The GRI Content Index 2018 - Reporting on Sustainability

We base our sustainability reporting on the guidelines of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI).

This report has been prepared in accordance with the GRI Standards: Comprehensive option.

General Disclosures

GRI 102: General Disclosures 2016 102-1 Name of the organization

Home page Integrated Annual Report

102-2 Activities, brands, products, and services

DSM at a glance

Markets and products

102-3 Location of headquarters

DSM Location finder

Address on back page Integrated Annual Report

102-4 Location of operations

DSM at a glance

DSM Location finder

102-5 Ownership and legal form

Corporate Governance

Risk management

102-6 Markets served

DSM at a glance

Review of business

102-7 Scale of the organization

DSM at a glance

Key Data

102-8 Information on employees and other workers

Sustainability Statements

102-9 Supply chain

Sustainability Statements - Suppliers

102-10 Significant changes to the organization and its supply chain

Review of business

102-11 Precautionary Principle or approach

Corporate governance and risk management

Risk management

102-12 External initiatives

Collaborative platforms & networks

People

Reporting policy

102-13 Membership of associations

Collaborative platforms & networks

102-14 Statement from senior decision-maker

Letter from the CEO

102-15 Key impacts, risks, and opportunities

Letter from the CEO

How DSM creates value for its stakeholders

Materiality

Risk management

102-16 Values, principles, standards, and norms of behavior

DSM Code of Business Conduct

102-17 Mechanisms for advice and concerns about ethics

DSM Code of Business Conduct

102-18 Governance structure

Corporate governance and risk management

Report by the Supervisory Board

102-19 Delegating authority

Corporate governance and risk management

Report by the Supervisory Board

Sustainability Governance Framework

102-20 Executive-level responsibility for economic, environmental, and social topics

Corporate governance and risk management

Report by the Supervisory Board

Sustainability Governance Framework

102-21 Consulting stakeholders on economic, environmental, and social topics

Stakeholders

Collaborative platforms & networks

People - Careers & employment

102-22 Composition of the highest governance body and its committees

Report by the Supervisory Board

Supervisory Board and Managing Board Royal DSM

102-23 Chair of the highest governance body

Supervisory Board and Managing Board Royal DSM

102-24 Nominating and selecting the highest governance body

Report by the Supervisory Board

Supervisory Board and Managing Board Royal DSM

102-25 Conflicts of interest

Report by the Supervisory Board

Supervisory Board and Managing Board Royal DSM

102-26 Role of highest governance body in setting purpose, values, and strategy

Report by the Supervisory Board

Supervisory Board and Managing Board Royal DSM

102-27 Collective knowledge of highest governance body

Corporate governance and risk management

Report by the Supervisory Board

102-28 Evaluating the highest governance body’s performance

Corporate governance and risk management

Report by the Supervisory Board

102-29 Identifying and managing economic, environmental, and social impacts

Corporate governance and risk management

Report by the Supervisory Board

102-30 Effectiveness of risk management processes

Corporate governance and risk management

Report by the Supervisory Board

Sustainability Governance Framework

102-31 Review of economic, environmental, and social topics

Report by the Supervisory Board

102-32 Highest governance body’s role in sustainability reporting

Report by the Supervisory Board

102-33 Communicating critical concerns

DSM Code of Business Conduct

102-34 Nature and total number of critical concerns

DSM Code of Business Conduct

102-35 Remuneration policies

Remuneration policy for the Managing Board

102-36 Process for determining remuneration

Remuneration policy for the Managing Board

102-37 Stakeholders’ involvement in remuneration

Corporate governance and risk management

General Meeting of Shareholders

102-38 Annual total compensation ratio

DSM publishes a pay ratio for the CEO and Managing Board only.

Note 13 to the Parent comancy - Remuneration of Managing Board and Supervisory Board

102-39 Percentage increase in annual total compensation ratio

DSM publishes a pay ratio for the CEO and Managing Board only.

Note 13 to the Parent comancy - Remuneration of Managing Board and Supervisory Board

102-40 List of stakeholder groups

Stakeholders

102-41 Collective bargaining agreements

DSM does not report this on a corporate level. In countries or businesses where employees have third-party representation via a works council or collective bargaining, DSM respects these relationships and works with these third parties in a mutually respectful manner.  

102-42 Identifying and selecting stakeholders

Stakeholders

102-43 Approach to stakeholder engagement

Stakeholders

102-44 Key topics and concerns raised

Materiality

People

Planet

102-45 Entities included in the consolidated financial statements

DSM at a glance

Review of business

102-46 Defining report content and topic Boundaries

Reporting policy

Materiality

102-47 List of material topics

Materiality

People

Planet

Sustainability statements

102-48 Restatements of information

Reporting policy

Specific restatements will be specified in People and Planet as appropriate

102-49 Changes in reporting

Materiality

Reporting policy

102-50 Reporting period

Reporting policy

102-51 Date of most recent report

Reporting policy

102-52 Reporting cycle

Reporting policy

102-53 Contact point for questions regarding the report

Back page of printed version DSM Integrated Annual Report

Contact Us

102-54 Claims of reporting in accordance with the GRI Standards

DSM Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards table

Reporting policy

102-55 GRI content index

DSM Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards table

102-56 External assurance

Report of the Audit Committee

Annual General Meeting of Shareholders 2018

Independent Auditor’s report of the Financial Statements

Assurance report of the independent auditor

Health & wellness

GRI 103: Management Approach 2016 103-1 Explanation of the material topic and its Boundary

Materiality

People

Review of Business Nutrition

103-2 The management approach and its components

Materiality

People

Review of Business Nutrition

103-3 Evaluation of the management approach

Materiality

People

Review of Business Nutrition

GRI 403: Occupational Health and Safety 2018 403-1 Occupational health and safety management system

DSM implements a SHE-management system to manage risks related to Safety, Health and Environment. See:

Description of risks on dsm.com

People - Safety, Health & Wellness

Risk management

403-2 Hazard identification, risk assessment, and incident investigation

DSM does not publicly report on internal processes and does not consider it material to do so. See also:

What still went wrong

DSM Alert on dsm.com

403-3 Occupational health services

DSM manages occupational health services at local level. Examples of more general services are given in

People - Safety, Health & Wellness

403-4 Worker participation, consultation, and communication on occupational health and safety

DSM does not publicly report on internal processes and does not consider it material to do so.

403-5 Worker training on occupational health and safety

People - Safety, Health & Wellness

Training on occupational health and safety is part of DSM's value training program.

DSM Code of Business Conduct

403-6 Promotion of worker health

DSM manages worker health services at local level. Examples of more general services are given in

People - Safety, Health & Wellness

403-7 Prevention and mitigation of occupational health and safety impacts directly linked by business relationships

People - Safety, Health & Wellness

Planet - Product stewardship

Product stewardship on dsm.com

403-8 Workers covered by an occupational health and safety management system

All DSM employees and contractors are covered by the DSM Code of Business Conduct and DSM's Safety, Health and Environmental (SHE) policy.

DSM's health and safety management system is internally audited by COA as part of its audit program.

403-9 Work-related injuries

People - Safety, Health & Wellness

What still went wrong

403-10 Work-related ill health

People - Safety, Health & Wellness

What still went wrong

Malnutrition & nutrition security

GRI 103: Management Approach 2016 103-1 Explanation of the material topic and its Boundary

Materiality

Collaborative platforms & networks

People

Review of Business Nutrition

103-2 The management approach and its components

Materiality

Collaborative platforms & networks

People

Review of Business Nutrition

103-3 Evaluation of the management approach

Materiality

Collaborative platforms & networks

People

Review of Business Nutrition

GRI 203: Indirect Economic Impacts 2016 203-1 Infrastructure investments and services supported

Collaborative platforms & networks

203-2 Significant indirect economic impacts

Collaborative platforms & networks

Global footprint

GRI 103: Management Approach 2016 103-1 Explanation of the material topic and its Boundary

Materiality

Sustainability Statements - Suppliers

Profit

103-2 The management approach and its components

Materiality

Sustainability Statements - Suppliers

Profit

103-3 Evaluation of the management approach

Materiality

Sustainability Statements - Suppliers

Profit

GRI 201: Economic Performance 2016 201-1 Direct economic value generated and distributed

Profit

Note 4 segment information

GRI 202: Market Presence 2016 202-2 Proportion of senior management hired from the local community

Sustainability Statements

People

Geopolitical tensions & inequalities

GRI 103: Management Approach 2016 103-1 Explanation of the material topic and its Boundary

Materiality

Risk management

103-2 The management approach and its components

Materiality

Risk management

103-3 Evaluation of the management approach

Materiality

Risk management

Climate change & renewable energy

GRI 103: Management Approach 2016 103-1 Explanation of the material topic and its Boundary

Materiality

Planet

Review of business

103-2 The management approach and its components

Materiality

Planet

Review of business

103-3 Evaluation of the management approach

Materiality

Planet

Review of business

GRI 201: Economic Performance 2016 201-2 Financial implications and other risks and opportunities due to climate change

Planet

Sustainability Statements - Taskforce for Climate-related Financial Disclosures

GRI 302: Energy 2016 302-1 Energy consumption within the organization

Planet - Climate change & renewable energy

302-2 Energy consumption outside of the organization

Planet - Climate change & renewable energy

302-3 Energy intensity

Planet - Climate change & renewable energy

302-4 Reduction of energy consumption

Planet - Climate change & renewable energy

302-5 Reductions in energy requirements of products and services

DSM considers this indicator to be not material to the management of our material topics.

GRI 305: Emissions 2016 305-1 Direct (Scope 1) GHG emissions

Planet - Climate change & renewable energy

305-2 Energy indirect (Scope 2) GHG emissions

Planet - Climate change & renewable energy

305-3 Other indirect (Scope 3) GHG emissions

Planet - Climate change & renewable energy

305-4 GHG emissions intensity

Planet - Climate change & renewable energy

305-5 Reduction of GHG emissions

Planet - Climate change & renewable energy

305-6 Emissions of ozone-depleting substances (ODS)

DSM considers this indicator to be not material to the management of our material topics.

305-7 Nitrogen oxides (NOX), sulfur oxides (SOX), and other significant air emissions

Planet - Climate change & renewable energy

Resource scarcity / circular economy

GRI 103: Management Approach 2016 103-1 Explanation of the material topic and its Boundary

Materiality

Planet

Review of Business Materials

Review of Business Innovation Center

103-2 The management approach and its components

Materiality

Planet

Review of Business Materials

Review of Business Innovation Center

103-3 Evaluation of the management approach

Materiality

Planet

Review of Business Materials

Review of Business Innovation Center

GRI 301: Materials 2016 301-1 Materials used by weight or volume

Planet

DSM reports only on % renewables by value.

301-2 Recycled input materials used

This data is currently not available. DSM will investigate the materiality and measurability of this topic. Currently this topic has not been resolved yet.

For information on how DSM works with waste streams, see

Recover waste streams on dsm.com

301-3 Reclaimed products and their packaging materials

This data is not available and currently not assessed as material for DSM. In general, the company’s businesses do not produce consumer end products and are not in a position to trace the reclamation of the final end products.

GRI 306: Effluents and Waste 2016 306-1 Water discharge by quality and destination

DSM considers this indicator to be not material to the management of our material topics.

306-2 Waste by type and disposal method

Environmental footprint on DSM.com

306-3 Significant spills

DSM has not recorded any significant spills - see

What still went wrong

306-4 Transport of hazardous waste

DSM does not import hazardous waste or use hazardous waste in its processes. Detailed information on the amount of hazardous waste produced at all DSM locations can be found on this website. All hazardous waste produced by DSM is transported to external sources for disposal.

306-5 Water bodies affected by water discharges and/or runoff

DSM considers this indicator to be not material to the management of our material topics.

Water security

GRI 103: Management Approach 2016 103-1 Explanation of the material topic and its Boundary

Materiality

Planet Water security

103-2 The management approach and its components

Materiality

Planet Water security

103-3 Evaluation of the management approach

Materiality

Planet Water security

GRI 303: Water and Effluents 2018 303-1 Interactions with water as a shared resource

Planet Water security

DSM further discloses on its water management and strategy via CDP

303-2 Management of water discharge-related impacts

Planet Water security

DSM further discloses on its water management and strategy via CDP

303-3 Water withdrawal

Planet Water security

DSM further discloses on its water management and strategy via CDP

303-4 Water discharge

Planet Water security

DSM further discloses on its water management and strategy via CDP

303-5 Water consumption

Planet Water security

DSM further discloses on its water management and strategy via CDP

Sustainable food systems

GRI 103: Management Approach 2016 103-1 Explanation of the material topic and its Boundary

Materiality

Review of Business Nutrition

103-2 The management approach and its components

Materiality

Review of Business Nutrition

103-3 Evaluation of the management approach

Materiality

Review of Business Nutrition

Biodiversity

GRI 103: Management Approach 2016 103-1 Explanation of the material topic and its Boundary

Materiality

Planet

103-2 The management approach and its components

Materiality

Planet

103-3 Evaluation of the management approach

Materiality

Planet

GRI 304: Biodiversity 2016 304-1 Operational sites owned, leased, managed in, or adjacent to, protected areas and areas of high biodiversity value outside protected areas

Planet - Biodiversity.

DSM manages this topic at a local level and does not report details centrally.

304-2 Significant impacts of activities, products, and services on biodiversity

The percentage of DSM sites that have been identified as being located in or adjacent to high biodiversity value areas can be found in Planet – Biodiversity. Monitoring impact on these sites is managed at site level and is not reported at a corporate level.

304-3 Habitats protected or restored

The percentage of DSM sites that have been identified as being located in or adjacent to high biodiversity value areas can be found in Planet – Biodiversity. Monitoring impact on these sites is managed at site level and is not reported at a corporate level. This data is not available for all DSM sites.

304-4 IUCN Red List species and national conservation list species with habitats in areas affected by operations

The percentage of DSM sites that have been identified as being located in or adjacent to high biodiversity value areas can be found in Planet – Biodiversity. Monitoring impact on these sites is managed at site level and is not reported at a corporate level. This data is not available for all DSM sites.

Careers & employment

GRI 103: Management Approach 2016 103-1 Explanation of the material topic and its Boundary

Materiality

Sustainability Statements - Suppliers

People

103-2 The management approach and its components

Materiality

Sustainability Statements - Suppliers

People

103-3 Evaluation of the management approach

Materiality

Sustainability Statements - Suppliers

People

GRI 202: Market Presence 2016 202-1 Ratios of standard entry level wage by gender compared to local minimum wage

DSM does not consider this indicator relevant in order to assess compensation structures according to fairness. DSM makes an impact on local communities by the salaries it pays its employees which are in line with industry norms.

202-2 Proportion of senior management hired from the local community

Sustainability Statements - People

People - Careers & employment

GRI 401: Employment 2016 401-1 New employee hires and employee turnover

Sustainability Statements - People

DSM does not report on this indicator by gender or age group.

401-2 Benefits provided to full-time employees that are not provided to temporary or part-time employees

Benefits are managed at a local level. DSM does not compile this information on a corporate level as it does not consider this indicator at corporate level applicable for managing this topic. Benefits provided to employees are fully compliant with all applicable national laws

401-3 Parental leave

Actual rates are managed and monitored at local level. DSM does not consider this rate at a corporate level to be relevant to steer on this material topic.

GRI 402: Labor/Management Relations 2016 402-1 Minimum notice periods regarding operational changes

DSM complies with local legislation and requirements.

GRI 404: Training and Education 2016 404-1 Average hours of training per year per employee

People - Careers & employment

DSM does not report this KPI by gender or employee category. DSM does not steer organisational training by gender or employee category so considers these breakdowns not applicable.

404-2 Programs for upgrading employee skills and transition assistance programs

People - Careers & employment

404-3 Percentage of employees receiving regular performance and career development reviews

People - Careers & employment

GRI 405: Diversity and Equal Opportunity 2016 405-1 Diversity of governance bodies and employees

Sustainability Statements - People

405-2 Ratio of basic salary and remuneration of women to men

DSM manages and monitors equal and fair treatment and wages and payment at local level. DSM has developed a reporting process for equal pay and will begin reporting on this in 2019.

People - Responsible business practices

Open innovation

GRI 103: Management Approach 2016 103-1 Explanation of the material topic and its Boundary

Materiality

Review of Business Innovation Center

103-2 The management approach and its components

Materiality

Review of Business Innovation Center

103-3 Evaluation of the management approach

Materiality

Review of Business Innovation Center

Advocacy & stakeholder engagement

GRI 103: Management Approach 2016 103-1 Explanation of the material topic and its Boundary

Materiality

Stakeholders

Sustainability Statements - Stakeholder Engagement

DSM Code of Business Conduct

Risk management

103-2 The management approach and its components

Materiality

Stakeholders

Sustainability Statements - Stakeholder Engagement

DSM Code of Business Conduct

Risk management

103-3 Evaluation of the management approach

Materiality

Stakeholders

Sustainability Statements - Stakeholder Engagement

DSM Code of Business Conduct

Risk management

GRI 415: Public Policy 2016 415-1 Political contributions

DSM does not make political donations

Sustainability Statements - Philanthropy and Sponsorship

GRI 417: Marketing and Labelling 2016 417-3 Incidents of non-compliance concerning marketing communications

DSM has had no incidents of non-compliance

See also the General Disclosures

GRI 102: General Disclosures 2016

102-40

102-41

102-42

102-43

102-44

Trade barriers

GRI 103: Management Approach 2016 103-1 Explanation of the material topic and its Boundary

Materiality

DSM Code of Business Conduct

103-2 The management approach and its components

Materiality

DSM Code of Business Conduct

103-3 Evaluation of the management approach

Materiality

DSM Code of Business Conduct

Digital transformation

GRI 103: Management Approach 2016 103-1 Explanation of the material topic and its Boundary

Materiality

Strategy 2018

DSM Code of Business Conduct

103-2 The management approach and its components

Materiality

Strategy 2018

DSM Code of Business Conduct

103-3 Evaluation of the management approach

Materiality

Strategy 2018

DSM Code of Business Conduct

Responsible business practices

GRI 103: Management Approach 2016 103-1 Explanation of the material topic and its Boundary

Materiality

Sustainability Statements - Suppliers

People - Responsible business practices

DSM Code of Business Conduct

Financial and Reporting policy

103-2 The management approach and its components

Materiality

Sustainability Statements - Suppliers

People - Responsible business practices

DSM Code of Business Conduct

Financial and Reporting policy

103-3 Evaluation of the management approach

Materiality

Sustainability Statements - Suppliers

People - Responsible business practices

DSM Code of Business Conduct

Financial and Reporting policy

GRI 201: Economic Performance 2016 201-3 Defined benefit plan obligations and other retirement plans

Note 24 - Post-employment benefits

201-4 Financial assistance received from government

DSM considers this indicator to be not material to the management of our material topics.

GRI 205: Anti-corruption 2016 205-1 Operations assessed for risks related to corruption

DSM Code of Business Conduct

Risk management

205-2 Communication and training about anti-corruption policies and procedures

DSM Code of Business Conduct

205-3 Confirmed incidents of corruption and actions taken

DSM Code of Business Conduct

GRI 206: Anti-competitive Behavior 2016 206-1 Legal actions for anti-competitive behavior, anti-trust, and monopoly practices

Code of Business Conduct - Consequence management

GRI 307: Environmental Compliance 2016 307-1 Non-compliance with environmental laws and regulations

Sustainability Statements - Planet

GRI 308: Supplier Environmental Assessment 2016 308-1 New suppliers that were screened using environmental criteria

Sustainability Statements - Suppliers

308-2 Negative environmental impacts in the supply chain and actions taken

Sustainability Statements - Suppliers

GRI 412: Human Rights Assessment 2016 412-1 Operations that have been subject to human rights reviews or impact assessments

People - Responsible business practices

412-2 Employee training on human rights policies or procedures

DSM Code of Business Conduct

412-3 Significant investment agreements and contracts that include human rights clauses or that underwent human rights screening

Sustainability Statements - Suppliers

Supplier Code of Conduct

GRI 414: Supplier Social Assessment 2016 414-1 New suppliers that were screened using social criteria

Sustainability Statements - Suppliers

People - Responsible business practices

414-2 Negative social impacts in the supply chain and actions taken

Sustainability Statements - Suppliers

People - Responsible business practices

GRI 419: Socioeconomic Compliance 2016 419-1 Non-compliance with laws and regulations in the social and economic area

Sustainability Statements - Suppliers

GRI 418: Customer Privacy 2016 418-1 Substantiated complaints concerning breaches of customer privacy and losses of customer data

DSM has no recorded incidents of Customer Privacy breaches

Product & food safety

GRI 103: Management Approach 2016 103-1 Explanation of the material topic and its Boundary

Materiality

Planet - Product stewardship

103-2 The management approach and its components

Materiality

Planet - Product stewardship

103-3 Evaluation of the management approach

Materiality

Planet - Product stewardship

GRI 416: Customer Health and Safety 2016 416-1 Assessment of the health and safety impacts of product and service categories

Key Data

Explanation of some concepts and ratios - Brighter Living Solutions

416-2 Incidents of non-compliance concerning the health and safety impacts of products and services

Such incidents are managed on site/Group level. DSM does not currently collect this data on a corporate level.

GRI 417: Marketing and Labeling 2016 417-1 Requirements for product and service information and labeling

Planet - Product stewardship

417-2 Incidents of non-compliance concerning product and service information and labeling

Such incidents are managed on site/Group level. DSM does not currently collect this data on a corporate level.

Bioethics

GRI 103: Management Approach 2016 103-1 Explanation of the material topic and its Boundary

Materiality

Biotechnology position paper on dsm.com

103-2 The management approach and its components

Materiality

Biotechnology position paper on dsm.com

103-3 Evaluation of the management approach

Materiality

Biotechnology position paper on dsm.com

Product Stewardship

GRI 103: Management Approach 2016 103-1 Explanation of the material topic and its Boundary

Materiality

Planet - Product Stewardship

103-2 The management approach and its components

Materiality

Planet - Product Stewardship

103-3 Evaluation of the management approach

Materiality

Planet - Product Stewardship