ESG - Environmental, Social and Governance
ESG Index, A-Z
Getinge’s sustainability work is an integral part of our passion for life. We help our customers save lives with a commitment to conduct business that is socially, ethically and environmentally sound across the entire value chain. In this Index you will find Getinge’s positions, policies and statements on various Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) topics, including links to relevant documents.
Quick links to the key documents referred to in the Index:
Getinge’s Global Anti Bribery Corruption Policy defines Getinge’s standpoint on bribery and corruption. The Global Anti-Bribery Corruption Policy applies to all employees, directors and business partners acting on behalf of Getinge. The principles are regularly communicated to Getinge’s employees via internal communication channels and specialized trainings. The policy implementation is driven by global and local management, in cooperation with the regional E&C Officers. Independent assessment are performed by internal oversight functions and the external assessors.
Since 2022 Getinge is supporting member of The Swedish Anti-Corruption Institute (IMM).
Links:
- Global Anti Bribery Corruption Policy
- Getinge Ethics & Compliance Report 2022
- Getinge Annual Report 2023
- The Swedish Anti-Corruption Institute (IMM)
Getinge’s Global Antitrust & Fair Competition Program is a specialized subject matter within the Ethics & Compliance Program and is designed in full adherence of the applicable standards by regulators throughout the US, the EU and all competition authorities in countries where Getinge operates. The Program guides the organization via global policy and directives, ongoing training programs and communication.
The Getinge Antitrust & Fair Competition Policy is the overriding policy document which sets the ethics and legal frame for the organization in respect of how to ensure compliance within the antitrust area.
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Getinge has long been dedicated to sustainability, and since 2017 sustainability, together with quality, is a top priority in the company’s strategy. This means that ethics, quality and sustainability are integral parts of how the company acts as a business and how it treats its employees, customers and partners.
Getinge revised its sustainability approach in 2023 with the aim at contributing to a future with better, more efficient and more accessible healthcare. Engaged employees together with the ambition to excel in quality and responsible business are the backbone of the new approach. Sustainable innovations for better health are the driving force and spearhead sustainability at Getinge. The company works continuously to ensure that its business activities are conducted in an ethical and responsible manner. The aim of ethics and compliance is to ensure that all decisions made are well-informed, balanced and can withstand scrutiny in the future.
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Getinge’s primary commitment is to deliver value to customers, and this includes ensuring that suppliers live up to the high standards required of a supplier to the healthcare industry and to Getinge. The primary focus is to ensure patient safety and the quality of products and this focus is also expected of Getinge’s suppliers. In the wake of increasing regulations and demands on acting ethically, reducing environmental impact and working to minimize risks to people, Getinge is committed to include the value chain in the company’s sustainability work.
In 2023, Getinge prioritized refining its method for identifying risks in the supply chain according to requirements from stakeholders and emerging requirements specifically linked to new EU regulations (CSRD and CSDDD). These steps serve as the foundation for the company’s continued work to manage or mitigate actual impacts.
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Getinge supports the work of designated charitable organizations to advance environmental initiatives, education, culture, social welfare, and disaster relief. As a medtech company, Getinge is particularly committed to United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3 directed to ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages.
At Getinge all charitable donations are conducted in an ethical and compliant manner and support Getinge’s brand and business objectives, contributing to company and/or social value creation. We are careful about corporate giving. Bribes and other corrupt forms of payments are often made under the guise of corporate donations and sponsorships. We must never offer, promise or give money or anything of value to a charity or similar organization with the aim of securing an improper advantage for Getinge. Any legitimate expenses must be properly managed, supported by relevant documentation and accurately recorded in our records.
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Getinge’s Code of Conduct, centered around Responsible Leadership, sets down the company’s guiding principles for how professional interactions should be conducted, every day, internally and externally, with customers and business partners. The main purpose is to enable and inspire all Getinge employees to demonstrate responsible leadership and to foster an open and transparent culture.
The Code is based on six principles:
1) Always act with honesty, fairness and integrity
2) Stand up and speak up when something isn’t right
3) Act respectfully to protect confidentiality, privacy and information
4) Take care of each other
5) Take care of the world
6) Act together to protect all stakeholders.
Getinge’s Global Policies and related Global Directives form the base for the Code of Conduct and gives more guidance on specific areas. The global framework set forth the principles that apply to all employees in their daily business. Due to the constantly evolving regulatory landscape and expectations from stakeholders, our global policies and directives reviewed every other year, and updated based on the recent trends and regulatory requirements.
Getinge’s Global Policies and Directives have been translated into twelve languages and are easily accessible to all employees on the company’s intranet, as well as publically available on Getinge’s website (www.getinge.com/code-ofconduct/policy-summaries/ ).
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Getinge’s position on conflict minerals:
Most of our products contain metals which originate from various sources around the world. Some products contain tantalum, tin, tungsten and gold, most often in electronic devices needed in our products. These metals, often named 3TG, have become known as 'conflict minerals' because they may be, in part, sourced from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) or adjoining countries where a long civil war is ongoing. Illegal armed groups control some of these mines and transit routes to fund their violent operations.
Getinge's position is that the extraction of raw materials never should, directly or indirectly, support armed groups but instead contribute to economic growth and development.
Transparency on the origin of conflict minerals is most important in order to achieve a positive development. Getinge will have an open attitude on these issues as we require that our supplier will assist us in our effort to determine adequate information on mineral sourcing.
Getinge is committed to having a conflict-free supply chain and when conflict minerals are used in our products to conduct due diligence activities on our supply chain to reasonably ensure that if the minerals originate from within the conflict area they are from conflict-free sources.
It is essential to establish conflict-free sources of 3TG within the DRC and other conflict areas in order to mitigate the unintended consequences of a widespread withdrawal from trade in these regions. Joint efforts are needed to establish mechanisms to ensure a responsible procurement of conflict minerals from affected areas.
Responsible Sourcing of Minerals:
Getinge Business Partners are expected to use only minerals and metals that have been extracted and traded in such a way that does not contribute to human rights abuses, unethical business conduct (e.g. Corruption), environmental damage or funding for conflicts. Business Partners are expected to take steps ensuring transparency on the origin of minerals, and that they and their suppliers exercise due diligence within their operations to ensure metals and minerals are responsibly sourced and traded.
We continue to update our way of working with focus on a due diligence approach that includes the expectations on responsible sourcing of minerals, monitoring of its compliance, corrective and preventive actions and continuous improvement. This work will be on-going throughout 2023.
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In short, corporate governance aims to ensure that a company is managed in a sustainable, responsible and efficient manner in accordance with applicable legislation and regulations. The Group’s corporate governance structure and its internal regulations provide frameworks for achieving business objectives and strategies and aiming to ensure the continued strong development of the Group’s operations and, consequently, that the Group’s operations fulfill its obligations to shareholders, customers, employees, suppliers, creditors and society.
Getinge have clear principles and practices which must be applied for the governance of each Getinge Legal Entity by its Board of Directors, pursuant to all applicable local laws. The purpose is not only to establish appropriate governance and provide efficient management and control, but also to bring clarity to decision making, accountability and the roles of the Board of Directors, the Managing Director/General Manager and other Officers of each Getinge Legal Entity.
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Diversity and inclusion are essential aspects of the way of working at Getinge. The global Diversity Directive clearly outlines the commitment to providing equal employment opportunities to all, without unlawful discrimination. Getinge’s target is to increase female representation across the company to reach gender balance both at management and employee levels. To create an inclusive culture, the company has started to track employee sentiment in this area via the annual employee survey.
A systematic work method was implemented to improve the gender balance in senior positions. This work resulted in four out of six of Getinge’s largest Global Sales and Service organizations being led by women (China, the US, Japan and the UK).
In 2023, two questions were monitored in the employee engagement survey to understand how employees rate inclusion and belonging:
- Belonging: “I feel a sense of belonging at Getinge” received a score of 71 (68) (external benchmark is 73).
- Inclusion: “Our team has a climate in which diverse perspectives are valued” received a score of 74 (73)
(external benchmark is 78).
Gender balance in the Company in 2023:
Top management: 55% male/ 45% female
Managers: 66% male/ 34% female
Employees: 62% male/ 38% female
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Getinge offers and maintains a safe and sound working environment that meets or exceeds global standards and national legislation. A safe and healthy workplace is not only about preventing accidents, it involves both physical and psychosocial well-being aspects.
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In compliance with the EU directive 2018/851 on waste and the EU directive 2018/852 relating to packaging and packaging waste, we present all the useful information on getinge.com to facilitate collection, reuse, the recovery and recycling of our packaging, as well as to give correct information to healthcare professionals on the final destinations of the packaging.
Furthermore, on the basis of Commission decision 97/129 / EC and as required by art. 219 paragraph 5 of the Legislative Decree 152/2006, Getinge report the nature of the packaging materials used for each product, for the purposes of the correct identification and classification of the packaging.
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In 2020, Getinge undertook to establish a climate target in accordance with the SBTi. The company’s near and long-term targets were approved by the SBTi in 2023. The long-term target is net-zero emissions by 2050. The near-term targets are to reduce Scope 1 & 2 emissions by at least 90% and Scope 3 emissions by at least 25% by 2030 (base year 2021).
To reduce the environmental footprint of its products, Getinge has updated the company’s EcoDesign Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) by, for example, adding a standardized method for life cycle assessments (LCA) and setting clear guidelines for how and in which phase of the development process EcoDesign is to be integrated.
Getinge is also committed to continually reduce the waste generated in production. The target is that the majority (>95%) of waste from production will be recycled by 2025 (including incineration with energy recovery). Responsible use of resources and waste handling is in focus in all locations of operation. Getinge has ISO 14001 certifications at all production units (except for a small number of recently acquired units) to comply with all local regulation in this area and has set targets to increase recycling of its waste. The management of waste follows the principles set out in the environmental and sustainability policies and local environmental management systems.
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Getinge is in continuous dialogue with financial stakeholders and rating agencies,
to provide transparent communication of ESG topics and indicators.
| Rating Agency | Results 2023 | Latest assessment |
| Sustainalytics | ESG Risk Rating 2023: 21.2 Medium Risk | April 2023 |
| ISS ESG | Rating B- Performance Score 57.6 Transparency Level: Very High Status: Prime |
Oct 2023 |
| MSCI | Rating BB | Oct 2023 |
| Ecovadis | Score 56 | Nov 2023 |
Getinge is committed to a culture of openness, integrity and accountability. All employees, suppliers and other business partners are expected and encouraged to report any suspected or observed violations of law or Getinge’s Code of Conduct. These concerns will be treated with the gravity they deserve and properly investigated.
Getinge Speak Up Line is an externally hosted whistleblowing hotline that is available 24/7 in local languages when so allowed by national laws. This tool enables anonymous reporting via a website or telephone in local languages. It is open for Getinge employees as well as for suppliers, distributors and other business partners. Employees are encouraged to first seek to address the issue with their manager or a local Human Resources representative. If the employee for some reason is uncomfortable with this, they can also contact another manager, the Ethics & Compliance Department, or the Legal Department.
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At Getinge, we respect Human Rights and believe that all people should be treated with dignity and respect. We are committed to identifying, mitigating, and preventing Human Rights abuses in our business, operations, supply chain, and the communities in which we operate.
Getinge's business operations are guided by the principles of diversity and inclusion, freedom of association and ensuring a safe and secure workplace. The dedication to human rights, regardless of where in the world Getinge operates, is rooted in the Code of Conduct and the Human Rights Policy.
The Human Rights Risks have primarily been identified as those linked to child labor, forced labor or compulsory labor, but also the risk of discrimination, prevention of association and freedom of negotiation and work environment-related problems. These risks are however, not considered significant to Getinge’s direct operations. All forms of violations of human rights are taken very seriously and if any severe adverse Human Rights impacts are discovered, Getinge will act appropriately without delay.
In 2021, no incidents of violations of human rights were identified.
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Getinge interacts with hospitals and life science institutions all over the globe. The company has a great responsibility both in terms of patient safety, but also in terms of how public funds are spent in relation to its products and services. Securing integrity and transparency when interacting with health care professionals and health care organizations is a top priority.
Getinge is a member of AdvaMed, a medical technology association representing device, diagnostics and digital technology manufacturers.
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Getinge is committed to providing a fair and sustainable working environment for all employees. Our people policy defines our position in relation to our people; reflecting our human rights values both internally (making sure Getinge is a great place to work) and externally (when representing Getinge in business and other relations).
Collective agreements: Getinge welcome a close dialogue and participation with employee representatives and trade unions, and values constructive employee participation for all employees. Collective agreements are in place in Sweden and most European countries.
Human Rights: Getinge and our employees shall respect and protect internationally recognized laws and standards for human rights, and strive to ensure that we do not abuse any part of these human rights principles.
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The materiality assessment ensures that the sustainability strategy and the sustainability targets as well as the company’s reporting focus on the matters where Getinge has a major impact on people and the environment and that are important to internal and external stakeholders. The materiality assessment and its results cover all parts of the organization, Group companies and Getinge employees.
Getinge conducted a materiality assessment in 2022 including interaction with the stakeholder groups and the identified material topics remain valid for 2023. The table shows the relationship between the identified material aspects and Getinge’s focus areas in the revised sustainability approach:
| Material aspects | Sustainability approach focus area |
| Product quality, safety of healthcare professionals and patients | Excel in quality and responsible business |
| Employees (including Employee Engagement, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging, Training and Health & Safety) | Engaged Employees |
| Business Ethics and Compliance (including anti-corruption and compliance with legislation) | Excel in quality and responsible business |
| Human Rights | Excel in quality and responsible business |
| Responsible Sourcing and Supplier Management | Excel in quality and responsible business |
| Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Climate impact (from production and use of products) | Sustainable innovations for better health |
| Circularity: Waste & Recycling (including product-specific climate impact) | Sustainable innovations for better health |
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Getinge have signed the UN Global Compact and supports the ten principles on human rights, labor, environment and anti-corruption. All Getinge employees have to follow the company Code of Conduct and accompanying policies, which stipulates how the company does business and describes, as well the company’s, and the employees’ responsibilities to its stakeholders. Since 2019 Getinge issued a dedicated Policy on Human Rights, accepted and adopted by the Getinge AB Board of Directors and implemented worldwide.
According to our Human Rights Policy, forced labour, including debt bondage, trafficking and other forms of modern slavery are not accepted in any of our businesses. We acknowledge the responsibilities within the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and are committed to ensuring transparency within our organization and supply chain.
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The health and safety of employees is one of the company’s top priorities. Getinge is committed to providing a healthy and safe workplace. The safety of employees is considered a social responsibility and an important success factor in business. Ensuring there is a culture that prioritizes health and safety and where employees feel a sense of responsibility for their own- and others' safety is therefore of high importance to the company.
Getinge’s target is to keep the work-related accident rate
(WRAR) below 1.3 by 2023 and below 1 by 2025.
In 2023, Getinge’s overall results improved, including a reduction in the rate of employee injuries and ill health. This is in line with the company’s target of achieving a WRAR of less than 1.3 by 2023 and less than 1 by 2025. The WRAR in 2023 was 0.89.
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We exist to make life-saving technology accessible for more people.
To meet future expectations and perform at our best, we need Team players, Forward thinkers and Game changers.
It is not permissible to use charitable or political donations or sponsorships as a way of concealing a bribe.
Getinge has a Sponsoring and Donation Directive which clarifies our approach towards corporate giving – philanthropic donations, community projects, stakeholder relations grants and sponsorships. Sponsorships and donations need to be in accordance with this Directive.
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Maintaining customer trust in the security of and safety of its products is critical for Getinge. In addition, the importance of data privacy and the integrity of personal data is a constantly increasing. Meanwhile, the company needs to protect its most valuable assets against cyber threats. To secure data privacy and security we have formalized our related programs throughout the organization.
Digitalization is paramount to deliver more and better health care. Getinge is continuously adding new functions to its software solutions, is offering an increasing number of hospitals around the world the advantages of digital technology.
Data privacy is a topic which has evolved quickly over the last decade. Both awareness and regulations have developed. Getinge’s solutions are designed to ensure information is only accessible for the right staff at the right time. There are restrictions regarding who can access what information and the hospitals can check which staff member viewed certain information.
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All Getinge products comply with EU and FDA regulation and certification requirements in the highly regulated healthcare market. Getinge has established internal procedures where 23 quality related KPIs are tracked and followed up every month. Furthermore, a global set of Standard Operation Procedures and directives are established to ensure a compliant handling of product and service related quality aspects. Registrations of Getinge’s products also include a declaration of conformity (e.g. REACH, RoHS, etc.).
Getinge has established Quality Management Systems within the whole organization which are validated and audited by a Notified Body; all production facilities have both a quality standard certificate (ISO9001 or ISO13485) and environmental standard certificate (ISO14001). A process to handle customer complaints is established and validated, ensuring management attention and feedback to customers accompanied with continuous improvement of products and processes.
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EU's Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD):
The CSRD directive came into force in January 2023 and right now, the EU member states are working on incorporating CSRD in country legislation.
The CSRD directive implies that sustainability information shall be reported as a part of the Management report included in the Annual Report. The information is subject to limited assurance as a start, for Getinge this needs to be performed by an external auditor. According to CSRD, companies must also report according to the European standards for sustainability reporting (ESRS) and the EU taxonomy.
Getinge AB, as the mother company in the Getinge group, is performing a group sustainability report yearly.
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In many areas within sustainability, Getinge is dependent on business partners. The potential risks of the supply chain not living up to legislation or the Getinge Business Partner Code of Conduct makes it important to collaborate and to spread awareness of the expectation that Getinge has on its suppliers on ethics, social aspects including human rights and environmental commitments.
The Business Partner Code of Conduct defines Getinge’s ethical principles and requirements that stakeholders are expected to comply with when doing business with Getinge. The Business Partner Code of Conduct also applies to suppliers, partners, contractors and subcontractors.
In 2023, Getinge prioritized refining its method for identifying risks in the supply chain according to requirements from stakeholders and emerging requirements specifically linked to new EU regulations (CSRD and CSDDD). These steps serve as the foundation for the company’s continued work to manage or mitigate actual impacts.
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The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) is a collaboration between CDP, the United Nations Global Compact (UN Global Compact), World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and is one of the We Mean Business Coalition commitments. The initiative champions science-based target setting as a powerful way of boosting companies’ competitive advantage in the transition to the low-carbon economy. Science-based targets are greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets that are in line with the level of decarbonization required to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement – to limit global warming to well-below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and pursue efforts to limit warming to 1.5°C.
The SBTi’s Target Validation Team has approved Getinge’s near and long-term targets to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across the value chain by 2050 from a 2021 base year.
Near-term, Getinge commits to reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 90% by 2030 from a 2021 base year, and to reduce absolute scope 3 GHG emissions 25% within the same timeframe.
Getinge’s long-term targets are to maintain at least 90% absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions reductions from 2030 through 2050, and to reduce absolute scope 3 GHG emissions 90% by 2050 from a 2021 base year.
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At Getinge we take our responsibility towards all our stakeholders including customers, employees, business partners, investors and owners, as well as authorities and the wider society seriously. For us responsible leadership is making sure that our words lead to action and that we consider the wider consequences from our business decisions.
Getinge’s stakeholder dialogue is a continuous practice in the day-to-day work. As part of the continued review of our sustainability framework multiple internal and external business partners were interviewed on their needs and priorities in sustainability in regards to Getinge as a company and as a supplier in 2022.
Getinge’s key stakeholders are:
- Employees: Getinge’s passionate employees are a key factor for Getinge to deliver on the company‘s business strategy, achieve the overall targets and act as a responsible company.
- Customers: Getinge values its close customer relationships and dialogues. The company actively listens to customer feedback so that it can deliver valuable products and services.
- Partners: Cooperation and dialogues with other experts are necessary to achieve success and to contribute to the society in the best way Stakeholders and material topics possible. The many collaborations with partners during COVID-19 are prime examples on this.
- Existing and potential owners: Getinge has ongoing dialogues with investors, especially in conjunction with financial reporting. The company provides actual and fact-based sustainability data and progress reporting.
- Governments and Regulators: Getinge is committed to comply with all applicable regulation in its markets and the geographies where the company operates. The regulatory environment is critical to the success of our business.
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The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) launched by the UN in September 2015 aim to achieve the changes necessary to realize long-term sustainable development by 2030. The commitment of companies and the actions they take are critical for achieving these SDGs.
Getinge supports all of the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals on human rights, labor, environment and anti-corruption. A number of goals that best correspond to the company’s impact on its business environment have been identified. These goals are:
- Goal 3 – Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
- Goal 4 – Ensure inclusive and quality education for all and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
- Goal 5 – Gender equality
- Goal 6 – Ensure access to water and sanitation for all
- Goal 8 – Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all
- Goal 12 – Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
- Goal 13 – Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
- Goal 17 – Partnership for the goals
Links:
- United Nations – The 17 goals: THE 17 GOALS | Sustainable Development (un.org)
- Getinge Annual Report 2023
As a global medtech company, Getinge’s impact is inherently a social one – to improve and save people’s lives. Getinge exists to make life-saving technology accessible for more people. A growing and ageing population in addition to climate change are putting increased pressure on financial, human and natural resources in healthcare and the medtech industry. The company endeavors to minimize its impact on people and the environment and the communities in which it operates.
Getinge revised its sustainability approach in 2023 with the aim at contributing to a future with better, more efficient and more accessible healthcare. Engaged employees together with the ambition to excel in quality and responsible business are the backbone of the new approach. Sustainable innovations for better health are the driving force and spearhead sustainability at Getinge.
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The Executive Vice President (EVP) Sustainability, Legal & Compliance is ultimately responsible for operational sustainability. Getinge also has a Sustainability Board at Getinge Executive Team level, which prepares sustainability matters ahead of decisions by the Getinge Executive Team.
The Sustainability function, which is part of the overall Sustainability, Legal & Compliance function, is responsible for the daily work on Group-wide sustainability issues. The function is responsible for establishing frameworks for all employees and for conducting socially, ethically and environmentally sound operations throughout the Group’s entire value chain. The function works closely with the business areas and with the global sales and service organization in its operational activities to establish detailed action plans to deliver on the strategies and targets set for sustainability.
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UN Global Compact is the world's largest corporate sustainability initiative with more than 10 000 organizations participating. It’s Ten Principles on human rights, labor, environmental and anti-corruption guide company’s work on sustainability and responsible business.
As a member of the United Nations Global Compact, an organization most respected and influential in the domain of global environmental and social goals globally, Getinge annually provides progress reports on its sustainability activities.
Getinge's Communication on Progress (COP) has been reported according to the Global Compact (GC) Advanced level since 2018. Through the GC Advanced level, the UN Global Compact Office recognizes companies that strive to be top reporters and declare that they have adopted and report on a broad range of best practices in sustainability governance and management.
Global Compact Advanced COPs are publicly recognized on the Global Compact website with detailed results of the COP self assessment available on Getinge's COP web page.
Through Global Compact and our commitment to the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) Getinge is part of the “We Mean Business Coalition”, in which businesses commit to align their businesses to a 1.5 C pathway and target net-zero by 2050 at the latest.
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