Sustainability Management at Werner & Mertz now more comprehensive!

Mainz Sustainability pioneer is one of the first industrial companies certified by We Impact

The integrally sustainable corporate orientation from Werner & Mertz is now certified more comprehensively. For more than 20 years, the production site in Mainz has been validated against EMAS criteria, the world’s most demanding certification for environmental management systems. Now the family-owned business is the first industrial company ever to undergo an additional audit based on the We Impact standard, which puts the focus on social and governance aspects in operational processes. Werner & Mertz thus voluntarily and simultaneously fulfills many requirements from the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (LkSG).

“For a long time we were looking for an appropriate management certification for our medium-sized company that would independently validate our measures in the social area of Sustainability Management and in governance and make them visible. Until recently, such an audit was made for charitable organizations. With We Impact, manufacturing companies too can make their commitment transparent,“ says Yannic von Raesfeld, Head of Sustainability Management at Werner & Mertz.

The We Impact System examines Envionmental, Social and Governance (ESG) aspects in a company’s operational processes. It is based on the content of the EMAS Regulation, the requirements of the German LkSG, and the EU CSRD. The system was developed with support from the Federal Ministry for the Environment. We Impact has certified companies since 2024.

“While many companies are required by law to disclose information, we voluntarily chose to implement this demanding management system. Our aim is not to disclose figures, but most of all, to continuously improve and further develop the processes, procedures and workflows behind the figures,” says von Raesfeld.

The family-run company can score points with the further development of its employees. Via the WM Academy, the company offers several internal and external training programs and personal career counseling by the Human Resources department. With Idea Management, employees have the chance to suggest improvements in company workflows and participate in the realized financial savings from implemented ideas. In the area of health, the company offers many means of support. With sports courses, a fitness app and medical screenings, the offerings go way beyond the frequently mentioned “fruit basket”. All of that is reflected in the company’s above-average length of service of 12 years for the industry.

The family company has set big goals not only internally but externally as well. For example, external vendors are required to adhere to the principles of the Supplier Code of Conduct. Suppliers are expected to show respect for human rights and to ensure socially acceptable working conditions, ethical behavior in business life, and the implementation of environmental standards. The company uses a defined process to regularly monitor the fulfillment of these requirements.

“For 20 years Werner & Mertz has submitted to the demanding EMAS/ISO14001 validation process for environmental management which supports successive improvements in performance. We are pleased that this committed company is now bringing all sustainability aspects in accordance with current ESG standards into the process with support from We Impact. As we see it, this renowned company is predestined to take on a pioneering role here too,” according to a statement from the offices of We Impact.

An independent Impact auditor visited the Werner & Mertz site in Mainz for two full days and examined several areas of the company. As with EMAS, We Impact is interested in the continuous improvement of the entire management system. From now on, Werner & Mertz will be audited annually and new, more ambitious goals will be pursued every time.