Social Responsibility

The corporate policy of Stara Planina Hold AD and the companies within the Group is based on responsible, sustainable and transparent governance, aligned with recognised standards and principles of good corporate governance, changes in the regulatory and financial and economic environment in which the Group companies operate, and the principles of corporate social responsibility, reflecting the responsibility of businesses for their impact on society, the environment and the economy as a whole.

ENVIRONMENT

Stara Planina Hold AD pays particular attention to the environmental impact of the operations of the Group’s companies. They periodically report on their environmental impact assessments and the measures undertaken in this area, and make annual investments in line with the Group’s overall corporate policy for the transition to a cleaner and greener economy.

The main policies of the Group companies are focused on compliance with the environmental regulations and standards applicable to their manufacturing activities, reducing harmful emissions associated with electricity consumption through the construction and commissioning of photovoltaic systems for generating energy for their own needs, and implementing other energy-efficiency measures.

The policies of the Group’s manufacturing companies require periodic reviews of the environmental impact associated with energy use and are primarily focused on:

reducing energy consumption from conventional sources;
improving energy efficiency;
using less polluting fuels;
introducing renewable energy technologies.

As part of their environmental programmes, the companies within the Stara Planina Hold AD Group have set and consistently strive to achieve the following objectives relevant to their activities:

climate change mitigation;
climate change adaptation;
transition to a circular economy;
pollution prevention and control.

SOCIAL POLICY

The success of the Group’s companies is based on social responsibility, which requires due consideration of the impact that each company’s activities have on the local community, society, the environment and the economy as a whole. This approach contributes to the achievement of the Group’s long-term objectives and sustainable growth, as well as to establishing transparent and fair relationships with all stakeholders.

A number of targeted policies are implemented with regard to the employees of the companies within the Stara Planina Hold AD Group, including:

All companies adopt and implement annual occupational health and safety programmes.
Free medical examinations and healthcare services are provided regularly to all employees of the Group companies.
Employees are provided with equal rights and opportunities for employment and career development, based solely on their qualifications, personal qualities and performance at work. No direct or indirect discrimination is permitted in recruitment or in the workplace.
The remuneration system is based on uniform and objective criteria, while the employee bonus system is based solely on strong work performance.
A policy for providing social benefits in addition to employee remuneration has been introduced and is consistently applied. Monthly food vouchers are provided; travel expenses arising from the distance between the workplace and the employee’s permanent address are reimbursed; financial assistance is provided for medical treatment and personal occasions; and bonuses are paid for the Easter and Christmas holidays.
Employees of the Group companies are covered by insurance policies, including life insurance, occupational accident insurance, and accident and general illness insurance.
A policy of continuous encouragement of training and professional development is applied. All Group companies organise and conduct induction training, vocational qualification courses and/or further professional development training.
For employees wishing to further their education and professional qualifications in a field related to the company’s activities, the larger Group companies cover 50% of the semester tuition fees charged by the relevant higher education institution.
The larger companies work in partnership with vocational secondary technical schools in their respective cities by providing opportunities for dual education and training through work-based learning for students in Grades 11 and 12, as well as scholarships for students in Grades 8 to 10.
Quality, environmental protection, health and safety are matters of primary importance. To this end, the Group’s main companies maintain and develop integrated management systems in accordance with the requirements of leading international standards for quality management (ISO 9001:2015), environmental management (ISO 14001:2004), and occupational health and safety (OHSAS 18001:2007), with the active participation of highly qualified specialists and engineers.
Stara Planina Hold AD and the Group companies support the development of local communities each year by financing various sports and social organisations and cultural events, contributing to the development of infrastructure projects in partnership with the relevant municipal authorities, and participating in charitable initiatives of social and public importance.

POLICIES REGARDING THE PRODUCTS AND BUSINESS PARTNERS OF THE GROUP COMPANIES

The companies within the Stara Planina Hold AD Group consistently implement policies aimed at improving quality standards and ensuring the safety of their products in order to meet the growing needs of customers. Joint analyses are regularly carried out between the product planning, design, engineering and quality assurance departments, on the one hand, and the sales and marketing departments, on the other, with the aim of improving product development, functionality and quality.

The companies within the Stara Planina Hold AD Group apply quality management systems and carry out their manufacturing activities in accordance with the highest standards applicable to the relevant production processes.
The companies within the Stara Planina Hold AD Group apply rules on confidentiality and the protection of commercial information and personal data in order to safeguard customers, business partners and other stakeholders.
The companies within the Stara Planina Hold AD Group provide their partners with accurate and timely information regarding key business rules, products, services and technologies, and promote fair working and business practices in accordance with the adopted rules of ethical business conduct and the applicable regulatory framework.
The companies within the Stara Planina Hold AD Group require their customers and suppliers to comply with key internationally recognised anti-corruption standards, as well as standards relating to corporate ethics, environmental protection and human rights, with the aim of establishing sustainable partnerships.
The companies within the Stara Planina Hold AD Group conduct business only with suppliers that fulfil their social responsibilities in the areas of responsible sourcing, compliance with legal requirements and social standards, information security, respect for human and labour rights, and the provision of safe and healthy working conditions.

KEY INITIATIVES SUPPORTED BY STARA PLANINA HOLD AD OVER THE YEARS

Stara Planina Hold AD provides financial support to the St Nicholas National Fund for organising summer camps for disadvantaged children.
In connection with the measures undertaken to address the COVID-19 pandemic, Stara Planina Hold AD donated disinfectant products with a total value of BGN 100,000 to the Social Assistance Agency.
Since 2003, Stara Planina Hold AD has participated annually in the Bulgarian Christmas charity campaign, held under the patronage of the President of the Republic of Bulgaria.
In 2017, Stara Planina Hold AD made a financial donation to the National Initiative Committee for the commemoration of the 140th anniversary of the Russo-Turkish War of Liberation of 1877–1878.
Stara Planina Hold AD participates annually in the Easter for Everyone charity campaign, organised by the Bulgarian Red Cross under the patronage of the Ombudsman of the Republic of Bulgaria.
Stara Planina Hold AD regularly participates as a main sponsor of the national exhibition “Inventions. Transfer. Innovations.”
In 2015, Stara Planina Hold AD served as a main sponsor of the International Investor Relations Conference, held in Sofia in September.
In 2014, Stara Planina Hold AD provided financial assistance to areas affected by flooding in Bulgaria and Serbia.
In November 2013, Stara Planina Hold AD made a financial donation to the Union of Bulgarian Journalists for the organisation of the international academic conference “The Cyril and Methodius Tradition and Dmitry Likhachev: Towards an Understanding of Bulgaria’s Contribution to European Culture”.
Each year, Stara Planina Hold AD makes a financial donation to the Support a Dream initiative announced by the President of the Republic of Bulgaria, which organises graduation celebrations for disadvantaged young people.
In February 2011, Stara Planina Hold AD made a financial donation to the St Paisius of Hilendar Public Committee for the Commemoration of Significant Bulgarian Dates and Events in the European Union, supporting the celebration of Bulgaria’s National Day on 3 March and the Day of Slavonic Alphabet, Bulgarian Enlightenment and Culture on 24 May.
In May 2008, Stara Planina Hold AD made a financial donation to the University of Economics – Varna for the organisation of academic conferences by the Department of Industrial Business and Management and for the publication of collections of academic papers presented at those conferences.
In March 2008, Stara Planina Hold AD made a financial donation to the Faculty of Finance and Accountancy at the University of National and World Economy for the organisation of academic conferences and the publication of collections of academic papers presented at those conferences.
Since 2008, Stara Planina Hold AD has provided financial support to the Union of Economists in Bulgaria for the organisation of the Young Economist competition.
In November 2006, Stara Planina Hold AD made a financial donation to the Sofia – Eternal and Sacred non-profit association for the organisation of an anniversary concert.
Stara Planina Hold AD provides financial support to the Bulgarian Heritage National Movement, which organises summer expedition camps under the motto Preserve Bulgaria’s Heritage, under the patronage of the President of the Republic of Bulgaria.
In October 2004, Stara Planina Hold AD made a financial donation to the international forum “Cultural Corridors in South-Eastern Europe – A Shared Past and Common Heritage, a Key to Future Partnership”. The forum aimed to draw the attention of politicians, experts and business representatives to the rich cultural heritage of South-Eastern Europe and the opportunities for preserving and using it for the benefit of the entire region, as well as to establish a regional expert network and a regional fund to support specific projects in this field.
In June 2004, Stara Planina Hold AD made a financial donation to the Institute for Economics and International Relations Foundation, a non-governmental, non-profit organisation operating for the public benefit, for the development of a study entitled “The Cost of Roma Inclusion”.
In September 2003, Stara Planina Hold AD participated in a charity initiative in memory of Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs Anna Lindh by donating funds to support the development of youth sports in Bulgaria.