Sustainability Report 2018

PDF of legal annual report with financial statements.

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Sustainability In Brief

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For Electrolux, being transparent about our sustainability ambitions and how we measure, manage and integrate these priorities into our business is an important part of the annual reporting process.

The 2018 Electrolux Sustainability Report presents the nine Promises of the Group's 'For the better' sustainability approach. Using the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards sustainability reporting guidelines as our starting point, the report aims to deliver the information needs of different stakeholders on our work with sustainability. The report is presented in two versions: an abbreviated, printed report (available in pdf format) and an extended, comprehensive online report (also available as a pdf).

Based on a materiality analysis, our For the Better framework reflect the sustainability issues most relevant to Electrolux and our value chain. In the report, we outline why sustainability is relevant to our business, our priorities and response, our roadmap to 2020, how we measure progress, and our approach to managing each of the nine Promises.

Annual Report

Sustainability information is also integrated throughout the printed Annual Report, and as a brief specific section. Targeted at shareholders and other stakeholders, the focus is on how sustainability issues relate to the business strategy, as well as our goals and performance.

Reporting realm

This Sustainability Report has been prepared in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards, option Core, and has been reviewed by a third party to ensure the accuracy and completeness of reporting. The scope and boundaries of the Sustainability Report is defined by the GRI Index. The GRI Index leads readers to information on relevant disclosures as defined by the GRI Standards.

Where relevant, this report also highlights how the Group's priorities reflect its commitment to the ten principles of the UN Global Compact. Electrolux has therefore considered the UN Global Compact 'GC Advanced' level for reporting on its Communication on Progress. An index of the UNGC's 24 criteria is included in this report.

We are in an ongoing process to increase transparency on managing human rights related issues by responding to the disclosure requirements of the United Nations Guiding Principles Reporting Framework. We will continue to develop our reporting in the future.

Unless otherwise indicated, standard disclosures include all operations that can potentially affect Group performance.

Electrolux applies the precautionary principle for managing sustainability and reporting as stated in our environmental policy. We use conservative estimates where applicable.  

Boundary of the report

The sustainability report is published annually. This report covers data that has been collected throughout the 2018 calendar year. At year end, the total number of employees was 51,798 (56,708) encompassing our majority-owned operations. This report covers 53 (48) factories, 35 (35) warehouses and 46 (27) offices, in 29 (27) countries. This represents 90% (90%) of our total number of employees at year end. Staff working at facilities with less than 30 employees are not included in this compilation.

The average number of employees in the Group decreased by 2% during 2018.

Energy reduction performance was calculated according to the World Resources Institute (WRI). Electricity emissions factors were updated according to the CO2 emissions from fuel combustion 2018 edition data set, as published by the International Energy Agency (IEA). To allow comparability, the electricity emission factors used in this report are offset by a three-year period. Units using renewable energy have been defined as having a CO2 emission factor of zero. Wherever possible, Electrolux reports on its performance indicators covering the last five years.

Health and safety statistics are based on the Electrolux global definitions in terms of what constitutes a workplace injury and a lost day due to injury. All personell within Electrolux manufacturing and logistic operations are included, as well as contractors.

Throughout the report, as data is presented as part of the narrative, 2017 data is presented in (brackets).

The company's previous Sustainability Report was published in March 2018.

Omissions from GRI Standards

GRI 201-1 Direct economic value generated and distributed: Only distribution of direct economic value reported in percentages.

GRI 205-2 Communication and training about anti-corruption: Only number of employees trained reported.

GRI 301-2 Recycled input materials used: Disclosure is aligned with internally used key performance indicator for recycled plastics used.

GRI 303-4 Water discharge: Where locations lack measurement instruments for discharge water, data is based on engineering estimates.

GRI 306-2 Waste by type and disposal method: Engineering estimates have been applied for a proportion of the data. Hazardous waste weight is not broken down by disposal method. In 2019, Electrolux will roll out a comprehensive waste management system for all its factories. 

GRI 401-1 New employee hires and employee turnover: New hire data is not consolidated at Group level. No total numbers nor breakdown on age groups reported, only percentages. 

GRI 403-2 Types of injury and rates of injury, occupational diseases, lost days, and absenteeism, and number of work-related fatalities: Occupational diseases and absenteeism are not consolidated at Group level. In this area no gender specific information is collected.

GRI 404-1 Average hours of training per year per employee: Training hours only cover white collar employee categories. No data for gender specific training hours.

GRI 405-1 Diversity of governance bodies and employees: No breakdown by age group reported.

GRI 412-2 Employee training on human rights policies or procedures: Only number of employees trained reported.

Restatement of information and changes in reporting

No major changes to reporting scope and boundaries.

Due to an error, the TCIR improvement rate in the Annual Report is wrong. The correct number, 34% improvement since 2014, is stated in the Sustainability Report.

External assurance

The Sustainability Report (as referenced in the GRI index) is reviewed in accordance with the standard ISAE3000.

Read Auditor’s Limited Assurance Report on AB Electrolux’s Sustainability Report

For more and continuously updated information on the Group's progress and performance in terms of sustainability issues, visit:
https://www.electroluxgroup.com/en/

Or contact:
Electrolux Sustainability Affairs
Henrik Sundström
Vice President of Sustainability Affairs
Tel: +46 (0) 8 738 60 00
E-mail: sustainability@electrolux.se

Electrolux

Electrolux shapes living for the better by reinventing taste, care and wellbeing experiences that make life more enjoyable and sustainable for millions of people. Through our brands, including Electrolux, AEG and Frigidaire, we sell more than 60 million household and professional products in more than 150 markets every year.

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