Qualified reliability of safety and environmental data
The reliability of the data is subject to certain qualifications,
despite the fact that the safety and environmental experts
at our production units have reported to the best of their
knowledge, in good faith and in accordance with agreed
procedures and Heineken Supply Chain has validated their
figures. Heineken is continuing to work on formulating and
applying uniform definitions and instructions for reporting
purposes, in order to improve the accuracy and comparability
of the data. Standard calculation protocols for atmospheric
emissions have been developed, for example, to minimise the
error in these figures. Standard calculation tools are also
present for refrigerant losses and waste discharge.
Definitions
Differences in the interpretation of definitions have occurred
in some cases. On the basis of our internal validation findings,
we do not expect these differences at the aggregated level
to be material.
Completeness
Reporting was not forthcoming or incomplete in some cases.
Often newly acquired production units need to improve
their reporting system, especially on complaint and
external accident registration, accident severity and COD
measurement. In order to provide a realistic representation
of Heineken's total environmental impact, the missing data
has been estimated in accordance with our internal
procedures for incomplete reports. Our operating companies
have estimated some data. Production units that did not
report have been listed in a footnote and in this case
estimates have not been included. The environmental report
of Rouiba (Algeria) and the safety report of Aba Malting
(Nigeria) have not been returned and so have not been
included in the Sustainability Report. The effect is not material.
Accuracy
The accuracy of the data depends on the method of
measurement, the calculation procedure and whether
estimates have been used. For some parameters, the
sampling method and frequency, as for Chemical Oxygen
Demand, can also affect the accuracy. The quantity of
refrigerant is difficult to establish because it is used in
dynamic systems in which it can occur in both the liquid and
gaseous phase. Refrigerant losses are determined on the
basis of the quantities added to replenish systems. At a
number of production units, waste is removed from the site
in containers of a given volume, and inaccuracies can arise
in translating volume to weight. In the absence of local
legislation in some countries outside Europe, the definition
of hazardous waste is not always clear. In some cases,
hazardous waste is safely recycled and is no longer
designated as hazardous. The scope and workforce size
related to the accident frequency can give rise to
inaccuracies in some locations due to the misinterpretation
of overtime and number of temporary personnel.
Comparability
Each parameter to be reported has accurately been defined
in the Safety Standards Procedures and Environmental
Standards Procedures.
The comparability of the data depends on the extent to which
estimates have been used in determining the performance
indicators. Where estimates have been used in interpreting
trends, it is stated in the text of this report. The comparison
of data has been carried out over a three-year period such to
limit the influence of incidental fluctuations.
Since no material changes have been made to definitions,
calculations or estimating procedures, there is comparability
from year to year, except when indicated in the text of this
report.
In 2009 the scope of reporting has changed in line with the
Heineken N.V. Annual Report 2009 joint ventures are no
longer included which means that the following units have
been excluded in 2009 compared to 2008: Brazzaville, Pointe
Noire, Netanya, Salta, Santa Fe, Antofagasta, Santiago,
Temuco, Pnomh Penh, Hainan, Shanghai, Maharashtra,
Hyderabad, Vientiane, Kuala Lumpur, Ulaanbaatar,
Waitemata, Greymouth, Pahaitua, Timaru, Port Moresby,
Lae, Singapore, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, Quang Nam,
Tien Giang, Stara Zagora, Bad Brambach, Chemnitz, Hof,
Kulmbach, Munich, Plauen, Rosenheim, Würzburg,
Donaueschingen Mossautal, Karlsruhe, Skopje.
Heineken N.V. - Sustainability Report 2009 45
