EcoVadis: Silver MedalSecured Again
After reaching this milestone last year, Satech has renewed its EcoVadis assessment, securing the Silver Medal once again. This outcome validates the path taken to incorporate sustainable practices into our business operations. Pamela Mandelli—Process & Quality Manager at Satech, who coordinated the collection and updating of information needed for the assessment—shares the progress made.
Pamela, let's begin with the result: this year Satech has again ranked among the top 15% of companies evaluated by EcoVadis. What does this recognition signify for us
«This accomplishment is much more than just a statistic. It confirms we’re headed in the right direction. Behind this recognition stands the daily effort of people who believe in the value of sustainability and are dedicated to applying it across all areas: from product quality to workplace safety, from respect for people to material selection.
The EcoVadis evaluation isn’t simply a “certification” but a growth instrument. It pushes us to enhance, gauge our progress, and involve the entire organization in a process of continuous improvement that positions people, the environment, and our business approach at the core of everything we do».
Compared to last year, we've boosted our overall score by 6 points. Which strategies and initiatives have contributed most to this advancement?
«We've made progress on several fronts. On one hand, we've enhanced our policies and implemented the "231 Model" of corporate governance; on the other, we've established a more responsible Supply Chain management approach, backed by sharing our Code of Conduct with all Satech vendors.».
«Our team members have made significant contributions too: we’ve focused on training and active participation through the Kaizen approach, a Japanese methodology based on small incremental changes that engages staff at all levels.
Alongside this, we’ve strengthened our environmental and safety management with site inspections throughout the year to pinpoint improvement areas and implement more effective solutions for both the environment and our workers.
We’ve also rolled out creative solutions to encourage positive behaviors: for instance, our Ballot Bins—cigarette receptacles with built-in questions that allow people to “vote” with their cigarette butts, lessening their environmental impact».
One area where we've seen particularly notable improvement has been Sustainable Procurement. Can you share some specific actions we've undertaken in this area?
«As I mentioned, we've adopted a Code of Conduct that we share with all our suppliers, supported by a system for regularly evaluating and monitoring their performance. We also prioritize business relationships with certified and local partners to decrease transport-related environmental impact and support the local economy».
«For raw materials selection, we’ve established specific criteria that promote a more responsible and sustainable Supply Chain, including:
- Using recyclable materials that can be reintegrated into circular economy flows;
- Selecting materials with substantial recycled content to minimize virgin resource consumption and overall environmental impact;
- Building partnerships with suppliers who can transparently document the traceability of recycled materials.»
These actions are part of our broader goal of building a supply chain that reflects our values and supports long-term sustainability.
The "Environment and Labor Practices" and "Human Rights" areas have also seen significant progress. What have we done to strengthen our commitment in these areas?
«On the environmental front, we’ve concentrated on three main areas.
We’ve improved operational efficiency through production process optimization and investment in next-generation facilities to cut energy consumption. Our materials management now includes greater use of recycled and recyclable resources (for example in steel and packaging), coupled with reduced raw material waste.
The third aspect involves environmental governance: we’ve implemented systematic monitoring for waste, emissions, and discharges, maintaining regulatory compliance through regular audits and adopting Management Practices aligned with ISO 14001. We’ve also launched internal awareness initiatives, including environmental training sessions and waste sorting programs.
For the social aspect of sustainability, Satech has intensified its commitment at multiple levels. We’ve updated our Management System to comply with ISO 45001, making concrete investments in safety, improved protective equipment, signage, and workstation ergonomics. Simultaneously, we’ve strengthened our ethical framework with clear policies and formal commitments, focusing on continuous staff training as a fundamental driver for sustainable and inclusive growth».
With this positive assessment behind us, what are our future priorities for further improvement?
«The EcoVadis assessment is just a starting point for reaching new goals. We aim to further improve our score, building on established good practices while developing new initiatives.
Volendone citare alcune: la formalizzazione di policy specifiche su temi chiave come diritti umani e approvvigionamento responsabile; l’introduzione di strumenti per misurare in modo più preciso il nostro impatto ambientale; la definizione di obiettivi ambientali concreti e misurabili nel medio termine. Non meno importante sarà il coinvolgimento ulteriore del personale, con programmi formativi arricchiti e nuove iniziative che favoriscano la partecipazione attiva di tutti.
To name a few: we’re formalizing specific policies on key topics like human rights and responsible procurement, introducing more precise environmental impact measurement tools, and establishing concrete, measurable environmental targets for the medium term. Just as important will be deepening staff involvement through enhanced training programs and new initiatives that encourage everyone’s active participation.
It’s certainly a challenging journey—but one we face with enthusiasm and determination».
In closing: what message would you like to convey to colleagues and stakeholders about the value of our sustainability commitment?
«I’ll reiterate what I said at the start: our sustainability commitment isn’t just a responsible choice—it’s a shared vision. Every milestone we achieve stems from the concrete contributions of those who choose to work each day with attention, respect, and awareness».
