Contact person
Lena Jönsson
Revisor
Contact Lena
Verified sustainability work gives IS Plåt a competitive edge
IS Plåt wanted to demonstrate that their commitment to sustainability is genuine. The company can now showcase a RISE-verified sustainability declaration, which boosts credibility and business.
'With the framework in place, we can focus on making constant improvements,' says CEO Erik Ralvert.
IS Plåt is a family-run business based in Vellinge, Skåne, that has specialised in contract manufacturing of stainless steel and aluminium products since 1989. Its service portfolio now also includes laser cutting, machining, bending and welding.
A few years ago, the decision was made to systematise, document and clarify sustainability work, both internally and externally. Management opted to use the SIS/TS 2 Sustainability Declaration framework and commissioned RISE, an independent and accredited party, to verify the declaration.
However, the journey towards sustainability began much earlier.
'We have actually been working on sustainability for longer than we realised. It has always been in our interest to use resources efficiently and to look after our staff. We have also had a strong focus on quality from the outset. This is partly because we manufacture visible components, but also because the products we supply are consumer-oriented and used in exposed environments,” explains Erik Ralvert, CEO of IS Plåt.
From ambition to structured work
IS Plåt can reduce its climate footprint by selecting suppliers who have a high proportion of scrap in their materials.
We have been careful about this from the outset. The next logical step was to work exclusively with suppliers who smelt in Europe. The alternative to using European raw materials containing a high proportion of scrap is to use virgin material from Asia. According to Erik Ralvert, extracting finite resources to manufacture stainless steel causes approximately seven times as many carbon dioxide emissions as using European recycled material.
"These are natural elements for us and, in recent years, they have been grouped under the umbrella of sustainability work. Once we realised everything we were already doing, we identified areas where we could improve."
One such issue was energy consumption. In mid-2022, IS Plåt installed over 900 solar panels on its roofs. The solar cell inventory was later expanded by a further 300 panels. Today, solar energy accounts for around half of IS Plåt's energy consumption.
Having someone from outside review our work and offer reflections on it is very rewarding
It is based on ISO 26000 and the Global Goals
To communicate its sustainability work in a credible manner, IS Plåt has worked in accordance with the SIS/TS 2 Sustainability Declaration framework. This framework is based on the ISO 26000 standard, 'Social Responsibility of Organisations', and the UN's Global Goals.
Lena Jönsson, an auditor at RISE, explains how the Swedish standard works.
"It consists of a 42-question questionnaire that guides customers in describing their sustainability work. What has been achieved? What are the plans for the future? The idea is that the questions will encourage companies and organisations to reflect on their strengths and areas for improvement", she says, continuing:
"While most small and medium-sized enterprises are not required to report under the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), they do need to deal with customers who are. A sustainability declaration can be used to respond to requirements set further up the value chain."
Prepared for upcoming legal requirements
Erik Ralvert points out that their customers have not yet imposed any reporting requirements, but he believes that a verified sustainability declaration will help them to attract the 'right' partners in the future.
"Today, we are not directly covered by EU requirements, but I am convinced that we will be in the future. Then we will be prepared. I also see the declaration and RISE verification as a competitive advantage. At the very least, it should be," says Erik Ralvert.
IS Plåt is already certified to ISO 9001 (quality management), ISO 14001 (environmental management) and ISO 3834-2 (welding quality management), so annual audits are nothing new. Now that RISE is continuously monitoring the sustainability declaration, IS Plåt is taking full advantage of the relationship.
"Having someone from outside not only review us, but also offer reflections on our work, is very rewarding. Hearing ideas from someone who meets so many other companies is extremely valuable," says Erik Ralvert.
About IS Plåt
IS Plåt was founded in 1989 by Bo Ralvert, the father of Erik Ralvert. IS Plåt AB employs 74 people and is located at Almhaga Gård, to the southwest of Vellinge. The company offers contract manufacturing of stainless steel products, ranging from small parts to complete machines.
Why the SIS/TS 2 Sustainability Declaration?
The SIS TS2 is a standardised framework comprising 42 questions. It provides:
- This is an overview of your sustainability work, in accordance with ISO 26000 — an international standard that provides organisations with guidance on social responsibility — and the UN's Global Goals.
- Communication materials that strengthen the brand and demonstrate responsibility.
- Gain insights into areas for improvement that will promote innovation, efficiency and competitiveness.
Answering the questions gives the organisation a clear picture of its sustainability work. RISE's independent, accredited verification process further enhances credibility. Once approved, a statement confirming the accuracy and credibility of the sustainability declaration is issued.
Unlike VSME, which is still evolving in line with CSRD requirements, SIS/TS 2 provides a stable and predictable structure based on ISO principles. It is flexible, established and independent of changes in EU regulations.
