Holmen has been affiliated to the UN Global Compact since 2007, and also to its corresponding Nordic network. The Group therefore supports the 10 principles listed below.
The UN Global Compact, the eight core conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the OECD’s guidelines for multinational enterprises form the basis of Holmen’s Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct, which is signed by the Group CEO, provides guidance in day-to-day work and clarifies what is expected of those who work for Holmen. The 10 principles of the Global Compact are covered by the principles incorporated in the Code of Conduct. All employees have received training in the code.
As a signatory to the UN Global Compact, Holmen has undertaken to uphold and respect human rights in its sphere of influence. Since suppliers fall within this sphere, it is important to set clear requirements for them on the issue of human rights. The Supplier Code of Conduct covers all the areas touched upon by the Global Compact.
Holmen reports work done on sustainability to the Global Compact each year.
The 10 principles of the Global Compact
Human rights
1. Businesses should support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights in the sphere that the company is able to influence.
2. Make sure that they are not complicit in human rights abuses.
Labour
3. Businesses should uphold the freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining.
4. Eliminate all forms of forced and compulsory labour.
5. Eliminate child labour.
6. Eliminate discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.
Environment
7. Support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges.
8. Undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility.
9. Encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies.
Anti-Corruption
10. Businesses should work against corruption in all its forms, including extortion and bribery.
Comments
1–5. Holmen only has production in Sweden and the UK, where these matters are regulated by EU legislation. Holmen’s Supplier Code of Conduct began to be implemented in 2014. The Group’s purchasing organisation has been trained and the Supplier Code of Conduct is incorporated in all new supplier contracts. The Supplier Code of Conduct increases the focus on human rights and working conditions in the supply chain with a view to ensuring good conditions for everyone who works in Holmen’s value chain. Since 2017 Holmen has worked with an external part, EcoVadis, to follow up supplier compliance with the code in the areas of human rights, health and safety, the environment, business ethics and purchasing. The evaluation is tailored to the size of the supplier in terms of turnover and number of employees, and the supplier’s exposure to risk in terms of its geographical presence.
3. EU legislation regulates the issue of freedom of association in union cooperation agreements.
6. Holmen applies the EU’s anti-discrimination laws, and regularly surveys whether any form of discrimination occurs. A policy of zero tolerance is followed.
7. Holmen’s operations require environmental permits from authorities, and the requirement for a precautionary approach is therefore met.
8. EU legislation is the cornerstone for the environmental conditions set by authorities and these are regularly reviewed. Certified environmental management systems are applied at the mills and in the forestry operations. The latter is conducted in line with the criteria in the standards issued by PEFCTM and FSC®(FSC-ID). Certified health and safety management systems (OHSAS 18001) will be in place at all sites in the first six months of 2018.
9. Environmental activities and technical development in the environmental area are mainly carried out internally but also together with other companies in the industry. The results are usually published. Holmen is open to exchanging experience about environmental issues.
10. Holmen’s Business ethics policy draws attention to the stringency of legislation on these issues. The policy makes it clear that employees must carefully consider the meaning and purpose of any favours/benefits offered in their contacts with customers and suppliers.
For detailed descriptions of Holmen’s work on the 10 principles, see the section Sustainable work under Sustainability.