Sustainability Management
“It’s a matter of treatment – embracing responsibility for a tomorrow worth living in”
Our sustainability-specific guiding principle is reflected in our commitment to a responsible approach to the environment, social issues and ethical corporate governance. As a family business, Croma was committed to a sustainable corporate policy long before ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) became established in the business world. This deep-rooted understanding of responsible entrepreneurship enables Croma to realise the full potential of sustainable corporate management.
With the help of our specially developed sustainability strategy, we can anchor and improve our sustainability activities in the long term. The annual Sustainability Report is used to communicate relevant, sustainability-specific information and ESG key figures as well as the progress made towards our sustainability goals.
Sustainability strategy
To develop the measures, Croma's key topics were analysed using a double materiality analysis, taking into account the entire value chain, and then compared with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The analysis showed that Croma can make the greatest contribution to 10 of the 17 sustainability goals. Our division-specific goals, milestones and measures as well as projects that have already been implemented are listed in the following overview.
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Breakthrough target: 100% of marketing, sales and business development activities are carried out in accordance with the Ethics Guidelines for Marketing, Sales & Business Development |
2028 |
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Annual target |
2026 |
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Breakthrough target: converting all printed instructions for use for Croma CE medical devices in markets with eIFU approval to electronic form |
2028 |
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10 % conversion of medical devices certified according to MDR 2017/745 in affiliate countries (including AT) and non-EU countries where eIFU is permitted |
2026 |
The measure described below, which has already been implemented, makes a concrete contribution to SDG 3 by enhancing patient safety and ensuring the quality and regulatory compliance of medical devices throughout their entire lifecycle.
Goal: To ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.
- New registration of all existing product groups under the Medical Device Regulation (MDR)
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Breakthrough target: being nominated as a Austria's top |
2028 |
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Introducing an ISO 45001-compliant occupational health and safety management system |
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Breakthrough target: increasing proportion of women in top management from 15.4 % (base year 2023) to at least 30 % |
2028 |
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Establishing internal structures for equal treatment and increasing the proportion of women |
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The measures outlined below, which have already been implemented, make a tangible contribution to SDG 5 by promoting the physical and mental health of employees, strengthening equality of opportunity and creating fair, inclusive working conditions.
Goal: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
- Work and Family certification
- Introduction of flexible and family-friendly working time models
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Breakthrough target: reducing freshwater withdrawal by 20 % (3,960 m3, base year 2023: 19,802 m3) |
2030 |
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Launching at least three water-efficiency projects to reduce |
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The measure described below, which has already been implemented, makes a tangible contribution to SDG 6 by making wastewater treatment more environmentally friendly.
Goal: To ensure access to water and sustainable water management, and to improve water quality by reducing harmful discharges.
- Switching the neutralization process in the wastewater treatment process from phosphoric acid to CO₂
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Long-term target: achieving climate neutrality (Scopes 1, 2 and 3) with a real reduction in emissions of at least 90 %1 (7,705 t CO2e, base year 2023: 8,562 t CO2e) |
2045 |
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Creating a calculation model for company-wide GHG emissions and energy consumption |
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Breakthrough target: reducing absolute Scope 1 emissions by 30 % (289 t CO2e, base year 2023: 963 t CO2e) |
2030 |
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Launching at least three energy efficiency projects to reduce consumption of non-renewable energy |
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Breakthrough target: reducing absolute, location-based Scope 2 emissions by 50 % (402 t CO2e, base year 2023: 804 t CO2e) |
2030 |
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Annual target Reducing grid electricity consumption by 20 % |
2026 |
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Breakthrough target: reducing absolute Scope 3 emissions by 30 % (1,992 t CO2e, base year 2023: 6,639 t CO2e) |
2030 |
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Annual target Reducing emissions by 10 % |
2026 |
The measures outlined below, which have already been implemented, make a tangible contribution to SDG 7 by managing energy consumption more efficiently, increasing the share of renewable energy and systematically reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Goal: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
- Installation of PV systems at our own site
- Procurement of 100% green electricity
- Joining a local PV energy community
- Introduction of an environmental management system in accordance with ISO 14001
- Systematic management of energy consumption and continuous improvement of energy efficiency
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Breakthrough target: being nominated as an Austria's top employer on Kununu |
2028 |
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Annual target Introducing an ISO 45001-compliant occupational health and safety management system |
2026 |
The measures outlined below, which have already been implemented, make a concrete contribution to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8, ‘Decent Work and Economic Growth’, and SDG 16, ‘Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions’, by ensuring corporate governance that is characterised by integrity, transparency and compliance with regulations, and by systematically managing risks in business operations.
Goal: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth and ensure decent work for all.
- Inclusion of mandatory compliance with the Code of Conduct in the employment contract
- Development of a training programme on the Code of Conduct for employees
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Breakthrough target: 100 % of in-house secondary and tertiary packaging consists of 100 % recycled material |
2030 |
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Analysing alternative materials for primary raw materials in tertiary packaging (thermal sleeves, passive cool box) |
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Reducing paper consumption for IFUs made from virgin fiber by 20 % |
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Launching the implementation phase of the marketing strategy for folding cartons made from recycled material |
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Breakthrough target: introducing a circular product line from in-house production |
2030 |
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Conducting a feasibility study for a circular product line |
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Breakthrough target: increasing the waste recycling rate to 70 % |
2030 |
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Increasing the waste recycling rate to 65 % |
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The measures and objectives outlined below, which have already been implemented, make a concrete contribution to SDG 9 by systematically improving waste management, strengthening material cycles and promoting sustainable product innovation.
Goal: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation.
- Development of a concept for a circular cosmetics range produced in-house
Goal
- Achieve nomination as a top Austrian employer by 2026
Milestones
- Keep performance review meetings at 100% until 2025
- Increase average number of training sessions per employee by 20% by 2026 (base year 2023: 17 h)
Measures
- Introduce age and generation management by 2025
- Develop equity, equality, diversity and inclusion strategy by 2025
Implemented
- Work and family certification
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Breakthrough target: 100 % of in-house secondary and tertiary packaging consists of 100 % recycled material |
2030 |
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Analysing alternative materials for primary raw materials in tertiary packaging (thermal sleeves, passive cool box) |
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Reducing paper consumption for IFUs made from virgin fibre by 20 % |
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Launching the implementation phase of the marketing strategy for folding cartons made from recycled material |
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Breakthrough target: introducing a circular product line from in-house production |
2030 |
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Conducting a feasibility study for a circular product line |
2026 |
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Breakthrough target: increasing the waste recycling rate to 70 % |
2030 |
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Increasing the waste recycling rate to 65 % |
2026 |
The measures and objectives outlined below, which have already been implemented, make a concrete contribution to SDG 12 by systematically improving waste management, strengthening material cycles and promoting sustainable product innovation.
Goal: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.
- Optimisation of the waste separation system
- Target of 0% landfill waste
- Development of a company-wide calculation model for recording waste by waste type and recovery method
- Conducting a life cycle assessment (LCA) for a cosmetics product group
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Long-term target: achieving climate neutrality (Scopes 1, 2 and 3) with a real reduction in emissions of at least 90 %1 (7,705 t CO2e, base year 2023: 8,562 t CO2e) |
2045 |
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Creating a calculation model for company-wide GHG emissions and energy consumption |
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Breakthrough target: reducing absolute Scope 1 emissions by 30 % (289 t CO2e, base year 2023: 963 t CO2e) |
2030 |
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Launching at least three energy efficiency projects to reduce consumption of non-renewable energy |
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Breakthrough target: reducing absolute, location-based Scope 2 emissions by 50 % (402 t CO2e, base year 2023: 804 t CO2e) |
2030 |
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Reducing grid electricity consumption by 20 % |
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Breakthrough target: reducing absolute Scope 3 emissions by 30 % (1,992 t CO2e, base year 2023: 6,639 t CO2e) |
2030 |
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Reducing emissions by 10 % |
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The measures outlined below, which have already been implemented, make a tangible contribution to SDG 13 by managing energy consumption more efficiently, increasing the share of renewable energy and systematically reducing Introduction of an environmental management system in accordance with ISO 14001
Goal: Take action to combat climate change and its impacts
- Calculation of the corporate carbon footprint
- Installation of electric vehicle charging points
- Focus on electric vehicles in the company car fleet
- Installation of solar panels at our own premises
- Procurement of 100% green electricity
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Breakthrough target: 100 % of business partners meet defined minimum ESG criteria |
2030 |
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30 % of suppliers meet the defined minimum ESG criteria |
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Conducting ESG screening for 100 % of all existing and newly qualified business partners |
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Breakthrough target: reducing the probability of occurrence of identified critical risks by 70% |
2030 |
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Reducing the probability of occurrence of critical risks by 30 % |
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Breakthrough target: 80% of sites have undergone a compliance audit |
2030 |
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Introducing compliance management system in accordance with ISO 37301 |
2026 |
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Breakthrough target: operating an in-house AI solution with proprietary hardware and software |
2030 |
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Developing AI expertise and establishing it within the company |
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Breakthrough target: no high/very high risks identified in the categories “internal” and “external review” in the cyber risk assessment |
2030 |
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Reduce high and very high cyber risks by 20% compared to 2025 |
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The measures outlined below, which have already been implemented, make a concrete contribution to Sustainable Development Goal SDG 16 ‘Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions’, by ensuring corporate governance that is characterized by integrity, transparency and compliance with regulations, and by systematically managing risks in business operations.
Goal: Build effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.
- Develop a Corporate Risk Management Handbook
- Introducing a Code of Conduct for business partners
Sustainability reports
Would you like to take a closer look at Croma's sustainability management? Here you will find an overview of our sustainability report
