Communication on Progress Submission Template
This template shows the information you will be asked to provide when submitting a link
to your Communication on Progress to the Global Compact website:
Company name: EPCOS AG
Title of the submission (70 characters limit):
Communicating Our Progress (2007)
Global Compact principle(s)/issue(s) addressed in the example (select from the list i.e.
1,2,3 etc, and/or HIV/AIDS, water management etc):
Communication on progress
1. What actions has your company taken to implement the Global Compact inside
its business? (2500 characters limit)
EPCOS has communicated its progress to stakeholders in various corporate publications. The
Annual Report 2006 devoted a complete chapter to corporate responsibility. The EPCOS
corporate website provides detailed information on the company’s commitment to the Global
Compact. The Corporate Responsibility pages present EPCOS’ Corporate Principles, which
coincide with the principles of the Global Compact. Addressing corporate citizenship and
corporate governance, they provide ethical guidelines binding on all employees. Details are also
available on environmental management, employee safety and security, and various community
involvements.
EPCOS’ dedication to the environment is summarized in seven environmental protection
principles. These include assessing the environmental impact of new products and processes right
from the design stage, and regular monitoring and updating of technological and organizational
procedures to ensure environmental protection. The RoHS directive also requires lead-free
soldering processes to be used in production of electronic components. EPCOS has therefore
made the necessary technical adaptations to large numbers of its components. The entire relevant
product range is compatible with European Union’s Restrictions on Hazardous Substances.
EPCOS now offers its customers an online service to help them comply with the requirements of
China’s new law on hazardous substances in electronic products, »Administration on the Control
of Pollution Caused by Electronic Information Products« (ACPEIP). Based on the company’s
extensive experience with EU RoHS, EPCOS aims to provide customers with reliable orientation
in this complex field.
Progress has also been made in efforts to cut water consumption. At the plant in
Deutschlandsberg, Austria, for example, migration to a closed-loop cooling system slashed water
consumption by about half.
Charity efforts are one of our contributions toward a better community. For example, in 2006
EPCOS PTE Ltd. in Singapore adopted Grace Haven for its charity drive. Grace Haven is a
residential home operated by the Salvation Army that provides guidance and protection for up to
150 young persons. EPCOS conducted fundraising events with employee participation, including
the EPCOS Market Bazaar and the EPCOS Charity Bowl 2006. With the drive EPCOS made a
contribution of $30,000 to Grace Haven.
[The following example relates directly to the principles of the Global Compact:]
Through proactive communication on coming China RoHS regulations, EPCOS is striving to help
Global Compact
January 2007
its customers comply with environmental legislation.
2. What was the outcome/result of the actions described above? (2500 characters limit)
Please describe such things as: the response you have received to your efforts to
communicate progress; plans for future communications on progress to stakeholders on
the company’s performance on sustainability issues etc.
The EPCOS Group operates an environmental management system that conforms to the
requirements of ISO 14001. Currently, our locations in Europe and the Americas, as well as most
of our locations in Asia are certified to this standard; certification of the remaining facilities in
Asia is scheduled for completion in the course of 2007.
EPCOS already complies with the strict environmental protection guidelines drawn up by the
Sony Group, for example. Today, the Japanese enterprise only sources components from
suppliers and dealers that are accredited as »green partners«. Samsung Electronics, the world's
third-largest maker of mobile phones, likewise certified us as an ecologically sound partner at an
early stage. The Korean electronics group requires its suppliers not only to deliver environmentfriendly components, but also to use environment-friendly packaging materials.
What have been some other milestones related to EPCOS’ social responsibility initiatives?
What are some of the company’s CSR goals for 2007?
In connection with the ten Global Compact principles, EPCOS has not set any new milestones
because its goals remain the same. EPCOS’ commitment to human rights, labor standards and the
environment date back to its establishment in 1999 and can be traced back even further to its
predecessor companies.
Does EPCOS have a formal report that details the above initiatives?
No, but chapters on corporate responsibility, corporate governance and the environment are
integral parts of our Annual Report, which is also available at our website.
Country (ies) where the internal company change took place (global is also an option):
-Global
5 search words (keywords) describing the submission:
CSR reporting, environmental protection, community, social responsibility, education
Contact information of company representative:
Name: Mark Dietrich
Email: mark.dietrich@epcos.com
Direct URL links to the communication on progress e.g. annual report/CSR report, pages
on website etc.:
Annual Report 2006:
http://ir3.quartalflife.com/data/epcos/igb_html/index.php?bericht_id=1000002&lang=ENG
Corporate responsibility:
http://www.epcos.com/web/generator/Web/Sections/InvestorRelations/CorporateResponsibility/O
verview/Page,locale=en.html
Global Compact:
Global Compact
January 2007
http://www.epcos.com/web/generator/Web/Sections/InvestorRelations/CorporateResponsibility/G
lobalCompact/Page__Global_20Compact,templateId=render,locale=en.html
Environmental protection:
http://www.epcos.com/web/generator/Web/Sections/Environment/Page,locale=en.html
Commitment to sustainability:
http://www.epcos.com/web/generator/Web/Sections/InvestorRelations/CorporateResponsibility/R
esponsibility/Page,locale=en.html
Environmental management:
http://www.epcos.com/web/generator/Web/Sections/Environment/EManagement/Page,locale=en.
html
Environmental report:
http://www.epcos.com/web/generator/Web/Sections/Environment/FactSheet/Page,locale=en.html
RoHS Directive of the European Union:
www.epcos.com/rohs
China RoHS:
www.epcos.com/china_rohs
Global Compact
January 2007