3Rs
The 3Rs (reduce, refine, replace) refers to the three main principles widely applied in efforts to reduce the numbers of animals used in testing; to replace testing on animals wherever possible with alternatives (for example in-vitro testing and computer modeling); and to refine testing conditions to cause as little pain and stress to the animals as possible.
Business Principles
Core values of business conduct that apply equally to all our business transactions and to the behavior of individual employees around the world. Akzo Nobel’s core values are entrepreneurial spirit, personal integrity and social responsibility.
Business Principles Specifications
The application of Akzo Nobel’s Business Principles to a number of important basic global issues, such as child labor, the rights of labor to organize, our presence in high-risk countries and fair competition. The specifications will be extended and amended from time to time.
Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
Carbon dioxide is an atmospheric gas which results from the combustion of organic matter if sufficient amounts of oxygen are present. Carbon dioxide is present in the Earth's atmosphere at a low concentration and acts as a greenhouse gas. Akzo Nobel reports about its direct CO2 emissions as a key performance indicator: the sum of fuel combustion and process related direct CO2 emissions from stationary sources on Akzo Nobel premises in the reporting year.
Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD)
The amount of oxygen required for the chemical oxidation of substances in the waste water effluent which is directly discharged into surface waters in the reporting year.
Coatings Care®
Coatings Care® is a voluntary environmental, health and safety management program for coatings manufacturers around the world.
Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes (DJSI)
The Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes, launched in 1999, is a global index for tracking the financial performance of the leading (best 10%) sustainability-driven companies worldwide. Akzo Nobel is selected as a member of the DJSI since September 2005.
Eco-efficiency
Eco-efficiency is a management strategy which links financial and environmental performance to create more value with less ecological impact. Optimizing manufacturing processes, waste recycling and sharing resources are just three examples of eco-efficiency.
FTSE4GOOD Index
This European equivalent of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index in the United States is used extensively by investors worldwide to measure the performance of companies that meet globally recognized CSR standards. The FTSE4Good selection criteria cover areas of environmental sustainability, developing positive relationships with stakeholders and upholding and supporting universal human rights. Akzo Nobel is selected for the FTSE4GOOD index in March 2006.
Global Reporting Initiative (GRI)
An independent body which develops and distributes internationally acknowledged, voluntary guidelines for reporting on sustainability. The guidelines provide a basis for reporting on the economic, environmental and social aspects of a company’s activities.
Hazardous Waste (HW)
The amount of waste in the reporting year which is classified as hazardous according to the definition of national, state or local legislation. Only HW that is part of non-reusable waste is considered.
Health, Safety and Environment (HSE)
HSE refers to policies, guidelines and practices followed by AkzoNobel that focus on (1) preventing harm to and promoting the health of its employees and other stakeholders; (2) preventing any injuries at work both for our own employees and our contractors; and (3) protecting the environment by preventing or minimizing the environmental impact of our activities and products through appropriate design, manufacturing, distribution, use and disposal practices.
Letter Of Representation (LOR)
A declaration by company officers (in particular Business Unit managers) about their business conduct: “We have conducted our business in accordance with external rules, laws, and regulations and worked in conformity with Akzo Nobel's Company Statement, Corporate Directives and Business Principles”. The declaration is made annually.
Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTI-FR)
The number of Lost Time Injuries for the reporting year per million hours worked.
Net Energy Consumption Index (NECI)
This index indicates the net energy consumption for the reporting year as a percentage of the reference year 1990 (corrected for changes to the product portfolio).
Non-Reusable Waste (NRW)
The amount of waste as it leaves Akzo Nobel premises in the reporting year that is not used for resource recovery, recycling, reclamation, direct re-use or alternative uses.
Occupational Health and Safety
Occupational Health & Safety refers to a wide spectrum of policies, guidelines and activities that focus on promoting and managing health and safety at work.
Occupational Illness Frequency Rate (OIFR)
The number of occupational illness cases for the reporting year per million hours worked.
Product Stewardship
The responsible and ethical management of health, safety and environmental aspects of a product throughout its total lifecycle. This may involve redesigning products to use fewer hazardous materials or make them more durable, reusable or recyclable.
REACH
REACH is the system for Registration, Evaluation and Assessment of Chemicals being proposed under the EU Chemicals Policy.
Responsible Care®
Responsible Care® is the chemical industry’s global voluntary initiative under which companies, through their national associations, work together to continuously improve their health, safety and environmental performance, and to communicate with stakeholders about their products and processes.
Round Table Human Rights
A round table meeting held periodically between Amnesty International and Dutch multinationals with the aim of exchanging good practices on Human Rights standards between member companies.
Serious Incidents
Incidents involving fatalities or grave bodily injury to our employees or contractors, and incidents involving serious environmental, financial or reputational damage.
Total Illness Absence Rate (TIAR)
The number of working hours lost per year due to all illnesses and injuries, as a percentage of the scheduled working hours per year.
Total Reportable Rate of Injuries (TR)
The number of total reportable injuries for the reporting year per million hours worked.
Total Reportable Injuries
The sum of lost time injuries (including fatalities), restricted work injuries and medical treatment injuries.
United Nations Global Compact
The Global Compact is an international initiative of the Secretary General of the United Nations designed to bring companies together with UN agencies, labor and civil society in support of universal environmental and social principles.
Volatile Organic Compounds emission to air (VOC)
The quantity of halogenated and non-halogenated organic compounds, including CS2 and COS, that are discharged to air in the reporting year.
World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)
The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) is a coalition of international companies united by a shared commitment to sustainable development via the three pillars of economic growth, ecological balance and social progress.
Zero/Low Carbon power consumption (%)
The electrical energy consumption from zero or low CO2 emitting sources, such as hydro, solar cells, biomass, wind (“green” sources), nuclear and Combined Heat and Power (CHP), as a percentage of the total electrical energy consumption in the reporting year.