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Global compact index

This Communication on Progress provides an overview of activities during 2004 in support of the Global Compact’s objectives. It was part of the assurance of the Annual Report. For a description of how this was done, please refer to the Guide to Assurance Statement and Accounting policies.

Novo Nordisk’s approach

Novo Nordisk signed up to the United Nations Global Compact in 2001. In 2004, Novo Nordisk reaffirmed its commitment as signatory to the Global Compact, including the tenth principles, which was adopted in June 2004. In the management statement of the Annual Report 2004, the CEO and Chairman of the Board express Novo Nordisk’s commitment to Global Compact.

Novo Nordisk is working actively to implement the Global Compact principles into its business and within its sphere of influence. The company actively supports the proliferation of the Global Compact by providing case studies, presentations and organising workshops.

We see the Global Compact as a forum of learning and of dialogue with stakeholders. The Global Compact is also an opportunity for Novo Nordisk to be accountable and transparent about our efforts to integrate sustainability into our business.

Novo Nordisk actively works with the Global Compact Nordic Network for the Compact to gain further ground in the Nordic countries and to share better practices for implementation among Nordic companies.

Examples of activities in support of the Global compact include the Oxford Vision 2020 and Novo Nordisk’s global activities to promote access to health, such as the National Diabetes Programmes. 

Human Rights

Taking responsibility is part of Novo Nordisk’s commitment to the Triple Bottom Line. The company’s approach is described in its framework for good corporate governance and fundamental business principles; the Novo Nordisk Way of Management. The Novo Nordisk Way of Management explicitly refers to the company’s support to the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Novo Nordisk has worked with human rights since 1998 when the first human rights review was undertaken. Current focus areas are the right to health, equal opportunities and diversity, and privacy .

Novo Nordisk updated its position on Human Rights in 2004, which states that Novo Nordisk will:

• Promote the protection of international human rights within our sphere of influence
• Reach out to promote the right to health
• Actively promote equal opportunities and diversity
• Make a valuable difference by our example and presence
• Contribute to the development of international standards on human rights for business.

Examples of comprehensive corporate programmes that actively promote human rights are:

• Access to health 
• Sustainable supply chain management
• Diversity and equal opportunities in the workplace

In 2004, a case study on Novo Nordisk’s sustainable supply chain programme was submitted to the Global Compact Learning Database. Another case study on this programme was provided to the book Learning to Talk - corporate citizenship and the development of the UN Global Compact.

To see Novo Nordisk’s reporting against the individual performance indicators, please refer to the GRI Index.

Labour Standards

It is a minimum requirement for companies and affiliates in Novo Nordisk to ensure that the freedom of association and right to collective bargaining is upheld, that the company does not engage in forced and compulsory labour nor is engaged in child labour and that the company works to ensure diversity and non-discrimination of employment and occupation.

Novo Nordisk has activities all over the world and also has operations in countries where employees do not have a free choice of union. In those cases it is ensured that the national legislation is followed and the employees in Novo Nordisk are offered alternative methods to secure their access to management for discussion of employee issues .

Examples of comprehensive corporate programmes that actively promote labour standards are:

• Sustainable supply chain management

To see Novo Nordisk’s reporting against the individual performance indicators, please refer to the GRI Index.

Environment

As part of Novo Nordisk’s commitment to the Triple Bottom Line, the company is committed to pursue its business goals as a profitable enterprise and in a way that is socially and environmentally responsible. Novo Nordisk also subscribes to the International Chamber of Commerce’ Business Charter for Sustainable Development. The company’s approach is described in its framework for good corporate governance and fundamental business principles; the Novo Nordisk Way of Management .

The precautionary approach is integrated in Novo Nordisk’s position on gene technology.

An example of comprehensive corporate programmes that actively promote the development of environmentally friendly technology is:

• Implementation of new production strains

Examples of comprehensive corporate programs that actively promote environmental responsibility are:

• Environment strategy 2004-2008 
• Sustainable supply chain management

To see Novo Nordisk’s reporting against the individual performance indicators, please refer to the GRI Index.

Anti-corruption

Integrity and ethical business conduct has always been a business principle for Novo Nordisk and one that is included in the Novo Nordisk Way of Management and its systematic follow-up methodology.

However, as there are greyzones, in which it may be difficult for employees to know whether they are faced with a culturally accepted method or a bribery issue. Novo Nordisk has therefore in 2004 begun to develop a business ethics policy, which will be finalised and introduced to the employees in 2005. The policy will be supported by further detailed instructions implemented through the quality system, as well as through business ethics audits.

Moreover, all Novo Nordisk policies will be reviewed in order to ensure that business ethics is explicitly addressed wherever relevant.

An example of a comprehensive corporate programme that actively promotes anti-corruption is:

• Corporate governance

To see Novo Nordisk’s reporting against the individual performance indicators, please refer to the GRI Index.

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