DNV considers corporate social responsibility (CSR) to be a continous commitment and critical element in its work – one that we take as seriously as our financial bottom line.

DNV’s vision for a sustainable future is translated into action when working with our customers and in our own operations. DNV’s CSR Board uses a risk assessment approach to identify, prioritise and implement actions for important CSR issues in areas such as corporate governance, ethical business practices, the environment, transparency and accountability.

As highlighted in the next section, special efforts have been made in 2007 to manage risks connected to fraud and corruption. DNV’s Ombudsman represents a safety valve for employees reporting those ethics cases that are not handled through the normal line management route. Many of the approaches made to the Ombudsman are still to Human Resource management and have been passed on accordingly. Other approaches have concerned ethical dilemmas on which the Ombudsman has given advice. A growing number of approaches relate to challenges associated with entering or withdrawing from business in certain countries where the safety of employees is at stake or where corrupt business practices are common.

DNV actively supports several national and international initiatives and associations that focus on sustainable development and the role of business in society; principally:

• The UN Global Compact

• Transparency International

• The Global Reporting Initiative

• The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD).

DNV’s commitment to the UN Global Compact principles is shown throughout this report and DNV complies with Transparency International’s guidelines in its work to combat corruption. DNV is an organisational stakeholder of the GRI and continuously works to meet the transparency promoted by the GRI guidelines. DNV’s membership of the WBCSD provides an excellent platform for contributing to work and dialogues on sustainable development and the role of business in society.

Partnership with the Red Cross
In January 2007, DNV’s partnership with the Red Cross was extended for a new period of three years. The partnership’s focus is on providing safe drinking water and improved sanitation to vulnerable people. The aim is also to develop expertise in both organisations through the exchange of knowledge in areas of common interest.

In 2007, DNV continued to support water and sanitation projects in China and Kenya. New in 2007 was the support given to a water and sanitation project in Belize, extending our reach into Latin America. As a result of these programmes, approximately 7 400 people have gained access to clean water and improved sanitation. Competence has been exchanged in new areas. DNV has assisted the Red Cross contingency measures for rescue operations at sea. The Red Cross has shared its expertise in employee safety. DNV has carried out an audit of water projects in China and continued to provide assistance on IT management to an ambulance centre in Serbia.

Photo: Red cross