CSR Policy

"Corporate Social Responsibility" is the commitment of companies to behave ethically and to make a contribution to sustainable, economic development, so that the lives of all relevant stakeholders are improved through cooperation."

Sustainability at Aquarius Water Group ( AWG )

AWG took considerable steps towards an extensive sustainability strategy which is based on the standards published by the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) in the most recent G3 version.

Organizational Framework

In terms of organization, AWG set the goal of making CSR an integral management function, whereby the Management Board have the principle responsibility.

Main Factors

Important stakeholders for AWG were identified as: customers, employees, suppliers, the environment and society. The following illustrates and substantiates the dimensions of our stakeholders.

Customers

Our customers include contractors, architects, planners and a large number of businesses and industrial companies from virtually all branches of industry as well as municipalities (e.g. hospitals). An important indicator for AWG is the regular measurement and analysis of customer satisfaction which has shown a stable, positive outlook at a high level in recent years. Quality management in accordance with ISO 9001 is being implemented in company .

Employees

Have a large variety of responsibilities (technical and commercial jobs) and extensive possibilities for development. Within AWG there is a flat organizational structure which enables direct, personal communication and is arranged in a country specific manner. Regular employee satisfaction surveys are carried out which, like the analysis of staff turnover, reveal a positive figure on average. As has been the case since the founding of AWG, there were no strikes or labor disputes in the last years .

Suppliers

Due to the vertical range of manufacture of the company , purchasing is of great importance. A code of conduct was established , which employees and suppliers are subject to, together with the strict rules on conditions for purchasing, which stipulate extensive regulations relating to working conditions and social standards (referring to SA 8000) as well as a ban on corruption. Suppliers are subject to regular assessment which is based on sustainable partnership and dialog.

Environment

On the whole, we estimate the overall influence of our operating activities on the environment to be relatively low in relation to the size of AWG. Data relevant to the environment both regarding the use of resources (energy and water etc.) and emissions (waste and sewage etc.) are collected annually at the production sites. Particular attention is paid to CO2 emissions which are primarily caused by the company's fleet of cars, while the rest mainly come from heating / cooling of buildings.

Society

The extremely positive product effects of the AWG product portfolio and the topics of hygiene, safety, health and water enjoy a high level of awareness in society. As has been the case for many years, relief projects were also carried out in the last years , which included financial donations and the personal dedication and commitment of AWG employees. This also includes relief projects for employees in need and external relief response (e.g. for drinking water supply in disaster areas).

Water for People

The company supports the Water for People Program

United Nations – Global Compact

The company supports the United Nations Global Compact Initiative.

AWG wants to confirm the importance of creating a work environment that is socially responsible and that favors the professional growth of all employees, in compliance with local and international laws and human rights. It is AWG will that the principles of social accountability are applied by all local and international suppliers involved in the supply chain of the service, which represents the object of its activities.

For this purpose, both the internal work environment and the supply chain must guarantee the respect of the following requirements:

Basic Working Conditions

Respect for the freedom and dignity of employees.

Child Labour and Juvenlile Workers - Conventions 138 - 183 - ILO 146 Regulations.

The use of child labor and juvenile workers in production cycles is forbidden.

Coerced Labour – ILO Convention 29 – Convention 105

The use of forced or coerced labor is forbidden. Employing personnel against their will and making use of any kind of labor under threat of punishment is forbidden.

Health and Safety of workers - Conventions 155 – ILO 146 Regulation.

The right to health and safety in the workplace is guaranteed. Aquarius Water Group provides a safe and healthy workplace, especially in regard to careful assessment and management of risks, and also runs an adequate training program.

Freedom of Association – ILO Convention 87 – Convention 98

Respect of the right to trade union freedom and collective bargaining.

Working Hours and Remuneration

The right to an appropriate remuneration and correct working hours is guaranteed. Aquarius Water Group guarantees payment of the salary as per the current legislation, making sure that it is sufficient to guarantee a respectable standard for living for the entire family.The working hours are not to exceed the time indicated in the labor contracts .

Equal Salaries and Discrimination – ILO Conventions 100 – 111 – 177.

The right to equal pay to men and women for doing the same job is guaranteed. The right to equal opportunities must also be respected, at the time of employment or resignation and in case of promotion or training. Any form of discrimination is forbidden, including exclusion or preference based on race, gender, age, religion, political opinion, nationality, or social status.

Social Accountability Management System

In terms of Monitoring and continuous Improvement Aquarius Water Group commits to:

• Define and constantly update the "Social Accountability Policy"
• Provide clear, documented definitions of roles, responsibility, and authority of its personnel
• Document performance in relation to all the requirements of the standard, by means of appropriate records and communicating the results both in-house and to other social parties involved.
• Ensure that all personnel receive adequate training on the requirement of the standard,
• Select and evaluate suppliers on the basis of their capacity to meet the requirements of the standard