BROTHER PUBLISHES FIRST CSR REPORT

Office technology manufacturer Brother UK has published its first Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) report presenting a comprehensive picture of the companys performance beyond the balance sheet.

With debate on climate change still running high in the wake of the Stern report, the 2005-2006 publication demonstrates Brothers strong environmental credentials.

Employee welfare, compliance with legislation, industry liaison and community involvement are just some of the other areas covered in the 24-page document.

Highlights from the CSR report include:

• TCO99 accreditation (a stringent, global environmental standard) for 41 of its products; Brother remains the only manufacturer to achieve this accreditation for     printers and all-in-one* machines.
• Joining two all-party parliamentary groups on the environment and climate change.
• Achieving the ISO 14001:2001 environmental management standard for its base in Audenshaw, Manchester the first sales office within the global Brother business to do so.
• Year on year reductions in waste sent to landfill from its Manchester base, despite increasing sales.  The company has also reduced vehicle journeys for distribution and reduced its energy bills by 9% over two years.
• External awards for environmental and ethical business performance.  Office Depot, the worlds largest office supplies group, voted Brother its 2005 Environmental Vendor of the Year; and Brother is the only manufacturer to be awarded Ethical Company accreditation for its printers, faxes and all-in-one machines* by the Ethical Company Organisation.
• Compliance with the European Unions Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive and continuing preparation for the introduction of the Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment (WEEE) directive in 2007.
• With its sister company, North Wales-based Brother Industries (UK) Ltd, establishing a new recycling scheme for used toner cartridges; 70,000 used cartridges were returned for recycling in 2005.
• Supporting a range of charity, cultural and community initiatives in Greater Manchester including sponsoring the Halle Orchestra and Tameside Councils e-Tameside awards for IT excellence.
• Taking membership of Business in the Community a charity dedicated to helping businesses improve their positive impact on society.

Mike Dinsdale, Communications Director at Brother, says: Businesses are increasingly being asked to demonstrate how they measure up beyond their balance sheet and we have a good story to tell with a clear commitment to environmental issues, the health and safety of our employees and to making a positive contribution to our industry and the local community.

However, publishing this report is only the first step.  We are committed to improving our performance and particularly look forward to working with Business in the Community as we seek to broaden our activities in the coming year.

Key areas identified in the report for future action include:

• Implementing the European Unions Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment (WEEE) directive during 2007.
• Continuing to reduce the amount of waste material sent to landfill and improving energy efficiency measures at the Manchester site.
• Monitoring employee satisfaction through an annual employee opinion survey.
• Working with Business in the Community to broaden the scope of existing CSR activity. 
  

Visit www.brothergreen.co.uk to download a copy of Brothers 2005/6 CSR Report

* a single machine combining printer/copier/scanner and, for some models, fax