Communication On Progress

This Communication on Progress (CoP) provides an overview of activities during 2005 in support of the Global Compact’s objectives. The CoP has been 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 the 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 principle, which was adopted in June 2004.

Novo Nordisk is striving to implement the Global Compact principles into its business and within its sphere of influence. We actively support the proliferation of the Global Compact by providing case studies, given presentations and organising workshops.
In 2005 we took the commitment to the tenth principle further by implementing a Business Ethics Policy in the Novo Nordisk Way of Management and initiated the training of our employees. Read more about Business Ethics in the Annual Report 2005.
For Novo Nordisk, the Global Compact is a forum of learning and a way of engaging in dialogue with stakeholders. The Global Compact is also an opportunity 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 participation in the Business Leaders Initiative on Human Rights, Oxford Health Alliance 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. It explicitly refers to the company’s support for 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. The current focus areas are the rights to health, equal opportunities and diversity. In 2005 we began work on a set of guidelines that will help our affiliates around the world to work proactively with potential human rights issues in their national context.

Novo Nordisk has published its position on human rights on its website. The position 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
• Equal opportunites. 

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

Labour standards

It is a minimum requirement for companies and affiliates in Novo Nordisk to ensure that the freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining are upheld, that the company does not engage in forced and compulsory labour or child labour, and that the company works to ensure diversity and non-discrimination in respect 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.

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

• Sustainable supply chain management 
• Equal opportunities

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

Environment

As part of Novo Nordisk’s commitment to the Triple Bottom Line, the company is committed to pursuing 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’s 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.

In 2005 the main focus of the environmental efforts in Novo Nordisk was joining with WWF’s Climate Savers programme. Novo Nordisk has committed to a 10% reduction in its CO2 emissions in absolute figures by 2014.

Being a pharmaceutical company means that a majority of our activities related to the production of pharmaceutical products have a high level af safety, always ensuring that we have identified any potential risks to the users of our products before they are taken into use. An example on how we work with the precautionary principle can be found in Novo Nordisk’s position on gene technology.

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

• Environmental strategy builds the business case 
• Environmental Management 
• Environmental footprint 

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

Bribery and corruption are key local concerns today, detrimental to the wealth, stability and economic growth of societies as well as to the environment, and Novo Nordisk believes that these problems must be tackled by all levels of society. Our role as a private company is to act responsibly in all aspects of how we conduct our business as well as actively supporting relevant initiatives to combat corruption. 

In 2005 Novo Nordisk therefore decided on a Business Ethics Policy. The policy is supported by detailed instructions implemented through the Novo Nordisk quality system, as well as through business ethics audits by our internal auditors and facilitators. In our Business Ethics Policy we make a direct committment to the UN Convention against Corruption.

Furthermore, all Novo Nordisk policies have been reviewed in order to ensure that business ethics is explicitly addressed wherever relevant.

Examples of comprehensive corporate programmes that actively promote anti-corruption are:

• Spotlight on Business Ethics
• Corporate governance 

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.