In 2023, Acqua dell’Elba began the certification process according to the PAS 24000 standard, a voluntary international standard developed by the British Standards Institution (BSI), which provides a structured framework for managing and continuously improving an organisation’s social performance.
PAS 24000 aims to support companies in creating shared value by promoting fair working conditions, respect for human rights throughout the supply chain, transparency towards stakeholders and ethical integrity in business practices.
Among the key elements required by the standard are:
• the adoption of a social policy consistent with the organisation’s declared commitments;
• the activation of internal reporting channels, including anonymous ones, to support the timely handling of potential issues;
• the active involvement of workers, for example through collegial bodies such as the Social Performance Team;
• the definition of measurable social objectives and the periodic assessment of the performance achieved;
The adoption of PAS 24000 fits into Acqua dell’Elba’s evolutionary and strategic path towards a model increasingly oriented towards integrated sustainability, enhancing the central role of people and relationships within the organisation.
PAS 24000 is applicable to any type of organisation, regardless of its nature, size, or the products and services it provides.
The adoption of a social management system is a strategic decision that supports the company in improving its social impact and represents a solid foundation for further sustainable development initiatives and programmes.
For an Italian organisation already operating in compliance with all mandatory regulations, what does the implementation of PAS 24000 involve and what opportunities does it offer?
The organisation will need to incorporate the legislative requirements and activate continuous improvement processes for working conditions and for its impact on all stakeholders.
Virtuous mechanisms will therefore need to be initiated in the enhancement of human capital through the application of the Plan-Do-Check-Act methodology and the definition of objectives for measuring performance.
The company must create a corporate social policy that includes all the requirements of the standard, in addition to ethics and integrity in business activities.
The management system must include a human rights due diligence process to prevent, eliminate and mitigate the risk of negative impacts.
It must also involve workers and include an analysis of the needs and expectations of all stakeholders.
The company must be aware of the concept of a “living wage” as applied to its operational context.
The continuous improvement process must also consider workers and other stakeholders, and the company must periodically communicate the results achieved internally and externally.
