A Foundation Of Solid Values
The Principles Of Conduct And Action
The values of the Group have been spelled out since 2003 in the Principles of Conduct and Action. Numerous initiatives are carried out to familiarize employees with the Principles of Conduct and Action. These include:
A brochure in the onboarding kit for new employees, Specific training such as the “ADHERE” online training program for all employees.
Awareness-raising events, such as on-site awareness sessions, International Principles of Conduct and Action Day, events organized in the General Delegations and the International Environment, Health and Safety Day.
Nine principles
The five Principles of Conduct are fundamental values that unite the entire Saint-Gobain community, from senior management to junior staff:
- Professional commitment
- Respect for others
- Integrity
- Loyalty
- Solidarity
The four Principles of Action guide the actions of all corporate leaders and employees in the performance of their duties:
- Respect for the law
- Caring for the environment
- Compliance with workplace health and safety guidelines
- Respect for employee rights
Instructions on how to apply these principles have been prepared in the areas of Environment, Health and Safety and of Purchasing.
Read the Environmental Health & Safety Charter
The Principles refer explicitly to:
International Commitments
The United Nations Global Compact
in 2003, Saint-Gobain confirmed its commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility in line with its Principles of Conduct and Action.
In 2009, Saint-Gobain endorsed two documents related to the Global Compact:
Caring for Climate to fight against climate change, CEO Water Mandate for Water Resource Protection as part of the UN’s Millennium Development Goals
COP21
Saint-Gobain was the official partner of the 21st session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change which was held from November the 30th to December the 11th, 2015, in Paris (France). Also called “COP21“, it is one of the largest climate conferences ever organized. It needs to achieve a new international agreement on the climate, applicable to all countries, with the aim of keeping global warming below 2°C.
Human Rights
In 2008, Pierre-André de Chalendar, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Saint-Gobain, signed the UN declaration of management support for human rights. More than 150 companies have signed the declaration, initiated by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the United Nations Global Compact.
Applying Our Commitments
All Saint-Gobain employees are expected to comply with the Principles of Conduct and Action. This is the first requirement of the Group’s Compliance Program, launched in 2009 for all Saint-Gobain businesses and host countries. The Group’s Compliance Program includes four main components: responsible development, the Competition Law Plan, internal audit and internal control and compliance alerts system.
A Cross-functional Organization
Governance
The Board of Directors of Saint-Gobain has set up a dedicated Strategy and Corporate Social Responsibility Committee to address corporate social responsibility issues.
The Board of Directors takes the Strategy and Corporate Social Responsibility Committee’s opinion into account when reviewing strategic corporate social responsibility objectives presented by Saint-Gobain’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for approval.
The Strategy and CSR Committee is responsible for examining and identifying improvements to the Group’s business plan and ensuring that CSR issues are taken into account in defining the Group’s strategy.
Dialogue With Stakeholders
The Group’s companies interact with numerous stakeholders. In each of its host regions, and for all existing or potential impacts, teams at both the corporate and local levels listen closely to stakeholder concerns and organize effective dialogue.
For more information, read the Annual Report (PDF)
CSR Systems And Management Programs
Saint-Gobain has set up the following cross-functional programs to deploy its CSR strategy : Group Compliance Program, Environmental, Health and Industrial Hygiene, and Safety (EHS) policy, Human Resources policy, Responsible Purchasing policy
“CSR is a strategic issue. It is a source of opportunity for Saint-Gobain, as the leader in the sustainable habitat and construction markets, as well as a factor in reducing risk, creating value and bringing people together.”
Antoine Vignial
Corporate Secretary in charge of Corporate Social Responsibility