SSI and the global community
1 February 2012
In 2010 SSI signed the UN Global Compact and thereby concurred in its ten principles of human rights, wage-earner rights, environment, and anti-corruption. At the same time SSI committed itself to report activities and results annually to the UN.
Now SSIs first report on corporate social responsibility is available – the so called Communication on Progress, COP. It covers the period from December 2010 to December 2011 and describes SSI’s results within four prioritised areas: Employees and work environment, energy and environment, human rights, and anti-corruption.
Employees and work environment
SSI is a workplace for both unskilled workers and internationally acknowledged researchers which all contribute to SSI’s performance and development.
In 2011 SSI has had special focus on competency development and improvement of the physical and mental work environment. Our dyslexia project and the project “From unskilled to skilled” are examples of reinforcement of the employees’ competences. As part of the dyslexia project three beginners’ classes, two advanced classes, and two English classes were initiated in 2011. The effort towards creating a better work environment includes among other things offers of ergonomic counselling and strength training. Approximately 10 per cent of SSI’s employees are now attending preventive strength training.
Energy and environment
SSI wishes to be among the most environmentally conscious in the health and vaccine business. Because of that there is a great focus on continuously decreasing both the climatic and the environmental impact of SSIs’ activities.
In 2011 SSI has had focus on three main areas:
- Energy saving – heat
- Waste separation
- Dangerous chemical substances
The specific activities are e.g. the installation of a smoke gas cooler. The cooler transports heat from our smoke stack to the central heating installation where it is reused. The saving potential is estimated to be approximately 200.000 DKK per year.
Preliminary numbers for 2011 show, that the quantity of clinical risk waste has been reduced by no less than 12 per cent during 2011. A reduction which by far exceeds our expectations.
Human rights
SSI wishes to influence suppliers and other business partners to act responsibly in regards to human rights, wage-earner rights, environment, and anti-corruption in accordance with SSI’s policy of corporate social responsibility.
SSI decided in 2011 to initiate the preparation of a supply code of conduct which shall require corporate social responsibility from SSI’s suppliers. At first the focus will be on suppliers via tenders in 2012.
Anti-corruption
SSI dissociates itself from any form of corruption and bribe both in connection with inter-state trade and in relation to the employees’ daily activities.
In 2011 30 employees attended an obligatory course on anti-corruption. The course was held in cooperation with a layer and was tailor made for those employees who frequently or occasionally make commercial deals with countries where there potentially and traditionally is a risk of corruption.