Our CSR commitments
Looking to the future, the DEF Network's challenges necessarily extend beyond fire safety. Our actions are part of a CSR dimension. For over 10 years, Réseau DEF has been committed to responsible approaches to employee well-being and environmental protection.
Réseau DEF: an ethical, economic, social and environmental approach
Our objectives
The defined CSR strategy requires all DEF Network companies to commit to four main areas:
- developing efficient and sustainable solutions based on responsible purchasing, while maintaining strong local roots
- considering the know-how, expertise, and commitment of our teams as our greatest assets.
- offering a motivating and inclusive employee experience.
- conducting our activities with a focus on reducing our environmental impact at every stage of our products’ lifecycle.
A strategy structured around 12 priority issues
Governance
- Establishment of a body to manage the CSR strategy and its deployment
- Development of an anti-corruption policy
- Ensuring compliance with professional ethics by all employees through a Code of Conduct
Securing people and safeguarding property
- Deployment of high-performance and sustainable ISS ranges
- Development of new relationship models that create value with our stakeholders
- Supporting local authorities through meaningful initiatives
Human Resources
- Guaranteeing our employees working conditions that ensure their safety, well-being, and development
- Developing the DEF Network’s human resources in all its diversity and multiculturalism, and building employee loyalty
- Maintaining and developing social dialogue that respects employee representation
Environmental Impact
- Reducing our dependence on fossil fuels
- Supporting the circular economy by identifying our priorities
- Deploying environmental performance initiatives in our design projects
Some examples of our concrete actions
Social
Important Internal Mobility Opportunities
Our personnel review, implemented across the entire DEF Network, allows us to identify the skills of each of our employees by considering their professional and personal experiences. By combining this skills assessment with their aspirations, we can offer them opportunities for internal mobility with either vertical or horizontal career advancement.
Fulfilled Employees
88% of employees in the DEF Network reported being satisfied with their working conditions (DEF Network satisfaction survey, November 2021 – Results expected for 2024).
Environment
A Carbon Footprint to Identify Areas for Action
All companies in the DEF Network in France have committed to conducting a carbon footprint assessment of their activities by 2025. The goal of this assessment is to identify concrete actions that can be implemented to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.
In 2022, the largest company in the Network, DEF, had a carbon footprint of 5,674 tons of CO2, a decrease of 312 tons compared to 2028. It is ISO 14001 certified and a member of Ecosystem.
We have also identified that the mobility of our employees is the most significant source of pollution in our operations. To reduce this impact, we offer our technicians service vehicles that run on LPG, and more than 50% of our fleet consists of company cars.
Electricity Production
For the past 10 years, our industrial site, FARE, located in Dadonville, has been the first eco-friendly building in the region. It is equipped with a geothermal system and generates electricity through photovoltaic panels, which are now being installed in other DEF Network factories.
Reconditioned Equipment
For the past 20 years, the DEF Network has been collecting used smoke detectors, which are dismantled, cleaned, recalibrated, and reinstalled on-site in our dedicated factory.
More recently, we have developed a business in the reconditioning of electronic boards.
Recycling of Electrical and Electronic Equipment
Our used equipment is recycled by PAPREC or RECYLEX.
Eco-Designed Products
Each of our factories has R&D teams that develop products according to an eco-design policy: recycled plastics, etc.
Economic
A Contributor to Economic Development and Employment
As the leading European designer-manufacturer, with a policy of establishing local branches close to clients, Réseau DEF contributes to the creation of local jobs in France and across Europe.
EcoVadis and ISO 9001 Certifications as a Guarantee of Quality
Our French factories undergo an analysis of their CSR performance through the EcoVadis evaluation platform. To date, these manufacturing sites are among the 35% of companies assessed that have received a medal (two silver and one gold). This recognition guarantees our commitment to CSR criteria and confirms the strength of the supply chain within the companies of Réseau DEF.
The companies of Réseau DEF are also in the process of obtaining the ISO 9001 Quality Management System certification. This globally recognized standard defines best practices to ensure the delivery of quality services to its clients.
Societal
Training Programs to Support the Career Transition of Job Seekers and Athletes
Réseau DEF has created a training campus based in Massy to train job seekers and athletes transitioning into new careers as study office technicians, maintenance technicians, and technical sales negotiators. Students can build a complete career with 1 apprenticeship contract, 1 training program, 1 profession, and 1 job. They continue their training on a work-study basis within one of the companies of the Réseau DEF.
