What plays a decisive role in a client’s choice to partner with a product manufacturer or service provider? According to a Nielsen study, environmental concerns are important to 85% of global consumers. 84% of participants said that a company’s transparency and honesty are key factors.

According to the ISO 26000 standard, corporate social responsibility (CSR) is an organization’s commitment to make decisions and act in the best interests of society and the environment. This responsibility manifests itself in transparent and ethical behavior.

A company that follows the concept of CSR:

- contributes to sustainable development, including the health and well-being of society;

- takes into account the expectations of stakeholders;

- complies with applicable law and international codes of conduct;

- integrates it with business processes and working relationships with partners.

How can one be sure that a given logistics partner adheres to the concept of CSR? The best way is to request a rating from a well-respected ratings agency.

The AsstrA Transport and Logistics Group has received “Silver” status following a Corporate Social Responsibility Assessment from EcoVadis, an established international supply chain ratings agency.

An EcoVadis audit is designed to evaluate and monitor a company’s performance in managing risks and integrating environmental initiatives into global supply chains. The purpose of assessing corporate social responsibility is to determine the quality of a company’s CSR management system. The focus is on the company’s strategy and tactics.

Evaluation criteria are based on international CSR standards. These standards are based on the principles set out in the UN Global Compact, International Labor Organization (ILO) conventions, the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standard, the ISO 26000 standard, and the Coalition for Environmentally Responsible Business (CERES) principles. The assessment includes an analysis of 21 indicators divided into 4 thematic groups: environment, social practices, ethics, and suppliers.

Vladislav Alejnikov, Head of Health, Safety, Environmental аnd Quality Division at AsstrA-Associated Traffic AG, shares comments:

“AsstrA’s participation in this assessment is an indicator of our desire to comply with corporate social responsibility standards. AsstrA’s overall rating in this EcoVadis audit was 54 out of 100. Thanks to this objective assessment, our clients can be confident that we are taking a conscientious approach to doing business. For our existing and future clients, this assessment from a ratings agency makes it easier to conduct due diligence on us. We’ve received a ‘Silver’ mark of quality from EcoVadis.”