Requirements

The company documents the systematic integration of sustainability activities into existing processes.

Compliance options

• Process descriptions; amendments in existing target programs / process instructions and the like
• Assignment of sustainabilty activities to processes
• Documented integrated management system; e.g., company manual

Requirements

Appropriate capacities / resources have been provided to meet the sustainability targets:

• Sustainability has been established at the top management level and integrated into the relevant corporate processes. Responsible persons (CEO) and deputies have been appointed within the top management.
• Moreover, an interdepartmental responsible division has been appointed to organize the interdisciplinary handling of sustainability issues in the company. All pertinent responsibilities have been documented and recorded. A qualified responsible contact person and a deputy for sustainability issues have been appointed and made known in this capacity internally and externally.
• Employees are encouraged to contribute proactively to the implementation and advancement of the company's sustainability targets.
• External stakeholders are involved in the implementation of de-rived measures, whenever possible and reasonable.

Compliance options

• Process descriptions; amendments in existing target programs / process instructions and the like
• Assignment of sustainabilty activities to processes
• Documented integrated management system; e.g., company manual
• Allocation of resources to meet the sustainability targets (e.g., investments in the development of more sustainable product and service innovations, capacity / resource planning)
• Roles and responsibility matrix; organizational chart; minutes of meeting
• Team lists; job descriptions; appointments / nominations; evi-dence of training / education
• Evidence of internal communication of responsible persons; team meeting minutes
• Suggestion scheme; yearly performance reviews / appraisals; rewards; alignment of individual / strategic objectives; feedback culture; information material
• Documentation on projects with external stakeholders (e.g., cooperation with a nature conservancy association for promoting biodiversity on site)

Requirements

Personal contribution to more sustainability is appreciated. If proce-dures for assessing the personal performance of employees exist, performance is considered with reference to the targets (cf. I.3).

Compliance options

• Documented procedure for the assessment of the personal performance of employees, such as performance review minutes, rewards for the personal contribution to attaining the corporate sustainability objectives, offers of a reward for innovative sustainability measures as part of the suggestion scheme

Requirements

All employees are made aware of sustainability issues on a continual basis.

Compliance options

• Educational material on sustainability: Intranet, notices, circulars and the like
• Internal meetings, training courses, audits, works meetings and the like
• Confirmation of participation in sustainability-related confer-ences, seminars, working groups, etc.

Requirements

Learning needs for the relevant operating divisions are identified on a regular basis. Employees are encouraged to attend further education and training programs and to discuss the effectiveness of training measures with their superiors.

Compliance options

• Documentation of internal measures (demand assessment, training plan, staff policy plan, digital coaching, employee surveys) and external measures (certificates, health and safety instructions for visitors, etc.)
• Performance test: questionnaire, performance review minutes, internal audits

Requirements

The company shall ensure that all laws, rules and regulations being relevant and applicable to the sustainability management system are identified and available in the current version.

Compliance options

• List of current legal requirements and permit conditions on product safety, human rights, safety at work, health and environmental protection, as well as on recycling management
• Inventory of legal provisions; EUR-Lex; online databases

Requirements

Cooperation partnerships with stakeholders along the value chain and other organizations (companies, universities, consumer groups or other) shall be established. Training projects / measures promote awareness and knowledge of improved sustainability in production and consumption in the industry as well as in society.

Compliance options

• Evidence of memberships / networking in the field of sustainability
• Lectures / presentations on key sustainability issues of the company
• Education partnerships along the value chain
• Investments in research, international cooperation, development cooperation, etc.