“We act prudently and responsibly for the benefit of society and the environment.”

Aspect 1: life-cycle assessments

In an increasingly urbanized world, products are used on a daily basis whose production, use, and disposal leave an ecological footprint. To make this footprint as small as possible, Bosch has already carried out life-cycle assessments in its major product groups. These account for around 50 percent of the company’s sales volume. The company uses the results of these analyses to identify potential for further improving its products’ ecological and social impact. One important aspect of this is the idea of a closed-loop or circular economy.

Aspect 2: resources and waste

Waste in production is the second focal point of urbanization-related activities. Bosch has replaced its past relative target with two new initiatives: reducing hazardous waste and increasing the material recycling rate.

Aspect 1: responsibility

As a global company with some 460 subsidiaries and regional companies as well as 410,000 associates, Bosch is committed to social and environmental responsibility. Accordingly, the company aims to make the ecological, social, and economic impact of its business activities transparent, and to improve its performance in terms of sustainability. To this end, Bosch continues to improve its reporting practices in line with international standards and to communicate its progress annually. From the 2018 reporting year onward, a Factbook will be published that for the first time corresponds to the GRI Standards “Core” option.

Aspect 2: supply chain

As a company that does business responsibly, Bosch increasingly has an eye on the upstream supply chain (the suppliers of suppliers) in the context of the global flow of goods. Starting in 2019, Bosch aims to more clearly identify the ecological and social risks in its supplier network and, on this basis, further develop the existing measures.

Aspect 1: health and safety

Bosch is committed to keeping people and the environment from harm. By 2020, the company aims to reduce the number of accidents per million hours worked to a maximum of 1.7. Since the majority of accidents are the result of human behavior, the company will analyze near-miss accidents intensively throughout 2019. The aim is to recognize accident and health risks for associates, and to introduce suitable preventive measures at an early stage.

Aspect 2: substances of concern

Ensuring that banned substances are not used and reducing the use of hazardous substances are decisive in protecting people and the environment. This applies both to manufacturing processes and the products themselves. To efficiently manage substance restrictions and bans, especially for products, Bosch is expanding its corporate material data management for compliance and sustainability (MaCS) system. The scalable IT system makes it possible to check lists of materials used in products automatically, and to ensure compliance with regulations. It has already been successfully rolled out at several of the company’s divisions.