CSR: MANAGEMENT APPROACH AND ORGANIZATION
Responsible care is part of our corporate strategy and, as such, is part of our daily business operations. Because we feel we have an obligation to pursue corporate development with an eye to the future, sustainability is an essential, integral part of our management approach.
Symrise CSR activities are carried out under the auspices of the Corporate Vice President for Corporate Compliance, who, in turn, reports directly to the chair of the Symrise AG Executive Board. The global Corporate Compliance organization unites Corporate Audit, Corporate Social Responsibility, Compliance/Integrated Management, Product Compliance and Risk Management offices under one roof.
The Symrise Sustainability Board was integrated into this organization in 2009. Managed by Corporate Compliance, this global, cross-divisional body is focused on worldwide coordination of all CSR activities. The Board is composed of representatives from upper management: in addition to department heads for Corporate Communications, Legal Affairs, Human Resources and Investor Relations, members also include individuals in positions of responsibility within the Research & Innovation, Supply Chain, Sales, and Quality Control & Regulatory Affairs departments of each division. The Board meets several times each year, making decisions regarding the company’s CSR strategy, defining objectives and performing reviews to determine whether objectives have been met. Turning the objectives set by the Board into concrete action at the operational level is the direct responsibility of the departments and sites around the world of both Symrise divisions. The global Corporate Compliance organization and a network of volunteer sustainability ambassadors communicate the strategy and objectives to the company and set up the project teams that will implement specific CSR initiatives. The company’s CSR objectives are also tied to individual goals and, as such, to management compensation.
