Annual Report 2009 - Husqvarna Group

120 Husqvarna Annual Report 2009 Sustainable development
In 2009 a new web-based reporting system for environmental
data was implemented in all production centers and larger
warehouses. This system will improve the quality of reported
responses and improve the ability to compare performance
between different plants within the Group.
In connection with agreements to acquire companies or
operations that have production facilities, Husqvarna analyzes
environmental risks and observes Environmental Due Diligence
(EDD). The analysis includes permits for operations, possible
risk of ground pollution, and interviews with management.
Inspections are normally performed by consultants with
relevant expertise.
Environmental risks
Risks related to health, safety and the environment can arise at
Husqvarna’s production facilities. The general environmental
risks related to the Group’s operations include changes in customer
or legal requirement for products, generating and handling
emissions and waste, and potential environmental liabilities
in connection with acquisition of land or production
facilities.
Transportation
Husqvarna is committed to reducing the environmental impact
that is generated when the Group’s products are shipped.
The revised environmental policy includes more rigorous criteria
for transportation in terms of safety and the environment.
Forwarding companies are expected to actively contribute to
reducing emissions of carbon dioxide, and to use systems for
monitoring their activities. A project has been started for collection
of environmental data from the major suppliers of shipping
services to Husqvarna. These data include information on
emissions of carbon dioxide in connection with all forms of
transportation of Group products.
Conserving resources
Energy savings
Building managers work continuously on optimizing the consumption
of electricity. Husqvarna has made definite progress
in reducing emissions of greenhouse gases on the basis of
local projects for energy savings. For example, in Huskvarna
Sweden, measures such as turning off fluorescent lamps during
lunch hour, better control of ventilation equipment, sealing
leaks in compressed air systems, reducing the indoor temperature
etc. have reduced energy consumption by 7%.
Travel
Telephone-, video- and web-conferences have reduced the
number of business trips by Husqvarna employees. This has
resulted in more efficient use of working time, without any
direct emissions from travel. Most trips by car, train and plane
are monitored annually in terms of environmental impact,
including emissions of carbon dioxide.
Glossary
FMEA – Failure Modes and Effects Analysis is a systematic
method for predicting potential failures, evaluating
their consequences and ranking proposed measures that
could prevent them. FMEA is used in several areas,
including quality-assurance management systems.
ISO14001 – ISO’s international standard for environmental
management. It includes requirements for regular environmental
audits and gradual raising of target levels.
REACH – Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of
Chemicals – an EU-directive that requires testing of
chemical substances used within the Union.
RoHS – The EU-directive Restriction of Hazardous Substances
regulates the use of mercury, cadmium, lead, sixvalent
chrome and flame-resistant materials in electrical
and electronic products.
WEEE– The EU directive Waste Electrical and Electronic
Equipment regulates the recycling of such products.