24th September 2009
IKEA on CSR and sustainability
Sustainability is not a matter of words - but the action
Recently released Forbrugerombudsmand Henrik Øe guidance to companies on the use of environmental and ethical claims in marketing. The guide contained a recommendation for companies not to use the term 'sustainable' or 'sustainability' in marketing, as there are no definitions or methods to measure sustainability.
IKEA, CSR and sustainability
DCO is based on the interests of consumers, as indeed are exposed to an abundance of hot air and big words about corporate boundless goodness. As a representative of consumers, Henrik Øe out on an important errand - to reduce confusion and ensure fair competition for the benefit of consumers.
At IKEA, we believe that the use of our shared planet must happen in such a way that future generations can enjoy the earth's resources. Fairly such was also the first definition of sustainability that Gro Harlem Grundt Country formulated in 1987. It is a very broad and vague definition of sustainability, but at IKEA, we believe that we should not let the good initiatives have a question about definitions and word, but a question of action and good examples.
Therefore, I will briefly tell you about two good examples of how IKEA works with accountability:
First Better Cotton INITIATIVES
Cotton is one of IKEA's most important raw materials. Therefore, we want the cotton we use, must be prepared with respect for people and environment. Most cotton farms use large quantities of water, fertilizers and pesticides. IKEA therefore working actively to increase the availability of more sustainable cotton production and reduce the need for cotton as raw material. Since 2005, IKEA and WWF driven Farmer Field Schools in Pakistan and India. Here you will learn cotton farmers to use water and chemicals more efficiently, so it's safer for both humans and the environment. The results are very positive. In Pakistan, the average pesticide use dropped by 48%, use of fertilizer by 32% and water consumption has fallen by 40%. Meanwhile, farmers' earnings increased by 87%. These results are now used as an inspiration for thousands of cotton farmers in the region, and this has led to the establishment of the organization Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) that produce globally accepted criteria for "Better Cotton".
Second IKEA Social Initiative
IKEA Social Initiative works closely with UNICEF and Save the Children on projects designed to give children a better start in life. IKEA Social Initiative was created in 2005 to manage IKEA's investment in social programs at the global level. In 2000, IKEA and UNICEF joined forces in a comprehensive program to prevent and eliminate child labor in the "carpet belt" in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh by tackling its root causes. Over a period of seven years were 80,500 children enrolled in schools, and more than 22,000 women were economically and socially self through the creation of 1,740 self-help groups in 500 villages.
These are just two examples of projects where IKEA is trying to make a difference. We can call the initiatives sustainable or socially responsible. It is not essential. The important thing is that projects contribute to making a difference for people and the environment and support the IKEA vision of creating a better everyday life for many people.
Jonas Engberg, Social & Environmental Coordinator, IKEA Denmark
Speech is a guest post from IKEA Denmark. Would you like to write a post about your company's CSR policy? Or help with a CSR-related posts? You are very welcome. All you have to do is to contact Jeppe on jso@socialansvarlighed.dk
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In light of the article from IKEA, it will be interesting to follow IKEA's handling of the case concerning the sale of baby care with hormone chemistry.
Immediately the announcement that IKEA does not intend to do anything because they do not exceed Code requirements.
I am well aware that IKEA virtue of their size must be under fire often and I am very positive in relation to the above initiatives. BUT it's probably not good enough just to comply with the law when research documenting harmful effects of using hormonal chemistry?
[Quote] Ikea sells baby care with hormone chemistry
13th November 2,009 31.6 Money
Skincare range from Ikea Family, NJUTA, full of substances that can interfere with hormones.
It writes Politiken consumer site tjek.dk
It is about Ikea family care NJUTA series - also for children. Eight out of nine of care products contain chemicals that are on the EU list of substances that are strongly suspected of being endocrine disruptors.
It shows a check of skin care series, which the Consumer Council have made.
Marketed for the whole family
- It is particularly alarming that the whole Ikea's care line contains harmful substances, because Ikea Family's products are marketed to parents with children as a wellness product of high quality that you can safely indulge himself and his children, says the Department of Consumer Council Vagn Jelsøe to tjek.dk.
Almost all eight products contain all three of the endocrine disruptors propylparaben, Methylparaben and Ethylparaben. Agents are preservatives that may be replaced by other preservatives.
Ikea writes about care series: There are fine product names. No exaggerated promises. No irrelevant characteristics. Just ordinary products of high quality.
Warns against parabens
But children should not be exposed to parabens, says researcher Julie Boberg at DTU National Food Institute Department of Toxicology and Risk Assessment, opposite tjek.dk.
- Especially pregnant women and small children should avoid parabens because they are most sensitive and simultaneously exposed to a higher level of substances than adults relative to their weight, she explains.
But also the period up to puberty may be particularly sensitive to both boys and girls.
- You have found poor semen quality and low production of testosterone in young rats exposed to propyl parabens in the run up to and during puberty, says Julie Boberg.
Ikea does not change plans
But Ikea has no intention either to change the name of the series care - so it does not appeal to the whole family - or to remove parabens.
- It is possible that we are going to do it, but it's not something we are planning right now, says environmental manager at Ikea Denmark, Jonas Engberg, to tjek.dk.
He emphasizes that the products do not exceed the permitted limit for parabens. [Quote]