Systematic sustainability management
Companies that want to help shape a sustainable future are setting the course and actively assuming responsibility for the environment. WE-EF is committed to sustainability with measures that are immediately effective together with a long-term sustainability strategy and integrated management systems.
As a successful family-owned enterprise founded more than 70 years ago, thinking ahead and planning for the long term were built into WE-EF’s DNA. Today, sustainability is an element of our corporate mission and that of the entire Fagerhult Group. Our products are energy-efficient, durable, maintenance-friendly, feature a modular design and are made of recyclable materials. Our product portfolio has grown from the design strategy of “night-sensitive lighting“ which allows users to consciously use light at night – because luminaires have the greatest influence on their environment when they are in use.
WE-EF takes sustainability and protection of the environment just as seriously in its daily activities – production, administration and logistics. Concrete measures ease the burden on the environment now and we are developing a long-term sustainability strategy that is firmly anchored in the WE-EF organisation – for a forward-looking corporate culture.
Certified management systems for quality, environment and energy
Milestones on this path are the environmental management certificate according to DIN EN ISO 14001:2015, and the environmental labels and declarations according to DIN EN ISO 14025:2011. These systems complement the quality management system according to DIN ISO 9001, which has been in place since 1998, and form an integrated management system. What’s more, WE-EF has firmly established the position of sustainability manager.
• Environmental management system according to ISO 14001
With the ISO 14001 certification, WE-EF is committed to actively promoting environmental protection, reducing the impact of its activities on the environment and systematically implementing environmental goals. This includes laying down a company environmental policy, environmental targets and an environmental programme. Furthermore, the company looks at the effects of its processes on the environment, evaluates them and continuously improves them. Aspects such as emissions, energy, waste, noise, and clean water and air are included in this analysis. The regular evaluation of relevant operating figures helps to identify and prioritise potential risks and to act accordingly.
• Documentation of the environmental footprint according to ISO 14025
WE-EF analyses the environmental impact of its products over their entire life cycle and publishes the results in the form of EPDs – standard-compliant environmental product declarations. These are product-specific data sheets that contain verifiable, comparable information on the environmental impact of a product, not only for the time it is used, but over the entire product life cycle – from raw materials extraction to installation, operation and recycling.
• Sustainability manager
The sustainability manager develops sustainability strategies for the entire WE-EF Group, plans appropriate measures and implements them. This includes aspects such as product development and supply chains, employees, the immediate surroundings, and environment and social conditions. Furthermore, the sustainability manager acts as a link between the global sites to ensure uniform implementation of strategies and projects.
Immediate measures for greater sustainability
Since 3 February 2021, WE-EF Australia / New Zealand have used 100% green electricity at their Australian site. Energy from renewable sources is a crucial building block for future emission-free and climate-neutral production. However, seemingly little things such as settling bee colonies on the company premises also promote biodiversity and therefore sustainability.