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Corporate Social Responsibility
News
3.10.2006 ET
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CSR News from:
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Akzo Nobel listed on FTSE4Good Index
Akzo Nobel's Strong Commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has Received Further Recognition with a Listing on the FTSE Group's Prestigious FTSE4Good Index
(CSRwire) Arnhem, the Netherlands - The European equivalent of the Dow Jones
Sustainability Index in the United States (on which Akzo Nobel was listed
last year), the FTSE4Good indexes - which are used extensively by
investors worldwide - measure the performance of companies that meet
globally recognized CSR standards.
"We are very proud of this listing, which is further acknowledgement of
our commitment to making CSR a fundamental component of Akzo Nobel's
business strategy," said CEO Hans Wijers. "Conducting our activities in a
sustainable manner is key to our success and we will continue to set
ambitious CSR targets in order to meet the demands of the future."
The FTSE4Good selection criteria cover areas of environmental
sustainability, developing positive relationships with stakeholders and
upholding and supporting universal human rights. Akzo Nobel already
complied with a number of criteria and was included on the list after
recently meeting two additional requirements: human rights criteria for
companies with a "significant presence" in countries of concern and
countering bribery criteria for "high risk" companies.
"Social responsibility is an integral part of our growth strategy and it's
important that our efforts to embed CSR into all our businesses and
processes are being recognized," continued Wijers, who added that Akzo
Nobel will be publishing its 2005 Corporate Social Responsibility Report
in early April. "This FTSE4Good listing helps to enhance our reputation
for overall operational excellence and highlights the fact that we are
fully committed to the continued improvement of our sustainability
performance."
Commenting on the index, Mark Makepeace, Chief Executive of FTSE Group,
said: "The FTSE4Good index is a driving force in encouraging companies
globally to be more aware of criteria used for socially responsible
investment. We are committed to working with investors, companies and
other interested parties to develop and encourage corporate responsible
behavior, which enhances shareholder value."
A world leader in the creation and management of indexes, the FTSE Group
also operates several other globally recognized indexes, including the
FTSE All-World Index, the FTSEurofirst Index series and the prominent FTSE
100.
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Note for the editor
Akzo Nobel is a Global Fortune 500 company and is listed on both the
Euronext Amsterdam and NASDAQ stock exchanges. It is also listed on the
Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes. Based in the Netherlands, we are a
multicultural organization serving customers throughout the world with
human and animal healthcare products, coatings, and chemicals. We employ
around 61,500 people and conduct our activities in four segments - human
and animal health, coatings and chemicals - subdivided into 13 business
units, with operating subsidiaries in more than 80 countries. Consolidated
revenues for 2005 totaled EUR 13.0 billion. The financial results for the
first quarter will be published on April 20, 2006.
Internet: www.akzonobel.com
Not for publication - for more information
Akzo Nobel nv
Corporate Media Relations, tel. +31 26 366 43 43
Contact: Patricia Janssen
Safe Harbor Statement*
This press release may contain statements which address such key issues as
Akzo Nobel's growth strategy, future financial results, market positions,
product development, pharmaceutical products in the pipeline, and product
approvals. Such statements should be carefully considered, and it should
be understood that many factors could cause forecasted and actual results
to differ from these statements. These factors include, but are not
limited to, price fluctuations, currency fluctuations, progress of drug
development, clinical testing and regulatory approval, developments in raw
material and personnel costs, pensions, physical and environmental risks,
legal issues, and legislative, fiscal, and other regulatory measures.
Stated competitive positions are based on management estimates supported
by information provided by specialized external agencies. For a more
comprehensive discussion of the risk factors affecting our business please
see our Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the United States Securities
and Exchange Commission, a copy of which can be found on the company's
corporate website www.akzonobel.com. The 2005 Annual
Report on Form 20-F will be available in the second quarter of 2006.
* Pursuant to the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act 1995.
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