Sygnature Discovery Given Award for Sustainability

The Sygnature Discovery team participating in the "Freezer Challenge." Image Credit: Sygnature Discovery

Sygnature Discovery, a drug discovery contract research organization (CRO), has earned a Bronze rating from EcoVadis, a sustainability ratings platform that assesses companies across multiple industries on environmental, social, and ethical performance criteria.¹

In this specific instance, the CRO was acknowledged for its commitment to sustainable practices in the life sciences sector. Over a span of three years, the company has executed a multitude of sustainable initiatives, including the reduction of carbon emissions in laboratory practices, decreasing the number of ultra-low temperature freezers, switching to paperless invoicing, and recycling palladium waste and IT equipment.

Sygnature has also employed an environmental committee that discusses the application of sustainable practices, whose members consist of both non-scientific and scientific employee groups. The company is even participating in this year’s International Laboratory Freezer Challenge,² which helps spread awareness on how to be more energy efficient with their respective lab's cold storage. According to Freezer Challenge’s official website, “this fun, free program is a partnership between My Green Lab and the International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories, two nonprofits working within the laboratory sustainability space. No other international competition engages more laboratories in sustainability than the Freezer Challenge.”

There are four main themes that EcoVadis considers when awarding these designations, including:

1. The role a company plays in affecting the environment
2. Sustainable procurement
3. Ethics
4. Labor and human rights

The ratings are based on international sustainability standards, such as the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact, Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards, International Labor Organization conventions, and the ISO 26000 standard.

“… We have a responsibility to lead by example and set the standard for sustainable excellence and we recognize the importance of minimizing our environmental footprint, promoting ethical conduct, and fostering social responsibility,” said Dr. Simon Hirst, Sygnature Discovery’s CEO. “… As part of our corporate strategy, we have embedded sustainability into every aspect of our operations so we can help create a healthier, more sustainable future for patients, communities, and the planet.

“With over 125,000 companies rated globally, the EcoVadis Bronze award reflects our ongoing commitment to sustainability. The award places Sygnature Discovery in the top 35% of companies that EcoVadis has surveyed and we are very proud to be recognized for our efforts.”

Reference

1. Sygnature Discovery Receives EcoVadis Award for Sustainable Excellence. Sygnature Discovery. April 30, 2024. Accessed May 1, 2024. https://www.sygnaturediscovery.com/news-and-events/news/ecovadis-award-sustainability/

2. Freezer Challenge website. Freezer Challenge. April 30, 2024. Accessed May 1, 2024. https://www.freezerchallenge.org/