Contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals

Goal 3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages

By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination (Target 3.9).

Material Topics: Customer Health & Safety; Occupational Health & Safety

How we are contributing

Studies show that in North America and Europe people spend about 90% of their time indoors and many indoor environments have pollution levels two to five times higher than outdoor levels. It is therefore our responsibility to ensure that our products do not contain hazardous materials that may harm people’s health. We provide our customers with transparent product declarations on the materials used, under the Health Product Declaration (HPD) standard, as well as in accordance with related regulations such as REACH and RoHS. Several products have qualified as testing for low emissions of volatile organic compounds. As of today, we have published 81 HPDs.

Our Skyfold Classic and Zenith Series Movable Walls have Indoor Air Quality Certifications, that verify that they meet certain standards for the emission of VOCs (volatile organic compounds). Furthermore, in FY 22/23 the DORMA Hüppe movable wall Variflex 100 passed the VOC test once again, this time in accordance with the updated AgBB scheme 2021 (German Committee for Health-related Assessment of Building Products), which includes testing for two additional substances (glycolic acid butyl ester and neodecanoic acid), and the maximum permissible values for many substances were significantly reduced.

We practice responsible waste management and treatment. Toxic waste arising from painting and electroplating is disposed of as special waste. Certified disposal companies are commissioned to dispose of industrial waste and chemicals, and to recycle materials. We also continuously work to reduce the use of hazardous materials in our production processes, and our filter systems ensure that potentially hazardous substances are not released externally. In FY 22/23, at our Skyfold factory in Canada, we reduced the use of an acetone-based degreaser used for panel cleaning that contains VOCs by 60% by substituting it with a mild dish soap.

Goal 4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all

By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational, and tertiary education, including university (Target 4.3).

By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development (Target 4.7).

By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs, and entrepreneurship (Target 4.4).

Material Topic: Training & Education

How we are contributing

We provide our employees with regular vocational training on topics such as lean management, health and safety, and product offerings. We partner with local schools and universities by offering apprenticeships and internships as well as work-study programs. To raise awareness of sustainable development, we regularly communicate our sustainability initiatives to employees through our intranet and during FY 22/23 we introduced two sustainability eLearning modules that were completed by 1,207 employees. The DE&I intranet hub and the recently launched DE&I training (completed by over 90% of our managers and HR business partners) contribute to a more inclusive and diverse culture. We have made good progress on developing the skills of our workforce. For example, 88% (11,131 employees) have completed at least one eLearning module, nearly the same as 87% in the previous financial year. We adapt our learning and development portfolio on an ongoing basis in line with current trends.

Goal 5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

By 2030, end all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere (Target 5.1).

By 2030, ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life (Target 5.5).

Material Topics: Fair Employment; Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

How we are contributing

We recognize, respect, and embrace the differences between each individual and provide equal opportunities for our employees. By 2027, we aim to achieve our target of ensuring that one–third of our managers are female, and to improve the gender diversity of our leadership pipeline. As signatories of the UN Women's Empowerment Principles (WEPs), we are committed to implementing the seven principles that guide businesses to foster gender equality and women’s empowerment.

In FY 22/23 more than 90% (1,978) of managers and HR business partners were trained on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion through an eLearning module on unconscious bias, and further workshops on DE&I were conducted across the Regions. In the UK, we have completed a gender equality assessment in partnership with EDGE, and achieved the EDGE ASSESS level. Furthermore, to ensure that our recruitment processes are fair and free of discrimination and biases we began the development of a global DE&I recruitment policy.

Goal 7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all

By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix (Target 7.2).

By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency (Target 7.3).

Material Topic: Energy & Emissions

How we are contributing

We have set a target to reduce our operational emissions (Scope 1+2) by 42%, in line with a 1.5°C future by 2030 (baseline is 74,770 tCO₂e in FY 19/20). To achieve this, we have set Must-Have initiatives along six levers that must be completed by 2030. These include initiatives on green electricity, on-site solar energy generation, eMobility, energy efficiency, and heating and vehicle fuel reduction (see our climate transition plan).

We currently source renewable electricity for 27% of the locations within the scope of this report (see map in the Outro). 

In FY 22/23, energy-saving initiatives were implemented at various sites in the reporting coverage. This work included: retrofitting facilities to feature LED lighting; upgrading equipment such as air compressors; the optimization of heating and cooling systems; and the procurement, and on-site production of renewable electricity. These efforts led to an annual emissions avoidance of approximately 17,300 tCO₂e. In addition, we expanded the production of on-site solar energy by 50%.

Goal 8. Promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all

Protect labor rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers, including migrant workers, in particular women migrants, and those in precarious employment (Target 8.8).

Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor (Target 8.7).

By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value (Target 8.5).

Material Topics: Fair Employment; Human Rights; Occupational Health & Safety

How we are contributing

We are committed to providing our nearly 16,000 employees with fair working conditions. This entails fulfilling our duty of care toward our employees in terms of healthy working environments, fair compensation, and full respect for the ILO core labor standards.

We therefore address not only the safe operation of machines, ergonomic workplaces, and the handling of hazardous substances, but also mental health issues including stress, depression, and emotional well-being, and refrain from offering excessively low wages (i.e., wage dumping). Furthermore, our Group-wide Responsible Labor Directive regulates the minimum business standards applied during recruiting, hiring, and employment regarding freely chosen employment, working hours, wages and benefits, the prevention of child labor, freedom of association, and workers' accommodation. Besides this, the Zero Recruitment Fees Directive regulates the business standards regarding fees and costs associated with recruitment governed by the Employer Pays Principle. We are, however, also committed to further expanding our sphere of influence with regard to our suppliers. This is why these principles are also enshrined in our Supplier Code of Conduct and are part of our supplier risk assessments.

To ensure adherence to the standards contained in the Responsible Labor and Zero Recruitment Fees Directives, in FY 22/23 we launched a project to measure the level of compliance with the standards at each dormakaba location. Thanks to the 100% participation rate, we gained valuable insights into the situation on the ground and discovered gaps in the level of implementation that will serve as the basis for designing future due diligence measures.

In FY 22/23 we adopted the Group Health & Safety Directive, which regulates the minimim business standards as regards the occupational health and safety management and processes at local level, such as the safety of the working environments and the health of our employees, contractors, and visitors within our facilities, and of our field service technicians performing their primary duties outside of our facilities. Furthermore, the Directive gives clear guidance on incident data management, and on the effective control of facilities and equipment during high-risk activities. Due to increased employee engagement activities during FY 22/23, 1,261 unsafe observations were submitted (vs. seven in FY 21/22), which will help us to proactively prevent injuries and accidents.

Goal 9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation

By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes, with all countries taking action in accordance with their respective capabilities, and specifically, reduce the CO₂ emission per unit of value added (Target 9.4).

Material Topics: Energy & Emissions; Circular Economy & Materials

How we are contributing

Further to our contributions to resource-use efficiencies in the production phase, which are outlined under Goal 7, we also aim to increase the resource efficiency of our products. Our Group-wide Environment Directive regulates minimum business standards in manufacturing practices, product circularity, and eco-design, including material selection and the energy efficiency of the product use phase. The dormakaba sustainability commitment and life cycle approach are also integrated into our Product Design Manual. Furthermore, our circularity approach is now integrated into our new product development process through the mandatory EcoDesign Specification Template. This includes guidelines on energy use, materials selection, longevity/durability, repairability, adaptability, and disassembly. The template also defines minimum values for the amount of recycled content for each product class and how to design and select the product packaging.

We have several examples in place to provide transparent information on our products, including material compliance activities and publishing product declarations and sustainability-related certifications. Furthermore, our digital Product CO₂ Inventory Tool provides information on the carbon emissions of energy-consuming products during their use phase. This supports product development and optimization activities with the aim of creating more energy-efficient products.

In FY 22/23 we launched ground-breaking product innovations, such as a sensor-controlled automatic door system, that significantly contributes to improving the energy balance of the building, reducing operating costs, and ensuring greater safety during operation. Furthermore, our brand-new consulting tool, the Door Efficiency Calculator, helps customers find the most suitable automatic doors for their buildings in terms of energy efficiency, costs, and carbon footprint.

Goal 10. Reduce inequalities within and among countries

By 2030, facilitate orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies (Target 10.7).

Material Topics: Fair Employment

How we are contributing

We are committed to “Zero Recruitment Fees” throughout our global operations. We take special care to enforce the Employer Pays Principle, particularly in the recruitment of foreign workers, in order to facilitate orderly, safe, and responsible migration and mobility of people. Should we discover that recruitment fees have been paid by our employees, we are committed to reimbursing these within a short time frame.

Goal 12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water, and soil in order to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment (Target 12.4).

By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse (Target 12.5).

By 2030, ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature (Target 12.8).

Material Topic: Circular Economy & Materials

How we are contributing

The generation of different waste streams is an inevitable consequence of our operations, although by implementing the circular economy approach, we aim to send zero waste to landfill in our operations by 2027 (baseline 3,443 tons in FY 20/21). To achieve this, 33 manufacturing sites have already tasked with developing road maps and received training and guidance from external experts. We monitor our waste by treatment method and waste type. Approximately 90% of the waste stream was diverted away from disposal and instead recycled, reused, recovered (including raw materials and energy recovery), or stored on-site in FY 22/23. Our contributions to the environmentally sound management of chemicals and hazardous materials are detailed under Goals 3 and 6.

Goal 13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries (Target 13.1).

Improve education, awareness raising, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning (Target 13.3).

Material Topic: Energy & Emissions

How we are contributing

In addition to the initiatives mentioned under Goal 9, in 2021, SBTi approved our targets for operational and value chain emissions, including emissions from purchased materials and the use of our products. Progress towards the operational emissions target is being tracked as part of our sustainability-linked credit facility. We aim to reduce Scope 1+2 emissions in line with a 1.5°C world by 42% versus our baseline by 2030, and to reduce Scope 3 emissions by 25% in the same time period. We have reduced our Scope 1+2 carbon emissions by 13% versus the target baseline of FY 2019/20 through green electricity purchases and energy efficiency projects.