Contributing to the development of the industry

PKN ORLEN significantly affects its environment, often setting the right models of action in the field of sustainable development:

• the ORLEN brand stands for the top quality products on the market;
• by investing in modern, high-quality assets, we contribute to a new perception of proper development, not only focused on increased value for shareholders, but also in harmony with the natural environment;
• by adding new future-oriented products to the value chain, we contribute to sustainable economic development in the region, based on growing productivity and innovation.

PKN ORLEN participates in a number of industry conferences in Poland (such as: Oil and Gas, Responsible Energy), economic (e.g.: the Economic Forum in Krynica), and in special events (e.g.: Energy Security of Poland). Company representatives are also members of international discussion and cooperation forums (such as: CERA Week, Annual Central and Eastern European Refining and Petrochemicals).

Membership in external organisations

In 2008, PKN ORLEN continued its involvement in numerous organisations and associations. Such involvement is another form of dialogue with stakeholders and an important forum for the exchange of opinions, gaining experience and knowledge sharing. As a learning organisation, the Company appreciates the purposefulness of monitoring economic and legislative processes in Poland and abroad. Being an important player on the Polish and European economic scene, we actively participate, via our representatives, in various organisations and associations, and in consulting proposed legal and economic solutions.

In 2008, Company representatives actively participated in the works of 35 different organisations.

See List of organisations

Activity in key industry organisations – EUROPIA and CONCAWE

Through its direct involvement and active participation in European oil industry associations, PKN ORLEN is an effective actor on the European scene. Particularly worth emphasising is the Company’s involvement in the work of EUROPIA, an association which brings together all major oil corporations on the European market representing over 90% of crude oil processing capacities in the European Economic Area (EEA). Together with other European oil companies, PKN ORLEN participates in the mission of constructively contributing to the development of policies whose purpose is to ensure the safe and sustainable manufacturing, supplying and applying of oil products by providing knowledge to support competent experts from EU institutions and state administration, and public opinion. The same objective is also served by the scientific and technical research in which we participate together with other members of CONCAWE, an association whose members are nearly all oil companies from the EEA. The work of CONCAWE is a source of objective information on the impact of the European oil industry on the natural environment. It helps oil companies to technically prepare for the execution of projects like limiting the negative impact of chemicals on people and the natural environment through the implementation of REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals), or participate in preventing climatic changes, or launch engine fuels derived from vegetable oil.

PKN ORLEN’s presence on the market also means participation in initiatives supporting sustainable development. We participate in and support projects whose purpose is the responsible functioning of business in different areas.

Global Compact

In December 2003, PKN ORLEN joined the Global Compact initiative of UN Secretary General Kofi Annan. The Company declared its respect for the then nine and now ten principles in the field of human rights, labour, environmental protection and anti-corruption. We present only a few of our initiatives implementing the GC principles on the http://unglobalcompact. org/ website. Our participation in the initiative confirms the openness and transparency of the Company. It is also a public commitment and verification of the practical application of our stated principles. The most recently announced good practice is related to the activities implemented by PKN ORLEN under the Responsible Care programme.

Responsible Care Programme

The Responsible Care programme is the chemical industry’s global initiative under which chemical companies work together to continuously improve their safety, health and environmental performance, and openly communicate their activities. The programme is implemented by National Chemical Associations in 53 countries across the world, whose member companies generate more than 87% of world chemical production.

It has been implemented in Poland since 1992 under the supervision of the Polish Chamber of the Chemical Industry (Polska Izba Przemysłu Chemicznego). It is called “Responsible Care”. Currently, it comprises 38 manufacturing, distributing and recycling companies. The entities implementing the Programme each year announce the execution of certain tasks aimed at improving their activity in the field of the so-called HSE triad (Health, Safety and Environment). They draw up the necessary reports and submit them to the Programme Secretariat. Based on such information, the Polish Chamber of the Chemical Industry – Employers’ Union each year publishes an Environmental Report. This element of the Programme has made the chemical industry one of Poland’s precursors of an open information policy in the field of environmental protection.

PKN ORLEN, back then under the name of Petrochemia Płock S.A., joined the Programme in August 1997, signing the Declaration of support for the Responsible Care Programme. The Company consciously and voluntarily undertook to reduce its negative impact on surrounding nature and to improve safety and health protection levels for its employees and the local society. As the Programme includes all the elements of the Environmental Management System plus additional process safety and employee health protection elements, it has become an integral part of the System. Implementation of the RC Programme has become one of the objectives of the Environmental Policy adopted by Petrochemia Płock S.A. in 1998 and updated in 2001 and 2006.

In 2007, the Company celebrated its 10th anniversary of participation in the Programme. During that time, a total of 92 tasks were carried out. In 2007, the President of PKN ORLEN’s Management Board signed the Declaration of Support for the Responsible Care Global Charter. It was developed on the initiative of the International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA). It is a sort of self-regulation for the chemical industry aimed at ensuring respect for environmental protection and the health and safety of people across the world. It also determines the possibilities of coping with the challenges of sustainable development, as well as proper management of chemicals, and it obliges companies to increase the transparency of the chemical industry. The Charter was praised by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, who referred to it as “an inspiring model of self-regulation that other industry sectors should consider following”.

REACH

EU legislation obliges manufacturers, importers and downstream users to ensure that the substances they manufacture, import, trade or apply do not affect human health or the natural environment negatively. Such a requirement is regulated by the Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the registration, evaluation, authorizations and restriction of chemicals (REACH). REACH entered into force on 1 June 2007, and its provisions will be gradually introduced until 2018. The Regulation sets out specific obligations and commitments for manufacturers, importers and downstream users of substances on their own, in preparations or in articles.

Advertising Agencies Association (SAR)

In 2006, PKN ORLEN and the Advertising Agencies Association signed an understanding concerning good practice applied by the Company and SAR in the process of selecting an advertising agency or media house. The Company voluntarily observes industry codes in its marketing activities. The advertisements or promoting campaigns that we commission are analysed for the application of admissible forms of advertisement and promotion, among others with respect to women, children or national minorities. We consistently provide our customers with environmental information. One purpose of this is to provide customers with comprehensive information, and additionally, it has an educational function. Another step in this direction is increasing usage of ecological packaging. Our information materials contain important environmental and social data, going beyond what is required by law.