Communication on Progress

Participant
Published
  • 20-Mar-2017
Time period
  • March 2016  –  March 2017
Format
  • Stand alone document – Basic COP Template
Differentiation Level
  • This COP qualifies for the Global Compact Active level
Self-assessment
  • Includes a CEO statement of continued support for the UN Global Compact and its ten principles
  • Description of actions or relevant policies related to Human Rights
  • Description of actions or relevant policies related to Labour
  • Description of actions or relevant policies related to Environment
  • Description of actions or relevant policies related to Anti-Corruption
  • Includes a measurement of outcomes
 
  • Statement of continued support by the Chief Executive Officer
  • Statement of the company's chief executive (CEO or equivalent) expressing continued support for the Global Compact and renewing the company's ongoing commitment to the initiative and its principles.

  • To our Stakeholders:

    I am pleased to confirm that Engineered Materials Solutions LLC reaffirms its support of the Ten Principles of the United Nations Global Compact in the area of Human Rights, Labor, Environment and Anti-Corruption.

    In this annual Communications on Progress, we describe our actions to continually improve the integration of the Global Compact and its principles into our business strategy, culture, and daily operations. We also commit to sharing this information with our stakeholders using our primary channels of communication.

    Sincerely yours,

    Paul Duffy
    Chief Operating Officer

Human Rights
  • Assessment, policy and goals
  • Description of the relevance of human rights for the company (i.e. human rights risk-assessment). Description of policies, public commitments and company goals on Human Rights.

  • Engineered Materials Solutions believes that respecting Human Rights is of the utmost importance. We support the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and all it represents. No person employed by EMS will be subject to their rights and freedoms, such as race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status, being affected in a negative manner or used to withhold any liberties each and every person is entitled to. It is the policy of Engineered Materials Solutions LLC to maintain a working environment that encourages mutual respect, promotes civil relationships and is free from harassment and violence. We have had zero cases of business ethics issues, including conflicts of interest issues.

    Our Policy regarding Human Rights is as follows:

    Engineered Materials Solutions respects and supports the observance of internationally recognized human rights . Furthermore, the following shall apply:

    1. Child Labor
    EMS refrains from resorting to child labour. As a general rule, all persons under the age of 15 (or – depending on the national legislation – under 14) shall be deemed as a “child” or persons under the age for compulsory education as applicable in the respective country, whichever is the highest. Any employees under the age of 18 will not be deployed by the Business Partner for the execution of any hazardous work.

    2. Forced Labor
    Any form of forced or compulsory labor as well as involuntary prison labor in violation of human rights is strictly forbidden.

    3. Principle of Non-Discrimination
    EMS shall refrain from any kind of discrimination. No one may be discriminated against, preferred or marginalized on the basis of race, colour, nationality, descent, religion, social origin, gender, age, physical characteristics or appearance, the sexual orientation, membership in unions, political affiliation, health conditions or possible parenthood
    or other personal characteristics.

    4. Freedom of Association
    EMS shall observe the fundamental right of freedom of association and the right of collecting bargaining agreement within the scope of the national law

  • Implementation
  • Description of concrete actions to implement Human Rights policies, address Human Rights risks and respond to Human Rights violations.

  • During 2016, we expanded our efforts to provide a safe and moral working environment for all employees. We have increased the safety training program by establishing mandatory monthly training sessions for production staff. A schedule of training sessions was established and completed. In addition, we have augmented the training for new employees. EMS has an electronic suggestion box in place and all items are reviewed by management daily. Human Resources Department has the responsibility for maintaining Human Rights policies within the company.

  • Measurement of outcomes
  • Description of how the company monitors and evaluates performance.

  • As mentioned in the section above, EMS has taken steps in 2016 to thoroughly inform our employees on the importance of a safe and moral working environment, by increased training and discussions. We have a zero tolerance approach to those who do not embrace these standards. We are happy to inform the UN Global Compact that during 2016, we do not have any instances that exhibit investigations, legal cases, rulings or fines.

Labour
  • Assessment, policy and goals
  • Description of the relevance of labour rights for the company (i.e. labour rights-related risks and opportunities). Description of written policies, public commitments and company goals on labour rights.

  • It is the policy of Engineered Materials Solutions to be 100% compliant with all local governmental labor laws. We are pleased to inform UN Global Compact that there have been zero cases of labor issues, including child labor, pay and overtime. Additionally, we offer a program to promote a healthy lifestyle for our employees. This includes full healthcare benefits, wellness activities and healthy food options in our facilities. EMS encourages employees to take advantage of these opportunities through financial and other incentives. We believe that a safe and healthy working environment which abides by all local and national regulations, follows examples such as ILO Core Conventions, is the foundation of a respectful and productive work environment.

    The policy on Working Conditions is as follows:

    Occupational Safety and Health
    Occupational accidents and diseases shall be prevented. We expect to ensure a safe and healthy working environment and to take adequate measures in order to avoid accidents and injuries to health which might materialize in connection with the
    activity and to contain any risks. All applicable industrial safety standards shall be complied with. EMS will set up and operate an adequate occupational health and safety management system.

    2. Product Safety
    All products and services provided by EMS will comply with the mandatory standards of quality and safety in accordance with the applicable laws and other regulations.

    3. Working Hours
    The applicable national laws and regulations or the relevant ILO conventions regarding the maximum working hours must be complied with.

    4. Fair Treatment
    We expect to ensure a fair treatment of his employees, without any sexual harassment, sexual abuse, corporal punishment or torture, mental or physical coercion or verbal abuse of employees, or the threat of any such treatment and we expect an adequate compensation of the employees, ensuring the compliance with applicable national minimum wage laws.

  • Implementation
  • Description of concrete actions taken by the company to implement labour policies, address labour risks and respond to labour violations.

  • Engineered Materials Solutions LLC currently abides by all local and national regulations regarding labor issues. It is our policy to offer professions and trades in a workplace that follows the law. Our Human Resources Department has an open door policy and welcomes feedback from our employees. We also have a suggestion box in place and an online resource for our staff to address concerns or questions, or to offer suggestions to improve upon current standards. EMS provides a full benefits package to all employees including, healthcare, dental care, life insurance, paid time off, and retirement plans.

  • Measurement of outcomes
  • Description of how the company monitors and evaluates performance.

  • As mentioned, EMS offers an open door policy to all of our employees, in addition to outlets that allow discretion such as a Suggestion Box. Any items submitted are reviewed by Management and Human Resources Department during bi-weekly HR meetings. Currently there are no issues. In the event an issue would be addressed and our employee was not satisfied with their response, we would encourage them to contact Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD), who then would in turn contact us about rectifying said issue.

Environment
  • Assessment, policy and goals
  • Description of the relevance of environmental protection for the company (i.e. environmental risks and opportunities). Description of policies, public commitments and company goals on environmental protection.

  • EMS is committed to protecting and preserving the environment by implementing and enforcing policies and procedures that promote internal green initiatives along with sustainable purchasing from suppliers who demonstrate social responsibility.

    EMS actively engages in a number of measures and procedures to minimize environmental effects and where possible use low impact products and focus on reclaiming or minimizing waste. EMS purchasing department employs the following tactics;

    * Purchase raw materials from suppliers who utilize 30-100% recycled scrap metal.
    * Purchase packaging and shipping materials from local suppliers who utilize 30-100%recycled materials.
    * Purchase conflict minerals only from suppliers who are 100% compliant to Conflict Minerals Reporting Legislation and standards.
    * EMS is 100% compliant to the Conflict Minerals Reporting legislation and provides CMRT reports when requested using the standard.
    * Incorporate environmental management in supplier assessments.
    * Reducing amount of waste sent to landfills via recycling of all incoming packaging - cardboard, plastics, composites and wooden containers.
    * Wash, reuse, and recycle the employee safety protection equipment such as fabric armguards and gloves & uniforms, and floor mats.
    * Provide all office and floor areas receptacles to sort all office paper, periodicals, catalogs and mail for recycling.
    * Provide all office and floor areas receptacles to recycle various types of electronics hazardous waste including batteries, computers, etc.
    * Proper filtering, disposal and/or recycling of machine oils and other lubricants.
    * Recycling of all scrap materials.
    * Recycling of packaging materials.

    Our Policy is as follows:

    We expect to observe environmental and climate protection with regard to applicable international standards and legal provisions, to minimize environmental pollution, and to achieve continuous improvement in terms of environmental and climate protection. This includes preventing emissions and waste as well as taking steps to enhance resource efficiency. For such purpose an appropriate environmental management system is set up and operated.

  • Implementation
  • Description of concrete actions to implement environmental policies, address environmental risks and respond to environmental incidents.

  • In 2016, EMS assessed and proactively addressed new environmental regulations in our China facility with the installation of new waste water treatment capabilities. Engineered Materials Solutions also continues to implement energy saving technologies in all of our facilities in an effort to minimize our environmental impact. We have installed LED lighting throughout most of our manufacturing areas to reduce energy consumption to help the environment.

  • Measurement of outcomes
  • Description of how the company monitors and evaluates environmental performance.

  • EMS is 100% compliant to the Conflict Minerals Reporting legislation and provides CMRT reports when requested using the standard. EMS Key suppliers are 100% compliant to conflict minerals reporting procedures and satisfy EMS requirements that if a Conflict Mineral must be purchased that it's only purchased from a compliant supplier as evidenced by their own CMRT report. Additionally, 90% of EMS Key suppliers are ISO 14001 certified. Environmental performance is monitored on an ongoing basis by our Environmental Safety Director.

Anti-Corruption
  • Assessment, policy and goals
  • Description of the relevance of anti-corruption for the company (i.e. anti-corruption risk-assessment). Description of policies, public commitments and company goals on anti-corruption.

  • A third party audit is performed annually to assess our accounting records. During this audit, topics such as corruption and bribery are addressed. Additionally, Engineered Materials Solutions LLC currently has in place, as part of its Corporate Policy, the following statements regarding Corruption, Bribery and Extortion:

    * Gifts and Entertainment
    Except in connection with and specifically pursuant to programs officially authorized by management, employees may not accept, directly or indirectly, any money, objects or value or premiums from any person or company that has or is doing or seeking business with the company.

    * Conflicts of Interest
    No employee should use his or her position with the company or information acquired during employment in a manner that may create a conflict, or the appearance of a conflict, between the employee's personal interests and those of the company. No employee shall be affiliated with any buyer, purchasing agent, or provider of goods or services to the company without written authorization by the company.

  • Implementation
  • Description of concrete actions to implement anti-corruption policies, address anti-corruption risks and respond to incidents.

  • A code of ethics is discussed during every new employee orientation, in addition to the written policies that are delivered to each new hire. Engineered Materials Solutions also offers a suggestion box and open door policy for those employees who would like to report instances that counter our efforts. There are currently zero ethics issues.

  • Measurement of outcomes
  • Description of how the company monitors and evaluates anti-corruption performance.

  • As previously mentioned, EMS offers an open door policy to all of our employees, in addition to outlets that allow discretion such as a Suggestion Box. Any items submitted are reviewed by our Management and Human Resources Department during bi-weekly HR meetings. Currently there are no issues.