Sustainability news

In 2024, EcoVadis, one of the world's leading providers of sustainability audits, substantially changed its assessment scheme and significantly adjusted its assessment standards. Now, only the top 35% of companies that undergo the demanding EcoVadis assessment receive recognition in the form of a medal.

In April 2024, Frequentis was awarded the bronze medal in the sustainability audit based on these significantly stricter criteria. The company scored above the industry average in all four categories - environment, labour and human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement. Compared to last year, Frequentis was able to improve in all areas.

"We see our activities in the area of sustainability as an opportunity for the further development of our group of companies," says Peter Skerlan, CFO and responsible for ESG agendas on the Frequentis Executive Board. "The award of the bronze medal in the EcoVadis rating is therefore both recognition and an incentive for our activities in the area of sustainability."

See also: EcoVadis Sustainability Performance Overview

(c) Bernhard Wieczorek

An employee initiative at the Vienna site in cooperation with the Austrian welfare organisation Caritas led to a fund-raising campaign at the 2023 Christmas party. Cash donations totalling EUR 5,000 were collected from employees and this amount was doubled by the company. The money was spend on an urgently needed large laundry dryer and charging stations for mobile devices at the Caritas Day Centre close to Vienna's main railway station. These items greatly enhance the day-to-day lives of the centre's clients and employees. When he presented the funds, CFO Peter Skerlan emphasised that Frequentis’ Executive Board fully supports its employees' charity project and will make a contribution to similar initiatives in the future.

The Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Code for Suppliers and Subcontractors underlines Frequentis' commitment to environmental protection, respect for human rights and labour standards, and the fight against corruption. Frequentis suppliers are required to act in accordance with these principles. The CSR Code forms part of the general terms and conditions of purchase and the framework supply agreements with suppliers. The main focus is on compliance with labour standards. Frequentis explicitly rejects forced and compulsory labour, child labour, undeclared work, and discrimination against employees. Compliance with working hours, ensuring a safe working environment, and the payment of statutory minimum wages are further cornerstones of the Frequentis CSR Code for Suppliers and Subcontractors.

Modern slavery is a serious crime that needs to be tackled by society and businesses. Over the years, Frequentis has established Group-wide processes to ensure that it meets high standards of corporate social responsibility and prevents modern slavery both within the Group and throughout its our supply chains. Frequentis does not tolerate illegal working conditions and is committed to complying with the standards of the International Labour Organization (ILO). The key principles and guidelines are described in the Frequentis Modern Slavery Act Policy Statement, which is reviewed annually; please find here the latest update.