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CSR Performance Ladder

CSR DRIVERS

What is the CSR Performance Ladder?

The CSR Performance Ladder is a certification standard that enables organisations to objectively and demonstrably assess their performance in the field of Corporate Social Responsibility. The standard covers 26 CSR themes, divided across seven core themes, and encourages organisations to continuously improve their social and environmental impact.

At its core is a CSR management system in which policies, objectives, results and continuous improvement are structurally embedded. Active dialogue with stakeholders also plays an important role. In this way, the CSR Performance Ladder makes sustainable development and Corporate Social Responsibility concrete, measurable and verifiable.

The CSR Performance Ladder is inspired by internationally recognised guidelines and standards, including ISO 26000, ISO 9001, AA1000 and the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). Whereas ISO 26000 provides guidance on Corporate Social Responsibility, the CSR Performance Ladder provides a certifiable management system through which these principles can be translated into concrete and verifiable requirements.

Together with Atlantis Memorials and Funeral Projects, Funeral Products forms the Global Products Group. Each of the affiliated companies retains its own identity and specialism, while operating according to the same corporate values and CSR policy. The CSR management system and certification according to the CSR Performance Ladder apply to the Global Products Group and its operating companies.

From level 3 to level 4

In 2023, the Global Products Group achieved certification according to the CSR Performance Ladder for the first time, immediately attaining performance level 3. This was an important confirmation that Corporate Social Responsibility was already structurally embedded within our organisation and business operations.

Achieving level 3, however, was not an end point for us. In the years that followed, we continued to develop and strengthen our CSR management system. CSR has become increasingly integrated into our strategy, decision-making, product development and collaboration throughout the value chain.

Among other things, we have focused on active stakeholder engagement, increasing transparency throughout the value chain, sustainable product innovation and demonstrating measurable social and environmental impact.

Certified at performance level 4

In 2026, this development resulted in an important new milestone: the Global Products Group has been certified according to the CSR Performance Ladder, performance level 4.

Level 4 goes beyond structurally embedding CSR within the organisation itself. At this level, policies, objectives and results relating to material CSR themes must exceed the industry average, and an organisation must be able to demonstrate that it ranks among the best organisations within its sector in relation to these themes.

Level 4 therefore represents important independent recognition of the way in which the Global Products Group has integrated Corporate Social Responsibility throughout both its organisation and value chain.

A distinctive position

Achieving performance level 4 is far from a given. At present, only 51 organisations are certified at level 4 of the CSR Performance Ladder. Within the funeral sector, the Global Products Group is also the only organisation currently certified at this level.

This position underlines our ambition not only to meet applicable requirements and expectations, but also to lead the way in Corporate Social Responsibility within our sector.

The certificate has been independently assessed by DNV. This means that the assessment considers not only our ambitions and policies, but also the effectiveness and results of our CSR management system in practice.

View our current CSR Performance Ladder certificate

What does our certification mean for you?

Achieving performance level 4 is not only recognition of our own CSR performance. It also provides tangible added value for organisations that work with Funeral Products.

Our CSR management system is independently assessed and ensures that sustainability and social responsibility are structurally embedded within our business operations and value chain. In doing so, we take a significant part of this work off our customers' hands. Certifications, audits, supply chain agreements and sustainability information are organised and substantiated by us.

This provides confidence and assurance, while also strengthening the story our customers can communicate to families, bereaved relatives and other stakeholders. Demonstrable CSR performance and transparency regarding the origin and impact of products can also contribute to differentiation in commercial opportunities and tenders.

Every opportunity to focus on supporting your customer

What does sustainable collaboration with Funeral Products mean in practice for your organisation? In 'The conscious choice for everyone', we translate our investments in sustainability and ethics into practical and commercial benefits for our partners: from confidence, assurance and reduced risk to differentiation, product transparency, efficiency and future-proof collaboration.

Discover the added value of sustainable collaboration

What does level 4 mean in practice?

For us, achieving level 4 primarily means that CSR must be visible in the choices we make every day. Not only within our own business operations, but particularly in our collaboration with customers, suppliers and other stakeholders.

Our focus includes:

Active stakeholder engagement

Stakeholders are involved in relevant CSR themes, developments and improvements.

Responsibility throughout the value chain

We consider what we can directly control as well as where we can make an impact together with our partners.

Sustainable innovation

Social and environmental challenges are translated into new products, materials, processes and collaborations.

Demonstrable impact

Objectives and results are measured and evaluated to provide insight into where progress is being made and where further improvement is possible.

Continuous improvement

Results achieved continually form the starting point for new objectives and further development.

In this way, the CSR Performance Ladder helps us approach Corporate Social Responsibility not as a separate initiative, but as a structural part of our business operations and long-term strategy.

From themes to concrete objectives

Within our CSR management system, we periodically determine which of the 26 CSR themes are relevant and material to our organisation and value chain. These themes cover a wide range of subjects, from working conditions, human rights and business ethics to raw materials, transport, energy consumption and community involvement.

The material themes subsequently form the basis for our CSR objectives, management measures and improvement initiatives. Wherever possible, we link these to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), helping to demonstrate our contribution to broader societal challenges.

Sustainable Development Goals

We communicate our results, developments and areas for attention transparently in our annual CSR report. This provides insight into where we stand, the impact we are achieving and the challenges that lie ahead.

View our CSR results and objectives