Hevert-Arznmittel presents CSR project in Brussels
09.10.2012 14:53
On the occasion of a strategy review by the European Commission, the Future Initiative Rhineland-Palatinate (ZIRP) organized a panel discussion on September 25th on the topic of “Corporate Social Responsibility – Contribution to a fairer Europe” at the representation of the state of Rhineland-Palatinate in Brussels. Hevert-Arzneimittel was invited to take part in the discussion. For Hevert, Dr. Tilmann Laun with representatives from industry, politics, trade unions and research about the possibilities for small and medium-sized companies to approach the topic of corporate responsibility.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), or corporate social responsibility, has been the focus of public interest for years; Sustainability reports reveal companies' efforts to become more responsible. The European Commission is now also emphasizing how important socially sustainable business is and that it can be a competitive advantage. It has therefore revised its corporate social responsibility strategy.
This revision was now the reason for a panel discussion by ZIRP to discuss the potential and problems of CSR together with representatives from Rhineland-Palatinate companies and the European Union. Dr. Tilmann Laun, Head of Quality Operations/QP and head of the Hevert CSR team, skillfully represented the position of the medium-sized pharmaceutical manufacturer.
“A medium-sized company like Hevert-Arzneimittel certainly cannot invest the same financial resources as BASF in CSR activities. However, thanks to the bottom-up principle when introducing our corporate responsibility strategy and the associated very close involvement of our employees, we can essentially rely on a '130-person CSR team' - even large industry probably has a hard time keeping up with that," Tilmann Laun explained the Hevert approach.
“From the very beginning, we at Hevert have placed great value on the active participation of our employees. The advantage: The compilation of the measures and the allocation of priorities are now very closely based on the actual needs of the company,” says Dr. Laun stated. “This means that the “important and urgent” comes first, even if other measures might have had more public impact.”
When asked whether CSR measures should be comparable, measurable or mandatory across the EU, Tilman Laun answers with a wink: “In my opinion, measurability is essential, perhaps also because as a quality management officer I am very susceptible to this.” Then more seriously “We see CSR as a 'management system', which means continuous development. In order to be able to determine position, course and speed along this path, we need measurable key figures.”
However, he doubts whether these would easily make a medium-sized pharmaceutical manufacturer and an international car company comparable. “I am critical of an obligation because then the distinction between regulatory compliance and voluntary social and societal commitment becomes blurred. As a customer, I have to be able to expect one thing; the other is what sets me apart from the competition. Ultimately, social commitment must be based on conviction.”
BU:Dr. Tilmann Laun (r.) presents the Hevert CSR concept.