As part of the assurance process of Novo Nordisk's Annual Report 2005, a number of challenges for Novo Nordisk have been identified and discussed with PricewaterhouseCoopers.Three areas were singled out as particularly important to address. All of them relate to the need to introduce, embed and monitor high standards in areas where Novo Nordisk has committed to demonstrate its values in action. These challenges are described below with planned actions for 2006. To read more about the issue in question, use the links to other sections in this online report.
Business ethics
In 2005 Novo Nordisk implemented a new policy on business ethics backed by procedures and instructions. They have all been implemented in Novo Nordisk's quality system, QBIQ. The new policy and procedures will be followed closely in 2006 and based on experience gathered from across the organisation Novo Nordisk will work to identify relevant indicators for monitoring performance which can be included in the annual reporting. In that process, it will be a challenge for Novo Nordisk to investigate how to ensure that non-compliances are collated on a corporate level. Read more about Novo Nordisk's approach to Business Ethics.
Human rights
Novo Nordisk supports the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the associated body of human rights law, including labour rights and has done so since 1998. Initially, Novo Nordisk decided to focus on three issues that were particularly relevant to the business: access to health, equal opportunities and privacy.
As a leading member of the BLIHR project, Novo Nordisk is exploring the boundaries of the human rights responsibility of business. The challenge to Novo Nordisk is to identify the best approach to ensure that the remaining areas are covered. In 2006 Novo Nordisk intends to roll out a guidance document on human rights to all affiliates that will be aligned with the scope of the draft Norms. Where possible (ie where generally accepted and clearly defined minimum requirements are available) this document will go some way to set minimum standards. For other issues (eg complicity) where no generally accepted standards exist, it will provide process-based guidance on how to manage such issues in the absence of agreed standards.
While the health and safety initiatives in the organisation do focus on prevention, additional measures will be made to prevent occupational injuries and improve the working environment, as there has been a notable increase in the frequency of occupational injuries recorded in 2005. As many as 70% of the injuries happen at production sites. Such performance is not satisfactory. It has therefore been decided to adopt a health and safety management system certified according to OHSAS18001 at Novo Nordisk in Denmark and Product Supply globally. The OSAS18001 will also deal with other H&S-related challenges such as data reporting, boundaries for reporting (inclusion of non-employees at Novo Nordisk premises) and a changing organisation in terms of employee categories.
This page has been assessed by PricewaterhouseCoopers as part of its assessment of Novo Nordisk’s statement that it reports ‘in accordance’ with GRI. Please refer to Audit and assurance for a full description of the nature of assurance offered.
