2010 Activity Report - Bureau Veritas

CertificationRising engagementin environmentaland social responsibilityIncreased client expectationsIndustries today are facing enormouschallenges. To be competitive, it is notenough to cut costs. Companies alsohave to maintain high quality and safetystandards, comply with regulatorycontrols on pollution and take proactivemeasures to meet stakeholders’ demandfor social accountability – all at the sametime. Bureau Veritas Certification helpsclients address these complexrequirements through three types ofcertification adapted to the differentdynamics of mature and emergingcountries.First, we offer a complete range ofISO and OHSAS certifications, whichare expected to show reasonable growthin the coming years, chiefly in emergingcountries eager to compete in worldmarkets.Secondly, our sector-specific solutionsare developing rapidly due to increaseduse of standards for food safety,forest management and informationmanagement security, as well asestablished reference systems for theautomotive, aviation and rail industries.Finally, customized services are alsoenjoying buoyant growth. This trend islikely to continue, as large internationalcompanies seek to enhance theircorporate image through a commitmentto environmental and social responsibility.Consolidating their certification in singlemulti-site audit programs allowscompanies to outsource their supplyand distribution chains, rationalize theirprocesses and achieve economies ofscale. It provides indicators to gaugemanagement performance and aninformative benchmark. It also spreadsbest practices across their networks.Innovative approachesWe work with industry and governmentpartners to develop and implement globalenvironmental and social responsibilitystandards, guidelines and programs, suchas the Clean Development Mechanismand Joint Implementation, the EuropeanEmission Trading Scheme and BiofuelSustainability Verification. We aredesigning new products and servicesfor companies seeking to incorporateclimate change, sustainable growthand corporate citizenship factors in theirstrategy and operations. Innovation alsolies in improved service delivery throughworldwide deployment of our onlinereport management tools.HIGHLIGHTS• Surge in large global contracts formulti-standard certification, notablywith Volvo, Nexans and TI Automotive.• First dedicated hub to deliverefficient Large Contract servicesset up in Poland.• Reaccreditation for CleanDevelopment Mechanism underthe UN Framework Conventionon Climate Change.• Partnership with Arborus to deliverGender Equality European Standard(GEES) certification.• Further rollout of our customeronline portal, operational in12 countries, including the USand China.24