Principles governing our attitude towards the environment and society

Human rights

We respect and protect human rights throughout our business activities.

This reflects the company’s support for both the UN objectives and the international conventions and principles contained in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the United Nations Global Compact and the International Labor Organization (ILO) Conventions and Recommendations. We prohibit the following practices in the course of our activities and will not engage in business deliberately with any person or company involved in the following: • Exploitation of children, including child labor • Corporal punishment • Violence against workers, of any kind • Forced or compulsory work • Illegal discrimination in employment and recruitment practices, including discrimination based on gender, origin, religion, sexual orientation, political beliefs or any other diversity parameter • Providing unsafe working conditions • Wage payments (or reductions) which place workers’ wages illegally below minimum wage. In case you have reason to believe that either within the company or one of our partners does not comply with applicable laws and regulations aimed at the protection of human rights, you are requested to share this matter with the staff department.

Environment

Environmental protection is our key commitment and is fully in line with the implementation of our corporate goals to achieve long-term sustainable growth.

The protection of the environment and the conservation of natural resources are a top priority for Hellenic Dairies. Through the constant guidance and commitment of our employees, we make sure to conduct our activities in an environmentally safe way, aiming to continuously improve our environmental performance.

For this reason, in addition to complying with environmental laws and norms or international standards, we often test our performance and develop policies/practices through which we aim at: • Saving energy and using renewable sources from self-generation • Reducing greenhouse gas emissions • Reducing and properly disposing of waste in the production process • Zeroing the organic load of waste generated at our facilities • Reducing the amount of water consumed through technologically advanced procedures and frequent checks for damage/leakage • Reducing the amount of plastic in product packaging • Evaluating the results of our processes to continuously improve the handling of our environmental impact • Updating and raising awareness among employees through specially designed seminars and trainings • Developing initiatives and organizing actions to protect the environment.

For more information on how to support this collective effort and contribute to meeting our objectives, please consult the Environmental Compliance Supervisor.

Sustainable development

Our goal and aim is to achieve growth that meets current needs, without compromising the needs of future generations.

The principle of sustainable development is a central choice and our goal. This is not only a means of expressing our corporate responsibility, but the basis on which decisions are taken. In this context, Hellenic Dairies operates in a stable and systematic way through:

• The implementation of economic, environmental and socially beneficial methods and practices; • The use of methods and processes focusing on the conservation of natural resources and energy, the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, optimal waste management and recycling; • Modernizing production methods and processes in accordance with the strictest European and international standards; • Training staff and assessing their compliance with the principles of sustainable development.

Any employee, executive, member of the administration, subcontractor and, in general, any person who cooperates in any way with Hellenic Dairies shall respect and implement the principles of sustainable development by reporting to the competent authority any behavior that endangers the company, its business and social interests, as well as its ethical principles.

Social participation and local communities

We act as a responsible corporate citizen, making sure to contribute to the development of local communities and generate value for our social partners.

Maximizing value for the social partners and harmonious coexistence with local communities are important parameters of the company’s social responsibility and the strengthening of its corporate image. Our aim is the mutual respect and trust relations with all actors in society, two characteristics which govern the decision-making process of the company in terms of its business, aiming at good cooperation and alleviation of any impact. Part of the company’s social responsibility is sponsorship and donations to institutions and organizations. This is an effort over time which evolves according to the conditions and aims to contribute to meeting any social needs, as the case may be.

Clients and consumers

We care for the impeccable service and continuous satisfaction of our clients and the supply of the market with innovative products that are characterized for their high quality and safety.

Our main concern is to satisfy clients in the best possible way. We are making sure that we develop relationships of trust based on mutual respect and sincerity. Both our clients and consumers must be treated with the respect, responsibility and transparency attributable to every valuable partner, for all transactions between them and other issues that concern them. For this reason, all queries, requests and complaints that may arise from clients and final consumers are recorded and handled through the CRM system.

Communicating with the media

Communication with the media should only be made by representatives of the company and in a specific way.

We seek proper and focused communication and representation in the media on corporate issues to ensure business continuity. In this respect, you should not provide any information if you have been asked to discuss the company’s business with any press representatives, investors or market analysts. Instead, you should kindly inform that you are not authorized to discuss the matter and refer the person asking you the question to the relevant representative. Also, when using social media, you need to be clear that you are not speaking on behalf of the company. Only the management, or the competent department, shall be responsible for speaking on behalf of the company, unless the appropriate authorization has been given.

Question: I have received an invitation and I will attend a social event where a well-known journalist working in a local newspaper may also be present. If he asks me about new products we're about to launch, could I give him information so I can advertise the company at the same time? Answer: No. Τhe members of the administration, the competent department and those with such authorization are responsible for speaking on behalf of the company or about its products. This rule applies to all types of public communication and any media, including the internet and social media. Even a selfie or a video from the workplace could potentially disclose confidential corporate information.