SHE governance & compliance

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The AstraZeneca Board is responsible for setting the direction for our SHE management and for ensuring that a SHE Policy is established and integral to our business activities. The Chief Executive Officer is delegated authority from, and is accountable to, the Board for the Company’s SHE performance. Primary responsibility for SHE management is cascaded through line management. Local legal requirements also place specific accountabilities on Marketing Company Presidents and local managers. Our SHE Management System is designed to reinforce and confirm that SHE accountabilities and responsibilities exist within the line.  SHE support to the organisation is provided through a team of SHE professionals who work locally and within a central SHE organisation. On at least an annual basis, the Board and Senior Executive Team (chaired by the CEO), formally review, and provide direction on SHE performance, strategic initiatives and compliance status.

Our Group SHE Policy was revised and strengthened during 2008, as part of a wider global policies review.  The new Policy provides the business with a clear framework for managing SHE and ensuring that our performance remains strong. The new Policy framework became effective in January 2009.

The new Policy will be supported by a set of Standards that will establish the minimum SHE performance requirements for particular risk areas.  These Standards are in development and publication is planned during 2009.

LOCAL SHE MANAGEMENT

Our SHE Management System has both a global and a local dimension. Each site is required to maintain a local SHE management system that is consistent with the Policy.  Our approach to SHE management is compatible with ISO14001 and, although not a requirement, facilities have the option of seeking certification. Currently our R&D facility in Mölndal, Sweden alongside our manufacturing sites in Porriño, Spain and Bangalore, India are ISO certified.

SHE COMPLIANCE

Our Policy requires, as a minimum, compliance with laws and regulations and the table below provides details of our performance against that requirement. Our compliance management systems are designed to facilitate timely internal communication of non-compliance matters to appropriate levels of line management; achieve full cooperation with local authorities and other regulators; and ensure prompt resolution and effective learning from these events.

SHE Compliance Assurance

Our SHE performance is regularly monitored and managed through a range of assurance programmes, including the Integrated SHE & Security audit programme, the SHE reporting system; the annual management review; and the continuous assurance system.

AstraZeneca operates a global SHE reporting system that enables us to get an overview of our SHE performance and report this to internal and external interested parties. We also benchmark our performance with other companies. Facilities use the reporting system to communicate specific events (e.g. accidents) when they occur and to report on local performance against the global performance metrics. Significant matters are also reported into AstraZeneca’s global continuous assurance system that is used by senior management to identify, manage and resolve breaches of AstraZeneca Policy.

Self-assessment

The annual Management Review provides each facility and operating function with the opportunity to review SHE performance against the Policy and external requirements. Functional line managers conduct this review with the assistance of local SHE professionals using a standard template. The results are used to identify assurance gaps, prioritise our audit programme and identify opportunities for continuously improving SHE performance.

Collectively, the audit programme findings; the data reported into the SHE Reporting System; the information collected through the Continuous Assurance system and the results of the Management Review form the basis for regular reviews of SHE performance by line management across the organisation, and an annual assessment of SHE performance conducted by the Senior Executive Team and Board of Directors.

EXTERNAL SHE COMPLIANCE

In 2008, our facilities were associated with a total of 7 enforcement actions or regulatory warnings. All have been satisfactorily resolved with the appropriate authorities and improvement measures have been taken to minimise the risk of recurrence.

COMPLAINTS

We occasionally receive complaints from members of the public in relation to our operations. Each one is investigated and, where possible, issues are resolved. 2 external complaints were received during 2008 relating to neighbours experiencing odour from our facilities.

EXTERNAL COMPLAINTS

AUDITING OF SUPPLIERS

Auditing of our suppliers is an important aspect of our commitment to responsible procurement practice.

The content of this page was externally assured by Bureau Veritas, February 2009.