Lactosan Group dedicates resources into sustainability. However, for us, sustainability has a wider scope. It is about our responsibility to take care of our environment, to care for the people that we impact (local communities, our customers, our employees, owners and other stakeholders) and to be aware of the ethics and obligations we have in being a food producer. We take all necessary precautions to ensure the highest standards of quality management, control, and assurance from the sourcing of the raw materials, in ensuring food safety and full traceability to committing ourselves to think in sustainable solutions wherever possible. We have aligned our sustainability goals according to the UN Goals.
Learn more about our efforts, targets, KPI's and causes we believe in our CSR report and Code of Conduct below.
See our Code of Conduct below.
Our Code of Conduct sets out the main principles and thus serves us as a guideline for adherence to ethical standards and in creating a working environment characterized by integrity, respect, trust, and sustainability.
Sustainability and social responsibility are focal points at Lactosan A/S that is why our actions are also based on sustainable values, which we convey to employees, customers, and suppliers. We thus have a positive influence on our environment and comment and contribute to a caring society.
Internal
The rules formulated in the Code of Conduct apply without exception to all owners, managers, employees, and all other persons engaged in company work. For clarity of understanding, all categories of per-sons – regardless of gender – are collectively referred to in what follows as “employees”.
External
The scope of these guidelines extends to all business sectors, all companies, and all locations. This Code of Conduct does not replace any other behavioral guidelines but complements them. We also apply the standards formulated in the Code of Conduct to our partners, suppliers, and customers.
Principles for dealing with each other
The way we treat each other is characterized by respect and acceptance. We respect social manners and strive for polite cooperation. We always act with integrity and are aware of our responsibility as role models.
Responsibility for the company’s reputation
All employees bear responsibility for the reputation of the entire company and their own person. For this reason, every one of us must always behave in public in such a way that his or her behavior does not reflect negatively on the company.
Open communication and dealing with criticism
We communicate in an open, goal-oriented, and clear manner. We encourage the open exchange of opinions, criticism, and ideas. Conflicts are inevitable in everyday dealings with each other. But they help us to look at our positions critically and to learn from them. We regard errors as an opportunity, and we explain and eliminate their causes.
Promoting independent action
We encourage all colleagues to act on their own initiative. At the same time, we expect them to observe the responsibility that comes with this and to work towards our common goals.
The people of Lactosan Group are the foundation of its success. Lactosan Group runs it business according to local and international approved conventions within working environment, safety, and human rights. Lactosan Group aims to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for all its employees.
Lactosan Group supports and wishes to comply with internationally acknowledged human rights as per the International Labour Organisations (ILO) convention. It is Lactosan’s intention to build its business relationships with companies who also supports and complies with the same human rights.
Lactosan Group is certified on a current basis in terms of product safety and working environment. Each production site is subject to local/national laws and supervised by local authorities, who conduct unannounced audits. Lactosan Denmark holds the SMETA Certification.
We strive in all areas to create a positive and rewarding work environment that enables every employee to perform at his or her best. We support the personal development of all our employees, in particular the expansion of their professional expertise through advanced training. Vulnerable groups (adolescents, pregnant women, people with disabilities, etc.) receive special attention. We assess the performance and success of every employee according to factual criteria and try to minimize subjective factors.
We comply with applicable law. We respect the relevant national and international laws, regardless of our location or the location of the business. We cooperate with all competent authorities openly, constructively, and reliably.
Lactosan Group strives to the best of its knowledge to avoid unjustly influencing and bribing public officials and the judiciary. It is expected that all its suppliers also follow a similar policy.
At Lactosan A/S all employees shall refrain from receiving or using bribery as a method to obtain benefits or unjustly influence other parties.
Business partners, Lactosan A/S seeks to work with only qualified and reputable Business Partners. We condemn corruption, taking advantage and bribery. We respect the relevant laws and conventions. We neither offer business partners gifts or benefits with the aim of influencing a business decision, nor do we accept such gifts or benefits. We therefore expect our Business Partners to obey the relevant laws and to conform to the Code of Conduct, reject corruption, uphold human rights, and labour laws (including laws prohibiting child labour), take precautionary measures to protect the environment, the health and safety of their products and the animal welfare and also enforce corresponding regulations in their own supply chains and take appropriate measures to ensure compliance.
Business engagements at risk of potentially not meeting Lactosan A/S values and standards will be evaluated, and if deemed continuously non-compliant, will be terminated. We are all responsible for holding our Business Partners accountable, and employees are encouraged to collaborate with only reliable and ethically sound Business Partners.
Employees must report any Business Partner related concerns to their manager.
Prohibition of corruption and personal gain; we condemn corruption, taking advantage and bribery. We respect the relevant laws and conventions. We neither offer business partners gifts or benefits with the aim of influencing a business decision, nor do we accept such gifts or benefits. Even the appearance of such influence is to be prevented. We will not tolerate application of unfair means.
Conflicts of interests; We do not accept any benefits, or entertainment that could lead to a conflict of interest. We avoid situations that could lead to conflicts of interest between our personal or financial interests and the interests of Lactosan A/S
We do not solicit any personal benefits from suppliers, customers or others arising from affiliation with the company or which are linked to that affiliation.
Whistle-blower program
Lactosan Group has an internal whistle-blower program for employees.
We do not tolerate fraudulent acts, such as embezzlement, misappropriation, or other fraud – neither within our company nor in our cooperation with business partners.
Whistle-blower program
Lactosan Group has an internal whistle-blower program for employees.
We have committed ourselves to securing the highest level of quality management incl. food safety and product traceability which we believe naturally belongs in a responsible production (SDG#12). We put all our efforts into training and optimizing to be at the forefront within the field.
Through intensive Quality Management and continuous documentation and training programmes Lactosan Group makes sure that the business lives up to the high standards and certifications in the food industry that are required by its customers. Lactosan Group is audited on a regular basis by authorities, 3rd parties and customers.
Certifications are available by means of Lactosan’s quality departments. For further information on safety and certifications please also contact the individual quality departments.
Despite travel and meeting restrictions during the outbreak of COVID-19, audits were carried out either physically or online through dialogue and follow-up activity.
During 2021 with COVID-19 food safety remained a key focus area at Lactosan Group’s facilities where it monitored and controlled production processes and the materials used as well as tested end-products in accordance with applicable requirements.
GMO Labelling
No products produced by Lactosan Group derive from genetically modified raw materials nor do they contain any GMO. Consequently, products are not subject to GMO labelling according to EC Regulation 1829/2003 and EC Regulation 1830/2003.
It is the policy of Lactosan Group only to produce products not subject to GMO labelling according to EU legislation. This policy is actively secured by selecting non-GMO raw materials. Please contact Lactosan’s quality departments to get the GMO certificate.
We respect laws and regulations designed to safeguard fair competition, antitrust and competition law. We will not tolerate unauthorized preferential treatment or discrimination.
Dealing with internal knowledge
We do not pass on business information that has not been approved for publication by the relevant bodies within the company. Through careful handling, we protect business secrets: in particular, process and manufacturing knowledge, patents, plans, financial data and other information that has not been approved for publication. We do not accept inaccurate reporting – neither within our company nor in terms of information intended for external consumption.
Ensuring the confidentiality of data entrusted to us
We protect the secrets of our customers and suppliers. We do not use them to give ourselves an unfair advantage and we do not pass them on to third parties. We only ever use the information entrusted to us to perform the task for which it was entrusted to us.
Data protection and security
We comply with all legal requirements for data protection and relating to data security. Furthermore, the personal data entrusted to us by our employees and partners is solely used for the intended purposes to the extent legally permissible. In particular, we treat personal data confidentially.
Documentation and transparency requirements
We comply with documentation requirements arising from legal provisions comprehensively and with the necessary care. We also comply in full with any further documentation requirements arising from operational provisions. All our reports, records and statements are accurate, timely, understandable, comprehensive, and true.
The people of Lactosan Group are the foundation of our success. We run our business according to local and international approved conventions within working environment, safety, and human rights. Lactosan Group aims to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for all our employees.
Lactosan Group supports and wishes to comply with internationally acknowledged human rights as per the International Labour Organisations (ILO) convention. It is our intention to build our business relationships with companies who also supports and complies with the same human rights.
Lactosan Group is certified on a current basis in terms of product safety and working environment. Each production site is subject to local/national laws and supervised by local authorities, who conduct unannounced audits. Lactosan Denmark holds the SMETA Certification.
Compliance with legal and operational safety policies
We always observe all legal, trade association and occupational safety regulations.
Lactosan Group takes all necessary precautions and actions to secure the safety of its employees in its daily practises. Safety issues are handled immediately and at the quarterly safety meetings.
During 2021 Lactosan Group took all necessary precautions to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on its employees, customers, other stakeholders, and its business. Following the outbreak of COVID-19, Lactosan encouraged regular testing and to comply with the instructions from the health authorities, use of hand sanitizer and social distancing at its factories, and for a period of time its office staff worked from home to the extent possible. Furthermore, selected employees were sent on paid leave based on specific risk assessments.
Working conditions
We pay fair wages – at least the statutory and collectively agreed minimum standards, – and respect the statutory and collectively agreed standards on working hours, holiday leave and public holidays.
We respect the statutory rights of co-determination.
Social practices
The social obligations of Lactosan Group are highly prioritised by management and the ability to create a sound and well-reputed company is valued. Lactosan wants to increase employee skills through education at all levels. Furthermore, Lactosan A/S in Denmark works strategically with promoting and improving teamwork skills at all levels to create the best working environment possible.
Forced Labour
Lactosan Group takes all necessary measures to ensure that it does not participate in or benefit from any form of forced labour, including bonded labour, prison labour, slavery, servitude, human trafficking, and compelled involuntary overtime. Discrimination or harassment of employees is not tolerated. Lactosan Group expects that all its suppliers follow similar policies.
We rigorously condemn forced labour and encourage our business partners to do likewise.
Child labour
Lactosan Group takes all necessary measures to ensure that the company complies with minimum age standards and thus employs no child labour (according to the national laws). Lactosan Group expects that all its suppliers follow similar policies.
We rigorously condemn child labour and encourage our business partners to do likewise.
Non-discrimination
Lactosan Group considers a pluralistic personnel structure as an enrichment. Discrimination of any form is not tolerated. Lactosan Group ensures that employment-related decisions are based on relative and objective criteria and that no discrimination is made on the basis of gender, age, nationality, ethnicity, race, colour, creed, caste, language, mental or physical disability, organization membership, opinion, health status, marital status, sexual orientation, birth, or civic, social, political characteristics of the worker, etc. which may negatively affect the person’s employment opportunities or otherwise result in unequal treatment in the workplace.
Lactosan A/S in Denmark is a CODE OF CARE AMBASSADOR https://codeofcare.dk/. Code of Care is a nonprofit organization, who inspires to, informs about and creates innovation within the social obligations and responsibilities for companies. Code of Care is working to ensure that more people with mental, physical, or social challenges in life are included in Danish workplaces.
Gender equality
Based on the principles of equality for all, gender equality is an important principle of Lactosan Group. Lactosan Group wants to keep a good balance of both males and females working in the companies. We also want equal opportunities for both women and men at all levels of decision-making in the companies. We want to be a workplace committed to attract, develop and retain members of the executive management level as well as other managers and employees with different backgrounds and strong competencies to secure the continued success of our company.
A key action to secure the strategy is to require that internal and external recruiters select qualified applicants of both gender for vacancies in an open and transparent process with Lactosan. Every year, Lactosan Group monitors the balance at director and management levels and report this to its accountants. Lactosan has both male and female directors and managers in the companies in Denmark, Uruguay, China, United Kingdom and Japan.
Freedom of association
Lactosan Group recognizes the freedom of association rights of its employees, including the right to bargain collectively. Employees are therefore allowed the freedom to associate with organizations or trade unions of their choice for the purpose of protecting their employment interests. Lactosan Group respects the role of these organizations and allows them to function independently without interference. Lactosan expects that all its suppliers likewise recognize the freedom of association rights of its employees.
Wages, benefits & working hours
Wages paid by Lactosan Group are as a minimum consistent with national and local remuneration laws or prevailing industry standards. Holidays, sick leave, etc. granted by Lactosan Group are also consistent with national and local laws. Additionally, working hours are also as a minimum consistent with national and local remuneration laws or prevailing industry standards.
Lactosan Group strives to meet the healthcare needs of an ethnically and geographically diverse global workforce through a wide range of programs and initiatives including healthcare benefits, insurance, flex time, training programmes and retirement programmes.
It is expected that all its suppliers likewise pay wages and provides benefits consistent with national and local remuneration laws or prevailing industry standards.
Lactosan Group has two processing plants: one in Denmark and one in Uruguay. Lactosan Group runs its facilities according to local and international approved conventions within environmental legislations and regulations. Lactosan Group aims to minimise any harmful effects and to the best of its knowledge obey the laws and regulations in the countries in which it operates. In cases where Lactosan Group standards exceed the legal requirements, these will be followed.
It is Lactosan’s intention to the best of its knowledge to protect, respect and safeguard the environment in daily business activities by development of production methods and products, training of employees and influencing suppliers and stakeholders systematically and proactively.
Risks
The main environmental risks related to Lactosan Group’s production activities include unintended wastewater spill, food waste and potential energy loss, which could result from any production inefficiencies or lack of investments in energy optimization.
Lactosan Group’s production activities are subject to environmental laws and regulations governing, among other things, noise reductions, wastewater treatment and waste disposal as well as CO2 emissions. Risks are monitored locally and from the head office to prevent, remedy or minimise any adverse effect on the external environment.
Due diligence measures
Lactosan Group continuously evaluates its activities, products, and services in terms of actual environmental impacts and potential environmental impacts.
As a minimum, Lactosan Group expects that its suppliers comply with applicable laws and regulations in the countries in which they operate.
We act properly and carefully when dealing with the company’s property. Every employee takes responsibility for this. We independently report damage, misuse, loss, theft, misappropriation, or destruction of company property.
Personal responsibility of every employee
Everyone is responsible for following the Code of Conduct in everyday working life and ensuring that he or she stays up to date with any changes. Ignorance does not protect against consequences. The company management provides the latest version of the Code of Conduct at appropriate points and provides information about any changes.
New employees will be familiarized with the Code of Conduct in writing, at the latest upon conclusion of the employment contract.
Anonymous whistleblower system
Violations of the principles of conduct or general law can also be reported anonymously. For this purpose, access to a whistleblower system is available at Lactosan A/S.
Lactosan Group’s production activities span Europe and South America. It has been decided to focus the materiality approach and assessment on the manufacturing sites where Lactosan Group primarily focuses on reducing its environmental impact to ensure the greatest possible effect of its sustainability efforts.
In addition, Lactosan operates its business (both manufacturing sites and sales offices) in adherence with European and international regulations within the fields of Food production and handling, Labour Rights and Human Rights.
To assess the sustainability factors within the business environment Lactosan operates in, a materiality analysis has been made to identify the most relevant environmental, social, and economic elements within its value chain. The analysis also helps to identify issues to be covered in its reporting and supports decisions on where to focus internal resources which have also been identified as the key focus areas for the Group.
The materiality analysis is based on inputs from internal stakeholders with relevant functions including CEO, Plant Management, Financial and HR management and Sales/Marketing to identify, ensure and prioritize the issues that they believe have the biggest impact on the economy, society, and the environment, and that they identify to matter most to its stakeholders.
The topics were selected and prioritised by Lactosan Management Group. It is their intention to evaluate the materiality matrix on a regular basis and use external consultants for guidance.
Internal and external factors
When identifying the most material aspects arising from its operations, Lactosan takes account of internal and external factors. These include the issues identified in its overall vision and mission, vision on sustainability, long-term strategy, and the Code of Conduct, which governs Group behaviours and activities. Lactosan reviews and adjusts these material aspects and processes against external developments such as emerging regulations, environmental standards, and approaches to various certifications.
Learn more about our goals, projects and initiatives in the Thornico Corporate Social Responsibility Report 2022.
