20% - Assa Abloy

Sustainable development
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Use of chemicals
ASSA ABLOY is constantly working to reduce hazardous substances
in production and to find replacements for them.
Many production facilities have already phased out
chlorinated solvents. Use continues in a few production
facilities. One of this year’s major successes was the phasing
out of chlorinated solvents, which progressed very well.
Consumption was reduced by 40 percent in 2007, and the
remainder will be phased out in 2008. Current information
about sustainable development is published on the Group’s
website.
ISO 14001
Most of the Group’s production plants had implemented
ISO 14001 environmental management systems or the
equivalent by the end of 2007. The table shows the number
of certificates in 2006 and 2007, along with the corresponding
number of certifiable systems for North American
units. Only a small number of production plants have any
form of environmental impact. The goal of the sustainability
program is that all plants that impact the environment
should have been certified, and that newly acquired companies
should be certified within two years.
Energy consumption and greenhouse gases
ASSA ABLOY was able to compile measurable results for
energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions in the
Group companies for the first time in 2005. These figures
will now serve as the baseline for actions taken under the
new sustainability program. The goal applying to all local
units is to achieve total energy savings of 15 percent by the
end of 2012.
ASSA ABLOY will analyze the contribution made by
transport to energy consumption and consider opportunities
to increase coordination in order to reduce emissions.
Suppliers
Beginning in 2008, all of ASSA ABLOY’s global supplier
contracts will have the same format throughout the Group.
Among other things, the contracts include requirements
for suppliers to live up to the Group’s Code of Conduct.
Assessments and audits will ensure a uniform approach to
quality standards and sustainability.
Research & Development
ASSA ABLOY’s Research & Development process, from
preliminary studies to product launch, includes several
‘gateways’ at which the project plan and partial deliveries
are reviewed and decisions made about continuing the
project. Health, safety and environmental issues will be
assessed at these gateway points. The Design for Environment
checklist is a tool used in the product development
process.
Health and safety
The point of departure in ASSA ABLOY’s work on health and
safety in production is based on a zero-tolerance approach
to injuries. New goals have been set for injury rates and for
working days lost due to injuries. Benchmarks will be
implemented at the division level based on reporting from
each production unit. Units will also share their experiences
of efforts to prevent drug and alcohol use.
Gender equality and diversity
ASSA ABLOY’s Code of Conduct will work to prevent all
forms of discrimination in the workplace. The company also
wants to work proactively to promote gender equality and
diversity. Each division is expected to take appropriate
measures during recruitment to facilitate opportunities for
women to be promoted. In general, preference will be
given to the under-represented gender in all recruitment,
assuming equal qualifications.
Code of Conduct
As part of the new sustainability program ASSA ABLOY will
update the Code of Conduct during 2008. Among other
things, the Code’s whistleblower mechanism will be clarified
with respect to the reporting and handling of complaints.
Dialog with stakeholders
ASSA ABLOY strives to achieve an open dialog with external
stakeholders. The overarching objective is to ensure that
input is received from outside interests with respect to the
company’s strategy choices and to contribute to a sustainable
development that benefits both the company and its
stakeholders.
As a key component in this effort during the year,
ASSA ABLOY invited ethics analysts to two round-table
discussions, including visits to the La Fonte facility in Brazil.
One of the themes of the discussions was ASSA ABLOY’s
2005–2006 Sustainability Report. A number of analysts
participated in the conference.