The world’s largest chemical group has said it will have established individual codes of conduct within all its divisions by the end of the year.
BASF says its 78 group companies are ‘on target’ to have codes based on BASF’s statement of ‘values and principles’ drawn up by that date.
The codes are an integral part of a ten-year plan to introduce corporate social responsibility as a key element in the culture of BASF. The company favours a ‘self governance’ approach that makes divisional managers responsible for implementing the plan. Each customized code will take account of local laws.
BASF, which has production sites in 39 countries and employs 92,000 people, set up a sustainability council in March.
Chaired by board member and industrial relations director Eggert Voscherau, the council includes seven divisional presidents who will develop CSR strategy. The group has set up a ‘sustainability centre’ in its communications department to co-ordinate the work of the council and various divisions of the group. The centre will also talk to external organizations.
Work has additionally begun on social criteria for inclusion in group-wide site audits as well as ‘societal indicators’ for use when analyzing its operations.
BASF recently published its first social responsibility report, covering its activities in 2000. Another will appear in 2002 and then every two years, alternating with the company’s environment, health and safety report.