Sustainability plan




The Sustainability Plan represents the strategic vision of the Group in the area of sustainability and is the essential instrument for setting our objectives as well as the activities and plans we intend to use in order to reach them.

Plan sets 18 sustainability objectives and 43 concrete actions which must be undertaken in order to achieve them.

 

Each objective is related to a specific macro-area (Governance, Economic responsibility, Product responsibility, Responsibility towards human resources, Social responsibility, and Environmental responsibility) and to the related issues in each sector.

 

The objectives of the El.En. Group contribute to the achievement of nine of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) promoted by the United Nations and published in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development which the Group recognizes as relevant for its business and in line with its goals;

The objectives of the Plan are updated every year and take into consideration the results which have been achieved and those which still need to be reached as well as the new issues which have emerged over time.

The chart below shows the objectives contained in the plan, the results achieved and the goals for the next few years.


Governance


1) Implementation of a corporate governance of sustainability

Actions taken in preceding years Results in 2021 Objectives for 2022
  • The executive administrator responsible for the internal controls system was assigned the task of defining the strategic guidelines for sustainability, the Plan and the drafting of the consolidated non- financial statement;
  • The Commission for Controls and Risks was made responsible for the analysis of the policies and the company objectives in relation to sustainability issues and the supervision of the sustainability Plan and integrating the Regulations of the Commission with these functions.
  • During the year, the El.En. Group conducted numerous initiatives aimed at guaranteeing  the continuation of the mid- to long- term sustainability strategy for the benefit of the stakeholders and in compliance with the regulations;
  • The Commission for Controls and Risks changed its name to "Commission for Controls and risks, operations with telated parties and sustainability ";
  • During the year, the Group drafted a plan for the analysis of it activities to comply with the gradual adoption of the new reporting requirements introduced by Regulation UE 852/2020 - Taxonomy Regulation, which will continue for the next few years.
  • The objective is to insure that the company maintains the initiatives aimed at guaranteeing the mid- to long term sustainability of the company activities for the benefit of the stakeholders and in compliance with the regulations;
  • To develop a new analysis process in order to verify the applicability of the taxonomy of our activites when the European Commission adopts the next Delegated Acts which specify the taxonomy eligible activities also for the remaining objectives and for the social objectives.

2) Dialogue with the stakeholders

Actions taken in preceding years Results in 2021 Objectives for 2022
  • Distributed and submitted to all the employees a questionnaire concerning sustainability issues;
  • Distributed and submitted to a sample group of suppliers of the Group a questionnaire related to sustainability issues;
  • Re-enforced the dialog with some categories of stakeholders by participating in events, meetings and research on sustainability.
  • Conducted training corse on the Sustainabilty Plan of the El.En. Group for 158 employees belonging to all of the companies of the Group;
  • Participated in events promoted by local institutions in order to discuss the main issues and initiatives for sustainability in the area and in meetings with local and national institutions  in order to proceed with sustainability projects;
  • During the year we worked to obtain sustainability ratings from the main independent agencies and increase our score with respect to preceding years by obtaining a score of BBB for MSCI ESG rating, a score of 28.8 for per Sustainalytics ESG Risk rating Report and a score of 68/100 for the Gaia Research 2021 campaign.
  • Distributed the sustainability questionnaire to allof the employees of the Group and enlarged it by adding a special section to collect opinions, suggestions and evaluations;
  • To conduct new activities for the engagement of stakeholders at the suppliers of all of the subsidiary companies;
  • To conduct new stakeholders engagements and arrange meetings with other stakeholders;
  • To participate in the sustainability ratings obtained in 2021 and try to improve our score.

3) Promotion of a sustainability culture

Actions taken in preceding years Results in 2021 Objectives for 2022
  • To conduct training courses on the objectives contained in the Sustainability Plan and on the activities which must be undertaken in order to achieve them;
  • Organized training sessions in classrooms or on the web to create awareness in our employees on sustainability issues;
  • Conducted promotional campaigns on sustainability issues by spreading information and documents;
  • To run promotional campaigns on sustainability issues and disseminate the documents which have been published among our employees, suppliers and clients;
  • drafted a summary of the Sustainability Statement in order to increase the availability of the main issues and distributed it mostly to our employees and clients;
  • developed a lengthy section concerning sustainability issue on our site  www.elengroup.com.
  • Obtained recognition of the ESG identity 2021 label, which is granted to the companies that have activated a serious plan for the transformation and evolution related to ESG in their company;
  • Obtained recognition as "Sustainability Leader 2021" which was awarded to the 150 most sustainable Italian companies;
  • Obtained recognition by receiving the  "Sustainability Awards 2021"  which was awarded to the 100 best sustainability companies for the capacity they demonstrated in conducting a sustainable, inclusive and stable growth, in this way creating added value for the community.
  • To conduct training corse on susrainability issues for the employees of all the companies of the Group;
  • To create corporate work teams dedicated to sustainability issues;
  • To create on-line training courses on social and environmental issues and on the Company policies;
  • Review of the corporate site  www.elengroup.com

4) Active and passive anti-corruption fight

Actions taken in preceding years Results in 2021 Objectives for 2022
  • Used all of the instruments considered suitable to prevent corruption in all the spheres of influence;
  • Organized the delivery of the Ethics Code to all of the new employees and conducted training sessions of the Ethics Code of the Group in most of the subsidiary companies;
  • Conducted a specific training session called "Anticorruption, Ethics Code and Human Rights” which involved 177 employees;
  • The anticorruption Policy was approved by all of the companies in the Group.
  • Continuation of the training on Model 231 for the employees of Quanta System S.p.A. and ASA S.r.l..
  • Continuation of the anti-corruption training for some of the employees of the Group;
  • Continuation of the training sessions on Model 231 for the  Italian subsidiary companies which have adopted it for all of the employees who are required to know its contents;
  • Conduct an initial specific training session on the Ethics Code at some of the subsidiaries.


Economic responsibility


5) Creating sustainable value

Actions taken in preceding years Results in 2021 Objectives for 2022
  • Set up a business model focused on sustainable growth over a mid- to long-term period , which combines economic growth and financial stability with the principles of environmental and social sustainability.
  • A procedure for reporting in the Non-financial Statement through the identification of all of the steps, the persons involved and the necessary documentation for drafting the NFS in conformity with the GRI accounting standards was drawn up and approved by the Commission for Controls and Risks and Sustainability.
  • Continued the coordinating of the actions and the achieving of the objectives contained in the Sustainability Plan;
  • Conduct a training session on the set up of a Business Impact Analysis  and on the implementing of a management system for the operative continuity.
  • To assure the satisfaction and meet the expectations of all of the stakeholders by implementing the objectives contained in the 5-year Sustainability Plan which will end on December 31st 2022
  • To extend the analysis of the Business Continuity and evaluate obtaining a ISO 22301company certification.

6) Promotion of a culture and sustainable procurement practices

Actions taken in preceding years Results in 2021 Objectives for 2022
  • Defined and delivered to our suppliers a document with the social, ethical and environmental standards;
  • Required the acceptance of the Ethics Code by the suppliers in the in the management contracts and/or in the orders to suppliers of some of the companies of the Group.
  • Inserted the acceptance of the Ethics Code of the Group into the contracts of the employees and/or the orders to suppliers  of  the companies Asclepion GmbH, Quanta System S.p.A., Asa S.r.l.  and for three of the Chinese subsidiaries;
  • Continue with the dissemination of the social, ethical and environmental standards for the suppliers of the Parent Company by submitting questionnaires and sending them our sustainability documents.
  • To increase the awareness and the training of suppliers of the Group in relation to ESG issues.
  • To draft an ethics code for the suppliers of the Group

7) Carry out checks on suppliers during the selection phase, taking into account social and environmental criteria

Actions taken in preceding years Results in 2021 Objectives for 2022
  • Promotion of good sustainability practices also in relation to the suppliers.
  • Insertion of questions related to social and  environmental issues in "checklist for new suppliers” of Quanta System S.p.A., ASA S.r.l. and three of the Chinese subsidiaries;
  • Creation by the Parent Company El.En. S.p.A of a platform for monitoring the ESG issues of its production line.
  • To guarantee uniformity in the level of conformity and the respect of the standards through a sustainable supply chain;
  • To increase the monitoring of the supply chain in the companies that have started it and implement it in the other companies of the Group.


Human resource responsibility


8) Guaranteeing health and safety in the workplace

Actions taken in preceding years Results in 2021 Objectives for 2022
  • Promotion of a culture of health and safety in the workplace for all of the companies of the Group;
  • Conducted the activities that all of the companies carry out in relation to safety and health.
  • Conducted over 4000 hours of training on health and safety.
  • To continue to promote training sessions and information on health and safety for the employees.

9) Increasing the well-being of the employees

Actions taken in preceding years Results in 2021 Objectives for 2022
  • In many of the companies of the Group, they have created spaces fitnessgyms, cafeterias and relaxing rooms) dedicated to the wellbeing of people  in order to create a working environment that is increasingly energetic and appealing;
  • In all of the companies they defined programs to guarantee access to the best rest room facilities which must be available to 100% of the employees;
  • In many of the companies they defined programs that guarantee access to welfare plans or agreements;
  • Some of the companies of the Group have spread the culture of fitness through programs aimed at encouraging a healthy life style.
  • Completed the construction of the second factory of the subsidiary Penta Laser Technology (Shangdong) which includes a recreation room for the employees).
  • To continue with further wellbeing initiatives;
  • To set up awareness programs for the dissemination of a culture of wellbeing;
  • To submit new annual research reports on the  climate inside the buildings

10) Promotion of the training and enhancement of human capital

Actions taken in preceding years Results in 2021 Objectives for 2022
  • Defined and implemented training and development programs for the employees of the Group;
  • Implemented programs to attract young resources through partnerships with universities and research centers.
  • More than 33.000 hours of training were conducted at a consolidated level;
  • In 2021 a specific research project was conducted on diversity at all  of the companies of the Group by monitoring spontaneous candidates, interviews and hiring of employees divided by gender.
  • To approve a diversity policy for the Group;
  • To create awareness and re-enforce the perception of people in relation to diversity and human rights issues by conducting training sessions;
  • To continue to initiate partnerships with universities and research centers;
 


Social responsibility


11) Expansion of positive social impact through our products

Actions taken in preceding years Results in 2021 Objectives for 2022
  • Released on the market instruments and solutions that improve the quality of life of the patient;
  • Released on the market technologies for industrial applications which reduce the environmental impact and consumption and improve the quality and productivity of the work.
  • In the medical sector, we continued research and development of new laser systems and the improvement of existing systems so that a growing part of the population can make use of the innovative technologies which can improve their wellbeing;
  • In the industrial sector we continued research and development to increase the flexibility and power of the systems and decrease the waste, the quantity of material used and reduce  or eliminate the use of polluting substances for some types of industrial processes;
  • On the conservation sector, we continued research and development in order to improve the performance of the systems and obtain instruments that are highly effective in the conservation and restoration of works of art;
  • Quanta System hamade its know-how available in the optica and bio-medical field fpr the creation of a pioneering surgical operation  which made it possible to  improve the clinical state of a patient in which the transplanted esophagus presented an extremely rare complication.
  • To continue to release on the market products that have improved performance  so that they amplify the positive social impact.

 

12) Support of non-profit organizations, foundations and scientific laboratories

Actions taken in preceding years Results in 2021 Objectives for 2022

  • The El.En. Group supports non-profit organizations, foundations and scientific laboratories, by assisting  them in the use of new technologies at the service of the health of the patient.




 
  • Support through donations in cash to non-profit organizations and/or foundations ;
  • Support given through the loan of instruments free of charge both for single projects and for longer periods of time.
  • The subsidiary Quanta System donated a laser system for surgical, dermatological and physical therapy applications to a pediatric hospital in Zimbabwe.
  • To continue to promote support of non-profit organizations and foundations.

13) Contributing to the conservation of the world’s artistic heritage

Actions taken in preceding years Results in 2021 Objectives 2022
  • The  El.En. Group supports the conservation of the global cultural heritage by donating lasers or loaning them free of charge, as well as spreading the know-how by conducting training sessions on the use of lasers in the field of conservation and restoration.
  • Support by loaning free of charge laser systems for conservation and restoration  both for specific single projects and for long term periods;
  • El.En. S.p.A. donated a laser system for conservation and restoration to the Archeological Museum in Florence.
 
  • To continue to protect the global artistic legacy in order to preserve it intact for future generations.

14) Strengthening relations with the community

Actions taken in preceding years Results in 2021 Objectives for 2022
  • Promotion of initiatives that favor the growth of the local community, also through partnerships with non-profit associations and organizations;
  • Promotion of projects alternating school with work, curricular and extra-curricular internships.
 
  • During the year they sponsored some non-profit associations in the area in which the Group operates;
  • Development  of projects alternating school with work, curricular and extra-curricular internships.
  • Continual support of initiatives  for the social and economic development of the local community in which the Group operates.


Product responsibility


15) Guaranteeing the highest level of quality of the product and compliance with technical standards

Actions taken in preceding years Results in 2021 Objectives for 2022
  • Promoted the continuous improvement of the quality and the respect of the technical regulations in every phase of the production process.
  • Obtained the ISO 14001 for the implementation of a system for environmental management , and of the ISO 45001 for Safety and health from the Chinese subsidiary Penta Laser Shangdong;
  • The Ministry for Emergency Management of the People’s Republic of China granted the certificate of standardization of the safety production to Penta Laser (Shandong) Co., ltd.;
  • Maintenance of all the certifications believed to be important by the companies of the Group.

 
  • To assure in an efficient and integrated manner the respect of the quality requirements of the processes, in line with the expectations of the market;
  • To promote sustainable models for production and consumption through an efficient use of resources, by adopting circular models and green solutions for its processes;

16) Investing in innovation, research and development to benefit the progress of scientific knowledge

Actions taken in preceding years Results in 2021 Objectives for 2022
  • Invested in research and development for the purpose of developing products and processes that meet with the requirements and needs of the client in order to maximize the satisfaction for better performance, efficiency and sustainability.
  • 3,5%  of the sales volume invested in research and development;
  • 8 research centers now active;
  • More than 80 patents pending as of December 31st  2021.
  • To monitor trends and act in a specific and focused way on the areas of interest for the client.


Environmental responsibility


17) Promoting policies to increase energy efficiency

Actions taken in preceding years Results in 2021 Objectives for 2022
  • Introduced sustainability requirements during the remodeling of the offices, like the installation of energy efficient plants with LED lighting systems  and motion detectors, installation of infrared sensors to regulate the use of water and the installation of  heating and air condition systems,  with low environmental impact;
  • The environmental policy was approved by all of the companies in the Group;
  • Two photovoltaic plants started working.
  • The Chinese subsidiary Penta Laser Shangdong completed the construction of their second factory following the “standards of evaluation of ecological constructions”  and installed high efficiency electrical and heating plants;
  • The Chinese government of the province of Shandong and the government of the city of Linyi awarded to Penta Laser Shandong  a recognition of the commitment of the company for the “conversion of the old to the new energy”, a conversion which aims at the substitution of traditional technologies with innovative technologies that are safer and more respectful of the environment and of people.


 
  • For all of the remodeling and/or construction work, the Group is committed to the use of high efficiency electrical plants and heating and air conditioning with low environmental impact conditioning; 
  • Installation of four photovoltaic plants at the Headquarters in Calenzano and at some of the subsidiary companies.

 

18) Decreasing the environmental impact

Actions taken in preceding years Results in 2021 Objectives for 2022
  • Conducted awareness campaigns and promoted ecological behavior among the employees of some of the companies of the Group.    
  • The three Chinese subsidiaries  started using selective waste collection;
  • The Group companies in Calenzano and Prato started a project to review of all of the purchases of stationery materials, office supplies, cleaning and personal hygiene products which were replaced by recycled materials; moreover, in all  f the drink distributors they installed drinking cups in certified paper and wooden stirring spoons which could be recycled in the organic waste;
  • All of the Italian subsidiaries  underwrote a contract for the supply of filing folders made of recycled paper and certified paper for the printers;
  • At the headquarter in Calenzano, they installed a station for recharging electric bicycles and scooters, and the German subsidiary installed a column for recharging electric automobiles.
  • To conduct awareness campaigns to teach our people to employ a rational use to the consumption of energy sources;
  • To make an in-depth review of the climate change analysis in order to identify all of the possible risks deriving from climate change;
  • To continuously verify that the company products and processes are in conformity with the laws and the current safety regulations and that the initiatives to protect the environment and save energy are being followed.