGE Global Code of Conduct (RGE Code), which is disseminated as part of Apical’s new hire orientation process. The RGE Code guides Apical’s daily business conduct by providing a framework for how Apical should behave in line with its values to achieve sustainable business practices and maintain a strong reputation. Everyone at Apical has a responsibility to report illegal, irregular, dangerous or unethical activities which contravene the RGE Code and related key documents, without the risk of reprisal. As a first point of contact, employees can get in touch with their reporting manager or Human Resources representative. For more severe cases of misconduct, employees may contact the Internal Audit Confidential Hotline. In 2019, there were no cases of breach of the RGE Code, including corruption. There were also no significant fines and non-monetary sanctions for non-compliance with laws and regulations in the environmental, social and economic area. Additionally, Apical complies with the various tax systems that the Group operates in (Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Spain, China etc). Apical carries out monthly tax reviews to make sure all key tax positions such as transfer pricing, cross border transactions, tax compliance and tax planning decisions are taken. Key decisions for tax matters are undertaken collectively between the Group and the corporate office tax team, to ensure checks and balances.
  • Applying a robust grievance handling process
  • To make sure that the standards set out in its policies are being adhered to, Apical has set up a robust grievance handling process for all stakeholders to raise concerns related to Apical’s business or suppliers. All grievances raised are dealt with in a transparent and accountable manner. The grievance process is managed and implemented by Apical’s Grievance Steering Committee (GSC), Grievance Secretariat, Stakeholder Engagement Team and Verification Team. The Apical Grievance Procedure covers all activities related to the management of stakeholders’ concerns. Apical’s grievance process includes a whistleblowing channel and a Grievance Alert System that delivers prompt notifications on matters raised against Apical or its In 2019, there were 22 grievances raised against Apical’s suppliers, which were related to the clearing of forest and peatland areas. Apart from grievances tracked at group-level, each refinery also has their own grievance management process.

Which GRI Standards and corresponding Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been addressed?

The GRI Standards addressed in this case are:

1) Disclosure 205-3 Confirmed incidents of corruption and actions taken

2) Disclosure 419-1 Non-compliance with laws and regulations in the social and economic area

 

Disclosure 205-3 Confirmed incidents of corruption and actions taken corresponds to:

  • Targets: 16.5

Disclosure 419-1 Non-compliance with laws and regulations in the social and economic area corresponds to:

 

78% of the world’s 250 largest companies report in accordance with the GRI Standards

SustainCase was primarily created to demonstrate, through case studies, the importance of dealing with a company’s most important impacts in a structured way, with use of the GRI Standards. To show how today’s best-run companies are achieving economic, social and environmental success – and how you can too.

Research by well-recognised institutions is clearly proving that responsible companies can look to the future with optimism.

7 GRI sustainability disclosures get you started

Any size business can start taking sustainability action

GRI, ISEP, CPD Certified Sustainability courses (2-5 days): Live Online or Classroom  (venue: London School of Economics)

  • Exclusive FBRH template to begin reporting from day one
  • Identify your most important impacts on the Environment, Economy and People
  • Formulate in group exercises your plan for action. Begin taking solid, focused, all-round sustainability action ASAP. 
  • Benchmarking methodology to set you on a path of continuous improvement

See upcoming training dates.
References:

1) This case study is based on published information by Apical, located at the link below. For the sake of readability, we did not use brackets or ellipses. However, we made sure that the extra or missing words did not change the report’s meaning. If you would like to quote these written sources from the original, please revert to the original on the Global Reporting Initiative’s Sustainability Disclosure Database at the link:

http://database.globalreporting.org/

2) https://www.globalreporting.org/standards/gri-standards-download-center/

Note to Apical: With each case study we send out an email requesting a comment on this case study. If you have not received such an email please contact us.

The post Case study: How Apical promotes ethical business behaviour appeared first on SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine.

]]> Case study: How Challenger promotes business integrity https://sustaincase.com/case-study-how-challenger-promotes-business-integrity/ Fri, 11 Dec 2020 06:46:37 +0000 https://ccprowebs.com/new-sustaincase.com/?p=12015   Challenger is Australia’s largest provider of annuities, providing reliable, guaranteed income payments to thousands of Australian retirees. Challenger recognises that its ability to continue to deliver value for its stakeholders relies on trust and confidence in its business. Accordingly, and actively engages in industry-wide commitments. This case study is based on the 2020 Sustainability Report by Challenger published on the Global Reporting Initiative Sustainability Disclosure Database that can be found at this link. Through all case studies we aim to demonstrate what CSR/ ESG/ sustainability reporting done responsibly means. Essentially, it means: a) identifying a company’s most important impacts on […]

The post Case study: How Challenger promotes business integrity appeared first on SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine.

]]>  

Challenger is Australia’s largest provider of annuities, providing reliable, guaranteed income payments to thousands of Australian retirees. Challenger recognises that its ability to continue to deliver value for its stakeholders relies on trust and confidence in its business. Accordingly, Challenger has set and maintains high standards of conduct  Tweet This! and actively engages in industry-wide commitments.

This case study is based on the 2020 Sustainability Report by Challenger published on the Global Reporting Initiative Sustainability Disclosure Database that can be found at this link. Through all case studies we aim to demonstrate what CSR/ ESG/ sustainability reporting done responsibly means. Essentially, it means: a) identifying a company’s most important impacts on the environment, economy and society, and b) measuring, managing and changing.

Abstract

Challenger’s values are integral to its culture and linked to everything Challenger does. They represent what makes Challenger’s culture special and set out the behaviours Challenger needs to meet community expectations and make sure it can deliver on its vision and strategy. In order to promote business integrity Challenger took action to:

  • implement a Code of Conduct
  • apply a Political Donations policy
  • implement a Privacy policy
  • develop a Whistleblower policy

What are the material issues the company has identified?

In its 2020 Sustainability Report Challenger identified a range of material issues, such as long-term risk management, better customer outcomes, changing operating environment, public policy settings, economic uncertainty. Among these, promoting business integrity stands out as a key material issue for Challenger.

Stakeholder engagement in accordance with the GRI Standards             

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) defines the Principle of Stakeholder Inclusiveness when identifying material issues (or a company’s most important impacts) as follows:

“The reporting organization shall identify its stakeholders, and explain how it has responded to their reasonable expectations and interests.”

Stakeholders must be consulted in the process of identifying a company’s most important impacts and their reasonable expectations and interests must be taken into account. This is an important cornerstone for CSR / sustainability reporting done responsibly.

Key stakeholder groups Challenger engages with:

To identify and prioritise material topics Challenger engaged with its stakeholders through the following channels:

Stakeholder Group                Method of engagement
Customers ·       Survey

·       Call centre

·       Website and social media

·       Presentations
Shareholders ·       Regular financial reporting

·       Investor Days

·       Management meetings with investors and prospective investors

·       Chair engagement with significant investors
Employees ·       Intranet and Yammer

·       Employee briefings

·       Surveys

·       Senior leadership forums

·       ESG workshops

·       Ongoing team meetings
Government & regulators ·       Policy analysis

·       Government and industry submissions

·       Industry forums and conferences

·       Ongoing meetings
Communities

 

 ·       Strategic partnership

·       Volunteering

·       Workplace giving & matching

·       Fundraising initiatives

·       Shared research activities

What actions were taken by Challenger to promote business integrity?

In its 2020 Sustainability Report Challenger reports that it took the following actions for promoting business integrity:

  • Implementing a Code of Conduct
  • In February 2020 Challenger refreshed and updated its Code of Conduct. The Code sets out expectations for how Challenger acts, solves problems and makes fair and balanced decisions. It brings together Challenger’s corporate values and its group policies and statements, outlining what is expected of leaders, how consequences are managed, and where employees can go to speak up. Challenger’s Code of Conduct sits across all areas of its business and applies to everyone, irrespective of their role, seniority or any other factor, and all Challenger employees have a shared Delivering on the UN SDGs responsibility to apply it consistently.
  • Applying a Political Donations policy
  • Challenger has taken the approach of not making political donations and understands the importance of following best practice approaches and remaining flexible to changing community expectations. At the same time, Challenger engages actively with politicians and other government representatives to contribute to effective public policy outcomes in a way that meets the expectations of its stakeholders and supports its customers and business.
  • Implementing a Privacy policy
  • Challenger follows a ‘privacy-by-design’ approach, where privacy drives decision-making processes. This approach applies to every stakeholder and is used throughout Challenger’s Challenger’s Privacy policy sets out its approach for making sure it manages its customers’ information in a way that meets existing privacy regulations and customers’ expectations. Challenger has had no significant privacy complaints or breaches during the 2020 financial year and was not required to make any data breach reports to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner under Australia’s Notifiable Data Breaches scheme during the year.
  • Developing a Whistleblower policy
  • Challenger is committed to demonstrating transparency and enhancing stakeholder trust. Through its whistleblower provisions, employees, contractors, former employees, suppliers, service providers and relatives are encouraged to speak up. Challenger’s Whistleblower policy outlines the process for raising concerns and the protections and support available to whistleblowers. Challenger provides an independent whistleblower service so users can easily raise concerns through multiple channels and be assured of their anonymity if they desire.

Which GRI Standards and corresponding Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been addressed?

The GRI Standards addressed in this case are:

1) Disclosure 415-1 Political contributions

2) Disclosure 418-1 Substantiated complaints concerning breaches of customer privacy and losses of customer data

3) Disclosure 419-1 Non-compliance with laws and regulations in the social and economic area

 

Disclosure 415-1 Political contributions corresponds to:

Disclosure 418-1 Substantiated complaints concerning breaches of customer privacy and losses of customer data corresponds to:

Disclosure 419-1 Non-compliance with laws and regulations in the social and economic area corresponds to:

 

78% of the world’s 250 largest companies report in accordance with the GRI Standards

SustainCase was primarily created to demonstrate, through case studies, the importance of dealing with a company’s most important impacts in a structured way, with use of the GRI Standards. To show how today’s best-run companies are achieving economic, social and environmental success – and how you can too.

Research by well-recognised institutions is clearly proving that responsible companies can look to the future with optimism.

7 GRI sustainability disclosures get you started

Any size business can start taking sustainability action

GRI, ISEP, CPD Certified Sustainability courses (2-5 days): Live Online or Classroom  (venue: London School of Economics)

  • Exclusive FBRH template to begin reporting from day one
  • Identify your most important impacts on the Environment, Economy and People
  • Formulate in group exercises your plan for action. Begin taking solid, focused, all-round sustainability action ASAP. 
  • Benchmarking methodology to set you on a path of continuous improvement

See upcoming training dates.
References:

1) This case study is based on published information by Challenger, located at the link below. For the sake of readability, we did not use brackets or ellipses. However, we made sure that the extra or missing words did not change the report’s meaning. If you would like to quote these written sources from the original, please revert to the original on the Global Reporting Initiative’s Sustainability Disclosure Database at the link:

http://database.globalreporting.org/

2) https://www.globalreporting.org/standards/gri-standards-download-center/

Note to Challenger: With each case study we send out an email requesting a comment on this case study. If you have not received such an email please contact us.

The post Case study: How Challenger promotes business integrity appeared first on SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine.

]]> Case study: How Quebec Iron Ore promotes ethical business behaviour https://sustaincase.com/case-study-how-quebec-iron-ore-promotes-ethical-business-behaviour/ Fri, 13 Nov 2020 07:00:46 +0000 https://ccprowebs.com/new-sustaincase.com/?p=11697 Founded in 2015, Quebec Iron Ore is one of the world’s largest independent producers of high-grade iron ore following the 2018 launch of operations at its main asset, the Bloom Lake Mine in Quebec, Canada. Quebec Iron Ore and its parent company, Champion Iron Limited, use a variety of tools such as policies, training, charters, codes and procedures to foster and maintain a corporate culture that encourages ethical behaviour and compliance with their obligations. This case study is based on the 2019 Sustainability Report by Quebec Iron Ore published on the Global Reporting Initiative Sustainability Disclosure Database that can be found […]

The post Case study: How Quebec Iron Ore promotes ethical business behaviour appeared first on SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine.

]]> Founded in 2015, Quebec Iron Ore is one of the world’s largest independent producers of high-grade iron ore following the 2018 launch of operations at its main asset, the Bloom Lake Mine in Quebec, Canada. Quebec Iron Ore and its parent company, Champion Iron Limited, use a variety of tools such as policies, training, charters, codes and procedures to foster and maintain a corporate culture that encourages ethical behaviour and compliance with their obligations.

This case study is based on the 2019 Sustainability Report by Quebec Iron Ore published on the Global Reporting Initiative Sustainability Disclosure Database that can be found at this link. Through all case studies we aim to demonstrate what CSR/ ESG/ sustainability reporting done responsibly means. Essentially, it means: a) identifying a company’s most important impacts on the environment, economy and society, and b) measuring, managing and changing.

Abstract

Layout 1Abstract                  

Quebec Iron Ore’s reputation and the trust of those with whom it does business are among the most important assets of its business. Accordingly, it is essential for Quebec Iron Ore to conduct its business while respecting the highest standards of integrity, transparency and excellence  Tweet This!. In order to promote ethical business behaviour Quebec Iron Ore took action to:

  • implement an Employee Code of Conduct
  • provide training
  • promote misconduct reporting

What are the material issues the company has identified?

In its 2019 Sustainability Report Quebec Iron Ore identified a range of material issues, such as health, safety and well-being, water stewardship, mine tailings management, equity and equal opportunity employment, respect for ecosystem support capacity, human capital management and engagement. Among these, promoting ethical business behaviour stands out as a key material issue for Quebec Iron Ore.

Stakeholder engagement in accordance with the GRI Standards              

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) defines the Principle of Stakeholder Inclusiveness when identifying material issues (or a company’s most important impacts) as follows:

“The reporting organization shall identify its stakeholders, and explain how it has responded to their reasonable expectations and interests.”

Stakeholders must be consulted in the process of identifying a company’s most important impacts and their reasonable expectations and interests must be taken into account. This is an important cornerstone for CSR / sustainability reporting done responsibly.

Key stakeholder groups Quebec Iron Ore engages with:

Stakeholder Group
Governments
Investors
Employees
Clients
Indigenous groups
Media
Local communities
Society
Shareholders
Suppliers
Union
Non-governmental organisations
Industry peers

How stakeholder engagement was made to identify material issues

To identify and prioritise material topics Quebec Iron Ore engaged with a total of 564 stakeholders – including employees, managers, the union, indigenous groups, suppliers, investors, clients, governments, municipalities, associations, and industry peers – through a survey and interview, asking them to rate the importance of the topics by ranking them on a scale of 0 (no importance) to 4 (great importance), and to indicate their level of satisfaction with how Quebec Iron Ore manages important issues.

What actions were taken by Quebec Iron Ore to promote ethical business behaviour?

In its 2019 Sustainability Report Quebec Iron Ore reports that it took the following actions for promoting ethical business behaviour:

  • Implementing an Employee Code of Conduct
  • Quebec Iron Ore produced an Employee Code of Conduct in 2017 that set standards for the behaviour expected of all staff in their daily activities and in their relationships with others. Although exhaustive, this Code does not deal with all situations that may occur, but provides guiding principles to support a decision process consistent with Quebec Iron Ore’s values, commitments and reputation. It outlines the key responsibilities of Quebec Iron Ore’s employees to shareholders of the parent company Champion Iron Limited, as well as individuals and communities. All employees and managers have an obligation to be aware of the Code and to agree to adhere to it. It should be noted that all employees, officers and directors are also subject to the Code of Conduct of the parent company, Champion Iron Limited.
  • Providing training
  • In 2019, Quebec Iron Ore launched an online training and certification course on the Employee Code of Conduct. In addition to reviewing the key topics of the Code, the process includes a mandatory test to ensure understanding of the concepts learned as well as a commitment to comply with the Code at all times. The test must be passed with a score of 100% for certification to be obtained. Training and certification must be renewed on an annual basis by all staff. The same process applies to the parent company’s Code of Conduct. Training and certification in the parent company’s and Quebec Iron Ore’s codes of conduct will be mandatory, starting in 2020. All staff should also be familiar with various company policies and procedures that provide detailed advice, guidance and directives on specific situations that may arise in the course of their work and ensure that they make the right decisions and do the right things.
  • Promoting misconduct reporting
  • Everyone working for Quebec Iron Ore has a duty to promptly report any situation in which its codes of conduct, their underlying policies or the law appear to have been violated. Champion Iron Limited will introduce a whistleblower policy for the parent company and its subsidiaries in 2020, which will apply to Quebec Iron Ore. This policy will notably be accompanied by an anonymous reporting procedure through a platform administered by an independent third party. Additionally, in accordance with its Code of Conduct, anyone working for Quebec Iron Ore who violates any law, the Code of Conduct or other policies or procedures may be subject to disciplinary action, up to
and including termination of employment. In 2019, Quebec Iron Ore received two reports related to a potential Code violation, which were treated with the utmost diligence. No one was fired for violating the Code of Conduct.

Which GRI Standards and corresponding Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been addressed?

The GRI Standards addressed in this case are:

1) Disclosure 205-2 Communication and training about anti-corruption policies and procedures

2) Disclosure 205-3 Confirmed incidents of corruption and actions taken

3) Disclosure 206-1 Legal actions for anti-competitive behavior, anti-trust, and monopoly practices

4) Disclosure 419-1 Non-compliance with laws and regulations in the social and economic area

 

Disclosure 205-2 Communication and training about anti-corruption policies and procedures corresponds to:

Disclosure 205-3 Confirmed incidents of corruption and actions taken corresponds to:

Disclosure 206-1 Legal actions for anti-competitive behavior, anti-trust, and monopoly practices corresponds to:

Disclosure 419-1 Non-compliance with laws and regulations in the social and economic area corresponds to:

 

78% of the world’s 250 largest companies report in accordance with the GRI Standards

SustainCase was primarily created to demonstrate, through case studies, the importance of dealing with a company’s most important impacts in a structured way, with use of the GRI Standards. To show how today’s best-run companies are achieving economic, social and environmental success – and how you can too.

Research by well-recognised institutions is clearly proving that responsible companies can look to the future with optimism.

7 GRI sustainability disclosures get you started

Any size business can start taking sustainability action

GRI, ISEP, CPD Certified Sustainability courses (2-5 days): Live Online or Classroom  (venue: London School of Economics)

  • Exclusive FBRH template to begin reporting from day one
  • Identify your most important impacts on the Environment, Economy and People
  • Formulate in group exercises your plan for action. Begin taking solid, focused, all-round sustainability action ASAP. 
  • Benchmarking methodology to set you on a path of continuous improvement

See upcoming training dates.
References:

1) This case study is based on published information by Quebec Iron Ore, located at the link below. For the sake of readability, we did not use brackets or ellipses. However, we made sure that the extra or missing words did not change the report’s meaning. If you would like to quote these written sources from the original, please revert to the original on the Global Reporting Initiative’s Sustainability Disclosure Database at the link:

http://database.globalreporting.org/

2) https://www.globalreporting.org/standards/gri-standards-download-center/

Note to Quebec Iron Ore: With each case study we send out an email requesting a comment on this case study. If you have not received such an email please contact us.

The post Case study: How Quebec Iron Ore promotes ethical business behaviour appeared first on SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine.

]]> Case study: How Stoelzle promotes legal compliance https://sustaincase.com/case-study-how-stoelzle-promotes-legal-compliance/ Fri, 09 Oct 2020 06:04:20 +0000 https://ccprowebs.com/new-sustaincase.com/?p=11502 Looking back on more than 200 years of glass production, Stoelzle consists of six production sites and three decoration facilities in Europe, taking advantage of both its historical background and modern technologies. A responsible and lawful conduct, as well as respect for human rights, is an integral part of the Stoelzle Glass Group’s corporate culture. This case study is based on the 2019 Sustainability Report by Stoelzle published on the Global Reporting Initiative Sustainability Disclosure Database that can be found at this link. Through all case studies we aim to demonstrate what CSR/ ESG/ sustainability reporting done responsibly means. Essentially, it […]

The post Case study: How Stoelzle promotes legal compliance appeared first on SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine.

]]> Looking back on more than 200 years of glass production, Stoelzle consists of six production sites and three decoration facilities in Europe, taking advantage of both its historical background and modern technologies. A responsible and lawful conduct, as well as respect for human rights, is an integral part of the Stoelzle Glass Group’s corporate culture.

This case study is based on the 2019 Sustainability Report by Stoelzle published on the Global Reporting Initiative Sustainability Disclosure Database that can be found at this link. Through all case studies we aim to demonstrate what CSR/ ESG/ sustainability reporting done responsibly means. Essentially, it means: a) identifying a company’s most important impacts on the environment, economy and society, and b) measuring, managing and changing.

Abstract

Stoelzle considers compliance and integrity to be a central requirement for ongoing business relations  Tweet This!, and for securing long-term corporate success. In order to promote legal compliance Stoelzle took action to:

  • implement a Code of Conduct
  • apply a software-based legal database
  • promote business ethics and anti-corruption
  • comply with the legal requirements of product liability
  • implement a Supplier Code of Conduct

What are the material issues the company has identified?

In its 2019 Sustainability Report Stoelzle identified a range of material issues, such as employee health and safety, emissions, consumer awareness, avoidance of problematic substances, employee communication & participation. Among these, promoting legal compliance stands out as a key material issue for Stoelzle.

Stakeholder engagement in accordance with the GRI Standards              

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) defines the Principle of Stakeholder Inclusiveness when identifying material issues (or a company’s most important impacts) as follows:

“The reporting organization shall identify its stakeholders, and explain how it has responded to their reasonable expectations and interests.”

Stakeholders must be consulted in the process of identifying a company’s most important impacts and their reasonable expectations and interests must be taken into account. This is an important cornerstone for CSR / sustainability reporting done responsibly.

Key stakeholder groups Stoelzle engages with:

Stakeholder Group                Method of engagement
Owner & Supervisory Board ·      Board meetings

·      Conferences
Management & Sister Plants ·      Management meetings

·      Group telephone calls
Employees ·      Employee dialogues & surveys

·      Internal media

·      Employee events

·      Company meetings

·      Mentoring programmes
Clients ·      Customer dialogues

·      Customer surveys

·      Social media

·      Trade fairs

·      Media
Suppliers and Contractors

 

 ·      Dialogues

·      Trade fairs

·      Training

·      Audits
Work Councils ·      Dialogues
Local Stakeholders & Neighbourhood

 

 ·      Personal talks

·      Plant tours

·      Neighbourhood discussions
Science & Research

 

 

 ·      Round tables

·      R&D cooperation

·      Lectures

·      Discussions
Authorities

 

 ·      Events

·      Submissions
Media

 

 ·      Press information

·      Interviews

·      Telephone conversations

·      Informal exchange
Networks & Associations

 

 ·      Participation of (top) managers or technical experts in initiatives, forums and events

·      Memberships in initiatives

How stakeholder engagement was made to identify material issues

To identify and prioritise material topics Stoelzle carried out an anonymous and independent survey among 80 key stakeholders who included customers, suppliers, and employees.

What actions were taken by Stoelzle to promote legal compliance?

In its 2019 Sustainability Report Stoelzle reports that it took the following actions for promoting legal compliance:

  • Implementing a Code of Conduct
  • The Stoelzle Code of Conduct is the basis of Stoelzle’s Compliance Management. With this code, Stoelzle commits itself to compliance in general, and underlines the commitment of all employees to responsible behaviour and compliance with applicable law. In 2020, Stoelzle will conduct a Group-wide communication and training campaign on the topics of integrity and responsible conduct, aimed at all employees. Compliance Management will be applied to all compliance issues, in particular to prevent corruption and anti-competitive behaviour, as well as to ensure that human rights are respected at all Stoelzle’s The key elements of the system include internal compliance regulations, legal monitoring, complaint management, employee training and communication. Moreover, in 2019, the existing Code of Conduct was completely revised. In a Group-wide and interdisciplinary team, a value-based framework for legal conduct valid for all employees was created, in several joint workshops. The new Code of Conduct encompasses the following principles:
    • Compliance with regulations
    • Respect for human rights
    • General business practices & integrity
    • Internal collaboration
    • Social responsibility
  • In addition, IT-supported applications for legal databases in the area of quality, environmental law and working conditions were further expanded. In 2018, for example, a programme was launched to audit all locations. The aim of the audit is to make sure that all local environmental and occupational health and safety legislation, as well as company operating requirements, are being complied with. Independent local experts who are well acquainted with national and local law are consulted for the audit. Furthermore, Stoelzle keeps itself continuously up-to-date and proactively informed about new requirements with the help of nominated representatives and external consultants.
  • Applying a software-based legal database
  • Stoelzle increased legal compliance through the implementation of a software-based legal database in the field of environmental and working conditions: in Austria, France and the Czech Republic legal audits were carried out in the field of environmental and working conditions by independent third parties, without any significant deviations in findings. The legal obligations are checked every six months to ensure their up-to-datedness and compliance. Additionally, a Group-wide legal database is to be implemented by the end of 2020.
  • Promoting business ethics and anti-corruption
  • Stoelzle’s employees have the opportunity to ask questions about compliance issues to their managers or to the Stoelzle Group Compliance Contact. External stakeholders can revert to a whistleblower system, which has been integrated into the Stoelzle website. Within the company, eventual infringements can be reported anonymously via the Stoelzle Compliance Line. The Stoelzle Group Compliance Office deals with eventual infringements and sets necessary corrective actions. Despite the manifold scope of its activities, Stoelzle can report that no cases of anticompetitive behaviour, corruption, discrimination, unfair competition or related issues emerged in the reporting period.
  • Complying with the legal requirements of product liability
  • The Stoelzle Management System aims to avoid product liability cases. Due to the properties of glass, and despite extensive processes for assuring product safety, it is possible that glass breakage may put human health at risk during the use of said glass products. In such cases, Stoelzle works in close cooperation with the customer and provides support with its complete system of traceability. Glass containers for pharmaceutical use must also comply with the specifications established in pharmacopoeia monographs for pharmaceutical glass containers. The Stoelzle sites in Austria and the Czech Republic, where processes and product ranges are specifically geared towards pharmaceutical products, are equipped with special facilities and equipment. This allows Stoelzle to guarantee the pharmaceutical quality of the products. The labelling of the glass products, if applicable to the container, is carried out in accordance with the Finished Pack regulations in accordance with ISO norms (e.g. ISO 8362-4 for injection vials made from moulded glass), and especially in accordance with customer requirements. These requirements are defined in the internal documents, which guarantees the correct labelling. In the reporting year, there were no instances of non-compliance with product labelling. In the period under review, Stoelzle received no fines or sanctions with respect to non-compliance with the legal requirements of product liability.
  • Implementing a Supplier Code of Conduct
  • Stoelzle works together with its suppliers and partners throughout the entire value chain in order to initiate positive changes. This cooperation is based on the Supplier Code of Conduct, written in 2019. With this guideline, Stoelzle is actively committed to improving sustainable performance along the value chain and thus in the final product in order to create positive effects and additional benefits for people and the environment. The implementation of this guideline will be part of the contractual agreement between Stoelzle and its partners and will be checked in the supplier audits. The rollout of Stoelzle’s global Supplier Code of Conduct will start in 2020.

Which GRI Standards and corresponding Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been addressed?

The GRI Standards addressed in this case are:

1) Disclosure 205-3 Confirmed incidents of corruption and actions taken

2) Disclosure 206-1 Legal actions for anti-competitive behavior, anti-trust, and monopoly practices

3) Disclosure 307-1 Non-compliance with environmental laws and regulations

4) Disclosure 419-1 Non-compliance with laws and regulations in the social and economic area

 

Disclosure 205-3 Confirmed incidents of corruption and actions taken corresponds to:

Disclosure 206-1 Legal actions for anti-competitive behavior, anti-trust, and monopoly practices corresponds to:

Disclosure 307-1 Non-compliance with environmental laws and regulations corresponds to:

Disclosure 419-1 Non-compliance with laws and regulations in the social and economic area corresponds to:

 

78% of the world’s 250 largest companies report in accordance with the GRI Standards

SustainCase was primarily created to demonstrate, through case studies, the importance of dealing with a company’s most important impacts in a structured way, with use of the GRI Standards. To show how today’s best-run companies are achieving economic, social and environmental success – and how you can too.

Research by well-recognised institutions is clearly proving that responsible companies can look to the future with optimism.

7 GRI sustainability disclosures get you started

Any size business can start taking sustainability action

GRI, ISEP, CPD Certified Sustainability courses (2-5 days): Live Online or Classroom  (venue: London School of Economics)

  • Exclusive FBRH template to begin reporting from day one
  • Identify your most important impacts on the Environment, Economy and People
  • Formulate in group exercises your plan for action. Begin taking solid, focused, all-round sustainability action ASAP. 
  • Benchmarking methodology to set you on a path of continuous improvement

See upcoming training dates.
References:

1) This case study is based on published information by Stoelzle, located at the link below. For the sake of readability, we did not use brackets or ellipses. However, we made sure that the extra or missing words did not change the report’s meaning. If you would like to quote these written sources from the original, please revert to the original on the Global Reporting Initiative’s Sustainability Disclosure Database at the link:

http://database.globalreporting.org/

2) https://www.globalreporting.org/standards/gri-standards-download-center/

Note to Stoelzle: With each case study we send out an email requesting a comment on this case study. If you have not received such an email please contact us.

The post Case study: How Stoelzle promotes legal compliance appeared first on SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine.

]]> Case study: How Ratos promotes business ethics and anti-corruption https://sustaincase.com/case-study-how-ratos-promotes-business-ethics-and-anti-corruption/ Mon, 24 Aug 2020 06:07:21 +0000 https://ccprowebs.com/new-sustaincase.com/?p=11325  With 12,200 employees and 12 companies in three business areas, Ratos is a business group that enables independent mid-sized companies headquartered in the Nordics to excel by being part of something larger. Ratos’s parent company and Ratos’s companies must all ensure transparent and sound corporate governance, and carry out their businesses with good business ethics and proactive anti-corruption initiatives. This case study is based on the 2019 Annual Report by Ratos published on the Global Reporting Initiative Sustainability Disclosure Database that can be found at this link. Through all case studies we aim to demonstrate what CSR/ ESG/ sustainability reporting done […]

The post Case study: How Ratos promotes business ethics and anti-corruption appeared first on SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine.

]]>  With 12,200 employees and 12 companies in three business areas, Ratos is a business group that enables independent mid-sized companies headquartered in the Nordics to excel by being part of something larger. Ratos’s parent company and Ratos’s companies must all ensure transparent and sound corporate governance, and carry out their businesses with good business ethics and proactive anti-corruption initiatives.

This case study is based on the 2019 Annual Report by Ratos published on the Global Reporting Initiative Sustainability Disclosure Database that can be found at this link. Through all case studies we aim to demonstrate what CSR/ ESG/ sustainability reporting done responsibly means. Essentially, it means: a) identifying a company’s most important impacts on the environment, economy and society, and b) measuring, managing and changing.

Abstract

Ratos requires the implementation of sound business ethics and anti-corruption initiatives in its companies  Tweet This!, also expecting them to make sure they are not complicit in any human rights violations. In order to promote business ethics and anti-corruption Ratos took action:

  • implement a Code of Conduct
  • apply a whistleblowing system
  • impose requirements on the prevention of corruption
  • respect human rights

What are the material issues the company has identified?

In its 2019 Annual Report Ratos identified a range of material issues, such as sound corporate governance and transparency, attracting and developing the parent company and portfolio company employees, emissions and climate impact. Among these, promoting business ethics and anti-corruption stands out as a key material issue for Ratos.

Stakeholder engagement in accordance with the GRI Standards              

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) defines the Principle of Stakeholder Inclusiveness when identifying material issues (or a company’s most important impacts) as follows:

“The reporting organization shall identify its stakeholders, and explain how it has responded to their reasonable expectations and interests.”

Stakeholders must be consulted in the process of identifying a company’s most important impacts and their reasonable expectations and interests must be taken into account. This is an important cornerstone for CSR / sustainability reporting done responsibly.

Key stakeholder groups Ratos engages with:

To identify and prioritise material topics Ratos engaged with its stakeholders through the following channels:

Stakeholder Group                Method of engagement
Employees at Ratos

 

 

 ·      Interviews with representatives in connection with stakeholder dialogues in 2016

·      Staff meetings, performance reviews

·      Structured discussion groups focusing on Ratos’s values, corporate culture, processes and future development
Employees of Ratos’s companies

 

 ·      Interviews with representatives in connection with stakeholder dialogues in 2016

·      Meetings within Ratos’s annual functional forum (CEO, CFO, HR, Sustainability, etc.)
The companies’ management groups and board members ·      Interviews with representatives in connection with stakeholder dialogues in 2016

·      Group-wide assessment of the work of the boards
Owners and investors

 

 

 ·      Interviews with representatives in connection with stakeholder dialogues in 2016

·      Participation in surveys from/or dialogues with organisations such as CDP, RobecoSAM, Vigeo and Sustainalytics

·      General meetings

·      Dialogues and individual meetings
Experts

 

 

 ·      Interviews in connection with stakeholder dialogues in 2016

·      Discussions as needed

What actions were taken by Ratos to promote business ethics and anti-corruption?

In its 2019 Annual Report Ratos reports that it took the following actions for promoting business ethics and anti-corruption:

  • Implementing a Code of Conduct
  • Ratos has a Code of Conduct that applies to employees in Ratos’s parent company and Board of Directors and contains written anticorruption and business ethics instructions. New employees are introduced to Ratos’s Code of Conduct, Work Environment Policy, Employee Manual and Environmental Policy. Deviations and irregularities are reported and followed up using Ratos’s external whistleblowing system. Both Ratos employees and external stakeholders can report suspected deviations anonymously. As in the preceding year, no deviations from the Code of Conduct were reported in 2019, including no reported cases of discrimination. Nor was Ratos imposed with any fines or other sanctions due to violations of laws or regulations. No whistleblowing reports were filed during the year. The companies are to implement a Code of Conduct that, at a minimum, corresponds to Ratos’s Code of Conduct, which stipulates that recognised international conventions, human rights and employee rights and conditions must be respected.
  • Applying a whistleblowing system
  • Every employee has a responsibility to report an incident if they suspect that an action is in breach of the company’s Code of Conduct. To make it possible to report violations anonymously, Ratos has procured an external whistleblowing system, Whistle B, which is fully independent of Ratos’s IT systems and online services.
  • Imposing requirements on the prevention of corruption
  • Ratos imposes requirements on the prevention of corruption, and the companies must carry out risk analyses and implement measures, in order to manage identified risks. Preventive work includes guidelines for employees, training programmes for individuals in positions of risk, and imposing demands and following up on business partners. During 2019 all 12 of Ratos’s companies were analysed for corruption risks. Six of the companies are considered to have an elevated risk of corruption based on their operations in exposed industries or in high-risk countries, according to the Transparency International Corruption Perception Index.
  • Respecting human rights
  • Ratos supports and respects the protection of human rights and expects its companies to make sure they are not complicit in any human rights violations. Some of Ratos’s companies have suppliers and partners in countries with an elevated risk of violations of human rights or employee rights. Respect for human rights and employee rights must be stipulated in the companies’ own codes of conduct, and in their work relating to suppliers and partners.

Which GRI Standards and corresponding Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been addressed?

The GRI Standards addressed in this case are:

1) Disclosure 205-1 Operations assessed for risks related to corruption

2) Disclosure 205-3 Confirmed incidents of corruption and actions taken

3) Disclosure 406-1 Incidents of discrimination and corrective actions taken

4) Disclosure 419-1 Non-compliance with laws and regulations in the social and economic area

 

Disclosure 205-1 Operations assessed for risks related to corruption corresponds to:

Disclosure 205-3 Confirmed incidents of corruption and actions taken corresponds to:

Disclosure 406-1 Incidents of discrimination and corrective actions taken corresponds to:

Disclosure 419-1 Non-compliance with laws and regulations in the social and economic area corresponds to:

 

78% of the world’s 250 largest companies report in accordance with the GRI Standards

SustainCase was primarily created to demonstrate, through case studies, the importance of dealing with a company’s most important impacts in a structured way, with use of the GRI Standards. To show how today’s best-run companies are achieving economic, social and environmental success – and how you can too.

Research by well-recognised institutions is clearly proving that responsible companies can look to the future with optimism.

7 GRI sustainability disclosures get you started

Any size business can start taking sustainability action

GRI, ISEP, CPD Certified Sustainability courses (2-5 days): Live Online or Classroom  (venue: London School of Economics)

  • Exclusive FBRH template to begin reporting from day one
  • Identify your most important impacts on the Environment, Economy and People
  • Formulate in group exercises your plan for action. Begin taking solid, focused, all-round sustainability action ASAP. 
  • Benchmarking methodology to set you on a path of continuous improvement

See upcoming training dates.
References:

1) This case study is based on published information by Ratos, located at the link below. For the sake of readability, we did not use brackets or ellipses. However, we made sure that the extra or missing words did not change the report’s meaning. If you would like to quote these written sources from the original, please revert to the original on the Global Reporting Initiative’s Sustainability Disclosure Database at the link:

http://database.globalreporting.org/

2) https://www.globalreporting.org/standards/gri-standards-download-center/

Note to Ratos: With each case study we send out an email requesting a comment on this case study. If you have not received such an email please contact us.

The post Case study: How Ratos promotes business ethics and anti-corruption appeared first on SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine.

]]> Case study: How the Talanx Group promotes compliance https://sustaincase.com/case-study-how-the-talanx-group-promotes-compliance/ Thu, 30 Jul 2020 06:40:21 +0000 https://ccprowebs.com/new-sustaincase.com/?p=11094 The Talanx Group is a multi-brand provider in the insurance and financial services sector, with 22,824 employees worldwide and over 40 subsidiaries and branch offices on five continents. , protect the Group from misconduct and preserve its reputation. This case study is based on the 2019 Sustainability Report by the Talanx Group published on the Global Reporting Initiative Sustainability Disclosure Database that can be found at this link. Through all case studies we aim to demonstrate what CSR/ ESG/ sustainability reporting done responsibly means. Essentially, it means: a) identifying a company’s most important impacts on the environment, economy and society, and […]

The post Case study: How the Talanx Group promotes compliance appeared first on SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine.

]]> The Talanx Group is a multi-brand provider in the insurance and financial services sector, with 22,824 employees worldwide and over 40 subsidiaries and branch offices on five continents. Compliance and integrity guide the Talanx Group in its daily decisions  Tweet This!, protect the Group from misconduct and preserve its reputation.

This case study is based on the 2019 Sustainability Report by the Talanx Group published on the Global Reporting Initiative Sustainability Disclosure Database that can be found at this link. Through all case studies we aim to demonstrate what CSR/ ESG/ sustainability reporting done responsibly means. Essentially, it means: a) identifying a company’s most important impacts on the environment, economy and society, and b) measuring, managing and changing.

Abstract

For the Talanx Group, it goes without saying that complying with the law is a prerequisite for sustained business success. This means that compliance is an integral part of all Group activities. In order to promote compliance the Talanx Group took action to:

  • implement a Group-wide Code of Conduct
  • establish a whistle-blowing system
  • provide compliance training

What are the material issues the company has identified?

In its 2019 Sustainability Report the Talanx Group identified a range of material issues, such as climate change, data protection and cybersecurity, responsibility to customers, employee recruitment and development. Among these, promoting compliance stands out as a key material issue for the Talanx Group.

Stakeholder engagement in accordance with the GRI Standards              

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) defines the Principle of Stakeholder Inclusiveness when identifying material issues (or a company’s most important impacts) as follows:

“The reporting organization shall identify its stakeholders, and explain how it has responded to their reasonable expectations and interests.”

Stakeholders must be consulted in the process of identifying a company’s most important impacts and their reasonable expectations and interests must be taken into account. This is an important cornerstone for CSR / sustainability reporting done responsibly.

Key stakeholder groups the Talanx Group engages with: 

Stakeholder Group
Employees
Customers
Business partners
Investors and analysts
NGOs
Academia
Associations
Media
Politics

How stakeholder engagement was made to identify material issues

To identify and prioritise material topics the Talanx Group carried out an internal survey of internal stakeholders and an online survey of external ones, investigating a variety of potential material issues and ranking them for importance on a scale ranging from 1 (= not important) to 7 (= extremely important).

 

What actions were taken by the Talanx Group to promote compliance?

In its 2019 Sustainability Report the Talanx Group reports that it took the following actions for promoting compliance:

  • Implementing a Group-wide Code of Conduct
  • The Group-wide Code of Conduct is an effective tool for making the Talanx Group’s commitment to complying with existing laws transparent. It sets out key principles and rules applicable to employees at all levels of the Talanx Group. The Code serves to explain to employees the fundamental legal and ethical requirements which they have to abide by during their work for the various Group companies, and to provide further details of their duties in these areas. In addition, it expressly highlights the ban on money laundering and illegal financing and draws attention to the fact that the competent anti-money laundering officer and/or compliance officer must be informed of all suspected cases. The Code of Conduct applies throughout the Group and is available in a number of languages. Customers, employees and other interest groups can access it publicly on the Talanx Group’s The Code is supplemented by a set of more concrete Compliance Guidelines and by other information and explanatory documents, which are available on the Talanx Group’s intranet. The Compliance Guidelines provide detailed content guidance on the principles set out in the Code of Conduct, which have been discussed and adopted as binding by the Group’s companies in Germany and abroad.
  • Establishing a whistle-blowing system
  • The Talanx Group has established a whistle-blowing system that can be used to report certain significant breaches of the law. It can be accessed from anywhere in the world via the Talanx Group’s website and is currently available in German and six other languages commonly spoken within the Group. The whistle-blowing system can be used – fully anonymously, if desired – to provide information about a variety of issues, including fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty and corruption, incorrect bookkeeping or accounting, anti-competitive and antitrust offences, money laundering and terrorism financing, breaches of capital market regulations, sanctions and embargoes, and infringements of supervisory law and tax law provisions. Additionally, employees can report suspected breaches of the law or guidelines to their line manager or directly to the compliance officer responsible for the company in question within the Talanx Group or the division concerned.
  • Providing compliance training
  • The Talanx Group’s training plan is tailored to the needs of different groups and offers employees regular opportunities to refresh and expand their knowledge of and expertise in selected compliance topics. New employees are regularly familiarised with the compliance framework during induction events. In addition, regular classroom-based courses and web-based training (WBT) are provided on relevant compliance topics. Anti-corruption training ensures that gifts are dealt with correctly. Above and beyond this, the Chief Compliance Officer holds classroom training sessions for executives and selected specialists several times a year, in order to promote the Group’s compliance culture. This dialogue helps Group Compliance identify any needs in good time and develop customised training and consulting offerings to address them. A number of measures are also used to reinforce cooperation within the network of local compliance officers and, in addition to holding an international compliance managers’ meeting, the Talanx Group has established a regular virtual compliance meeting format known as ComplianceXchange, in which Group Compliance and local compliance officers develop and share best practice solutions together.

Which GRI Standards and corresponding Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been addressed?

The GRI Standards addressed in this case are:

1) Disclosure 206-1 Legal actions for anti-competitive behavior, anti-trust, and monopoly practices

2) Disclosure 307-1 Non-compliance with environmental laws and regulations

3) Disclosure 419-1 Non-compliance with laws and regulations in the social and economic area

 

Disclosure 206-1 Legal actions for anti-competitive behavior, anti-trust, and monopoly practices corresponds to:

  • Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
  • Business theme: Compliance with laws and regulations

Disclosure 307-1 Non-compliance with environmental laws and regulations corresponds to:

  • Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
  • Business theme: Compliance with laws and regulations

Disclosure 419-1 Non-compliance with laws and regulations in the social and economic area corresponds to:

  • Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
  • Business theme: Compliance with laws and regulations

 

78% of the world’s 250 largest companies report in accordance with the GRI Standards

SustainCase was primarily created to demonstrate, through case studies, the importance of dealing with a company’s most important impacts in a structured way, with use of the GRI Standards. To show how today’s best-run companies are achieving economic, social and environmental success – and how you can too.

Research by well-recognised institutions is clearly proving that responsible companies can look to the future with optimism.

 

 

 

FBRH GRI Standards Certified & ISEP recognised Sustainability Course | Venue: London LSE

By registering for the next 2-day FBRH GRI Standards Certified & ISEP recognised course you will be taking the first step in gaining the many benefits of sustainability reporting.

 

References:

1) This case study is based on published information by the Talanx Group, located at the link below. For the sake of readability, we did not use brackets or ellipses. However, we made sure that the extra or missing words did not change the report’s meaning. If you would like to quote these written sources from the original, please revert to the original on the Global Reporting Initiative’s Sustainability Disclosure Database at the link:

http://database.globalreporting.org/

2) https://www.globalreporting.org/standards/gri-standards-download-center/

Note to the Talanx Group: With each case study we send out an email requesting a comment on this case study. If you have not received such an email please contact us.

The post Case study: How the Talanx Group promotes compliance appeared first on SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine.

]]> Case study: How KOEL promotes compliance and ethical business behaviour https://sustaincase.com/case-study-how-koel-promotes-compliance-and-ethical-business-behaviour/ Fri, 28 Feb 2020 15:10:21 +0000 https://ccprowebs.com/new-sustaincase.com/?p=10474 Kirloskar Oil Engines Limited (KOEL) is a leading Indian engineering conglomerate manufacturing internal combustion engines and generating sets and parts used for various applications, such as agriculture, industrial, stationery power plants and construction equipment. , as reflected in its corporate governance codes and ethics. This case study is based on the 2017-18 Corporate Sustainability Report by KOEL published on the Global Reporting Initiative Sustainability Disclosure Database that can be found at this link. Through all case studies we aim to demonstrate what CSR/ ESG/ sustainability reporting done responsibly means. Essentially, it means: a) identifying a company’s most important impacts on the environment, […]

The post Case study: How KOEL promotes compliance and ethical business behaviour appeared first on SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine.

]]> Kirloskar Oil Engines Limited (KOEL) is a leading Indian engineering conglomerate manufacturing internal combustion engines and generating sets and parts used for various applications, such as agriculture, industrial, stationery power plants and construction equipment. KOEL places huge emphasis on transparency, accountability and integrity  Tweet This!, as reflected in its corporate governance codes and ethics.

This case study is based on the 2017-18 Corporate Sustainability Report by KOEL published on the Global Reporting Initiative Sustainability Disclosure Database that can be found at this link. Through all case studies we aim to demonstrate what CSR/ ESG/ sustainability reporting done responsibly means. Essentially, it means: a) identifying a company’s most important impacts on the environment, economy and society, and b) measuring, managing and changing.

Abstract

With integrity as a key value, KOEL constantly reviews its governance structure and code of business conduct and makes appropriate changes so as to earn and maintain the trust of investors, business partners, customers and the communities in which it operates. In order to promote compliance and ethical business behaviour KOEL took action to:

  • implement a Code of Conduct and Ethics
  • carry out audits

What are the material issues the company has identified?

In its 2017-18 Corporate Sustainability Report KOEL identified a range of material issues, such as human capital development, innovation management, product stewardship, operational eco-efficiency, climate stewardship. Among these, promoting compliance and ethical business behaviour stands out as a key material issue for KOEL.

Stakeholder engagement in accordance with the GRI Standards              

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) defines the Principle of Stakeholder Inclusiveness when identifying material issues (or a company’s most important impacts) as follows:

“The reporting organization shall identify its stakeholders, and explain how it has responded to their reasonable expectations and interests.”

Stakeholders must be consulted in the process of identifying a company’s most important impacts and their reasonable expectations and interests must be taken into account. This is an important cornerstone for CSR / sustainability reporting done responsibly.

Key stakeholder groups KOEL engages with:

To identify and prioritise material topics KOEL engaged with its stakeholders through the following channels:

Stakeholder Group                Method of engagement
Shareholders/ Investors and Equity Research Agency

 

 ·      Annual General Meetings

·      Analyst meets

·      Media Releases

·      Web Sites
Customers

 

 ·      One-to-one interaction

·      CSS (yearly)

·      Helpdesk

·      Customer events

·      Melas

·      Camps and Exhibitions

·      Meetings

·      Smart phones applications

·      Phones

·      Emails

·      Fax

·      Customer visits

·      Surveys both internal and external
Employees ·      Meetings

·      Seminars

·      News letters
Dealers and Distributors

 

 ·      One-to-one interaction

·      Monthly/ Quarterly reviews

·      Helpdesk

·      Dealer conferences and meets
Technical Collaborators ·      Yearly meetings
Banks ·      Consortium meetings

·      Mails
Suppliers and Vendors

 

 ·      One-to-one interaction (NB)

·      Supplier meets (yearly)

·      Quality audit, SQTF visit

·      Supplier ‘A’ Panel Meet

·      Technology Day

·      Meetings

·      Emails

·      Fax

·      Mutual visits

·      Surveys both internal and external
Society and Community, Professional Bodies ·      Social functions and welfare activities

·      Community meets on ongoing basis

·      Messages
Local statutory bodies

 

 ·      Meetings

·      Mails

What actions were taken by KOEL to promote compliance and ethical business behaviour?

In its 2017-18 Corporate Sustainability Report KOEL reports that it took the following actions for promoting compliance and ethical business behaviour:

  • Implementing a Code of Conduct and Ethics
  • KOEL has a robust Code of Conduct and Ethics for its Board of Directors, senior management and its other employees, based on the NVG (National Voluntary Guidelines) and makes sure the Code is strictly adhered to, by having an efficient vigil mechanism and a whistleblower policy in place. A senior company official is entrusted with the responsibility of hearing complaints regarding the Code and taking appropriate action, as required. Additionally, KOEL has a separate Code of Conduct for its suppliers, to ensure the delivery of safe and sustainable goods for employees. Every year, all directors and the senior management team reaffirm their commitment to the Code. New KOEL employees are also made aware of KOEL’s way of doing business and are inducted into KOEL’s culture of transparency, integrity and accountability, through sustained and sincere efforts in the initial phase of their career. This helps them discharge their duties professionally on lines of company values and vision. During the reporting period, there were no legal actions pending or completed regarding anti-competitive behaviour and violations of anti-trust and monopoly legislation by KOEL.
  • Carrying out audits
  • Adherence to statutory rules and regulations has always been given the utmost importance at KOEL, with continuous, sustained efforts by the management to identify possible gaps in its processes so that KOEL had to pay no fines or penalty for breaking rules concerning emissions and health and safety impacts of products and services during their life cycle. KOEL uses a work flow based legal compliance software tool that monitors and ensures compliance with all applicable regulations across all factories and offices. KOEL also has its own Internal Audit Department (IAD), which carries out periodic risk assessments. The internal audit procedure has been designed to cover various aspects of the business, and is commensurate with the size and complexity of KOEL’s operations. Accountability is established by identifying risk owners for every risk detected, who have to submit a detailed risk mitigation plan which is then implemented, after proper review. An IT system has been developed for the IAD, to not only help KOEL conduct audits but also track open issues and their closure. KOEL’s Audit Committee reviews the significant observations made by the IAD and the follow up actions taken thereon. Business risks are also managed through cross functional teams comprised of personnel from various domains and are reviewed by business heads at periodic intervals.

Which GRI Standards and corresponding Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been addressed?

The GRI Standards addressed in this case are:

1) Disclosure 206-1 Legal actions for anti-competitive behavior, anti-trust, and monopoly practices

2) Disclosure 307-1 Non-compliance with environmental laws and regulations

3) Disclosure 419-1 Non-compliance with laws and regulations in the social and economic area

 

Disclosure 206-1 Legal actions for anti-competitive behavior, anti-trust, and monopoly practices corresponds to:

  • Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
  • Business theme: Compliance with laws and regulations

Disclosure 307-1 Non-compliance with environmental laws and regulations corresponds to:

  • Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
  • Business theme: Compliance with laws and regulations

Disclosure 419-1 Non-compliance with laws and regulations in the social and economic area corresponds to:

  • Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
  • Business theme: Compliance with laws and regulations

 

78% of the world’s 250 largest companies report in accordance with the GRI Standards

SustainCase was primarily created to demonstrate, through case studies, the importance of dealing with a company’s most important impacts in a structured way, with use of the GRI Standards. To show how today’s best-run companies are achieving economic, social and environmental success – and how you can too.

Research by well-recognised institutions is clearly proving that responsible companies can look to the future with optimism.

7 GRI sustainability disclosures get you started

Any size business can start taking sustainability action

GRI, ISEP, CPD Certified Sustainability courses (2-5 days): Live Online or Classroom  (venue: London School of Economics)

  • Exclusive FBRH template to begin reporting from day one
  • Identify your most important impacts on the Environment, Economy and People
  • Formulate in group exercises your plan for action. Begin taking solid, focused, all-round sustainability action ASAP. 
  • Benchmarking methodology to set you on a path of continuous improvement

See upcoming training dates.

 

References:

1) This case study is based on published information by KOEL, located at the link below. For the sake of readability, we did not use brackets or ellipses. However, we made sure that the extra or missing words did not change the report’s meaning. If you would like to quote these written sources from the original, please revert to the original on the Global Reporting Initiative’s Sustainability Disclosure Database at the link:

http://database.globalreporting.org/

2) https://www.globalreporting.org/standards/gri-standards-download-center/

Note to KOEL: With each case study we send out an email requesting a comment on this case study. If you have not received such an email please contact us.

The post Case study: How KOEL promotes compliance and ethical business behaviour appeared first on SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine.

]]> Case study: How Autoneum promotes compliance https://sustaincase.com/case-study-how-autoneum-promotes-compliance/ Wed, 11 Dec 2019 13:15:43 +0000 https://ccprowebs.com/new-sustaincase.com/?p=10241 With 55 production facilities worldwide, Autoneum is the market and technology leader in acoustic and thermal management solutions for the global automotive industry. Accordingly, it is Autoneum’s strategic commitment to further strengthen its compliance framework, deepening the integration of compliance principles in the company’s culture. This case study is based on the 2018 Corporate Responsibility Report by Autoneum published on the Global Reporting Initiative Sustainability Disclosure Database that can be found at this link. Through all case studies we aim to demonstrate what CSR/ ESG/ sustainability reporting done responsibly means. Essentially, it means: a) identifying a company’s most important impacts on […]

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]]> With 55 production facilities worldwide, Autoneum is the market and technology leader in acoustic and thermal management solutions for the global automotive industry. Autoneum seeks to be a good corporate citizen, maintaining, consistently, high legal and ethical standards.  Tweet This! Accordingly, it is Autoneum’s strategic commitment to further strengthen its compliance framework, deepening the integration of compliance principles in the company’s culture.

This case study is based on the 2018 Corporate Responsibility Report by Autoneum published on the Global Reporting Initiative Sustainability Disclosure Database that can be found at this link. Through all case studies we aim to demonstrate what CSR/ ESG/ sustainability reporting done responsibly means. Essentially, it means: a) identifying a company’s most important impacts on the environment, economy and society, and b) measuring, managing and changing.

Abstract

All Autoneum employees not only abide by applicable international and local laws and regulations but also act in line with Autoneum’s values, principles, the Code of Conduct and other internal regulations and directives. All employees have to sign the Code of Conduct as part of their employment contract, and must comply with the provisions stipulated therein. In order to promote compliance Autoneum took action to:

  • implement a Code of Conduct
  • enable stakeholders to report compliance incidents
  • strengthen employee awareness of compliance-related topics

What are the material issues the company has identified?

In its 2018 Corporate Responsibility Report Autoneum identified a range of material issues, such as economic performance, effluents and waste, occupational health & safety, diversity & equal opportunity, anti-corruption. Among these, promoting compliance stands out as a key material issue for Autoneum.

Stakeholder engagement in accordance with the GRI Standards              

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) defines the Principle of Stakeholder Inclusiveness when identifying material issues (or a company’s most important impacts) as follows:

“The reporting organization shall identify its stakeholders, and explain how it has responded to their reasonable expectations and interests.”

Stakeholders must be consulted in the process of identifying a company’s most important impacts and their reasonable expectations and interests must be taken into account. This is an important cornerstone for CSR / sustainability reporting done responsibly.

Key stakeholder groups Autoneum engages with:

Stakeholder Group                Method of engagement
Employees ·      Dialog between employees and managers

·      Satisfaction surveys

·      Idea management

·      Intranet

·      Digital collaboration platforms
Customers ·      Development process of products and services

·      In-house fairs on customer premises

·      Media

·      Social media
Financial community ·      Shareholder meetings

·      Dialog with financial institutions and analysts
Research ·      Cooperation with universities

·      Scientific lead or participation at conferences

·      Hosting of students on R&T projects
Media & public

 

 ·      Communication through website

·      Publications

·      Advertising

·      Social media and media events
Local communities

 

 

 ·      Community engagement projects

·      Plant visits

·      Neighborhood dialog

·      Open door events

·      One-on-one dialog with local authority representatives
Civil society

 

 ·      Inquiries

·      Collaboration projects

·      Memberships
Industry associations

 

 ·      Memberships in various organisations

·      Event hosting

·      Participation in working groups

How stakeholder engagement was made to identify material issues

To identify and prioritise material topics Autoneum engaged with its stakeholders through a workshop, where their perspectives were systematically collected.

What actions were taken by Autoneum to promote compliance?

In its 2018 Corporate Responsibility Report Autoneum reports that it took the following actions for promoting compliance:

  • Implementing a Code of Conduct
  • The Code of Conduct, which all employees have to sign, is the centrepiece of Autoneum’s compliance policy framework. It describes Autoneum’s commitment to complying with relevant international and local laws and regulations, defines the fundamental rules of employee conduct and helps to cultivate business relationships that are based on the principles of truth and honesty. Autoneum suppliers have to abide by the Code of Conduct for Suppliers, which is an integral part of all supplier agreements and contains rules of conduct pertaining to labour and human rights, health and safety, the environment, material compliance and business ethics. In 2018, Autoneum expanded its compliance policy framework to include two new directives. The Anti-Bribery & Corruption Directive gives a general overview of bribery and corruption risks and defines the principles and rules of behaviour employees must follow in critical situations. In addition, in conformity with the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Autoneum has adopted a Data Protection Directive, which describes the key elements of data protection, the privacy rights of employees and the rules of data processing and control. The Directive is enforced by the Data Protection Officer and his deputies who have been appointed in each Business Group.
  • Enabling stakeholders to report compliance incidents
  • Autoneum operates a global Speak Up Line, which enables employees, customers, suppliers and all other external stakeholders throughout the world to report violations of the Code of Conduct and other regulations securely, confidentially and, if preferred and legally allowed, anonymously. The Speak Up Line is another option that has been added to Autoneum’s existing internal channels (i.e. reporting incidents to a superior, the Human Resources department or the Legal & Compliance department). In 2018, 43 reports were raised, the majority of them via the Speak Up Line. If allegations were confirmed or substantiated, Autoneum has taken appropriate action to remedy these. In 2018 there were no legal actions pending or completed regarding anti-competitive behaviour and violations of anti-trust legislation in which Autoneum was identified as a participant.
  • Strengthening employee awareness of compliance-related topics
  • In 2018, Autoneum implemented a variety of measures to strengthen employee awareness of compliance-related topics, continuing its mandatory Code of Conduct training programme. Overhead staff were trained via e-learning sessions, reaching a completion rate of 95%, which is in line with the Advance Sustainability target. Operators without computer access were trained in classroom training sessions carried out in plants, with a completion rate of approximately 85%. Additionally, Autoneum rolled out e-learning campaigns on topics that are relevant only for certain segments of the population. These included GDPR (completion rate: 97.6%), Protecting and Handling Data (97.1%), Cybercrime Awareness (96.4%), Preventing Phishing (97.3%) and Physical Security (95.2%). The Legal & Compliance department also conducted a worldwide poster campaign, to raise staff awareness of the Speak Up Line.

Which GRI Standards and corresponding Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been addressed?

The GRI Standards addressed in this case are:

1) Disclosure 205-2 Communication and training about anti-corruption policies and procedures

2) Disclosure 205-3 Confirmed incidents of corruption and actions taken

3) Disclosure 206-1 Legal actions for anti-competitive behavior, anti-trust, and monopoly practices

4) Disclosure 419-1 Non-compliance with laws and regulations in the social and economic area

 

Disclosure 205-2 Communication and training about anti-corruption policies and procedures corresponds to:

  • Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
  • Business theme: Anti-corruption

Disclosure 205-3 Confirmed incidents of corruption and actions taken corresponds to:

  • Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
  • Business theme: Anti-corruption

Disclosure 206-1 Legal actions for anti-competitive behavior, anti-trust, and monopoly practices corresponds to:

  • Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
  • Business theme: Compliance with laws and regulations

Disclosure 419-1 Non-compliance with laws and regulations in the social and economic area corresponds to:

  • Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
  • Business theme: Compliance with laws and regulations

 

78% of the world’s 250 largest companies report in accordance with the GRI Standards

SustainCase was primarily created to demonstrate, through case studies, the importance of dealing with a company’s most important impacts in a structured way, with use of the GRI Standards. To show how today’s best-run companies are achieving economic, social and environmental success – and how you can too.

Research by well-recognised institutions is clearly proving that responsible companies can look to the future with optimism.

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GRI, ISEP, CPD Certified Sustainability courses (2-5 days): Live Online or Classroom  (venue: London School of Economics)

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  • Formulate in group exercises your plan for action. Begin taking solid, focused, all-round sustainability action ASAP. 
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References:

1) This case study is based on published information by Autoneum, located at the link below. For the sake of readability, we did not use brackets or ellipses. However, we made sure that the extra or missing words did not change the report’s meaning. If you would like to quote these written sources from the original, please revert to the original on the Global Reporting Initiative’s Sustainability Disclosure Database at the link:

http://database.globalreporting.org/

2) https://www.globalreporting.org/standards/gri-standards-download-center/

Note to Autoneum: With each case study we send out an email requesting a comment on this case study. If you have not received such an email please contact us.

The post Case study: How Autoneum promotes compliance appeared first on SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine.

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