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Do your sites comply with a specific standard – e.g., ISO-14001, EMAS (the EU’s Environmental Management and Audit System), British Standard 7750, or Responsible Care®?
Our corporate predecessor - Ciba-Geigy - was in the forefront of both the EMAS and the BS-7750 (the predecessor to the ISO-14001 standard). We believe that the internal environmental, health and safety management system, which we use is compatible with ISO-14001 requirements, indeed it even goes further as it includes health and safety management. While our environmental management systems are designed to comply with ISO-14001 standards, as a general practice we do not seek to have this status certified by third parties, although several of our production sites have been certified to ISO-14001, BS-7750, or EMAS.
What percentage of your sites are EMAS and/or ISO-14001 certified?
Approximately 10%.
- Lampertheim (Germany), ISO 14001;
- Newport (US), ISO 14001;
- Pontecchio Marconi (Italy), ISO 14001, and EMAS
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How much of our total emissions are covered by the reported numbers?
More than 95%
How many employees spend at least part of their time on EH&S issues?
740 people (including 173 security guards) were employed in EHS functions (that is, they spent more than 50% of their time directly on EHS matters) as of December 31, 2001.
Do you have any environmental liabilities connected to property or assets and, if so, how much are they?
The Company continues to participate in environmental assessments and clean-ups at several locations, including operating facilities, previously owned facilities and production sites covered under the United States Superfund program. The company accrues for all known environmental liabilities for remediation costs when a clean-up program becomes probable and costs can be reasonably estimated. As of December 31, 2003, the company had CHF 557 million in environmental reserves. Management believes that these reserves are sufficient to meet all currently known environmental claims and contingencies.
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What is your company’s involvement in the manufacturing of weapons and the nuclear power industry?
We have no involvement in either industry.
Do you have a policy on the reduction of hazardous wastes?
Yes. Our guideline on hazardous waste management contains the following basic principles: “Avoid the generation of wastes wherever possible, minimize the production of unavoidable wastes, recycle as much waste as possible back into a production cycle or find an alternative productive use for a waste, treat any remaining wastes to minimize their volume and impact on the environment, and dispose of wastes in an environmentally acceptable way.”
Is there a program to reduce toxic emissions?
Our policy is to comply with all environmental regulations in the many countries in which we operate, including those, which have set targets for the reduction of toxic emissions. Through our SEEP (Safety, Energy, Environmental Protection) reporting system and our EHS audits, we closely monitor our compliance and track record at all of our manufacturing facilities. And, we have a separate guidance note on ensuring compliance with the United States Toxic Substances Control Act.
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