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Managing Sustainability

Sustainability at RB is governed by our corporate responsibility framework, which comprises our Vision and Values, our Code of Conduct, core Group policies, control arrangements and reporting.

The Board has overall responsibility for sustainability and corporate responsibility and undertakes a formal review of environmental, social and governance matters at least annually. The Chief Executive Officer has specific responsibility for sustainability policies and performance. The Director of Global Sustainability, Environment, Health and Safety coordinates the sustainability programme on a day-to-day basis.

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Identifying material sustainability issues

We used the GRI Technical Protocol and Accountability’s 5-Part Materiality test to help us identify the most material sustainability issues affecting RB and its stakeholders. Sources included:

  • Issues identified through our existing policies and commitments and by internal stakeholders
  • Employee and consumer sustainability surveys
  • Reviews of key customer, NGO, competitor, peer, regulatory and trade association sustainability concerns
  • A literature review to identify the key sustainability megatrends likely to affect RB
In 2012, we prioritised issues using the following criteria:

1. Potential to impact RB’s business:
a) Risks or opportunities from an issue (including potential for long term or short term impact, the likely severity and business criticality of impacts)
b) RB’s preparedness to manage the issue

2. Importance for stakeholders, determined by:
a) Stakeholder perception of RB’s impacts on the topic
b) Expectations regarding transparency on the topic
c) Diversity & range of stakeholders interested in the issue

This materiality assessment process will be carried out annually.

Key issues with potential to have material impacts on the business

Environment

  • Resource availability and use
  • Water quantity and quality
  • Greenhouse gas emissions reduction
  • Waste management
  • Natural raw materials sourcing
  • Operational environment, regulatory compliance
  • Product (and packaging) use and disposal
  • Pollution (including contaminated land)
  • Energy use efficiency
  • Carbon offsetting
  • Product regulation
  • Sustainable product innovations

Social

  • Occupational Health & Safety
  • Human rights and labour practices
  • Responsible and ethical supply chain
  • Animal testing
  • Impacts of demographic change
  • Transparency on products and ingredients
  • Consumer behaviour change
  • Talent attraction
  • Employee engagement
  • Charitable donations / philanthropy

Governance

  • Sustainability policies and positions
  • Corporate governance
  • Anti-bribery & corruption
  • Code of Business Conduct


Our policies and reports

RB is governed by a corporate responsibility framework comprising the Code of Business Conduct plus policies, control arrangements and reporting. We report our progress on an annual basis, both in the Annual Report and the Sustainability Report. Click below for PDFs.

For more information on governance and our Corporate Responsibility Framework, please refer to the Sustainability Report.

Vision and values
Code of Business Conduct
Policies Guidelines & Management Systems Local Implementation
Product Safety Policy Global Ingredient Guidelines

Global RSE services

Group Quality Assurance / QMS		 Regional / Local Implementation
Regional / Local QMSs
Occupational Health & Safety Policy Group OHSMS Region / Sub-Region / Site OHSMSs
Environmental Policy Group EMS Region / Sub-Region / Site EMSs
Global Manufacturing Standard Policy GMS Detailed Requirements

RB Supplier Sustainability Guide		 Regional/Local implementation and complliance monitoring
Responsible Sourcing of Natural Raw Materials Policy Standard for the Responsible Sourcing of Natural Raw Materials

RB Supplier Sustainability Guide		 Regional/Local implementation and compliance monitoring
Animal Testing Policy Corporate Implementation RSE animal testing minimisation procedure & control arrangements
Group Finance Manual Financial & Human Resources

Global Policies & Guidelines		 Regional / Local Policies & Guidelines
Whistleblower Policy and Contact Numbers
 Applies to any and all functions / departments / activities
 Local contact can be made, which is kept confidential. Matters are dealt with in confidence centrally at Global HQ
Anti-Bribery Policy
 Corporate implementation Guidance
 Area/regional/local implementation
Auditing


Key

RSE
Regulatory, Safety & Environmental services group

QMS
Quality Management System

OHSMS
Occupational Health & Safety Management System

EMS
Environmental Management System