Corporate social responsibility
VDL Bus & Coach sees Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as an integral part of its overall corporate policy. This means that CSR aspects are taken into account in the decisions taken in respect of organisational, process and technical matters. This is fully in line with the CSR policy of VDL Groep.
Our products are manufactured in the Netherlands and Belgium. Wherever possible, our suppliers operate in the same region. As a consequence, our products have a very low carbon footprint during the production and transportation phase. Local production drastically lowers the total environmental impact of the bus, due to the fact that transportation is a major influencing factor on the total carbon footprint.
With the development, production and worldwide sales of innovative, competitive products and services, VDL Bus & Coach strives to deliver added value to the world around us. We bring people and organisations together to develop products, services and solutions that improve the well-being and prosperity of us all. Everyone at VDL is driven to make a difference and to strive for the best results. Together, we excel at how we think and act. People are our most important asset.
Environmental policy
Care for the environment is a social responsibility of VDL Bus & Coach and all employees within the organisation. With products and developments in the automotive field (electric driving, battery technology, the use of lightweight construction), we make a substantial contribution to a better living environment. The requirements and obligations under the ISO 14001 management system are leading in this and the starting point for continuous improvement.
Sustainable focus
A primary focus in the development of our vehicles is the lowest possible intrinsic weight as a means to achieving minimum fuel consumption. We strive for an optimal balance between ecological and economic interests. The application of advanced techniques such as clean diesel, hybrid, electric, fuel cell and/or alternative propulsion, and battery lifecycle management are central to this. VDL Bus & Coach strives to use materials sustainably and to reduce waste. All employees, whether permanent or temporary, must comply with these principles in their work.
Hazardous substances policy
VDL Bus & Coach operates an active policy in the field of hazardous substances. On the one hand, we are committed to REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of CHemicals); on the other hand, we maintain a minimisation obligation for CRM (Carcinogenic, Mutagenic, Reprotoxic) substances.
We intend to use only qualified suppliers for our products. Our manufacturers suppliers are required to operate in accordance with REACH, the European Union regulation on chemicals and their safe use (EC 1907/2006). It deals with the registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemicals. VDL Bus & Coach fully supports the aims of REACH in improving the protection of human health and the environment through better identification of the intrinsic properties of chemical substances at the start of the production process. The law specifies the registration of chemical substances that are produced and imported. Suppliers of products that contain these substances are required to inform clients that use these products about how to handle these professionally.
Download the VDL Bus & Coach Code of Conduct for more information regarding Environment & Society.