A group-wide chemical management standard is currently under development featuring comprehensive chemical inventories, approval processes, etc. with customization provided by an external IT consultant. It includes a hazard and exposure assessment for each chemical in order to demonstrate its safe use for workers, the environment, and the use of the products. The chemical management transition process was established in 2020 and will be rolled out to all the sites in stages to ensure all Group sites follow the same approach. Group wide Chemical Management Standard will be rolled out in Q2 2023.
Management approach
Material topic: Chemicals & toxicity
[GRI 3-3]
Actual and potential negative and positive impacts
Positive
- Compliance with stakeholder expectations (e.g. Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals)
- Opportunity to reduce impact on Lenzing Scope 3 CO2 footprint via good supplier motivation efforts
Negative
Own activities:
- Negative health and environmental impacts
- Negative environmental and social impacts can lead to reputational damage
Business relationships:
- Regulatory changes and changing classification of chemicals
- Negative health and environmental impacts
Policies and commitments
- Heartbeat for Safety and Health initiative
- SHE Policy
- Higg FEM 3.0
- Group Environmental Standard
Actions taken
- Safety & Health KPIs
- Emission KPIs
- Lenzing contributing to leading multi-stakeholder initiatives (ZDHC, SAC, EU-BAT)
- Increase in the number of chemical suppliers
- Overall EcoVadis score of Lenzing Group suppliers higher than the average EcoVadis score
- Supplier engagement to procure “low-carbon” caustic soda
- Environmental management system in accordance with ISO 14001:2015 (including risk assessment and internal audits to ensure the effectiveness of the measures implemented)
- Regular Global SHE meetings with management review
- EcoVadis supplier assessment
- Integral part of internal communication (SHE-topics prioritized)
Sustainability targets, measures and progress
For more information, please see the “Sustainability targets, measures and progress” chapter.
Stakeholder
- Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC)
For more information, please see the “Stakeholder engagement” chapter.
Responsible
- Global Purchasing
- Global QESH
- Site managers