Viscom demands recognition of the sustainability label
Following the agreement between Viscom, the Swiss Association of the Graphic Arts Industry, and the Federal Office for Buildings and Logistics regarding the demonstration of compliance with certain sustainability criteria in federal procurement, the association is now focusing on state-owned and semi-state-owned companies—as well as the cantons.
In Viscom's view, it is offensive and difficult to understand that companies such as Swiss Post, which are largely dependent on taxpayers' money and state protection mechanisms, sometimes have printing jobs carried out in countries where hourly wages of less than CHF 3 are paid, let alone where minimum standards in terms of working conditions are observed or apprentices are systematically trained. Viscom is therefore calling on large state and semi-state companies to do the same as the Federal Office for Buildings and Logistics when it comes to sustainable procurement policy, says Viscom Director Thomas Gsponer.
The Federal Office for Buildings and Logistics (BBL) recently concluded an agreement on sustainability in procurement with a Swiss industry association (Viscom) for the first time. Members of the Swiss employers' association of the graphic arts industry who are in possession of a Viscom sustainability label now have easier access to federal procurement. The label guarantees that minimum standards are met in all key areas of sustainability. Five key pillars ensure sustainable production along the entire value chain. In addition to compliance with the CLA for the graphic arts industry, the award criteria for the label include occupational safety and equal pay for men and women, active participation in vocational training, environmentally friendly work and the processing and finishing of an order in accordance with the latest technical standards. The BBL fully recognizes the Viscom sustainability label.
In concrete terms, this means that if two comparable providers apply for a federal contract, the one with a Viscom sustainability label does not have to submit additional proof that it fulfills certain sustainability criteria. Viscom ensures that the criteria are regularly reviewed for the attention of the FOBL. All companies in the graphic arts industry without a Viscom sustainability label can also provide proof of sustainability themselves.
What has been agreed with the Federal Office for Buildings and Logistics, Viscom now also expects from the large state and semi-state companies, namely the recognition of the Viscom sustainability label and the associated easier access to the respective procurement system. Appropriate talks will be initiated in the near future. According to Dr. Thomas Gsponer, we are confident that the companies in question, which all speak very frequently about corporate responsibility, are open to balanced solutions on the subject of sustainable procurement policy.
Generally binding vocational training fund from January 2011
Viscom achieved another breakthrough in the area of vocational training. At the beginning of December 2010, the Federal Council approved the generally binding vocational training fund for the graphic arts industry - after a lead time of around three years. This means that from January 2011, all companies that do not train apprentices themselves will also pay into the fund in solidarity.
The Federal Office for Buildings and Logistics (BBL) recently concluded an agreement on sustainability in procurement with a Swiss industry association (Viscom) for the first time. Members of the Swiss employers' association of the graphic arts industry who are in possession of a Viscom sustainability label now have easier access to federal procurement. The label guarantees that minimum standards are met in all key areas of sustainability. Five key pillars ensure sustainable production along the entire value chain. In addition to compliance with the CLA for the graphic arts industry, the award criteria for the label include occupational safety and equal pay for men and women, active participation in vocational training, environmentally friendly work and the processing and finishing of an order in accordance with the latest technical standards. The BBL fully recognizes the Viscom sustainability label.
In concrete terms, this means that if two comparable providers apply for a federal contract, the one with a Viscom sustainability label does not have to submit additional proof that it fulfills certain sustainability criteria. Viscom ensures that the criteria are regularly reviewed for the attention of the FOBL. All companies in the graphic arts industry without a Viscom sustainability label can also provide proof of sustainability themselves.
What has been agreed with the Federal Office for Buildings and Logistics, Viscom now also expects from the large state and semi-state companies, namely the recognition of the Viscom sustainability label and the associated easier access to the respective procurement system. Appropriate talks will be initiated in the near future. According to Dr. Thomas Gsponer, we are confident that the companies in question, which all speak very frequently about corporate responsibility, are open to balanced solutions on the subject of sustainable procurement policy.
Generally binding vocational training fund from January 2011
Viscom achieved another breakthrough in the area of vocational training. At the beginning of December 2010, the Federal Council approved the generally binding vocational training fund for the graphic arts industry - after a lead time of around three years. This means that from January 2011, all companies that do not train apprentices themselves will also pay into the fund in solidarity.
