Henkel's sustainability report is more positive than expected

In 1992, we published our first Environment Report, which we have consistently developed and refined into today’s Sustainability Report. It has now been published annually for 20 years. Together with the print version of our Annual Report and our web-based Sustainability Report and Annual Report, it makes up an integrated corporate reporting concept.

This Sustainability Report covers the key ecological and social developments in fiscal 2010. Since we joined the United Nations Global Compact in 2003, our Sustainability Report has also served as the basis for the required annual progress report.

The contents of the Report reflect the Henkel relevant and material challenges of sustainable development. The selected topics include the results of our continuous dialogue with a large circle of stakeholders. Especially close consideration was given to the dialogue with international sustainability experts, the criteria of various finance- and sustainability-oriented rating agencies, and the guidelines of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). A detailed GRI index, with links, can be found on the Internet.

The Sustainability Report covers all the companies included in the consolidated financial statements. The production-related environmental indicators were determined using data from production sites in 57 countries. They account for more than 95 percent of the company’s worldwide production volume. Henkel openly reports on serious occupational incidents, should any have occurred in the reporting period, and the measures taken in response. Occupational accidents are registered using a globally uniform reporting system. The coverage extends to 99 percent of Henkel employees. The published social indicators cover 99 percent of our employees.
Reporting initiatives

Gathering new stimuli for the future and sharing its own experiences with others – this is what Henkel wishes to achieve by participating in international reporting initiatives:

Organization Activity Year Results
European Chemical
Industry Council (Cefic) Definition of a common reporting framework for chemical companies and chemical industry federations 1997-1998 Health, Safety, Environment
Reporting Guidelines
World Business
Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) Development of a “Best-Practice-Toolbox” for Sustainability Report 2000-2002 Project information
Pleon KohtesKlewes International stakeholder survey on non-financial reporting 2002-2003 Global Stakeholder Report 2003
Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Participation in the first pilot testing program, the “Measurement Working Group” and the GRI feedback process 1999-2006 GRI-Guidelines

Download Excel table
Add Excel table to Download Center

Henkel evaluated the Sustainability Reporting Guidelines of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) in a pilot project as early as 1999. Since that time, Henkel has engaged in a continuous constructive and critical dialogue with the GRI to improve the quality of reporting and increase the practicability of the guidelines. Henkel channels the experience and knowledge gained in its dialogue with its stakeholders into the GRI workshops and feedback processes.

The results of this work are made available to the public. In doing so, Henkel seeks to contribute to efforts aimed at raising the level of voluntary reporting about environmental protection and social responsibility.