Thanks to its time-tested organisational structure, Roche is able to ensure not only that a common policy is defined but also that local circumstances and strengths can be taken into account in the implementation of this policy.

The Corporate Executive Committee defines corporate policy on safety, health and environmental protection (SHE). Local responsibility for all SHE issues rests with the site managers or general managers of individual affiliates. They are responsible for setting up and training a SHE organisation that can respond appropriately to local risks, and they issue the necessary regulations. In doing so, they rely on support from their local SHE specialists. Last but not least, all employees have a personal responsibility for safety, health and environmental protection commensurate with their knowledge, abilities and experience.

The officers and specialists within Corporate Safety, Health and Environmental Protection (CSE) develop proposals regarding safety, health and environmental policy for the Executive Committee and monitor implementation of this policy. The eco-delegates who support divisional line management are responsible for actively promoting sustainable development and ongoing improvements in safety, health and (particularly) environmental protection.


Tasks and duties of Corporate Safety, Health and Environmental Protection (CSE)

• Formulating corporate SHE policy on behalf of the Executive Committee
• Periodically reviewing and amending corporate SHE policy
• Issuing SHE documents with Group-wide validity (guidelines, guidance notes, directives) for the implementation of corporate SHE policy and in response to specific SHE problems
• Supporting the Group companies and sites in all SHE matters, especially in training local SHE officers
• Conducting SHE audits at Group companies and sites to review the status of SHE and the local SHE management system

In addition, CSE deals specifically with:

• Supporting Group companies and sites in emergency management and in investigating accidents and incidents
• Developing safety data sheets and coordinating their use in Group companies and sites
• Defining and gathering key figures relevant for SHE in the Group and setting SHE objectives
• Drafting the SHE section of the Roche Sustainability Report
• Answering questions concerning the transport of dangerous goods
• Participating in international chemical safety programmes on behalf of the Roche Group

Organisation chart (PDF)


Eco-delegates promote environmental awareness in the divisions

Eco-delegates support divisional line management on a part-time basis. They are responsible for promoting sustainable development and continuous improvements in safety and especially in the field of environmental protection.

Duties of the eco-delegates at a glance:

• Supporting line management in identifying, planning, promoting, coordinating and implementing effective environmental programmes and measures
• Helping employees at all levels of the company to put recommendations for improvements into practice and promoting awareness of environmental issues within the divisions
• Monitoring ecological trends and recognising the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and risks in connection with ecological issues within the divisions; collecting key facts and data relating to safety and environmental protection
• Assisting the divisions in communicating, publishing and disseminating ideas, directives and aims in all environmental matters; promoting communication about environmental programmes and activities and their results, and about future tasks in this area, within the divisions