“It is a reward for our policy and achievements regarding sustainable entrepreneurship in the past year,” said Geneviève Standaert, export manager.

The Voka Sustainable Business Charter guides companies, regardless of sector or size, on their way to the implementation of sustainable entrepreneurship within their own organisation. Through a tailor-made action plan, each company takes specific initiatives to operate in a more responsible, sustainable manner.

“We worked on making our strategy more sustainable, improving our process efficiency, energy savings, use of alternative water sources, improving safety and ergonomics, promoting health and involving all our employees, always with the conviction that our sustainable efforts are economical and deliver social benefits,” said Ms Standaert.

All these initiatives are linked to the 17 sustainable development goals (SDGS) of the United Nations. A good annual assessment ultimately yields an annual certificate of the Voka Sustainable Business Charter.

When the final balance is positive after three years, and companies have elaborated at least one action in each SDG, companies receive the internationally recognized Unitar-“SDG Pioneer” certificate.

Vandecasteele will receive its Unitar-SDG Pioneer certificate for the first time on October 27.