Management systems

A system of internal rules was prepared for the regulation of the organisation, providing both general and specific guidance:

• Group guidelines: policies, regulations and management rules with which the Parent Company defines the general guidelines, guiding, coordinating and controlling the Group companies;
• procedures: acts governing the way in which a process is implemented, identifying roles and responsibilities.

The Integrated Certification Systems Unit within the Risk & Compliance Function of the Parent Company defines the methods and standards of reference for the implementation of QESE (Quality, Environment, Safety and Energy) certified management systems, as well as for further certifications and accreditations of interest to the Group, and operates in synergy with the same Units of the Operating Companies. These Units collaborate with the Energy Manager for the development and management of the Energy Management System and with the Head of the Prevention and Protection Service (RSPP) and the emergency coordinator for the Workplace Health and Safety Management System. The management of health, safety and environmental emergencies is handled by means of a specific procedure.
Acea also appoints an Energy Manager, both at Parent Company and Operating Company level, and a Mobility Manager, to comply with legal requirements and ensure the optimal management of in- ternal energy use and staff mobility. They seek systemic efficiencies and savings, creating positive external effects, such as lower use of resources and reduction of greenhouse gases, the optimisation of travelling times and routes for employees, also with positive impacts on road safety and urban traffic. Through coordination with Energy Managers in the Companies, the Energy Manager has the duty of promoting energy efficiency, with actions to reduce consumption and cost control, while optimising the Group’s energy costs.

Chart no. 17 – The certified integrated management system

In 2022, the main operating companies present in the scope of reporting adopted certified management systems (see table 14). The achievements during the year include the award of UNI/PdR 125:2022 - Guidelines for gender equality to Acea SpA.
In particular, of the 18 main operating companies, which represent the biggest ESG impacts of the Group, 89% hold a quality certi- fication; (the 2 companies that do not yet hold the certification, Acea Produzione and Acea Innovation, began the certification pro- cess in 2022, of which the first phase is complete); 89% hold environmental certifications (100% of companies in the Environment sector and 80% in the Water sector); 94% have a safety certification; and 45% have a certified energy management system (100% of energy-intensive companies). The Acea Ambiente plants located in Terni, San Vittore del Lazio and Orvieto, the Acque Industriali site in Pagnana (Empoli), the Bergplant and the Deco sites are also EMAS registered.

Table no. 14 – Certified management systems in the Acea Group (as at 31.12.2022)

The companies with certified management systems carry out an annual Management Review to assess the effectiveness of the systems, propose possible improvements and verify the progress of activities. On these occasions, attended by the Top Management and the first line of managers of the Companies in question, ele- ments are analysed, including: policy; context analysis and materiality analysis at Group level; Group sustainability targets and their monitoring; risk assessment; process performance; significant environmental and energy aspects; changes in legal requirements and those relating to occupational health and safety, environment and energy; supplier performance; customer satisfaction levels; analysis of complaints; accidents and injuries.
The results of the review for 2022, finding no criticalities, confirmed the adequacy and efficiency of the management Systems. In line with the current Management Systems and Sustainability Policies, Acea monitors the objectives required by the Management system in an integrated manner with the objectives of the 2020- 2024 Sustainability Plan approved by the Board of Directors.