Corporate Social Responsibility Report - Ahold

About our CSR reportThe purpose of Koninklijke Ahold N.V.’s (“Ahold”) 2007 CSRReport (“this CSR Report”) is to provide stakeholders with a fairand balanced picture of Ahold’s corporate social responsibilitystrategy, practices and results for the period from January 1,2006 through December 31, 2007.The preparation of thisCSR Report was overseen by the Ahold CSR CoordinatingCommittee.Following the publication of the Interim Corporate SocialResponsibility Report 2005 published in 2006, this CSR reportis the sixth CSR report published by Ahold. Ahold strives tofollow the guidelines of the Global Reporting Initiative G3(C level). From this CSR Report onwards, Ahold has committeditself to publish a CSR report annually, in conjunction with itsAnnual Report.Ahold’s reporting system permits the collection of qualitative andquantitative information from the various countries and retailbanners and reporting on best practices. This CSR report coversAhold’s operating companies, including ICA. It does not coverSchuitema, Peapod, Etos, Gall & Gall, Albert.nl, Albert Heijnfranchise stores and our operations in Slovakia.At the quantitative level, assigned content owners at eachoperating company are responsible for coordinating theCSR reporting of those companies. They ensure that thoseresponsible for reporting in accordance with various indicatorsare familiar with the procedures, definitions and guidelines.In addition, internal reviews on reported data are performed.These reviews are focused on both the reported data as well asthe reporting process.The scope of the reported indicators is primarily based on theexisting data gathering procedures. Ahold aims to expand thescope in the future. Compared to the Interim Corporate SocialResponsibility Report 2005, U.S. Foodservice, Albert/Hypernova in Poland and Tops are out of scope due to thedivestment of these operating companies.This CSR Report presents data on Corporate brand natural andorganic products, refrigerants installed in stores, dieselconsumption and CO2 emissions from transport betweenwarehouses and stores, electricity consumption in warehousesand stores, water consumption, waste and donations. We arecurrently working to augment our corporate social responsibilityreporting abilities and are developing systems to enhance ourcapacity to provide consistent group-wide information in futurereports. Data sourced from the Ahold Annual Report 2007 andincluded in that report as audited or unaudited information, arereferred in this CSR Report as Source: Ahold Annual Report2007. The other data in this CSR Report has not been auditedand, in some cases, is based on extrapolations or estimates.Dialogue with decision-makersAhold is a consumer-oriented companywith a focus on supporting customersin making healthy, inspired andresponsible choices. We engage intransparent and constructive dialoguewith decision-makers, NGOs and otherplayers in the value chain. We canbetter react and anticipate consumerexpectations by creating a dialoguewith them and by sharing our expertisewith public policy makers. Publicauthorities will likely increaseregulatory requirements as a resultof economic, socio-demographicand ecological developments. It isimportant for Ahold to anticipate thesechanges. An effective interdependencybetween public authorities, businessand consumers can help to inform andchange consumer behavior and reducethe need for government intervention.Ahold is a committed member of themain trade associations in thecountries where it operates.Membership in associations:Initiative (BSCI)(ECR)(ERRT)Agricultural Practice (GLOBALGAP)(RTRS)Palm Oil (RSPO)Ahold CSR Report 2007 59