tesa SE: Our Responsibility – Our Commitment
Report 2012

A vivid Tradition of Responsibility

Global Compact

Ban Ki-moon, UN-Generalsekretär (UN Photo/Mark Garten)

January 31, 2001, at the World Economic Forum in Davos: Then UN Secretary General Kofi Annan calls on
companies that operate internationally to take an active stance in meeting the challenges presented by globalization.
His vision: a global pact based on universally accepted social and environmental principles.

Today, companies from more than 130 countries, international
employee associations, civil society organizations, governments,
and United Nations organizations are involved in the Global
Compact. Under the auspices of the current UN Secretary
General, Ban Ki-Moon, the world’s largest corporate citizenshipinitiative is moving forward.
The ten principles, on which the pact is based, covering theareas of human rights, labor standards, environmental protection, and the fight against corruption, have long formed part ofthe corporate values of tesa. Our membership in the Global
Compact underscores this vivid tradition. All of tesa SE’s activities related to commitment and involvement are subject to acontinuous improvement process. In this current issue, theProgress Report 2012, we provide an insight into the development of our activities and projects – with regard to the ten
principles of the UN Global Compact and our own corporate
responsibility strategy.

The ten principles of the UN Global Compact
Principle 1: Businesses should support and respect international
human rights in their own sphere of influence

Principle 2: They must ensure that they are not complicit
in human rights abuses

Principle 3: Businesses should uphold freedom of associationand the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining
Principle 4: All forms of forced and compulsory labor mustbe eliminatedPrinciple 5: The use of child labor must be abolishedPrinciple 6: Discrimination with respect to employment andoccupation must be eliminatedPrinciple 7: Businesses should support a precautionary
approach to environmental challenges

Principle 8: Initiatives should be undertaken to promote greater
environmental responsibility
Principle 9: The development and diffusion of eco-friendly
technologies is to be encouraged

Principle 10: Businesses should work against corruption in all its
forms, including extortion and bribery

2

Progress Report 2012
As a member of the United Nations Global Compact, we havecommitted ourselves to reporting annually on the progress of ourinitiatives. This helps facilitate a regular interchange of information with those around us and documents our projects aimed at
putting the ten principles of the Global Compact into practiceand firmly implementing them within our company. The Progress
Report 2012 provides you with an overview of our worldwide
commitment and involvement in the fields of human rights andlabor standards, environmental protection, the fight against corruption, and society. tesa has traditionally taken a sustainableapproach that ensures both continuity and a continuous im-provement process. With more than 50 affiliates worldwide, there
are a large number of projects involved. For that reason, thisreport is limited to a representative selection of current initiatives.
We began publishing our Progress Report in an online version
in 2008. In addition to the advantage of better accessibility, an
online report also offers opportunities for regular updates.
You can also visit the “Responsibility” section of our website forcomprehensive information on the topics of the environment,
employees, products, and social matters:
www.tesa.com/company/responsibility.

Declaration of Support

Human Rights and Labor Standards

Membership based on firmly held convictions

The human factor as a determinant of success

We are firmly convinced that binding values and a sustainablebusiness policy are prerequisites for economic success.
>> Page 4

Numerous activities in the areas of employee qualifications
as well as occupational health and safety characterized theyear 2012. >> Page 5

Environmental Protection

Compliance and Fair Trade

Consequent development

Integrity and proper conduct

Ten years after the introduction of the tesa Environmental
Management Program all sites have very high standards.
>> Page 11

We pay strict attention to compliance with laws and guidelines.
A central co-ordination unit combines all associated processes
and activities. >> Page 17

Social Projects
Strategy with regional facets
Our social commitment and involvement is reflected in over
40 projects worldwide. A new project combines environmental
protection with corporate volunteering. >> Page 18
3

Declaration of Support“Responsibility is traditional at tesa:
We see it as an important investmentin the future.”
Thomas Schlegel,
CEO of tesa SE

tesa SE is one of the world’s leading companies in the self-adhesive technology segment. Our success story is not just associated with innovations, quality and technological progress. The
acceptance of responsibility is also one of the defining factors inthis development. We underscore this tradition of a sustainablebusiness policy through our membership in the United Nations’Global Compact.
In 2012 we set things in motion for the biggest investment in thehistory of tesa SE. From 2015 we will manage our global business from a new location close to Hamburg’s airport. The newbuilding is not only a step in the right direction for our economic
development. tesa’s corporate culture will also benefit from the
new home, as around 800 employees from the company’s current headquarters, the research center and the technical center
will be united under one roof. These units are currently separated
from one another on the premises of our parent group Beiersdorf
AG. In the future, direct linking will guarantee that paths are kept
short as well as ensure better and faster communication. The
new complex, precisely tailored to our business model, will see
us further concentrate our strengths and bolster the tesa Group’s
international competitiveness for many years to come. It will enable us to react far faster and with greater flexibility to our customer’s varying wishes. The groundbreaking ceremony for the
new building took place at the end of 2012. The plans take account of ecological aspects and include an energy concept fit for
the future.
After ten years of the tesa environmental program we were able
to report positive results in the current reporting year. Ever since
we have acted as a separate subsidiary within the Beiersdorf
Group, we have pursued binding goals and have achieved agreat deal. A range of large and small measures have meant thatour global production locations now have very high environmental standards. We have also increased our commitment at the
product level in recent years. With the environmentally friendly
tesa ecoLogo® products for masking, fixing and repairing, we
also have a “green” assortment in DIY and building supply stores
since 2012. We have added colorful Mini Dispensers to our
ecoLogo® range in the office segment. This year the products
earned us third place in the “EcoCare prize” awarded by Germanmagazine “Lebensmittelzeitung” as well as a nomination for the“German Federal Ecodesign Award”. tesa also gave out prizes
once again, handing out awards to eleven regional sustainability
projects in the second edition of the “Make a difference thatsticks!” competition. The projects received grants totaling
54,000 euros.
On a personal note I was particularly delighted about one award
this year: The tesa plant in Offenburg received the coveted“Great Place to Work” seal. This “testimonial” is not merely issued by an official jury, but also by employees themselves bymeans of a questionnaire. If they are happy with their employer,
this is the most valuable praise we can receive. During the official
ceremony, the plant also received the special “Workplace Health
Promotion” prize.
To improve our corporate culture even further, we devoted ourselves to the topic of a culture of feedback between managers
and employees in 2012. New instruments and a newly designed
staff meeting will bear fruit starting in 2013. We were also able toexpand our range of offerings in the field of continuing education.
In addition, we have continued our global social activities as before, focusing on long-term partnerships and voluntary commitment to children and young people. Among other things, we
promote the joy of reading in Germany, support children fromfamilies of migrant workers in China and help “quarry children” inYeleswaram in India. People and the environment are at the heartof a partnership with the Lower Saxonian Elbe River Biosphere
Reserve. To further reforest the oak forest, tesa employees andtheir families planted over 2,500 young trees this year.
Further information about the subject of responsibility at tesa canbe found on our Responsibility page on the Internet. We haverearranged and redesigned it this year:
www.tesa.de/company/verantwortungIn the future we will continue
to pursue our sustainable business
policy in keeping with the
UN Global Compact.
4

Human Rights and Labor Standards
The human factor as a determinant of success
People are the foundation of our business success – people likeour own employees as well as customers and suppliers. With
this in mind, compliance with and advocacy of international human rights are just as much a part of our principles as unimpeachable labor standards. We have firmly established theseprinciples with initiatives that include the internationally applicabletesa Code of Conduct and the worldwide tesa Purchasing Charter, which governs our cooperation with suppliers. The content of
the policies and rules associated with these initiatives formed an
integral component of numerous staff development measures in
2012, too.

In terms of industrial safety, we were again able to continue thepositive trend of past years and further reduce our below-average accident figures. In addition, we focused continually on further compliance issues. The initiatives included the establishment of a special compliance communication platform on theintranet, a training film on the subject of data protection produced in collaboration with Beiersdorf, training on the anti-corruption guidelines as well as the implementation of the tesa “Antitrust Compliance Program”, which involved training on the subject of antitrust law at executive board, management and sales
level worldwide.

Code of Conduct

Purchasing Charter

Binding rules of conduct

Minimum standards for strategic purchasing

The tesa Code of Conduct defines clear values and conduct
guidelines for all employees of the tesa Group. Its content is an
integral part of training courses and workshops. >> Page 6

Supplier qualification, evaluation, and development have been
harmonized across the Group. This helps us ensure that ourinternationally binding minimum standards are met. >> Page 7

Employee Qualification

Occupational Health and Safety

Range of further training expanded

Low accident figures

Our employees are the most important capital for securing tesa’s
success. Our corporate culture and targeted staff development
and support initiatives take this fact into account. >> Page 8

Due to high standards and preventive measures the number of
notifiable industrial accidents was significantly below industry
average. >> Page 10

5

Code of Conduct

The tesa Code of Conduct defines values and clear conduct guidelines.
Its content is an integral component of training courses and workshops.

Binding rules of conduct
Respect, honesty, trust, tolerance, and integrity – these are theprinciples we apply in our business, principles that have not only
made us successful in the past, but also guide us in the present
and will continue to do so in the future. The rules of conduct
associated with these principles are specified in a mandatory
worldwide Code of Conduct. During the last year, we implemented communication and training initiatives to ensure that theseideas take even firmer hold within the company. The rules andcriteria incorporated into the tesa Code of Conduct, which isderived from our corporate values and the ten principles of the
UN Global Compact, provide clear guidance. The Code of
Conduct strengthens trust in the performance and integrity ofthe tesa Group. No matter what their position or title, we expect
all employees to abide by our ethical principles and consistently
apply them in everything they do. We demand that our
executives not only demonstrate exemplary compliance withthe rules of conduct, but also ensure at the same time that they
actively communicate the rules to others. Since the Code of Conduct was introduced, all executives have been required to complete an e-learning program. For the current communication
process with employees we also make supporting presentationmaterial available to all management levels. In order to keep the
topic at the forefront, the Code of Conduct is also an integral
component in our introduction seminars for new employees,
leadership training, in the Sales Qualification Program for sales
staff and in our management development programs for executives and junior managers.

The Code of Conduct establishes our most importantprinciples in six main topics:
1. Adherence to legal regulations
We do business lawfully and strictly observe the laws of thecountries in which we are active.

2. Fair competition
We do not gain market advantages through unfair or illegal
practices.

3. Protection of tesa net assets
We deal carefully with the company’s legally protected information, net assets and resources.

4. Socially acceptable working environment
We ensure a socially acceptable, reliable and motivating working environment. We soundly reject child and forced labor,
discrimination or the like. We also expect the same from ourbusiness partners.

5. Personal integrity
We promote the highest level of personal integrity, and fairness
among our employees and avoid situations where personal
interests conflict or may conflict with those of our company.

6. Social commitment
We take our responsibility to future generations seriously andwork to ensure sustainable development in all the relevant
areas: economic, ecological, and social.

Download „Code of Conduct“6Purchasing Charter

The qualification, evaluation, and development of suppliers are handled according to standard
criteria at all tesa locations, ensuring that our binding worldwide minimum standards are met.

Standards for strategic purchasing
We at tesa are firmly convinced that sustainable, responsible
corporate conduct must go beyond the individual company itself.
That’s why our internal rules of conduct have long applied to ourcooperation with suppliers around the globe as well. To provide astandardized framework for our internationally applicable core
principles, the Strategic Purchasing division of tesa establishedthe tesa Purchasing Charter in 2008. Since then, we have continuously promoted the minimum standards we apply worldwide
and expect our partners to meet in the areas of human rights,
labor standards, environmental protection, and the fight against
corruption.
By signing our contract terms and conditions, suppliers make abinding commitment to operate in accordance with the ten fundamental principles of the UN Global Compact. In our cooperation with suppliers, we strive to establish long-term strategic
partnerships and pursue a continuous improvement process.
This includes jointly established goals and monitoring the degree

to which they are met, site visits, and certification under the ISO
14001 environmental standard and ISO 9001 quality standard.
Sustainable supplier development is managed centrally at tesa
by means of so-called product group strategies. They define theexisting strategic partners of tesa SE on the one hand, while on
the other hand providing insights into areas requiring the qualification of new suppliers. All results from the supplier appraisals
are fed in, as are any measures subsequently agreed. The product group strategies are coordinated across functions with theindividual tesa production sites and Research & Development.
This enables us to ensure that the defined measures are implemented and that the portfolio of suppliers continues to meet ourhigh demands in terms of technology and sustainability going
forward.

Download „Purchasing Charter“7Employees

Our employees are the most important capital for securing our success. Our corporate
culture and targeted support initiatives take this fact into account.

Qualifications and corporate culture
The commitment and expertise of our employees is the basis forthe worldwide success of tesa SE. We promote trust between
employees and management, encouraging every individual toshow responsibility and initiative. Important components ofour future-oriented HR policy include the targeted training of
qualified employees, continuous further education and a very
diverse range of offers to actively support the well-being of ouremployees.

Training and continuing education
During the current reporting year we established a new apprenticeship to train machinery and equipment operators at the tesa
plant in Hamburg. The first young men and women were able tocommence their two-year dual training in the summer of 2012.
As in previous years, we have also expanded our extensive rangeof continuing education opportunities and enhanced them withregard to quality. The “Sales Qualification Program”, which encompasses 30 target-group-specific courses in a wide variety oflanguages and also focuses on the Code of Conduct and theassociated rules, was expanded in 2012, with new offerings including coaching for leading sales managers and country heads.
The emphasis here was on operational practice and staff management. During the current reporting year 1,450 employees
from international Sales and Research & Development attended
480 training days.
For several years we have been encouraging our employees topass on their own knowledge as trainers. The aim of our international “Train the Trainer” continuing education program is to ef-

fectively anchor valuable expertise within the company in thelong term. In total, over 90 participants completed the basic
module “From a presenter to a trainer”. In 2012 we expanded thisoffering with a three-day development module. During the current reporting year, the first group got the chance to refine theirdidactic methodology and conceptual skills.
The development of potential and experienced management
staff continues to be one of the focuses of tesa’s employee qualifications. The program that we offer in connection with this fortalented junior members of staff covers management aspects aswell as the topic of corporate responsibility and the content of
the tesa Code of Conduct. In addition, since 2012 we have offered new custom-designed programs for select senior managers. By imparting modern management methods, we equipthese individuals for complex management tasks and simultaneously ensure continuity in corporate management. 15 participants from various functions and nine countries took part in thisin the current reporting year. An initiative that focuses on thelegal aspects of executive management work was launched andmade obligatory in 2012. This measure, which concentrates on
topics such as anti-trust regulations as well as legally compliant
management behavior and activities, is an integral componentof the global qualification of all tesa executives. The associatedstandards have now been established for all subsidiaries.
Four new executives have already successfully completed themeasure.

8

“Great Place to Work”
The 420 employees at tesa’s plant in Offenburg have had official
confirmation that their employer is among the best in Germany,as the plant has borne the coveted “Great Place to Work” seal
since the start of March 2012. It received very good marks in the
categories of “Respect”, “Pride” and “Credibility” in particular. A
survey of employees and a so-called culture audit by the “Great
Place to Work Institute” formed the basis for the evaluation. The
independent, international research and consulting firm headquartered in the United States was founded in 1991 and is recognized worldwide. The Federal Ministry of Labor and Social
Affairs is one of the initiative’s partners in Germany. In addition,
the tesa plant in Offenburg received the special “Workplace
Health Promotion” prize during the ceremony (see chapter on“Occupational Health and Safety”).

the Beiersdorf Sports Association, which celebrated its 50th
anniversary in 2012. Around 380 tesa employees and their relatives kept themselves fit during the current reporting year, while
enjoying low membership fees. Hamburg’s fourth-largest company sports association offers over 40 sports.

At the sites in Hamburg, employees can also take care of their
physical and mental well-being and take advantage of the broad
range of offers that our parent group Beiersdorf provides. These
include not only workplace health promotion activities, but also9Occupational health and safety

The health and safety of employees are a top priority at tesa. We focus on prevention
through high standards and targeted measures.

Low accident figures and sickness absences
Prevention is the best form of protection from injuries and workrelated health risks. Remarkably low accident rates demonstratethat we are on the right track with our high safety standards,
occupational health and safety measures and training in allplants. The rate of accidents subject to mandatory reporting was
significantly lower in the current reporting year than the industry
average.
The Occupational Safety Guidelines, which are based on theinternational standard OHSAS 18001, are applied by tesa worldwide. When it comes to safety, we regularly raise employee
awareness of the issue worldwide – including training courses on
conduct conducive to health and safety, prevention of explosions
and fires, fire extinguishing drills, detailed operating procedures
for all production facilities and targeted training. Internal processes make a significant contribution to hazard reduction. The distinctive factor is the combination of systematic hazard identification and risk assessment, employee responsibility and a continual improvement process, which includes all the parties involved. The most important analytical tool is the so-called TOP
principle, which covers the three categories, “technical”, “organizational” and “personal”. This enables hazards to be identified,categorized and evaluated – the basis for targeted solutions.

carried out what is known as a “Factory Acceptance Test” onsite, and in doing so checked the implementation of all relevant
safety features.
Over the current reporting year the topic of health in the workplace was among the key themes of our activities. With comprehensive health protection programs we promote the physical andpsychological well-being of our employees worldwide. In 2012
our Offenburg site won an award for this: As part of the Great
Place to Work award ceremony, as a top employer the factory
won the special “workplace health promotion” award. The fullrange of measures includes, among other things, relaxation techniques, physical training, seminars on improving the sleeping
skills of shift workers, ergonomic workplace design and occupational reintegration-management, for example after long illnesses.
In addition, a full-time prevention expert is on hand for the benefitof the employees.

We consistently push our high standards and occupational
health and safety measures forward when planning new facilities.
Here as well, the focus is on the early identification and elimination of potential risks. A current example from the tesa plant in
Suzhou, China: In the manufacture of a new coating system we
10Environmental protection
Long-term commitment
Leaving an intact environment for subsequent generations is oneof tesa’s stated corporate goals. This is why ongoing monitoringand possible improvement of certain key indicators such as energy consumption, CO2 emissions, the use of solvents, VOC
emissions and waste have long been an integral part of our environmental management. Our production plants are certified inaccordance with the international environmental standard ISO
14001:2004. tesa’s “green thread” is based on a precautionary

approach: We promote the international exchange of information
between our environmental experts and actively take the initiative. Part of this strategy involves developing our own production
technologies to enable solvent-free production. In addition, we
are increasingly pursuing our commitment at the product level:
For instance, with the tesa ecoLogo® sub-brand we now offer afull range of eco-friendly products for the office sector. In 2012,
we expanded the range into the DIY sector.

Environmental program and goals

Climate protection

International activities

Raising awareness

Clearly formulated goals are the key to our ambitious environmental program, which involves projects spanning the entire
globe. >> Page 12

tesa operates climate protection measures on its own initiativeand responsibility in order to leave an intact environment for subsequent generations. >> Page 14

Resource conservation

Eco-friendly products

Manufacturing processes and waste management

Consumers benefit from tesa

Efficient use of raw materials and resources is important to us interms of sustainable business policy. >> Page 15

Sustainably produced goods like the tesa ecoLogo® range
protect the climate. The winners? People all over the world.
>> Page 16

11

Environmental program and goals

Mandatory targets are the key to our successful environmental management
approach. All tesa locations have very high standards.

10-year tesa environmental program
The current reporting year offers the opportunity to look backover ten years of the tesa environmental program: Since 2001
tesa is an independent subsidiary within Beiersdorf AG. With the
set-up of a systematic environmental management system wehave seamlessly built upon the high environmental standards ofour parent company. This involved not only the step-by-stepcertification of all tesa plants according to the worldwide environmental standard ISO 14001. In 2002 we also set mandatory targets within an internationally applicable environmental program– with the focus on solvents, energy, VOC emissions and waste.
After completing two cycles (2002-2006 and 2007-2012), all tesa
locations have now attained a very high standard.

Environmental goals 2002 through 2012
VOC emissions- 70 percent

Solvents used

- 30 percent

Energy consumed- 22 percent

Waste- 32 percent

CO2 emissions in Europe- 17 percent

Over the past ten years we have focused our technological development on eco-friendly production technologies and reoriented ourselves. In 2002 and 2011 in particular, we were able to
make great progress with two newly patented “made by tesa
processes”. Both technologies protect the environment to a considerable extent – in terms of solvents, energy consumption andCO2-emissions. A fact which led to funding for each of them fromthe Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation
and Nuclear Safety. Overall we have implemented numerous
measures to achieve our mandatory environmental targets at all
our plants.

12

10 years of tesa environmental program – reduction in percent
100

92
88
83
71

100

80

energy

68

60

83
78
70
68

CO2
solvent
waste
VOC

40
30

20
|
2001

|
2003

|
2005

|
2006

|
2007

|
2009

|
2011

|
2012

Highlights, key figures andachievements over ten years
In 2002 the tesa plant in Offenburg put a solvent-free, eco-friendly production system for the manufacture of masking tape into
operation. Since then, a total of more than 60 percent of all products at the plant have been manufactured without the use ofsolvents.

In 2009 there were significant advances in emissions of volatileorganic substances. Since the start of the tesa environment program the VOC emissions had decreased by 50 percent in comparison with 2001. One year later the figure was already at minus
58 percent.

In 2005 tesa received the B.A.U.M. environment award from theGerman Environmental Management Association (B.A.U.M) andthe Chemical Industry Association’s (VCI) “Responsible CareAward”.

In 2010, the tesa plant in Hamburg installed a new, state-of-theart ventilation system. In the same year, the technology center ofthe Hamburg tesa headquarters completed the technical modernization of the ventilation system and the associated plant control system. The project received funding from the Hamburg Authority for Urban Development and Environmental Affairs.

In 2006 tesa produced a positive summary following the first environmental program from 2002-2006: The use of solvents inrelation to production levels decreased by 41 percent based on
constant production levels, and at the same time energy consumption decreased by 26 percent. A second environment program for 2007-2012 saw the start of the next phase. The newprogram focused on reducing the output of volatile organic compounds, also known as VOC emissions.
In 2007 an innovative system for heat recovery at the tesa plant in
Offenburg considerably reduced energy consumption.

In 2011 tesa succeeded in making a further technological breakthrough. The globally unique and patented ACX technology in the
Hamburg plant enabled the eco-friendly production of doublesided acrylic adhesive tapes for high-strength permanent adhesive bonds.
After ten years of the tesa environmental program, the ecologicalstandards of our plants have attained at a high level around theworld. We remain committed to this and will use any useful opportunities for further improvement.

13

Climate protection

Environmentally friendly production methods and measures for employee awarenessare part of our commitment to climate protection.

Small steps, big impact
In addition to environmentally friendly production processes andother measures which we use to keep up with the latest technology, raising the awareness of our employees is also part of ourcommitment. They are familiar with the ongoing operations andwith their knowledge and specific ideas they help us to saveenergy and reduce costs at the same time. At our production
site in Offenburg for example, 26 individual projects resulted fromthis in 2012 – among other things, the modernization of the lighting and the use of performance-optimized motors. At the beginning of 2013 there are already 34 new ideas for further optimization. This process was initiated in 2009 by the project, “Active
Environmental Protection through Reduced Waste and Energy
Use”. The project’s motto is: “small steps, big impact.”

Together with the parent company Beiersdorf, in 2012 tesa laid
the foundations for a “Green Car Policy”, which was implemented
as of January 1, 2013. The intention of these measures is to
reduce the CO2 emissions for the entire car fleet by an average of
161 grams of CO2 per kilometer. The gradual transition, which
extends from vehicles for field sales staff to vehicles for board
members, ensures that the company vehicles emit over 300 tons
less CO2 in Germany alone. Individual subsidiary companies
have already converted their fleets, others will follow.

As part of the international tesa environmental management
system, our production sites have implemented successfulenergy saving projects over many years. In 2012, our German
plants started preparations for the implementation of an energy
management system (EMS) and as a first step initiated thecreation of an online system for monitoring our energy data.
The certification of the EMS in accordance with DIN EN ISO
50.001 is planned for the tesa plant in Hamburg and for thetesa plant in Offenburg by 2015 at the latest.

14

Saving resources

We handle raw materials and resources efficiently. Environmentally friendly technologies
and good waste management are important to us.

Responsibility begins in the mind
Environmentally friendly manufacturing processes
Efficient handling of raw materials and resources led to ecological and economical improvements again in 2012. The consistentreorientation towards environmentally friendly production technologies has also shown the biggest effects in the last year. Especially notable in this context is the globally unique production
plant for the environmentally friendly manufacture of acrylic double-sided adhesive tape at the tesa plant in Hamburg. The technology which goes under the name of ACX is notable for theextremely efficient extraction of emissions, among other things.
This has led to the following environmentally relevant reductions
in comparison with conventional processes:

Use of organic solvents: approx -55 percent

Disposal of organic solvents: approx - 89 percent

Process water requirement: approx -100 percent

Waste management
All production of goods involves the generation of waste. In orderto reduce this in a sustainable manner and to protect the environment and resources, we run regular training courses to ensure that all those involved are conscious of the need to avoid
unnecessary waste and to recycle appropriately. In addition, weare constantly seeking new technical solutions and cooperation
partners to enable us to maximize recycling.
The tesa plant in Offenburg is an example of how we are increasing the proportion of recyclable waste in the total waste volume.
Thanks to a variety of measures the site recorded many improvements in 2012. Modification of the process in the preparation forthe manufacture of masking tape has led to significant savings ofwaste water and raw materials. In addition, the plant saves cloth
tape materials by reprocessing waste materials from the production process of the cutting lines. Other effects have come about
due to the improved labeling of fleece material rolls and the optimized weighing of bulk raw materials for the production of tesa
Powerstrips®. Most of these ideas come from the employees
themselves. Bold communication measures in combination withan incentive system in the form of a variable bonus have led tothe proactive introduction and implementation of these suggested improvements. Other locations have also adopted the issue of
waste reduction in their target agreements and are now very
successful with this system.

15

Commitment at the Product Level

Products for energy saving and sustainably manufactured goods protect the climate.
They also have many winners – people all over the world.

Consumers benefit from tesa
We consistently pursue our environmental commitment at the
product level. Among our environmentally friendly solutions is our
tesa ecoLogo® range, which we further expanded in 2012. In
addition, tesa products help consumers save energy directly. Ourclassic product tesamoll®, the market leader for sealing gaps inwindows and doors, reduces energy consumption for heating by
up to 35 percent and lowers costs. tesa ISO SYSTEM® also offers homeowners the opportunity to insulate their roof themselves in a quick, uncomplicated and effective manner.
Public debates on the topic of climate change, dwindling resources and environmental protection have led to growing consumer demand for sustainably produced products. We can provide an answer with the tesa ecoLogo® sub-brand. In the officesegment, the eco-friendly tesa adhesive tapes and glue sticks,
correction tapes and adhesive rollers are now selling very successfully. We expanded our product range in 2012 with thetesa Mini Dispenser ecoLogo® and the Mini Roller Correction
ecoLogo®. In cheerful colors, both products combine environmental protection and appealing design. This was honored in2012 with, among other things, a nomination for the “German
Federal Ecodesign Award” and third place in the EcoCare prize
awarded by Lebensmittelzeitung.

“Green” masking, fixing and repairing
During the current reporting year we extended our “green” range
to DIY and building supply stores. Solvent-free adhesives and theuse of primarily organically based or recycled materials andpackaging are the main environmental benefits. The new products include masking tape whose backing material consists entirely of unbleached paper. For secure fixing, the range includes
double-sided tape on a backing made entirely out of recycledplastic. Finally, a cloth tape made predominantly from organically
based raw materials enables environmentally friendly repairs.
In 2012, tesa generated awareness for the subject of sustainability in Germany with the second edition of the “Make a difference
that sticks!” competition. Under the motto of “Achieving a lot
through small things”, we honor regional projects with a focus onconserving resources and protecting nature and the environment. In the current reporting year, 122 associations, initiatives
and private individuals submitted applications. During the voting
phase in April 2012, almost 30,000 environmentally conscious
individuals selected their favorites at www.zeichen-kleben.de
and ultimately chose eleven winners. In total, tesa provided thewinners with a sum of 54,000 euros in grants.

16

Compliance and Fair Trade

At tesa, compliance with laws and internal guidelines is a matter of course. A central functional unit combines
all associated processes and ensures adherence to international standards.

Integrity and proper conduct
ComplianceFair Tradetesa traditionally stands for trustworthiness. This image hinges
on virtues that guarantee free markets and fair competition while
protecting people and the environment. The tesa Group categorically rejects all forms of corruption and unlawful or immoral conduct. In order to be able to consistently ensure this worldwide,
we actively protect our company and our employees against
possible risks. In 2012 we once again promoted active handlingof the subject of compliance and our system of values as laid
down in the internationally valid tesa Code of Conduct. This included the global implementation of the anti-corruption guidelines with supporting training as well as via various communication tools in our internal media and the production of a film on thesubject of data protection.

Our activities focus, among other things, on antitrust law, which
promotes a free economy and prohibits distinct restrictive practices. In the current reporting year, we successfully introduced
our “tesa Antitrust Compliance Program” comprehensively. It
serves to raise awareness of matters relating to antitrust law andenable the implementation of a worldwide functional antitrust law
compliance system for the entire tesa Group. Besides providing
relevant information on antitrust law and possible violations,
we have set up internal communication structures and a networkof competent attorneys. This has enabled us to provide quick
and smooth training and information – both directly and via ane-learning program. We shall continue to pursue the topic actively going forward. Following last year’s successful completionof training worldwide for all decision-makers and employees withcritical contacts under anti-trust law, the focus for 2012 was on
checking our sales channels. In addition, we developed a socalled anti-trust refresher e-learning training course, which started in January 2013.

The aim is to enhance awareness by means of targeted information and to prevent unintentional breaches of laws and regulations. Since the end of 2010, our employees have been able toseek the advice of the central “Compliance Coordination” officein the event of questions or doubts in individual cases. The function defines international standards and ensures the efficient
bundling of all compliance processes. Its duties also include
preparing status reports for the management team. The Compliance office pools eleven fields in total. In addition, various specialists are available to provide expert advice on topics including
anti-corruption, labor and competition law, information technology and data protection, antitrust law, financial guidelines,
environmental protection and industrial safety or trademark andpatent law.

In addition, we also offer a topic-related platform on the tesa
intranet. This page allows employees worldwide to find out about
conduct that complies with antitrust law in their day-to-day business dealings and helps them find competent advisors. In ourinternational regions, guidelines that have been modified to take
into account the legal requirements in the respective countries
and a catalog of examples of correct and incorrect conduct lay
down what is and what is not permissible under antitrust law.

17

Social Commitment
Strategy with regional facets
The intensive social commitment of tesa SE and its subsidiaries
was also evident in 2012 in numerous projects. These projects
are in line with our Corporate Giving Strategy, which we first formulated in 2007 and which is incorporated into the tesa Code of
Conduct. In the current reporting year, we again helped children
and young people with donations, sponsorships and active sup-port. With a focus on long-term effect, we have already been
involved in most of the projects for many years. In addition topromoting creativity, education and environmental protection,
we foster neighborly support and place special emphasis on thevoluntary activities of tesa staff.

Commitment to the Environment

Fostering Creativity

Supporting biodiversity

Multifaceted commitment

We are in partnership with the UNESCO Lower Saxonian ElbeRiver Biosphere Reserve and ensure targeted reforestation.
>> Page 19“Das macht Schule” and the Hamburg-based initiative Mentor
e.V. are involved in fostering children’s creativity. >> Page 20

Promoting Educational Opportunities

Local Help

Improving future prospects

Bringing joy

Educating children and young people is part of our Corporate
Giving Strategy. >> Page 21

tesa employees provide direct support in France, Poland andGermany. >> Page 22

18

Commitment to the Environment

We are in partnership with the UNESCO Lower Saxonian Elbe River Biosphere
Reserve and ensure targeted reforestation.

To mark the 75th anniversary of the tesa brand in 2011, we entered into an active partnership with the Lower Saxonian ElbeRiver Biosphere Reserve and are supporting a restoration project
to establish new populations of deciduous trees. The commitment includes the donation of 75,000 young oaks and corporate
volunteering activities. Following the first planting campaigns in
the prior reporting year, tesa employees took up their spades
once again in 2012, some of them with their families. Together
they placed over 2,500 new young plants in the earth. Maintenance and some replanting were also carried out. The development of new forest populations helps to lessen the greenhouseeffect and has a positive effect on biodiversity. The Lower Saxonian Elbe River Biosphere Reserve measures 570 square kilo­

meters and is part of the UNESCO Elbe River Landscape Biosphere Reserve. The nature conservation activities are intended
to improve the interaction between man and nature in the uniquefloodplain landscape with its ecological, cultural, social and economic values and functions.

19Fostering Creativity

Everyone has the aptitude to be creative. We encourage this through various projects– with children, young people and ourselves.
Germany. “Helping hands” from tesa

Germany. Reading makes you smart and happy

tesa continued to support the charitable association “Das macht
Schule” in 2012 as part of a corporate volunteering project. Employees get involved in Hamburg schools by acting together withschoolchildren to beat the renovation backlog. Following thevoluntary support offered by around 50 colleagues from Consumer Marketing, Research & Development and Industry Market
Management in last year, the Corvey Gymnasium, a high school
in Hamburg, enjoyed active help during the current reportingyear. In a large-scale campaign to brighten up the school, two
tesa teams and around 600 schoolchildren reached for theirbrushes and paints.

For many years we have championed the cause of supportingchildren’s reading skills. To give children a boost in their education and later professional lives, we cooperate with the Hamburgbased initiative “Mentor – die Leselernhelfer Hamburg”. The registered charity relies on voluntary mentors who convey the joy ofreading to children and young people between the ages of eightand sixteen in a fun way. The reading mentors devote one hour
per week to this. In addition to the tesa volunteers already committed to the cause, we were able to recruit ten new colleagues
for the weekly “jour fixe” at the end of 2012. Alongside their respective reading mentees, who often find access to books difficult, they too will delve into the fantastic world of stories in the
future.

20

Promoting Educational Opportunities

The key to a good start to your working life is education. This is why we support children
and young people as well as scientific and technical trainees.
China. Opportunities for children of migrant workers

Germany. Active promotion of junior management talentAccording to estimates, between 150 and 200 million migrant
workers in China have moved from rural regions to the booming
cities and coastal regions in recent years. For the children ofthese families, there is hardly any opportunity for a continuous
education. To improve their prospects, the tesa plant in Suzhou
has been supporting the local “Sunshine School” since 2008.
With scholarships, “assistant teachers”, joint learning, fundraiser
bazaars and various leisure activities, tesa employees provide
targeted assistance and help pave the children’s way to a successful future. At the start of November 2012 the plant awarded
the “Sunshine Scholarship and Education Assistance Awards”
once again and honored schoolchildren for special achievements. Alongside their teachers, invited guests and tesa employees, more than 700 children enjoyed an exciting day.

tesa SE remained an active supporter of the Northern Institute ofTechnology (NIT) in Hamburg in 2012. In addition, the company
is represented in the relevant industry advisory committees of
Reutlingen University and the University of Applied Sciences(Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft) Berlin. The objective
remains to maintain close cooperation between training institutes
and tesa in order to discover and support talents early on. tesa
has also continued and expanded its cooperation with other key
universities. The activities primarily pursue two goals: On the one
hand, tesa strives to contribute to the promotion of scientific andtechnical talent in the long term. On the other hand, tesa’s involvement provides the opportunity to offer young academics anattractive start to their professional life – including at an international tesa location, depending on requirements.

India. Education instead of working in the quarry

Germany. A taste of working life

Since 2006, tesa in India has been supporting the school for the“quarry children” of Yeleswaram in southern India by taking onclass sponsorships. With the aid of such donations, the children
are able to attend the school constructed by the organization“wort und tat” in addition to receiving medical care. Without thisassistance, they would have to slave away in the Yeleswaram
quarry for three euros a day – just like their parents and siblings,
with whom they usually share a tiny mud hut. To help improvetheir chances for a better future, tesa took on the sponsorship ofa class of around 60 boys and girls aged five to seven once
again in 2012 via the foundation “Chancen für Kinder”.

Once a year, tesa gives its employees’ children between theages of 10 and 15 an exciting and fun taste of working life at the“tesa Zukunftstag” (“tesa future day”). What has to happen behind the scenes before a finished roll of adhesive tape emerges?
In labs, offices and workshops, the children and young people
meet tesa employees who explain the diverse fields of activity ina clear manner. There’s a lot of fun to be had in the process, withthe opportunity to try things out and lots of ideas for when it
comes to choosing a profession. The “tesa Zukunftstag” hasbeen enjoying an outstanding response for many years. In 2013,tesa will be opening its doors to its employees’ children again.

21

Local Help

Our Corporate Giving strategy leaves plenty of room for regional facets. We provide
direct, neighborly support through numerous projects.
France. Sweating for a good cause
For the third time in succession, a group of employees from the
French tesa company took to the starting blocks at the “Race of
Heroes” (“Course des Héros”). In the process, they collected
5,000 euros in support of the MVE Foundation (“Fondation Mouvement pour les Villages d’Enfants”). All athletes first have to earn
their entry fee and ask friends for financial support. Only with astake of 300 euros are you proven to be a hero and are granted
admission to the six-kilometer run. The MVE Foundation has
been giving new homes to children and young people from difficult family backgrounds for 50 years. The children often sufferfrom a lack of education and the consequences of emotional
coldness, abuse or neglect. The institution offers them a stableenvironment and educational support. With the donations collected in 2012, tesa is supporting a polar expedition for young
people. Taking place shortly before the phase of applying for a
job for the first time, the trip strengthens the young people’s selfconfidence and gives them the chance to find out more about
themselves.

Poland. Donations and active help
For years the Polish subsidiary has been among the active benefactors of a school for hearing-impaired children in Poznan
named after the Polish composer and music author Jósef Sikorski. Along with help in organizing and carrying out events suchas an international swimming gala, children’s day and St. Nicholas Day, tesa employees lent a hand with renovating the libraryduring the current reporting year. Equipped with a whole host of
tesa products for renovating and painting and supported by ateam of professionals, the room, which was showing signs ofwear, was completely restored – from the floor through new elec-

trical equipment to plastered and smoothed walls and ceilings.
The center for deaf children, which is housed in a former Franciscan monastery that is over 300 years old, once again has a library that is what it should be: an outstanding place to read.

Germany. Help for children with kidney disease
The tesa Converting Center Hamburg is committed to helping
children and young people with kidney disease. In addition tofinancial assistance, the focus is on shared experiences. Alongside the parents’ association of “Nierenselbsthilfe Hamburg e.V.”(a Hamburg-based association for those suffering from kidneydisease) and the KfH Nierenzentrum dialysis center, the tesa
subsidiary combined the traditional summer party with an exciting visit to the “Hagenbecks Tierpark” zoo in the current reporting year. Accompanied by employees from the zoo’s school, the46 young guests were able to get close to the animals and theirkeepers during a tour. Just like every year, the summer party wasrounded off with a big picnic and crafts. The day drew to a closemuch too quickly, with the children taking away animal masks
they had painted themselves and cloth bags that had been nicely
decorated. The anticipation regarding 2013 is all the greater.

Contact: tesa SE, Quickbornstrasse 24, D-20253 Hamburg,
Phone: +49 (0) 40-4909-6597, Fax: +49(0) 40-4909-2236,
responsibility@tesa.com, www.tesa.com/company/responsibility