Danone awarded ‘blue flag’ for ethical policies
MACROOM’S major employer Danone Dairy is celebrating this week following the announcement that the company has been awarded certification equivalent to a ‘ blue flag for ethics’, becoming only the second Irish company overall to secure the globally recognised accolade.
The award of ‘B Corp’ certification is described as a ‘mark of trust’ that recognizes the company’s “ambition to act beyond profit and put purpose at the heart of its business strategy”.
The company has 1000 employees in Ireland, the majority working at its Inchinashingane plant just outside the mid- Cork town.
As a producer of dairy products such as dried milk powder and yogurts which are exported worldwide, the B Corp Certificate is sought by companies all over the world and is rigorously inspected to ensure the company reaches the high standards set by the awarding authority.
The B Certification means Danone is acknowledged as a company which exceeds benchmarks relating to workers’ shares of profits; sustainable practices regarding recycling; and managing the firm’s carbon footprint. Interns working at the firm get the ‘ living wage’ as a minimum, while there are also measures to ensure more employees can work from home; to reduce their carbon footprint; and packaging is recyclable and reusable.
James Bruce, head of Danone Dairy Ireland, spoke of the company’s pride at receiving the award and the ongoing efforts to encourage other Irish companies to sign up for the certification.
“We will engage partners, stakeholders and consumers around this important B Corp movement, which reflects Danone’s overall ‘One Planet, One Health’ vision, aimed at nurturing the adoption of healthier, more sustainable eating and drinking habits.”
Enterprise Minister Heather Humphreys TD described the award to Danone Dairy Ireland as “a testament to their commitment to operating in an ethical and sustainable way”.
“Operating in this way should be a top priority for us all,” she said. “This is something that the Government is working hard on in partnership with business, through the National Plan on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and the Climate Action Plan.”
Nathan Gilbert, European Executive Director of B Lab, the certifying authority, described companies who have secured the B Cert as part of a global movement who believe business can be a force for good and have as their ambition changing the way business works.
Speaking about Danone Dairy, Mr Gilbert said: “Their commitment to doing business differently in Ireland will be an inspiration to others and really help spread the idea that we can redefine success in business to be as much about people and planet as it is about profit.”