Sustainability Approach
In 2007, Trelleborg will implement a new version of its Core Values and an expanded Code of Conduct. In addition, Trelleborg is affiliated with the UN Global Compact effective March 2007. This will be combined with our joint sustainability effort aimed at implementing, following up and reporting the Group’s work and guiding it in the direction of sustainable development. In the earlier Code of Conduct, there were a number of simple basic rules that are also present in the new version. The new version develops and clarifies these rules.
In 2006, the revision of the Code included such activities as an external audit of Trelleborg Automotive’s operations in Wuxi, China, in relation to the existing Code of Conduct and international practice, with satisfactory results.
The new Code to be implemented and followed up in 2007, in accordance with the Board’s resolution, contains the following main sections:
• Workplace and environment
• Marketplace
• Society and community
The Code of Conduct is based on internationally recognized conventions and guidelines, such as the UN convention on human rights, ILO conventions, OECD guidelines and the UN Global Compact. The Code of Conduct summarizes and explains Trelleborg’s existing policies, manuals and recommendations, which contain more detailed information on the Code’s various areas.
The systematic effort for total sustainability management will be based on selfassessment in relation to Trelleborg’s Code of Conduct and policies. Within certain defined areas, self-assessment is reinforced by external audits, such as ISO 14000 audits.
Trelleborg’s sustainability reporting is conducted in accordance with Global Reporting Initiative guidelines, version G3. This is also a reflection of the Group’s growing ambition to systematically balance, control and reduce the environmental and social aspects of our operations. Our communications shall be transparent and honest.
The fundamental principle to ensure good corporate governance is the establishment of favorable conditions for active and responsible ownership, in addition to a well-balanced division of responsibilities between owners, the Board of Directors and company management, with openness toward all stakeholders. The Annual General Meeting is the Trelleborg Group’s highest decision-making body and represents the shareholders. The meeting appoints the Board of Directors, which is responsible for sharing the management and control of the Trelleborg Group among the Board of Directors, its elected committees and the President in accordance with the Swedish Companies Act, other legislation and ordinance, rules and regulations governing listed companies, including the Swedish Code of Corporate Governance, the Articles of Association and the Board’s and its Committees’ own internal control instruments. Within the Board of Directors of Trelleborg, the Audit Committee has the specific responsibility for management of the organization’s sustainability issues and the sustainability performance achieved. The President shall present a report on these issues before the committee once a year.