Our foundation
The basis of our
entrepreneurial activities
The foundation of our 1+4 sustainability strategy ensures that we act in a value-orientated manner, take the interests of all stakeholders seriously and are committed to people and the environment above and beyond the legal requirements. As a family business, responsible behaviour as an employer, social commitment, compliance and product safety form the basis of our business activities.
Best place to work
Our employees are the most important success factor in our company. With our People & Culture strategy we promote talent, develop employees and managers and create an attractive, healthy environment for work. Diversity, modern work surroundings, commitment and a value-led human resources policy are at the centre of our efforts to ensure long-term success and a future-oriented approach.
To the career page
Occupational safety
Occupational safety has top priority at WEPA. Together with managers, employees and the safety team, we continuously develop our safety culture in order to prevent accidents and raise awareness for safe behaviour. Over 170 safety officers work towards our goal every day: zero accidents at work and an annual 10% reduction in the accident frequency rate.
Product safety
Our hygiene papers such as toilet paper, facial tissue and kitchen paper fulfil the highest quality and product safety standards to make daily contact with skin and food safe. We are committed to avoiding, reducing or replacing potentially harmful ingredients above and beyond legal requirements, and creating transparency about all materials used.
Responsibility along the supply chain
Responsible supply chain management is an essential part of our compliance. Our Code of Conduct for Business Partners obliges suppliers to respect human rights and ensure fair working conditions. WEPA carries out comprehensive due diligence assessments in the areas of human rights and the environment, and regularly audits fibre suppliers on site.
To suppliers
Social engagement
We assume responsibility at our locations through our commitment in the areas of ecology, sport, culture and social affairs. In the form of the WEPA Foundation, we support initiatives in the fields of hygiene and the environment and promote them in accordance with our purpose of “Together for a better life”. In partnership with the WWF, we are involved in the ‘Mittlere Elbe’ [Middle Elbe River] nature conservation project to renaturalise the floodplain landscape near Dessau.
To the WEPA Foundation
The WEPA Code of Conduct summarises the basic convictions and values that define WEPA as a family business, and how employees of the WEPA Group can behave in line with compliance requirements in highly diverse situations. It is important that the Code of Conduct is more than just a collection of rules and regulations – it should help employees in their everyday work and demonstrate what it means to work for WEPA with commitment and integrity.
For the environment and safety:
WEPA stands for certified quality
To ensure responsible behaviour in our company and along our value chain, we rely on certifications for sites and processes as well as official product seals. This enables us to support our customers in making a contribution to environmental protection and allows us to provide clear guidance for consumers, in purchasing and in public procurement. The seals are verified and awarded by independent bodies and ensure that we fulfil specific sustainability criteria.
Blue Angel
Numerous WEPA hygiene papers made from recycled fibres bear the Blue Angel symbol. This is world’s oldest eco-label and has been in existence since 1978. For hygiene paper, the Blue Angel label focuses on the raw materials used and product safety, and environmental and health protection are also focused on.
EU Ecolabel
This European eco-label ensures that production processes are implemented in accordance with strict environmental standards. It is a marker for all who wish to conserve the environment through their choice of products. Numerous WEPA hygiene papers with cellulose and recycled qualities bear this seal.
Cradle to Cradle
The aim of the cradle-to-cradle (C2C) concept is to design products in such a way that their materials are less harmful and can be reused or naturally degraded. Our BlackSatino brand is already Cradle to Cradle CertifiedTM. Key points here include the use of ecologically harmless ingredients, material recycling, the use of renewable energies, sustainable water management and the practising of social responsibility.
Nordic Swan Ecolabel
The Nordic eco-label (Nordic Swan) is the national sustainability label of the Nordic countries Finland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Iceland. Since 1989 it has certified products from over 60 categories with a focus on environmentally compatible production, quality and health safety. Licences are issued by the national authorities.
FSC® and PEFC
FSC® (FSC®-C016151) and PEFC (PEFC /04-32-0775) are certifications for wood products sourced from sustainable forestry. The seals distinguish our pulp and recycled qualities which are manufactured with corresponding virgin or recycled fibres. Currently, 99.94% of our virgin fibres are FSC® or PEFC certified – the rest comply at least with the FSC Controlled Wood Standard.
DIN EN ISO 14001 environmental management system
DIN EN ISO 14001 is the globally recognised and applied standard for environmental management systems. It defines the establishment, realisation, maintenance and continuous improvement of an environmental management system in companies. The focus is on protecting the environment, reduction of environmental impact and the continuous improvement of environmental performance. WEPA has been certified compliant to DIN EN ISO 14001 since 2000.
Occupational health and safety management DIN ISO 45001
ISO 45001 certification is an internationally recognised standard for occupational health and safety management in companies. WEPA strives for certification in accordance with DIN ISO 45001 at all its sites. Currently, six locations have ISO 45001 certification.
DIN ISO 9001 quality management
ISO 9001 is the most widely used national and international quality management standard. The globally recognised standard defines the minimum requirements for quality management systems. The focus is on optimising processes in order to continuously optimise a company’s performance and to meet customer requirements in the best possible way.
Lean & Green
Lean & Green is a non-profit initiative for more sustainability in the warehouse and logistics sector. Companies gain awards for reducing their carbon emissions. We have achieved our carbon reduction target thanks to intelligent measures, and have been awarded the 1st Star for the periods 2012-2016 and 2017-2019. Certification was carried out by TÜV NORD. With further measures underway, we are currently targeting the 2nd Star.
Products & services
At home in people’s lives
Our hygiene products are an integral part of people’s lives – at home, in the commercial sector and in public facilities. This is precisely why we have the highest standards when it comes to their quality: from towel and toilet paper to kitchen rolls, facial tissues, napkins and paper handkerchiefs through to dispenser solutions, soaps and hand disinfection.
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