Vallourec has made an undertaking to promote and uphold the ten fundamental principles of the United Nations compact relating to basic human and labour rights, environmental protection and anti-corruption.
Signing up to the Global Compact illustrates the Group's determination to enhance its efforts relating to ethics, labour relations and the environment. The sustainable development report describes Vallourec's ambitious objectives and outlines the practical progress achieved by the Group's 18,600 employees.
In 2010, the Group is focusing on behavioural best practices, by rolling out safety enhancement initiatives (Cap Ten Safe project) and implementing a code of ethics.
Focus on...
The 10 principles of the Global Compact cover four areas:
Human rights
- Businesses should support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights; and, in their sphere of influence
- make sure that they are not complicit in human rights abuses.
Labour
- Businesses should uphold the freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining;
- the elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labour;
- the effective abolition of child labour; and
- the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.
Environment
- Businesses should support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges;
- undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility; and
- encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies.
The Vallourec Group is committed to Sustainable Development, conscious of the responsibilities which this implies:
- Social responsibility towards our employees and the communities in which we operate
- Environmental responsibility to limit the impact of its activity on the environment by reducing water consumption, energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions and waste
- Economic responsibility to ensure the company's long-term viability, strengthening its ability to compete and developing the conditions necessary for growth in order to create long term value for shareholders and stakeholders
All these elements are inter-related, and integrated into Vallourec's management system.
Vallourec’s Code of Ethics sets out the fundamental values and principles that the men and women working for Vallourec share, across the diversity of their cultures and experience.
Vallourec’s policy is expressed in its Sustainable Development Charter.