Compliance and Management

EN.1.a. Legal compliance

Does the company comply with all relevant environmental legislation? (Principles 7-9)

ABOUT THIS QUESTION

The company should comply with all relevant environmental legislation in the country in which it operates. Environmental legislation differs from country to country, but most often covers nature conservation, natural resource use, emissions to air, waste water, waste, chemicals etc.

The company should take the necessary measures to ensure that it maintains awareness of current and new environmental legislative requirements relevant to the environmental impacts of its activities, products and services. Furthermore, the company should comply with relevant international standards, conventions and agreements, including those regarding governance such as the Arhus Convention (1998) on access to environmental information (http://www.unece.org/env/pp/documents/cep43e.pdf).

 

ANSWER THIS QUESTION

First answer the following indicators (step 1) and then the main question (step 2).

Step 1. Answer the following indicators:

The company complies with all relevant environmental legislation in the country in which it operates.

The company has obtained the necessary environmental permits and authorisations to operate from the relevant authorities.

The company has a systematic approach in place to ensure knowledge of new environmental legislation and compliance with permits and any other legal environmental requirements.

The company has a systematic approach in place to ensure knowledge of new environmental legislation, compliance with permits and any other legal environmental requirements.

The company has not received serious or repeated complaints about environmental impacts of company operations or activities from neighbours or other stakeholders (e.g. consumers).

The company has not breached environmental regulation within the past five years.

The company has ongoing dialogue with the relevant authorities about any unsettled environmental issues raised by the authorities.

The company reports on environmental issues and impacts to the authorities as required by law.

The company complies with international environmental conventions and agreements relevant for the company.

Step 2. Answer the main question:

Does the company comply with all relevant environmental legislation?

 

EN.1.b. Environmental management

Does the company manage environmental issues to ensure appropriate and continuous improvements? (Principles 7-9)

ABOUT THIS QUESTION

The company should work systematically to address environmental issues that relate to its business operations and activities. This implies that the company, through a proactive approach, should prevent, minimise and remedy adverse environmental impacts of its activities, products and services. The approach should include policies, procedures, responsibilities, awareness raising and training, targets and reporting on significant environmental issues. Furthermore, the company should be able to demonstrate continued and appropriate improvements of its environmental performance. The approach could involve establishing a formal company-wide environmental management system. 

ANSWER THIS QUESTION

First answer the following indicators (step 1) and then the main question (step 2).

Step 1. Answer the following indicators:

The company has identified the environmental issues that relate to its business operations and activities and works systematically with these environmental issues.

The company has a formal environmental policy, approved by top management, which includes a commitment to legal compliance and continuous improvements in environmental performance.

Company employees are aware of the environmental issues relevant for the company operations and activities.

The company has defined and communicated roles and responsibilities with regard to environmental issues.

The company regularly trains employees involved in activities that have, or could have, adverse environmental impacts to ensure they are aware of environmental risks, requirements and agreed procedures.

The company has an action plan to improve environmental performance, which describe timeframes, responsibilities and means of obtaining the targeted improvements.

The company has sufficient monitoring and documentation to demonstrate continuous improvements of its environmental performance regarding significant impacts.

The company regularly reports externally on its environmental performance (e.g. annually).

The company has a company-wide environmental management system that is certified according to e.g. ISO 14001 and/or operates in accordance with sector specific codes and standards.

Step 2. Answer the main question:

Does the company manage environmental issues to ensure appropriate and continuous improvements?

 

EN.1.c. Environmental impact assessment

Does the company assess and address environmental impacts of its operations before these operations start? (Principles 7-9)

ABOUT THIS QUESTION

This question is only relevant in certain situations, such as a new activity or expansion of existing activities with significant potential adverse risks for the environment. Environmental assessments can be made for individual projects such as a dam, motorway, or factory (referred to as an Environmental Impact Assessment or EIA), but can also be made for plans, programmes and policies, often at national level (and is then referred to as a Strategic Environmental Assessment or SEA).

 

Environmental assessments involve an analysis of the potential environmental and social impacts, writing a report about these impacts, and undertaking a public consultation on the report. When making the final decision, the report and comments received should be taken into account and the public informed about the decision made. The company should assess and mitigate any negative effects its operations may have on the environment and ensure the health and livelihood of the local inhabitants, as well as their access to clean water, land and public services.

 

The company should comply with relevant international standards, conventions and agreements including the Espoo Convention (1991) on EIA in a Transboundary Context (http://www.unece.org/env/eia/eia.htm), the SEA Protocol (2003) (http://www.unece.org/env/eia/sea_protocol.htm), the Arhus Convention (1998) on access to environmental information, especially article 6  (http://www.unece.org/env/pp/documents/cep43e.pdf), and Guidelines incorporating biodiversity in EIA and SEA under the Convention on Biological Diversity (http://www.cbd.int/decision/cop/?id=7181).

 

The question also relates to the human right to an adequate standard of living, the right to housing, the right to food and the right to health. Please also see the question on Impact Assessment in the Human Rights section of this self assessment tool.

ANSWER THIS QUESTION

First answer the following indicators (step 1) and then the main question (step 2).

Step 1. Answer the following indicators:

Before starting new operations, the company identifies and assesses the potential environmental impacts of the planned activities.

The company has a method for identifying environmental impacts owing to company operations and consults affected individuals, prior to, during and after the start of the operations.

The company shares the findings of its environmental impact studies with the affected individuals in a form and language accessible to them.

The company develops appropriate impact management plans in consultation with affected individuals to prevent, reduce and mitigate any adverse social and environmental impacts.

The company continually monitors its and environmental impacts, and provides stakeholders and affected individuals with regular access to updated information about these impacts.

Local inhabitants can safely file complaints and concerns regarding environmental impacts of company operations and have their concerns addressed in an impartial and responsive manner.

Step 2. Answer the main question:

Does the company assess and address environmental impacts of its operations before these operations start?

 

EN.1.d. Emergency response

Does the company have emergency procedures in place to effectively prevent and address industrial accidents affecting the environment and human health? (Principles 7-9)

ABOUT THIS QUESTION

This question is primarily relevant for industrial companies whose operations involve potential toxic or other dangerous substances or processes that could effect the environment and/or human health.

 

The company should take measures to institute preventative methods and enforce emergency response techniques according to requirements of the industry. The company must ensure that all of its procedures comply with the highest industry standards and, if insufficient, exceed and improve upon them. The company should have in place emergency procedures to respond to accidents if they occur, and is also responsible for efficiently responding to minimise the effects and to promptly inform the community, authorities and other relevant stakeholders.

 

The company should comply with relevant international standards, conventions and agreements including the Helsinki Convention on Industrial Accidents (1992) (http://www.unece.org/env/teia/welcome.html).

 

The question also relates to the human right to health. It is based on general principles contained in the following: Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948), Article 25; ILO Prevention of Major Industrial Accidents Convention (C174, 1993), Articles 9 and 14 (2); Permanent Peoples’ Tribunal Charter on Industrial Hazards and Human Rights (1994), Article 13.

ANSWER THIS QUESTION

First answer the following indicators (step 1) and then the main question (step 2).

Step 1. Answer the following indicators:

The company has identified the hazardous operations and the potential consequences on human health and the environment if an accident occurs.

The company has detailed procedures, plans, equipment and training programmes to prevent industrial accidents and emergencies.

The company has detailed procedures, plans and equipment to effectively respond to industrial accidents and emergencies if they occur.

The company trains employees to respond to accidents and emergencies, including carrying out emergency drills at least once a year involving all employees.

Where relevant, local inhabitants are included in and informed about company emergency response and evacuation plans, including first aid and medical response.

Where relevant, the company has a procedure, which enables it to notify affected local communities about potential industrial emergencies with minimal delays.

Step 2. Answer the main question:

Does the company have emergency procedures in place to effectively prevent and address industrial accidents affecting the environment and human health?

 

EN.1.e. Supply chain management

Does the company promote international environmental standards in its interactions with suppliers and business partners? (Principles 7-9)

ABOUT THIS QUESTION

Environmental performance of suppliers, contractors and other business partners are outside the company's immediate sphere of control. However, the company should still apply due diligence and set up requirements for its suppliers and major business partners regarding their environmental performance. The company should ensure that all reasonable measures are taken to avoid damaging the environment and to improve the environmental standards of its suppliers e.g. through control, dialogue or collaboration.

 

The indicators for the question are based on the implementation principles for responsible supply chain management, developed by the Danish Ethical Trading Initiative in collaboration with the Ethical Trading Initiatives in the United Kingdom and Norway. Please visit www.dieh.dk for more information.

ANSWER THIS QUESTION

First answer the following indicators (step 1) and then the main question (step 2).

Step 1. Answer the following indicators:

The company has a commitment to promote the continuous improvement of the environmental performance of its suppliers.

The commitment is supported by training on environmental performance for relevant management and procurement staff.

The company has conducted an assessment of its supply chain to identify which suppliers have the greatest environmental impacts.

The company has defined minimum requirements for environmental performance of suppliers and communicates these in writing to new and existing suppliers and business partners.

Where necessary, the company collaborates with individual suppliers to implement continuous improvements of environmental performance.

The company's procurement practices, such as prices, delivery times and internal incentive structures, encourage improved environmental performance of suppliers and business partners.

The company collaborates with other companies to promote improved environmental performance of suppliers.

Step 2. Answer the main question:

Does the company promote international environmental standards in its interactions with suppliers and business partners?

 
  • Next set of questions
  • Previous set of questions
  • Export to Excel
  • Print
  • Help

    TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS

     

    1. Select a question

    2. Click "Answer this question"

    3. Answer the indicators

    4. Answer the main question

     

     

    ANSWER CATEGORIES

     

    Yes/No

    -if you agree or disagree


    F/A (further attention)

    - if you don't know the answer


    N/A (not applicable)

    - if it's not relevant to your business

     

     

    FOLLOW-UP REPORT

     

    Click on "Export to Excel" to generate a follow-up report or work off-line.

     

     

    FOR MORE HELP

     

    Click on "Get Started" in the menu bar