SUSTAINABILITY
The Equalitas standard addresses sustainability according to the social, environmental and economic pillar approach. Each pillar is characterised by specific requirements and verifiable and measurable indicators.
![environmental-sustainability](http://www.equalitas.it/wp/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/environmental-sustainability.png)
REQUIREMENTS: INDICATORS
Biodiversity
- Soil Biodiversity Index (SBI-bf) of the vineyard area;
- Water Biodiversity Index (WBI-bf) of the holding area;
- Lichen Biodiversity Index (LBI-bf) of the holding area.
Carbon Footprint
- Defines and updates its organisational boundaries;
- Develops a GHG balance/inventory, updated annually.
Water Footprint
- Defines and updates its organisational boundaries;
- Defines and applies a monitoring and management programme for the water resources used.
![social-and-environmental-sustainability](http://www.equalitas.it/wp/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/social-and-environmental-sustainability.png)
GOOD WORKING PRACTICES
Good agricultural practices
- Soil management;
- Fertility management;
- Irrigation;
- Plant management;
- Defence management;
- Harvest management;
- Biodiversity management;
- Prohibition to weed in between rows;
- Exclusion of dangerous pesticides.
Good winery and bottling practices
- Harvesting, wine-making and bottling;
- Cleaning and sanitisation of premises and equipment;
- Packaging.
![economic-sustainability](http://www.equalitas.it/wp/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/economic-sustainability.png)
GOOD ECONOMIC PRACTICES
Good business practices
- Management control;
- Demonstration of the economic investments made and supported for sustainability enhancement.
Good economic practices for employees
- Worker Development Plan (wages, fairness, etc.);
- Turn-over;
- Financial incentives, also in view of the achievement of the environmental and social goals;
- Meetings with the owners.
Good economic practices for suppliers
- Definire criteri per l’equo prezzo dei prodotti acquistati;
- Adeguamento alle nuove normative sui termini di pagamento massimi tollerabili.
![social-sustainability](http://www.equalitas.it/wp/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/social-sustainability.png)
GOOD SOCIAL PRACTICES
Employees
- Workers’ rights;
- Matching qualifications with jobs;
- The organisation promotes equal opportunities and youth employment;
- No discrimination policy;
- Welfare;
- Monitoring and satisfaction question sheets.
Training
- Personnel training programme;
- Shared training policies and recording;
- Third-party training.
Community relations
- Questionnaire to bordering holdings, at least once every 3 years, to collect useful information for improving community relations.
![communication](http://www.equalitas.it/wp/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/communication-2.png)
GOOD COMMUNICATION PRACTICES
Policies;
- Specific rules for ensuring grounded, truthful and transparent communication.
Sustainability report
- Based on the sustainability-enhancement activities and measures, results achieved and planned improvements;
- Data distributed among all stakeholder.
Declaration of conformity
- The organisation is authorised to brand itself as a “SUSTAINABLE ENTERPRISE” according to the regulations.
![](http://www.equalitas.it/wp/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/sostenibilita-accesso.png)
STEP-BY-STEP ACCESS
INDICATORS «Biodiversity, CFP, WFP»
within the 3-year term of validity of the certification.
RECOMMENDATIONS «R»
10% within the 3-year term of validity of the certification.
MINOR REQUIREMENTS «m»
30% within the 3-year term of validity of the certification.
MAJOR REQUIREMENTS «M»
All at 100% from the effective date of the certification.