Sustainability Management
Sustainability Management
Sustainability is an integral part of our corporate culture and our business activities. We take responsibility for people and the environment and shape our collaboration with our stakeholders in line with this commitment. Our actions are guided by our purpose: “It’s a matter of treatment – embracing responsibility for a tomorrow worth living in!” It shapes our business processes, boosts our employees’ motivation and provides clear direction for our work. Our aim is to combine growth with corporate responsibility. We aim to combine economic success with responsible business practices while taking into account the environmental, social and economic impacts of our activities.
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
The double materiality assessment showed that, through its business activities, Croma can make its greatest contribution to 10 of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 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 presented below supports the implementation of SDG 3 ("Good Health and Well-being") by strengthening the regulatory compliance of medical devices and thereby contributing to quality and patient safety.
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: Inclusion in the kununu ranking of top employers in Austria |
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 presented below that have already been implemented contribute to SDG 5 by promoting equal opportunities and supporting fair and inclusive working conditions. They also contribute to a family-friendly work environment that supports health and well-being.
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: Our goal is to reduce Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3 emissions by at least 90% (7,705 t CO₂e) by 2045 compared with the 2023 base year (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 Reduce grid electricity consumption by 20% compared with the 2023 base year. |
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 presented below support the implementation of SDG 7 by focusing on more efficient energy use, increased use of renewable energy and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
Goal: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
- Installation of PV systems at our own site
- 100% of the electricity purchased for the Leobendorf site comes from renewable energy sources.
- 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: Inclusion in the kununu ranking of top employers in Austria |
2028 |
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Annual target Introducing an ISO 45001-compliant occupational health and safety management system |
2026 |
The measures presented below that have already been implemented contribute to SDG 8 by promoting equal opportunities, supporting fair and inclusive working conditions and contributing to a work environment that supports health and well-being.
Goal: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth and ensure decent work for all.
- Basic “berufundfamilie” certificate
- 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
