Sustainability Report Assurance
American Multinational Healthcare Company • Global Manufacturing Operations
Solution Overview
Client:
American multinational healthcare company
Business Challenge:
- Complete assurance to ISAE 3000, internal standards and greenhouse gas (GHG) protocol across a wide range of data
Solution:
- Experienced team of assurance professionals
- Familiarity with regulatory requirements and industry sector nuances
Results:
- Timely and accurate reporting
- Progressive improvements to metric tracking and reporting
Challenge
The client, a leading manufacturer of healthcare products and vaccines, has global pharmaceutical and medical equipment manufacturing operations that involve a range of metrics from water, waste, GHG emissions, energy, safety, technical operations, and various social metrics (diversity and inclusion in procurement, etc.) that Apex assures to a limited level of assurance on an annual basis. The client requires assurance to ISAE 3000 and has developed their metrics to meet Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards, internal reporting requirements, and the GHG protocol. A good understanding of the client’s manufacturing processes, water usage needs, and waste knowledge is needed to conduct assurance of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) metrics and GHG emissions. Assurors also must possess the ability to review and assure data in manufacturing facilities in North America, South America, Europe, and Asia.
Solution
Apex established a team of experts with strong assurance and climate change methodology experience who were also familiar with the nuances of the manufacturing sector. In addition to our US-based team, Apex developed a network of internal and contractor resources to conduct global assurance at various non-US locations. Communication was key to developing the assurance plan, ensuring the facilities and client subject matter experts (SMEs) were prepared, and developing schedules for site visits and SME interviews. Logistics and procurement data were also assured as applicable to the ESG reporting. Apex maintained open and consistent communication throughout the project to ensure completion of site visit reviews, and completion of metric compilation within client required deadlines.
Results
These projects are conducted annually, and project deadlines are always met. Assurance is conducted according to the ISAE 3000 assurance standard. Apex works with the client following project completion to identify best practices, opportunities for improvement, and review of proposed changes including increased metrics for assurance for the following year.