Global Compact International Yearbook 2009

BASF
is a lack of knowledge on how to obtain a
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), which
is obligatory in China and describes the
chemical and physical properties of a
material and provides advice on safe
handling and use of the material.
Hands-on approach:
BASF developed tailor-made programs
according to “1+3” partners’ specific
requests, ranging from seminars and
training to site visits and implementation.
Through these, partners started to
see the bigger picture of how and where
to improve their EHS areas in a systematic
way. BASF also provided training for
a Road Safety Quality Assessment System
(RSQAS), which is a preventive program
to strengthen the safety and reliability of
chemical transportation in China.
In so-called “Eyes for Safety” visits, the
six BASF expert teams first went to inspect
each partner’s production site in
order to get a picture of the partner’s
EHS status and make it aware of the
areas which might have been overlooked.
Then, the BASF experts and the partner’s
EHS managers together identified priority
cooperation areas. “The BASF visit
provided good insight for our middle
management on environmental protection
and safety management,” said Mr
Zhang Qiming, the Board Chairman of
Zhejiang Qiming Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.
after an “Eyes for safety” visit.
their improvement progress, which are
then quickly addressed by BASF experts.
This proved to be a very helpful tool for
our partners to view their implementation
as a long-term process and to ensure
continuous improvement.
During a “1+3” sustainability self-assessment
seminar in July 2008 in Shanghai,
senior executives from six “1+3” partners
and the BASF project team attended a
roundtable discussion. BASF experts
presented detailed analysis on their six
Responsible Care (RC) systems and best
practices. This trust-filled sharing not
only of good experiences but also of
challenges and related problem-solving
techniques with regard to practical implementation
of sustainability aspects
is another fruitful result of the whole
project. All participating companies are
committed to continue to implement
their social responsibility objectives by
putting more sustainability ideas into
practice.
The fruits of the “1+3”
sustainability project
Improving value chain competitiveness and
creating new customer relations:
By disseminating the “1+3” ideas and values
to more partners, BASF continually
broadens the platform for dialogue with
them and puts an innovative customer
relationship into practice. Mutual trust is
established between the two parties, effectively
laying the foundation for a longterm
strategic partnership. This not only
strengthens BASF's inter-departmental
cooperation, but also reduces risk in its
value chain.
In the implementation phase, the project
groups also provide training to address
common issues faced by all companies.
Every project group also reviewed one of
their partner’s reform strategies.
Sustainable solutions need
staying power
Sustainability solutions are usually implemented
over a long-term period. This
is why “1+3” aims to accompany our
partners beyond the first year. In order
to help our partners to ensure sustained
improvement in their sustainability practices,
BASF offers self-assessments in the
form of a questionnaire asking about
“Difficult times especially show that companies which conduct their business
sustainably and responsibly are more successful in the long-term. That is
why sustainability is a firm part of BASF’s strategy: Long-term success is
not possible unless the environment and society are treated carefully. We
are therefore committed to implementing the principles of the U.N. Global
Compact.”
Dr. Jürgen Hambrecht, BASF chairman of the board
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Global Compact International Yearbook 2009