Environmental Guidelines
Osram's environmental guidelines were introduced in 1998 and were signed by the managing directors of OSRAM.
They oblige us to consider the environment, take responsibility for the environment, be thrifty with resources and avoid causing pollution. These environmental guidelines underline our recognition of the importance of active environmental protection. They apply to all OSRAM activities and to every individual employee.
Our guidelines
- 1. Environmental protection in all areas of work
- 2. Environmentally friendly production methods
- 3. Environmental protection as a social responsibility
- 4. Save energy
- 5. Environmental protection beyond the legal requirements
- 6. Professional environmental management
- 7. Safety for people and the environment
- 8. Transparency and communication both internally and externally
- 9. Environmental protection world-wide
1. Environmental protection in all areas of work
OSRAM is clearly commited to its responsibility for the environment. In all operational aspects, the company makes every effort to protect the environment. The goal for all OSRAM production operations is to reduce environmental impact as much as possible.
2. Environmentally friendly production methods
Instead of products exemplifying the greatest technical feasibility, the focus is on competitive high-quality products with the lowest possible environmental impact. Our mission is to ensure that all OSRAM production operations are secure cost-effcient and environmentally safe.
3. Environmental protection as a social responsibility
At OSRAM, environmental protection applies to all aspets of commercial trading, product development and manufacturing, work processes and the company's social responsibility. Therefore, top priority is placed on environmentally safe processes ranging from the production of source materials and manufacturing, to product service life, product recycling and final disposal.
4. Save energy
Saving energy is a preventive approach to environmental protection. Energy-saving light and radiation sources are a main focus of the OSRAM product strategy. This includes advising customers about the environmentally compatible use of our products.
5. Environmental protection beyond the legal requirements
Our key operating principle is to implement continous improvements to ensure that environmental pollution is strictly avoided or kept to an absolute minimum, i.e. lower than the legally specified limits. This process involves constant monitoring to determine whether new materials and processes can be implemented to further reduce environmental impact. It also involves updating technical systems to the current state of the art. Waste materials should be avoided to the greatest extent possible or recycled for further use.
6. Professional environmental management
Compliance with environmental protection laws is a matter of course for every responsible OSRAM employee. A specially adapted environmental management programme ensures that our environmental policies are effectively implemented. The requisite technical and organisational procedures are regularly checked and further developed. An important aspect is the guidance provided for dealing with environmentally damaging materials and processes.
7. Safety for people and the environment
Each OSRAM employee is responsible for environmental protection. A special task for managers is to provide the necessary preconditions to ensure that all facilities and equipment meet the needs of personal safety and environmental protection. This includes regular maintenance of machinery and systems, the immediate correction of defects, and monitoring the effectiveness of environmental protection measures.
8. Transparency and communication both internally and externally
Transparency combined with open internal and external communications make it easier for the company to adress environmental awareness and understanding among employees and customers alike and foster the social acceptance of our products.
9. Environmental protection world-wide
The OSRAM environmental protection principles apply to plant sites and associated companies in Germany as well as to foreign subsidiaries worldwide.