Human and Employee Rights

Due to very high light intensities in our product development and quality testing, we at Photonics Group have a special focus on the risk of eye injuries

Photonics Group consists of companies based in Denmark, Germany and the US. Therefore, we were founded and have developed in geographical areas with a long tradition of respect for individual rights.

As our businesses develop they gain a stronger global presence. We have set up businesses in new countries, our products are sold globally and we buy components and services worldwide. In this new context we still need to ensure that respect for human and employee rights is, and continuously must be, an integral part of how we run our business, regardless of geography.

Historically our focus has been to ensure correct conduct in internal matters. Moving forward we want to ensure that all of our products are manufactured responsibly and without infringing the inherent rights of the individual.

Therefore, these demands are made towards our suppliers too. Our focus will initially target suppliers where we have a large and stable purchasing volume.

A number of Photonics Group products require very high light intensities, and there is a risk of eye injuries due to accidents or careless handling of the equipment. As a result, many precautions are taken in the form of instructions, eye protection, screening and alarm systems in order to avoid such injuries. Employees subject to particular exposure now undergo periodic eye tests.

GOALS: HUMAN AND EMPLOYEE RIGHTS
Procurement
Goal: 30.06.11 80% of procurements above 50,000 EUR in value only to be supplied by partners who have agreed to abide by the principles of the UNGC. Date for achieving this goal has been extended to 30.06.12	Actions The principles will now be embodied in the form of supplier contracts when value exceeds 50,000 EUR	Status as of 30.06.11 37%. The principles have primarily been incorporated only in contracts with suppliers with whom we have a sizeable frame contract.
Work accidents
Goal: 30.06.11 Regular reporting on accident count, including eye injuries	Actions We register accidents and absence following such accidents, and we will perform regular tests of employees subject to particular exposure	Status as of 30.06.11 No accidents have been reported. All relevant employees have passed an eye test (completed end of 2010). No indication of injuries was observed. Regular eye tests will be performed every two years.
New goal: 30.06.12 No accidents leading to absence from work in second half 2011 and first half 2012	Actions We register accidents and near miss accidents and take actions to prevent such events in future
New goal: 31.12.12 No eye injuries in the two-year period	Actions We will perform a new eye check in the second half of 2012

Accomplished Partly accomplished Not accomplished

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Focus on eye protection

In working with light-conducting crystal fibers and lasers, very high light intensities are used that can damage sight in an accident or careless handling of the equipment. This is why the Photonics Group company NKT Photonics A/S takes numerous precautions such as work instructions, eye protection, screening and alarm systems and, for employees subject to particular exposure, periodic eye tests every two years.