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Preserving health is at the heart of Ipsen’s vocation. Its activities have naturally led the Group to implement optimum levels of security in fulfilling its mission, and to set out an environmentally friendly development strategy. This commitment is formalized by way of an overall environment, health and safety (EHS) policy.

A five-year EHS plan covering all Ipsen group sites was implemented in 2008.

The first stage consists of implementing a management system aligned with international standards, as well as identifying and categorizing potential chemical risks associated with the full range of products arising from Ipsen’s R&D activities.

The second stage consists in incorporating EHS policy into all Group activities, including operations and offices. As such, in 2009 the Group began taking into account EHS issues through eco-design projects, and incorporated the EHS policy into its purchasing strategies.

The third stage focuses on three priority issues: reducing dependence on personal protective equipment in favor of collective protection, significantly reducing the Group’s environmental footprint, and implementing visible EHS initiatives.

For example, while growth in consolidated sales reached 6.4% in 2009, energy consumption (electricity, gas and fuel oil) attributable to the Group’s manufacturing sites rose by only 1% in comparison. Also, as a result of the Group’s environmental efforts, the proportion of recycled waste reached 83.6% in 2009.

In order to ensure the health and safety of its employees, each site has rolled out a training program aligned with its specific risks and impacts. As such, all employees receive training in the risks inherent to their roles and the environmental impacts associated with their activities. This ensures that they have a responsible attitude in their day-to-day work.

CERTIFICATION

The Group pursues a voluntary policy of implementing management systems that comply with the OHSAS 18001 health and safety at work standard and the ISO 14001 environmental standard. In 2009, ISO 14001 certification, obtained in 2004, was maintained for the Isle-sur-la-Sorgue site (France) following an audit. The Wrexham plant (UK) secured Green Dragon certification from local environmental authorities in 2008 and 2009, demonstrating  the success of its environmental efforts. In addition, the Cork plant in Ireland, which has been ISO 14001 certified since 2008, is preparing to seek OHSAS 18001 certification. The Signes (France) and Tianjin (China) manufacturing sites are also committed to achieving ISO 14001 certification.