APC 2009 Annual Report Download - page 41

2009 REGISTRATION DOCUMENT SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC 39
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
2
FRAMEWORK
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2. Framework
Reference documents are distributed throughout the Group so that
all team members can embrace Schneider Electric’s responsibility
approach and apply it in line with local culture and legislation.
Our Principles of Responsibility
In 2002, Schneider Electric published a set of guidelines entitled
Our Principles of Responsibility to give all team members a
common reference point. The document outlines the Group’s
commitments to each of its stakeholder groups, including employees,
business partners, shareholders, the community and the planet.
In 2009, the Group launched the Ethical Dynamics project to provide
team members with effective support in their daily actions and
decisions.
The goal for end-2010 is to instill a responsible approach at three
levels:
• providing effective structures and procedures to promote the
right of consultation and to respond to questions about ethical
responsibility;
• helping team members identify the appropriate individuals to
guide them in their responsible approach and in each of the areas
covered by the principles ;
• instructing team members on how to alert the Company to non-
ethical practices, in compliance with current laws and regulations.
Updated version and methodological support
In a fi rst phase, Our Principles of Responsibility was updated to
better refl ect the challenges currently facing the Company. The new
version, issued in June 2009, refl ects the Group values formalized
in 2008. It also explicitly refers to such internationally recognised
documents as the Global Compact and the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights, as well as guidelines from such institutions as the
OECD and the ILO.
A support guide was also published, providing a decision-assistance
methodology to help employees apply the principles in their daily
work.
Organisation and deployment process
All departments are responsible for distributing the principles and
ensuring they are applied. For this reason, the Ethical Dynamics
project was launched in a second phase to set up an organisation
that will facilitate deployment.
Ethics Council
The Ethics Council, chaired by the Executive Vice-President, Strategy
& Innovation, was offi cially created in June2009. Its fi ve members
represent Human Resources , Security, Finance and the Internal
Audit . The Ethics Council met twice in 2009.
Compliance Officers
In December2009, the members of the Executive Committee
appointed Compliance Offi cers who, within their scope of action,
are responsible for:
•supporting the Group’s units, managers and employees in aligning
their actions with the Principles of Responsibility;
•coordinating local deployment, reporting to and supporting
Country President ;
•serving as the dedicated contact with the Ethics Council.
Policies
All of the Group’s policies are aligned with the Principles of
Responsibility.
Environmental issues
Schneider Electric’s environmental policy was fi rst published in 1992,
updated in 2004 and confi rmed in October2007. It is designed
to improve manufacturing processes, promote eco-design and
integrate customer concerns in the area of environmental protection
by fostering effective product and service solutions.
Social issues
Our Principles of Responsibility is both an ethical and a social
charter. All of the Group’s policies are aligned with the Principles of
Responsibilities (environment, quality, purchasing and the different
social policies) .
Across the Group, human resources policies are deployed
governing diversity, hiring, international mobility, training, leadership
competencies, total compensation and health.
Commitments
In 2009, Schneider Electric confirmed its commitment to and
participation in society-wide efforts to promote sustainable
development.
2009 events
United Nations Climate Change Conference in
Copenhagen, Denmark (COP15)
In December2009, Schneider Electric executives at the United
Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark
actively encouraged public debate by presenting the Group’s
unique competencies and innovative solutions with the potential
to dramatically improve energy management in buildings, homes,
industry, data centres and infrastructure.