A Group CSR strategy

Our Group CSR strategy reflects both our ambitions and our commitments. The strategy outlined below illustrates the recommendations of a working group and is the backbone of our Group's approach to Corporate Social Responsibility.

Our ambitions

Vygon is a French family-run Group that has been committed to sustainable and long-term growth since its inception in 1962. We have always been driven by our ambition of consistently providing healthcare professionals with leading-edge products of the highest quality that meet their needs and allow them to care for each patient in the safest conditions. Throughout its network of 26 subsidiaries, Vygon goes the extra mile in its efforts to combine respect for people with economic development and protection of the environment, especially since we need to take action now if we want to address the challenges of tomorrow's world!

Our commitments

These commitments reflect our desire to model our business activities on the expectations of our various stakeholders (employees, customers, suppliers, service providers and local communities).

Promoting our values Human values form the backbone of our organisation – Vygon enforces the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact among its various entities in terms of human rights, labour, the environment and anti-corruption. We are also committed to spearheading diversity and equal opportunities, and lending our support to associations by making donations and providing free products to various medical organisations (Les Matins du Soleil, l'Etoile de Martin, etc.). We defend ethical behaviour wherever we do business – Vygon forges partnerships to promote ethical and fair business practices with its suppliers, distributors and customers. In particular, Vygon expects its suppliers to strictly abide by the principles set out in the "Vygon Supplier Code of Conduct" as well as the laws and standards governing their activities.

We involve our employees in the company’s strategic decisions – The Vygview project is a prime example, which encompasses the company’s various subsidiaries and enables Vygon to build the Group’s future with its employees. Together, the key strategic directions for the years ahead are defined by creating working groups to deliver specific responses to all identified topics. We disseminate the Group's expertise and develop our employees' skills – Vygon provides bespoke training courses for healthcare professionals in over 20 countries around the world. We are also committed to developing our employees' skills and maintaining their employability as part of our annual training plan and by setting up career development pathways.

Long-term relationships

We guarantee the safety of our products – Vygon ensures that every tier of the company is consistently focused on the highest quality to guarantee that the millions of products used worldwide every year are flawless. Vygon products are continually updated to meet the increasingly stringent regulations governing the medical devices sector. Ensuring the health and safety of both patients and practitioners is always a top priority at Vygon.

We are committed to a long-term strategy and vision - Vygon is a family-owned Group whose stability and shareholders' commitment are instrumental for investing in the long term, and prioritising quality and innovation over short-term profitability. As such, we can guarantee our customers and employees a future-proofed company. Each year, more than 70% of Vygon SA’s profits are pumped back into the Group, especially research & development and production facilities. We create jobs in the countries where our Group is active – Vygon has seen its workforce increase by 50% in 10 years to reach 2335 employees in 2020 through internal and external growth. This growth has been achieved while respecting and maintaining jobs in all our manufacturing and sales subsidiaries.

We foster partnerships and support local economic development – Vygon and the Curie Institute signed a partnership agreement in 2010 (extended in 2013) to develop a new generation of medical devices and consequently make an active contribution to improving care for cancer patients.

In addition, Vygon is strongly involved at the local level and has chosen to operate as close to its customers as possible. For example, its factories are mostly located in Europe and the United States, not far from its development centres and markets.

Protection of the environment

We protect the environment - Vygon took its first steps towards ISO 14001 certification many years ago. The first ISO 14001 certificate was obtained in 2003 and renewed in 2020. As part of its development, the Group ensures that all new infrastructures are built to reflect HQE criteria and blend seamlessly into their environment.

We reduce our environmental impact – Vygon pays special attention to environmental criteria as early as the design and development of its products. This is why Vygon implemented an eco-design policy for packaging in 2013. In addition, each type of waste is forwarded to the appropriate type of treatment centre. We respect applicable environmental requirements – Vygon works alongside experts in gathering intelligence on applicable environmental legislation, so that it can track and comply with all the latest changes. Our "Value Life" signature is much more than a philosophy: It conveys our commitment to harness the skills and energy of all our employees so that we can rest assured that we are fully deserving of our customers' trust.

Integrity, commitment, open-mindedness, pursuit for improvement, respect for people. our company's values are deeply entrenched in its history. They also guide our work on a daily basis, give structure to our projects and make them stronger. Finally, they represent the high standards that we owe to carers and patients. We are proud and happy to defend them.

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