Sustainability

Woikoski Medical is the healthcare unit of Woikoski Oy. For us, responsibility means practical action, long-term development and a constant ability to innovate. We believe that it is the company’s role to take responsibility not only for today’s solutions, but also for the opportunities of the future – for the environment, people and society. As a family business, what we leave to future generations is important to us.

High quality and transparency

Our operations are guided by international quality, environmental and occupational safety standards to ensure high quality and responsible performance in all areas. We also meet the strict industry requirements of the food and pharmaceutical industry. For us, certifications are not just a formality – they are practical tools for continuous improvement, transparency and accountability.

The standards and programmes that guide our work

ISO 9001 – Quality system. An international standard that ensures consistent quality and continuous improvement in all our operations.
ISO 14001 – An environmental management standard that guides us to reduce our environmental impact and develop sustainable operations.
ISO 45001 – Occupational health and safety standard that promotes a safe and healthy working environment.
FSSC 22000, GMP and GDP – Standards that ensure the safety, traceability and quality of our products for food and pharmaceutical applications.
McDonald’s SQMS – McDonald’s own standard that ensures high levels of hygiene, quality and safety throughout the production chain.
McDonald’s SWA – A set of requirements for suppliers to promote responsibility, human rights and ethical business practices.
We are committed to the international Responsible Care programme
We are involved in Motiva Energy Efficiency Pact.

Climate and energy

One of the most concrete ways we can make a difference is to reduce emissions and improve energy efficiency. We strive for efficient, economical and sustainable use of energy and raw materials. Accelerating the circular economy is a key objective of the chemical industry’s Motiva Energy Efficiency Agreement and the international Responsible Care programme, in which we participate.We monitor our carbon footprint by controlling our carbon dioxide emissions.

By upgrading the heating systems of the Voikoski plant to utilise the condensation heat generated in the processes, we have significantly reduced carbon dioxide emissions and energy consumption. At the same time, we optimised our production processes to reduce waste and material wastage.

CO₂ emissions reduced by more than 200 tonnes per year

Nature, raw materials and the circular economy

The circular economy is part of our daily business. For an industrial company, Woikoski generates little waste because our products are mainly pure natural ingredients that we process and which, after use, are returned to nature as they are or in some other form.

The circular economy is at its best when we use the side streams from chemical companies as raw materials, which would otherwise end up as emissions in the air. This not only reduces emissions, but also reduces the consumption of natural resources and supports the circular economy.

Our gas cylinders are also an excellent example of a sustainable and environmentally friendly packaging solution. Cylinders can be used for dozens – even hundreds – of years, and when the packaging is removed from the cycle, the material can be recycled in metal recycling.

Air emissions from air gas production – zero

Fostering the values of nature

We own extensive forest areas, which we manage responsibly and with a long-term approach. All our forests are PEFC-certified, and our forest management takes into account not only economic sustainability, but also biodiversity, landscape values and cultural heritage.

Sustainability is also reflected in our commitment to wider societal programmes and targets, including the 2045 carbon neutrality target.

PEFC-certified forest management with biodiversity above.,,y…

Woikoski code of conduct and ethical principles

Woikoski is guided by a Code of Conduct and ethical principles. At Woikoski, we believe that everyone has the right to be treated with respect and in a safe and secure environment. We want to ensure that both our own staff and our partners can work in an environment where comfort, equality and respect are taken for granted.

We do not tolerate any form of harassment or inappropriate treatment. We are committed to respecting human rights in all our activities. It is important to us that no one is discriminated against on the basis of race, ethnic origin, colour, language, gender, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, health, religion, opinion – or any other personal ground. We do not tolerate gender-based or sexual harassment in any form, or the use of forced or child labour.

Cooperation, trust and equality are values we cherish every day – in our workplace and in our relationships with our customers.

For our partners, we have a Partner Code of Conduct that guides our partners’ activities. Read the Code of Conduct below.

Business principles
Woikoski Oy’s partners must comply with all applicable laws and regulations in all areas of their operations. Woikoski Ltd’s partners must comply with the principles of ethical business conduct.

Partners must take anti-money laundering safeguards and refrain from any activity that could be considered part of the money laundering process. Partners undertake to ensure the security of Woikoski’s data and the confidentiality of confidential information and to handle personal data and other information appropriately in accordance with applicable laws and regulations and Woikoski’s guidelines. Partners must provide adequate and accurate information about their activities, engage in responsible marketing and compete fairly and ethically in all respects.

The Woikoski brand
Woikoski expects its partners to act and behave in accordance with its values and brand, which supports the image and customer experience that Woikoski seeks to achieve. Activities must not compromise the Woikoski brand or reputation.

Quality
Woikoski’s operations are certified according to ISO 9001. We are responsible for ensuring that our products meet the quality requirements set for them and we ensure the quality of our products through continuous monitoring and analysis. We are committed to the continuous improvement of our quality system. We also expect our partners to comply with ISO 9001. We reserve the right to carry out supplier audits for our partners.

Human rights
Woikoski’s partners must support and respect internationally recognised human rights in their own operations (and in their supply chain), as contained in core human rights treaties (such as the United Nations Universal Principles on Business and Human Rights, and the International Bill of Human Rights, among others), and ensure that they are not complicit in human rights abuses. Our partners must identify the human rights impacts of their activities, take mitigating measures where necessary, and take corrective action when human rights violations occur.

WORKING LIFE STANDARDS

Freedom of association
Woikoski partners must recognise and respect their employees’ freedom of association and the right to freely choose their representatives. Partners must also recognise their employees’ right to collective bargaining. Partners must not discriminate against workers’ representatives or union members or restrict their ability to carry out their representational activities in the workplace.

Forced labour
Woikoski Oy’s partners must not use forced labour and their employees must have the right to give reasonable notice in accordance with local laws and agreements. Employees are not required to provide money or identification for the employer’s safekeeping.

Salary and working hours
Woikoski Oy’s partners must provide their employees with understandable, written employment contracts that define the terms and conditions of their employment. Wages and conditions must be fair and reasonable, and must at least comply with national laws or industry standards, whichever is higher. Working hours must meet the requirements of national legislation. Workers should have at least one day off per seven-day period.

Child labour and young workers
Under no circumstances should Woikoski Ltd’s partners employ children under the legal minimum age. The minimum age is the same as the age of compulsory education or at least 15 years. Children and young people who are over the minimum age but under the age of 18 shall not be employed in hazardous work or work that endangers their health, safety or morals.

Non-discrimination
Woikoski Oy’s partners must treat their employees with respect and dignity. Any discrimination based on bias or prejudice is prohibited, as is discrimination based on ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, parenthood, religion or other similar grounds. Threats of violence, physical punishment, physical or verbal abuse and other unlawful harassment are strictly prohibited.

Health and safety at work
Woikoski’s operations are certified to the ISO 45001 health and safety standard. Woikoski also requires its partners to provide its employees with safe and healthy working conditions that comply with applicable laws and regulations. Partners must ensure that employees and subcontractors are provided with appropriate health and safety information, as well as adequate training and protective equipment to perform the assigned work tasks.

Woikoski’s partners must commit themselves to the same safety principles and objectives as Woikoski. Woikoski’s goal is zero accidents and zero incidents. Woikoski’s partners must commit themselves to these objectives by contributing to safety at work at all Woikoski sites and by obliging their partners to report any incidents, deficiencies and possible suggestions for improvement. Partners must commit to comply with Woikoski’s work permit policy.

Preventing alcohol and drug use in the workplace
Woikoski is an alcohol-free workplace. Woikoski Oy partners are not allowed to work at Woikoski premises under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Partners must take measures to prevent alcohol and drug abuse.

Woikoski reserves the right to carry out spot checks by means of interceptions at his own premises.

ENVIRONMENT

Woikoski has a certified ISO 14001 environmental management system. Woikoski’s partners must commit to the same aspects of the environmental management system as Woikoski. Partners must identify the environmental impacts of their activities and take mitigating measures where necessary. Partners are expected to continuously strive to improve energy and water efficiency, waste generation and emissions to air, water and soil. Partners are expected to mitigate the impact of their activities on biodiversity. Partners should take into account the climate impact of their activities and reduce greenhouse gas emissions wherever possible. Partners are expected to promote the circular economy and pay attention to the efficient use of materials. As a minimum, partners must comply with all applicable environmental laws and regulations.

Woikoski obliges partners to report any environmental risks they identify. We also welcome suggestions for improvements to improve practices and environmental considerations.

Employee well-being and skills development

At Woikoski, people are the heart of our business. We want to take care of our employees’ wellbeing, provide a safe and equal working environment and offer opportunities for professional development and growth.

We value everyone’s work and invest in training, skills development and well-being at work. It is important to us that the working community works in an open and interactive way. We also invest in the training of our chaperones to ensure and safeguard a high quality of chaperone work.

We take a constructive approach to any conflicts that may arise. We use early mediation models, advocacy practices and joint discussions. Where necessary, we use external mediation to keep the workplace safe and functional for all.

Social and international influence

Woikoski actively participates in the development of its industry and in social dialogue. We work closely with the authorities and are involved in a number of national and international organisations that promote safety, security and responsibility.

Chemical pool – developing security of supply and emergency preparedness in the chemical sector
Chemical Industry Association’s Gas Subgroup – focusing on the development of safety in the gas sector
Responsible Care – an international sustainability programme for the chemical industry
EIGA (European Industrial Gases Association) – developing safety and responsibility in the gas sector in Europe
IOMA ( International Oxygen Manufacturers Association) – promoting the development and cooperation of the gas industry worldwide

Data protection and GDPR

Woikoski complies with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR ) and respects the privacy of its stakeholders in all its activities. We carefully protect customer, employee and partner data and process personal data in a lawful, secure and transparent manner.

We are regularly audited by regulatory bodies, and we follow good governance and accounting practices. We ensure that our information systems support safe and responsible business operations.