2014 Communication on Progress regarding the implementation of the Global Compact Principles
The Global Compact (GC) is a United Nations (UN) initiative founded in 2000. Signatories of the initiative commit themselves to ten principles based on key UN conventions regarding human rights, labor standards, environmental protection, and anti-corruption. At the same time, the compact obliges the signatories to actively engage themselves in propagating the principles within their own sphere of influence.
Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany has been a Global Compact participant since 2005. The following table presents the key measures that we took in 2013 and 2014 to implement the principles of the Global Compact.
Link: www.unglobalcompact.org
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Global Compact – COP
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UNGC Principles
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Relevant GRI Indicators
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Key actions in 2013 and 2014
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Link
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Human Rights
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Principle 1: Support and respect human rights
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G4-HR2, G4-HR7, G4-HR8, G4-HR9, G4-HR12, G4-SO1, G4-SO2
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- Adoption of a Group-wide Human Rights Charter
- Revised supplier management in terms of Corporate Responsibility (CR) aspects and joined the Together for Sustainability (TfS) initiative
- Formation of the Global Schistosomiasis Alliance (GSA) to fight NTDs
- Increase in praziquantel donations to eliminate schistosomiasis
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Human rights
Management Suppliers
Counterfeit pharmaceuticals
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Principle 2: Rule out complicity in human rights abuses
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G4-HR1, G4-HR10–11
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- Adoption of a Group-wide Human Rights Charter
- Human Rights Impact Assessments
- CR audits on suppliers and collection of self-reported supplier information
- Revised supplier management in terms of CR aspects and joined the Together for Sustainability (TfS) initiative
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Human rights
Compliance
Management Suppliers
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Labor Standards
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Principle 3: Uphold freedom of association
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G4-11, G4-HR4, G4-LA4
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- Internal audits on labor standards of the Human Rights Charter
- CR audits on suppliers and collection of self-reported supplier information
- Revised supplier management in terms of CR aspects and joined the Together for Sustainability (TfS) initiative
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Human rights
Compliance
Management Suppliers
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Principle 4: Eliminate all forms of forced and compulsory labor
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G4-HR6
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- Internal audits on labor standards of the Human Rights Charter
- CR audits on suppliers and collection of self-reported supplier information
- Revised supplier management in terms of CR aspects and joined the Together for Sustainability (TfS) initiative
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Human rights
Compliance
Management Suppliers
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Principle 5: Abolition of child labor
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G4-HR5
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- Internal audits on labor standards of the Human Rights Charter
- CR audits on suppliers and collection of self-reported supplier information
- Revised supplier management in terms of CR aspects and joined the Together for Sustainability (TfS) initiative
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Human rights
Compliance
Management Suppliers
Supply chain
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Principle 6: Eliminate discrimination
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G4-10, G4-EC5–6, G4-LA1, G4-LA3, G4-LA9, G4-LA11–13, G4-HR3
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- Internal audits on labor standards of the Human Rights Charter
- Corporate goal to increase percentage of management positions held by women
- Worldwide hotline for people to anonymously report cases of discrimination
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Human rights
Compliance
Diversity and inclusion
Recruiting and retaining talent
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Environmental Protection
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Principle 7: Take a precautionary approach to environmental challenges
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G4-EC2, G4-EN1, G4-EN3, G4-EN8, G4-EN15–17, G4-EN20–21, G4-EN27, G4-EN31
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- ISO-14001 Group certificate for company environmental management
- Annual reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (reduction target 2020: 20% relative to 2006 baseline
- Signed the revised version of the Responsible Care® Global Charter
- EHS standards updated
- Product safety measures (e.g. REACH, GHS, Global Product Strategy)
- Identified sites located in areas of high water stress and created a best practice sharing platform for water management projects
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Management Environment
Climate protection
Resources
Sustainable products
Safety of drugs
Safety of chemical products
Plant and process safety
Transport and storage safety
Water
Waste management
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Principle 8: Promote greater environmental responsibility
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G4-EN1–34
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- Implementation and update of Group-wide standards and guidelines (e.g. on Energy Management and company car policy)
- New measures within EDISON climate protection program
- Internal and external EHS audits
- Energy checks at sites
- Product labeling
- Packaging take-back programs
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Climate protection
Plant and process safety
Transport and storage safety
Water
Waste management
Safety of drugs
Safety of chemical products
Reuse and recycling
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Principle 9: Encourage diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies
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G4-EN6–7, G4-EN19, G4-EN27, G4-EN31
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- Product life cycle analyses
- Sustainable products developed
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Sustainable products
Performance Materials
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Anti-corruption
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Principle 10: Fight corruption in all its forms
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G4-56–58, G4-SO3–SO6
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- Internal audits on corruption
- Assessment of business partners’ compliance standards
- Anti-corruption training
- Worldwide hotline for people to anonymously report cases of corruption
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Compliance
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