It is a fundamental requirement for each operating unit at Novo Nordisk that it complies with all relevant legislation and regulations as well as corporate policies. In order to survey our environmental compliance status worldwide we employ the following indicators:

• Breaches of regulatory limit values
• Accidental releases
• Complaints from neighbours

Regulatory limit values
In the production approvals applying to our facilities a number of conditions are imposed by the environmental authorities. In these conditions fixed limit values apply to e.g. emissions to air and waste water.

1997 target: No repeated breaches of regulatory limit values in 1997.

The target has not been achieved. In 1997, nine different regulatory limits were breached. Of these six were breached more than once, and in total there were 66 breaches of regulatory limit values recorded at Novo Nordisk worldwide in 1997.

A description of each case of repeated breach of regulatory limit values is presented in the relevant site report together with the action taken to prevent further occurrences.

New 1998 target: No repeated breaches of regulatory limit values in 1998.

Accidental releases
Accidental releases cover spills and leakages of genetically modified microorganisms, liquid waste, oil and chemicals to the environment outside the plant. Remediation procedures are in place so that recovery or neutralization is carried out wherever possible and the area where the release occurred is subsequently monitored at regular intervals in order to identify whether further action is required. On all occasions the environmental authorities are notified. A description of each of the eight cases of accidental release is presented in the relevant site report.

1997 target: No accidental releases of genetically modified microorganisms in 1997.

The target was not achieved in 1997 due to a minor discharge of genetically modified microorganisms at our Bagsværd site in Denmark. The procedure for handling fermentation broth was not upheld and 200 ml of liquid containing not approved GMOs was discharged to the sewage system. The drain was subsequently flushed with a disinfectant.

New 1998 target: No accidental releases of genetically modified microorganisms in 1998.

Complaints from neighbours
Although complaints from neighbours are not covered explicitly by environmental regulation, we consider them to be an important indicator of satisfactory environmental performance. Nearly all complaints concern noise and odour nuisances and it is our policy to implement abatement measures wherever technically and financially feasible. In total we have received 60 complaints. Reference to the complaints is made in the individual site reports.

Legal actions and fines
Novo Nordisk has not been involved in legal actions or incurred fines relating to environmental claims in 1997.

Overview of breaches of regulatory limits, accidental releases, and complaints from neighbours at Novo Nordisk worldwide 1997

Compliance status at Novo Nordisk worldwide

Monitoring resource efficiency