Orkla defines corporate responsibility as achieving commercial profitability in a way that is consistent with fundamental ethical values and respect for individuals, the environment and society. The Group is a member of the UN Global Compact initiative, and endorses the Global Compact’s ten principles. Through clearly defined attitudes, active influence and targeted improvement efforts, Orkla companies will help to promote human rights, good working and environmental standards and zero tolerance for corruption, both in their own operations and in respect of their suppliers and external partners.
The Group directives on corporate responsibility and business ethics were revised in 2011, and were approved by Orkla’s Board of Directors. The Group has also drawn up a human rights policy and a responsible sourcing policy which elaborate on the principles that Orkla applies in connection with these issues. The object of the revision was to further strengthen efforts in this field and to update the Group’s directives to bring them in line with changes in external norms. Orkla’s business areas were involved in the revision process, in which the Group’s union representatives participated actively. Implementing the new directives will be a priority task in 2012, through training programmes and other activities.
Orkla’s internal procedures for following up on the business areas’ corporate responsibility activities were enhanced in 2011 by establishing a system of annual progress reports to the business areas boards. The Group also decided to improve its risk analysis procedures in order to identify more effectively any risk of breaches of the Group’s directives on corporate responsibility and business ethics. The changes in risk management procedures will be implemented in 2012.
Efforts to provide training for internal management staff and key personnel continued in 2011, with particular emphasis on the topic of responsible sourcing. The regular dialogue between the administration and the union representatives in the Group on corporate responsibility activities also continued.
Two meetings of Orkla’s Corporate Responsibility Council were held in 2011. The main focus of the Council’s work has been the revision of the Group directives on corporate responsibility and business ethics.
Efforts to implement procedures for systematic risk identification and monitoring of suppliers with regard to human rights, working conditions, the environment and corruption continued in 2011. Other priority areas include EHS, human resource development and diversity.