The values that underpin reporting in accordance with the latest EU standard are transparency and fairness of disclosures. This year’s report was not only prepared in accordance with the new methodology but also constitutes a summary of the 3-year sustainability strategy. The results of this work were verified by an independent statutory auditor.
ESRS – a challenge for the most persistent businesses
Dr. Miele Cosmed Group S.A. is a listed company required to report according to the latest standard issued by the European Commission – the European Sustainability Reporting Standard (ESRS). Hence, for the first time, the company published its Sustainability Statement (the current name of the disclosure) as part of the Report on the Management Board’s Activities. Another reporting-related challenge and novelty was the verification of the whole Statement as part of a statutory audit. Finally, the entire document is based on the double materiality assessment, i.e. the model for dialogue with partners along the value chain indicated by the European Commission.
“Work on the report was conducted starting from August 2024, when we first launched cooperation with a group of external auditors. Through dialogue and very good cooperation, with each passing week our Sustainability Team was preparing the company for a completely new and extremely demanding way of disclosing sustainability data. Importantly, we shared our knowledge and experience with the market by conducting training sessions for companies within the industry associated in the Polish Union of the Cosmetic Industry. This is because we believe that reliable and transparent communication in the area of ESG is beneficial for people and the environment,” commented Magdalena Miele, the company’s CEO.
In the end, the Capital Group prepared more than 400 disclosures concerning the Capital Group’s management with regard to environmental, social and corporate governance issues. The document can be found at the following link: Sprawozdanie_z_dzialalnosci_GK_DMCG_za_rok_2024.pdf.
Sustainable development at DMCG
In April 2024, sustainability was officially recognized as part of the company’s business strategy. Three main areas of focus have been identified: Care for the Environment, Team and Organizational Culture. We believe that each of these 3 elements must be developed at an equal pace – only then can we speak of a truly responsible business.
The company has a three-person Sustainability Department whose primary task is to work towards the implementation of the goals included in the strategy. In addition, meetings of the ESG Council are held quarterly. They are headed by the company’s CEO, and attended by a member of the Supervisory Board, as well as directors and managers of the company’s individual areas and divisions. Working groups and task forces responsible for creating and implementing ESG policies or environmental and social measures have been operating for a number of years.
The efforts in the area of environmental care are primarily focused on improving the energy efficiency of production activities and on activities in the area of the circular economy. One example of such activities is the use of recycled materials in unit, collective and transportation packaging. Among other things, the company can boast that 88% of all paper materials used in 2024 were recycled, while the share of recyclate in the total weight of plastic packaging was 31%.
100% of the company’s employees are employed on the basis of an employment contract and 76.9% on the basis of an employment contract for an indefinite period. 31.6% of employees in top management positions are women and in middle management positions this share is 59.4%. The company is committed to pursue continuous growth, hence the significant increase in training sessions, to an average of 8.29h per employee in 2024.
In the area of corporate governance, the report offers insights concerning the development of organizational culture or principles of cooperation with suppliers. The key element here is to maintain the due diligence principles set forth in the OECD and UN guidelines. The Capital Group had to develop and implement a comprehensive due diligence system in its relations with business partners. The completion of this arduous and often very demanding task has been recognized not only by auditors, but also by the market. The comprehensive and coherent due diligence system implemented at Dr. Miele Cosmed Group has already been awarded twice: with the award of the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development as part of the “ESG Innovator in 2025” competition and at the Sustainable Leadership & Excellence Sustainability Awards 2025.
“This year’s reporting process has taught us many new skills. The very detailed disclosures showed us both our strengths and the areas where we still have some work to do. Although the high-profile EU Omnibus package has slowed down reporting processes in many companies, our experience shows that it is worthwhile to make the effort to ensure compliance with the ESRS. Meanwhile, the double materiality process and the preparation of disclosures actually strengthens the organization and its management structures,” added Magdalena Miele.