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after the renovation and company is not able to assess the
substantial contribution criteria. Based on this Ekornes has
classified the activity as non-aligned.
CCM 7.3 Installation, maintenance, and repair of
energy efficiency equipment
The Group has incurred CapEx and OpEx, on several of its
locations, related to installation and maintenance of
heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. Some of
them are defined as one of the individual measures
specified in the substantial contribution criteria. For these
activities Ekornes have assessed that they are aligned with
the DNSH-criteria for climate adaption through our
climate assessment. Part of the activity is aligned.
CCM 7.5 Installation, maintenance and repair of
instruments and devices for measuring, regulation
and controlling energy performance of buildings
In 2024 façade elements for sun shading has been installed
in the factory building in Ikornnes. The cost is capitalized.
The investment has a solar shading function which is one of
the individual measures specified in the substantial
contribution criteria. The activity also complies with the
DNSH-criteria set out for climate adaption based on our
climate assessment. Based on this the activity is assessed
as aligned.
CCM 7.6 Installation, maintenance and repair of
renewable energy technologies
At the factory site in Fetsund three new heatpumps have
been installed and the cost is capitalized. A major
maintenance project of the seawater heating facility in
Sykkylven has also been completed and the cost
recognized as OpEx. Both activities are listed as one of the
individual measures in the substantial contribution criteria,
installation and maintenance of heat pumps. Further based
on our climate assessments the activities comply with the
DNSH-criteria for climate adaption. Based on this the
activities are assessed as aligned.
Minimum safeguards
The minimum safeguards (MS) are built on four pillars:
human rights, taxation, corruption, and fair competition.
The MS include all procedures implemented to ensure that
economic activities are carried out in alignment with:
• OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises (OECD
MNE Guidelines)
• UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights
(UNGPs), including the principles and rights set out in
the eight fundamental conventions identified in the
Declaration of the International Labor Organization on
Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work
• The International Bill of Human Rights
Ekornes’ accountability for respecting human rights,
taxation, fair competition and avoiding corruption extends
throughout the value chain.
Ekornes follows a two-dimensional assessment approach
to assess compliance with MS. On the one hand, adequate
processes have been implemented to prevent negative
impacts (procedural dimension). On the other hand,
outcomes are monitored to check whether the processes
are effective (outcome dimension).
Ekornes Group understands that the behavior of all
employees and other actors along the value chain plays a
central role in complying with MS. Ekornes takes this
responsibility seriously by following the ethical business
conduct principles for daily business activities, which are
manifested in the Group’s Code of Conduct covering all
four MS topics. Moreover, the Ekornes Group has been a
signatory of the United Nations Global Compact since
2009 and is committed to integrating the 10 principles of
ethical business conduct into its business strategy and
operations.
Regarding the supply chain and business relationships,
Ekornes expects the same ethical business conduct from its
suppliers as from its own entities. Therefore, the MS
requirements are an integral part of business contracts and
the Supplier’s Code of Conduct. The Supplier’s Code of
Conduct aims to promote and enforce practices relating to
human rights, ethics, and the protection of the
environment and safety. Ekornes expects each supplier to
respect the Group’s ethical principles and ensure that the
Code of Conduct is followed by all employees and
subcontractors. Moreover, supplier selection and
evaluation processes include human rights,
anti-corruption, and anti-bribery due diligence.
Human rights (Including labor and consumer rights)
The Final Report on Minimum Safeguards from the
Platform on Sustainable Finance notes that several
countries, including Norway, have adopted mandatory
human rights and environmental due diligence legislation
at a national level. The Norwegian Transparency Act, which
entered into force in July 2022, promotes enterprises’
respect for fundamental human rights and decent working
conditions. This law ensures public access to information
about companies’ impact on human rights and decent
working conditions. Ekornes has complied with legislative
requirements and considers itself aligned with the
Minimum Safeguards of the EU Taxonomy. Information
about Ekornes’ human rights work and the Transparency
Act is available on the company website.
Based on UNGPs and the OECD MNE Guidelines,
including the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for
Responsible Business Conduct, Ekornes has implemented
a six-step approach to identify, prevent, and, if necessary,
mitigate and remediate any actual and potential negative
impacts on human rights.
Ekornes’ human rights statement, which describes its
strategy, high-impact areas, and the processes and
measures taken to prevent negative human rights impacts,
is publicly available on the website. The strategy for
combating human rights violations is based on a thorough
impact analysis, which takes into account geographical and
sectoral specifications. The impact analysis includes
business units, subsidiaries, business partners, and the
value chain. Human rights impacts were prioritized, and
processes were adjusted or implemented to tackle
significant risks. Measures to prevent and mitigate actual
and potential adverse human rights impacts were
identified and implemented. The processes ensure that
remedial action is taken promptly in the event of an acute
human rights violation, and if necessary, compensation is
provided to affected individuals. The effectiveness of these
processes is monitored through internal reviews regularly.
Any person who feels that their human rights have been
violated by the activities of Ekornes internally can contact
the whistleblower channel. Any reaction to the business or
an actor in the value chain can be reported through the
Transparency Act channel. This is monitored by an internal
team of supply chain experts, overseeing both internal and
external processes of the value chain.
In 2024, there were no complaints or breaches related to
human rights internally. Moving forward, Ekornes will
continue communicating and raising awareness about the
internal whistleblowing channel. Additionally, Ekornes
conducted a self-assessment for all suppliers in the value
chain. Following the previous year’s self-assessment,
Ekornes is conducting 8 supplier audits. Furthermore,
Ekornes has initiated actions toward a high-risk category
(transport) and has introduced new category-specific
self-assessments for suppliers globally.
Corruption and Bribery
Ekornes has zero tolerance for corruption and bribery. The
control mechanisms to prevent corruption and bribery in
the business units and value chains are based on a risk
assessment, including geographical and sectoral criteria.
Anti-corruption is an integral part of the Code of Conduct
and internal control.
Ekornes has an Anti-Corruption Policy that strictly
prohibits all forms of corruption, bribery, and unethical
influence. Neither Ekornes nor its employees shall engage
in ‘smearing’ or any similar practices to gain special
advantages or privileged access.
In the financial year 2024, no relevant court cases have
been identified in relation to corruption and bribery.
Taxation
In 2024, there were no breaches related to taxation.
Ekornes has a global presence and must comply with
various taxation systems worldwide. In line with its ethical
business values, tax governance and tax compliance are key
elements of oversight. Ekornes is committed to complying
with all relevant tax laws and regulations.
Ekornes adheres to its established Global Tax Strategy and
Transfer Pricing Principles. Comprehensive details are
outlined in the Financial Handbook to ensure compliance
with tax laws.
Fair competition
Ekornes carries out its activities in a manner consistent
with all applicable competition laws and regulations, taking
into consideration the competition laws of all jurisdictions
in which its activities might have anti-competitive effects.
Through the Code of Conduct, Ekornes pursues the goal of
achieving and maintaining lively competition in a free
market environment for the entire Ekornes Group,
establishing a corporate culture of fair competition.
In 2024, there were no breaches related to fair
competition.
KPI’s and accounting policies
The key performance indicators (“KPIs”) include the
turnover KPI, the CapEx KPI and the OpEx KPI. For
presenting the Taxonomy KPIs, Ekornes uses the
mandatory templates provided in the delegated acts.
The Groups consolidated financial statements have been
prepared in accordance with International Financial
Reporting Standards (IFRS), refer to detailed accounting
principles in “Notes to the consolidated financial
statements”.