1. Strategy and analysis

For the statement of Christian Buhl (CEO), see CEO statement on sustainability.

For Geberit, sustainability means being oriented towards the future and being successful over the long term. This means striking a balance in decision-making processes between various economic, environmental and social aspects. In essence it also means identifying important technological and social trends in good time in dialogue with our stakeholders and developing suitable products and services that provide solutions for customers and added value for other stakeholders. The long-term orientation also minimises risks for business development that are increasingly not only of a purely financial nature but arise from social developments and environmental risks. Geberit has a decades-long commitment to sustainability and is a leader in this area, setting standards for customers, employees, suppliers and other partners. Various awards and rankings serve to confirm Geberit’s role as a leader in sustainability in various stakeholder groups’ perceptions.

Supplementary to the established Sustainability strategy based on the GRI G4 guidelines, the Materiality analysis carried out prioritises the key topics for Geberit and simultaneously highlights the areas in which added value for stakeholders is created: resource-efficient and sustainable systems for water management in buildings, water-saving and sustainable products, environmentally friendly and resource-efficient production, procurement and logistics with high environmental and ethical standards as well as good and safe working conditions for the some 11,700 employees worldwide. Social responsibility is realised among other things within the scope of global social projects relating to the core competencies of water and sanitary facilities, and is intensified through memberships such as that with the non-profit organisation Swiss Water Partnership aimed at promoting international dialogue on water. There is also a long-term partnership with the Swiss development organisation Helvetas.

As illustrated by the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the world is facing major challenges. The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) define concrete targets and indicators for 17 different themes, which the states are required to implement by 2030. Integration of the economy plays a pivotal role in implementing these targets and indicators. As a result, major opportunities with growth potential are also arising for companies geared towards sustainable products and services – such as Geberit. In accordance with the external Stakeholder Panel which was conducted for the third time in September 2016, Geberit sees its contribution above all in four UN Sustainable Development Goals. The contributions to goal number 6 “Ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all”, number 8 “Promote sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all”, number 9 “Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation” and number 11 “Make cities safe, resilient and sustainable” are included in Geberit’s newly established SDG reporting. The major economic, social and environmental effects of Geberit’s operations also lie in these four areas.

Geberit combats risks posed by increasing regulation and changing framework conditions with an effective compliance system that focuses on compliance in the five key topic areas of antitrust legislation, corruption, employee rights, product liability and environmental protection