Awards and certifications

Nowadays the majority of companies rely on IT systems for all their key business processes. This brings an increased risk to information security from threats such as hacker attacks, data loss, disclosure and misuse of confidential information, or even terror attacks. If these attacks lead to data loss, theft of confidential data or damage to important systems and documents, this can have serious consequences for businesses. ISO 27001 is the international standard that describes best practice for information security management systems. It applies to private and public companies as well as charitable organisations, and sets out the requirements for the installation, implementation, monitoring and improvement of information security management systems (ISMS).

Since 1996, ISO 14001 has constituted the basis for the set-up, implementation, monitoring and further development of environment management systems. It sets out the appropriate requirements applicable to organisations of all types and sizes and to different geographical, cultural and social conditions. Its main aim is to promote environmental protection and reduce pollution, in accordance with economic, social and political requirements. In addition, ISO 14001 is the basis for environment management system certification. It is part of a whole family of standards for environment management; however, it is the only certifiable standard. It makes invaluable suggestions on how to shape environment management systems in detail, such as for the very current areas of environmentally compatible product design and environmental communication.

The ISO 9001 quality management standard is the most widespread and important standard in quality management (QM), both nationally and internationally. ISO 9001 certification is possible for businesses and organisations of all sizes and from all sectors; it lays the foundation for the continual improvement process of a company’s internal quality management system (QMS).

ISO 9001 sets out the minimum requirements of a quality management system to be implemented by businesses in order to fulfil client requirements as well as additional product and service quality requirements. Installing a QM system can lead, for example, to greater transparency of operational processes, increased client satisfaction, or a reduction in error rates and therefore costs.

Process orientation is a key tenet of ISO 9001. A process-oriented QM system accompanies all essential operational processes and puts them to the test. This means that opportunities for optimisation can be discovered even in good organisations.

Human rights

• Principle 1: Businesses should support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights within their sphere of influence; and
• Principle 2: make sure that they are not complicit in human rights abuses.

Labour standards

• Principle 3: Businesses should uphold the freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining;
• Principle 4: the elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labour;
• Principle 5: the effective abolition of child labour; and
• Principle 6: the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.Environment

Environment protection

• Principle 7: Businesses should support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges;
• Principle 8: undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility; and
• Principle 9: encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies.

Anti-corruption

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

By focusing on staff orientation, we ensure that people are developing both personally and professionally. This is the foundation for business growth, as well as for continual improvement and development. Top Employer certification is only awarded to companies that have proven that they meet the highest standards of human resources management. The Top Employers Institute certifies employers with outstanding personnel management and strategies worldwide. The first step in the certification process is to participate in the HR Best Practices Survey: a detailed survey on HR processes and structures within the company. There are a number of subsequent stages to the process: Once the HR Best Practices Survey has been submitted, the Top Employers Institute verifies the collected data in a multi-stage review process. Following validation, one of the ‚Big 5‘ independent accounting firms audits the analysis and review processes, as well as the data provided by the participating companies. All participating companies must meet an internationally defined minimum standard in order to be certified as a Top Employer.

Companies who identify new opportunities for growth and employment and who consistently exploit these are the pillar of our economy. They live and breathe entrepreneurship, assume responsibility and create jobs that lay the foundation for Bavaria’s high living standards.

To recognise this achievement, the Bavarian State Ministry for Economic Affairs and Media, Energy and Technology honours the fifty fastest-growing medium-sized companies with its Bavaria’s Best 50 award. The prize is awarded to Bavarian companies who have succeeded in increasing both their number of staff members and turnover at an above average rate in the past several years.

Company-based training is another key factor for business growth and sustainable economic success. It is also a measure of the corporate social responsibility demonstrated. For this reason, the achievements of training companies also take centre-stage in Bavaria’s Best 50. The Bavarian State Ministry for Economic Affairs and Media, Energy and Technology awards two companies with a special prize for their outstanding commitment to training within their own company.