Epson Europe, first technology company to gain an international certification for its CSR management systems alignment to UN Sustainable Development Goals

• This certification recognises that the company has aligned its business to support a wide number of the SDGs
• Epson Europe has worked with Bureau Veritas to certify progress towards the alignment to UN SDGs

Epson Europe announces that it is the first company in its industry to gain an international certification for its CSR Management System being aligned to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals – validated by leading global certification organisation, Bureau Veritas. This certification recognises that the company has aligned its business to support a wide number of the SDGs – responding with real purpose to the UN’s global call to tackle the planet’s most pressing issues by 2030.

Today’s announcement underlines Epson Europe’s commitment to fair, responsible and sustainable business. Agreed in 2015, the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals are the result of a collaboration between over 190 countries and 1,500 companies – to identify and address global opportunities and challenges. The Goals’ overarching aims are to improve health and education, reduce inequality, spur economic growth and tackle climate change across 17 clearly defined areas.

Business for a better world

Business was singled out as a critical component in achieving the 17 SDGs, with the then United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon stating that, “Business is a vital partner (…) and we ask companies everywhere to assess their impact, set ambitious goals and communicate transparently about the results.”

Yoshiro Nagafusa, President, Epson Europe B.V, comments, “Epson has answered the UN’s call for better business – applying our efficient, compact, and precision technologies to create a peaceful and prosperous world. Working with Bureau Veritas, our short, medium, and long-term plans fully align to deliver on this vision. The UN SDGs are now Epson Europe’s compass as we navigate towards a fair, responsible and sustainable future.”

Exacting global standards

Epson Europe has worked with Bureau Veritas to certify progress towards the alignment to the UN SDGs. As a leading external audit and certification service, Bureau Veritas tests companies and other organisations against exacting global standards. It has overseen Epson’s efforts to ensure rigorous systems and processes that carefully and comprehensively evaluate the company’s UN SDG actions.

Pedro González, Technical Director for Certification at Bureau Veritas said, "Epson Europe understands that commitment to the UN’s SDGs is too important to leave to chance, opting to embed them at the very heart of their business strategies. We apply and audit a strict standard, and Epson has adopted the necessary changes to become the first technology company to gain an international certification on a CSR Management System aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. This applies to all operations related to Sales, Marketing, Distribution and After-Sales of Epson products and services. Epson’s work here is a testament to our shared commitment to shape a better world.”

Transparency, accountability, and action

Achieving Bureau Veritas certification has seen Epson adopt new systems and processes. This includes the creation of a new UN SDG aligned policy that brings together business practices and individual employee actions, to:

• drive continual improvement to sustainability performance
• control risks related to sustainability
• demonstrate these commitments and actions to external stakeholders, to encourage wider commitment to UN SDG principles.

This policy sits within the Epson UN SDG Management System (SMS), a wider governance framework which ensures company-wide adoption. The SMS:

• aligns purpose, mission and strategic direction
• outlines overall company objectives
• provides direction for local goals and actions
• and documents ongoing efforts to meet the requirements of the CSR Management System aligned to UN SDG.

Epson Europe is now committed to ongoing Bureau Veritas certification, with regular audits taking place every year.

Henning Ohlsson, Sustainability Director, Epson Europe, said, “The certification of a management system aligned with the UN SDGs brings new levels of transparency and accountability. It helps us to better understand our impact across clearly defined markers such as education, economic growth, decent work, responsible consumption and production, and the fight against climate change. We’re also aware that Epson Europe doesn’t exist in a vacuum – and we hope that our work here acts as a beacon to other technology companies as we all work towards a fairer, more responsible, and sustainable world.”

Bertrand Martin, Chief Executive Officer of Bureau Veritas Spain and Portugal, stated, “The role of companies in achieving sustainable development is fundamental. As an independent third party, we help them integrate it into their strategy and verify compliance. Epson Europe is an example of this behaviour and commitment that society demands.”

Notes to editor

At Epson, we understand that the earth and its resources are precious and finite – and that climate change demands immediate and concerted action. We believe that businesses have a major role to play in coordinated global responses.

It sees:

• Epson commit €770 million to decarbonisation, closing the resource loop, and the development of environmental technology by 2030.
• Epson innovation create solutions that help our customers achieve circular, sustainable and net-zero operations, including Heat-Free and energy efficient printing technologies, and PaperLab, which turns wastepaper into new paper in a virtually water-free process.
• Epson attain highest scores for water security and climate preservation in the prestigious CDP A List.
• Epson achieve EcoVadis Platinum status for a third consecutive year.
• Epson as a signatory to the UN Global Compact, pursuing all 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.
• Epson as a committed member of the Responsible Business Alliance.

In following this path, Epson aims to inspire and empower governments, businesses and individuals to bring about the transformational change needed to tackle the climate emergency. Working together, Epson believes that we can all create a better world.