Recognizing and utilizing social challenges as a motor for sustainable product innovations. Companies like Henkel will increasingly be judged by their European stakeholders in terms of their contribution to the achievement of global sustainability goals. We therefore see the following priorities:

• The opportunities and risks of sustainable development should be routinely integrated into portfolio analysis and product development with the help of new assessment methods. This is essential for innovative products that will promote sustainable development in the markets while simultaneously securing long-term entrepreneurial success.
• In emerging economies and developing countries, Henkel should seek to enter into new alliances with international organizations and public institutions, so that its goods and services can contribute to sustainable development in line with the United Nations´ Millennium Development Goals*.
• We view initiatives to encourage sustainable consumption in the markets of the European Union and other industrial nations as having great potential for raising the awareness of consumers and being successful with sustainable goods and services.
• Given the globalized nature of value chains, Henkel has a duty to promote the adoption of high environmental and social standards by its suppliers, also with a view to optimizing the overall sustainability performance of its own products. Suppliers must therefore be systematically assessed, selected and qualified.