Environmental Policy

The Uzinex vision on sustainability

GW LASER TECHNOLOGY S.R.L., hereinafter Uzinex, recognizes that industrial activities have a significant impact on the natural environment and is committed to integrating the principles of sustainability into every aspect of its business. We believe that the role of a modern industrial integrator is not only to deliver high-performance equipment, but to contribute actively to the transition towards a circular, energy-efficient and low-emission economy. This policy expresses our firm commitment to environmental protection, the conservation of natural resources, the reduction of our carbon footprint and the promotion of green technologies, for the benefit of present and future generations.

Legal framework and applicable standards

Uzinex's activity fully complies with the following legal instruments and environmental standards: (1) Regulation (EU) 2020/852 establishing a framework to facilitate sustainable investment (the EU Taxonomy); (2) Regulation (EU) 2021/241 establishing the Recovery and Resilience Facility (PNRR), including the Do No Significant Harm (DNSH) principle; (3) the European Green Deal; (4) the EU's Fit for 55 legislative package; (5) EU Directive 2014/94 on alternative fuels infrastructure; (6) EU Directive 2012/27 on energy efficiency; (7) EU Directive 2008/98 on waste; (8) the REACH Regulation (1907/2006) on chemicals; (9) the WEEE Directive (2012/19/EU) on waste electrical and electronic equipment; (10) the ISO 14001 standard on environmental management systems; (11) Romanian national legislation, including GEO 195/2005 on environmental protection, Law 211/2011 on the waste regime, Law 121/2014 on energy efficiency; (12) the GRI (Global Reporting Initiative) reporting framework and the ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) indicators.

The DNSH principle — Do No Significant Harm

Uzinex rigorously applies the Do No Significant Harm principle, essential for projects financed from European funds (PNRR, Horizon Europe, InvestEU, the Structural Funds). The DNSH principle requires that investments do not cause significant harm to any of the following six environmental objectives: (1) climate change mitigation; (2) climate change adaptation; (3) the sustainable use and protection of water and marine resources; (4) the transition to a circular economy; (5) pollution prevention and control; (6) the protection and restoration of biodiversity and ecosystems. For each EU-funded project, we prepare the complete DNSH documentation, with detailed analyses of each objective, concrete evidence of compliance and impact-minimization measures.

Selecting low-impact equipment

• —We propose to clients exclusively equipment with high energy efficiency, certified to European standards (energy labels, CE marking, ErP — Energy-related Products conformity).
• —We prioritize technologies with low CO2 emissions, reduced water consumption, recyclable materials and components that can be recovered at the end of their life cycle.
• —For heavy equipment (excavators, cranes, generators), we offer hybrid, electric or Stage V diesel versions compliant with European emissions standards.
• —For CNC and laser equipment, we select models with heat-recovery systems, LED lighting and intelligent consumption-management systems.
• —For robotics and automation, we promote solutions with braking-energy recovery, high-efficiency motors (IE4, IE5) and algorithmic optimization of trajectories.

Sustainable supply chain

• —We work preferentially with suppliers holding internationally recognized environmental certifications: ISO 14001 (environmental management system), ISO 50001 (energy management), EMAS (Eco-Management and Audit Scheme).
• —We periodically evaluate suppliers against sustainability criteria: material origin, energy consumption in production, emissions, waste management, social and governance policies.
• —We prefer European suppliers to reduce the transport footprint, where equivalent alternatives are available.
• —We require from suppliers the REACH conformity documentation and declarations on the absence of hazardous substances (RoHS).
• —We encourage suppliers to adopt circular-economy practices: material reuse, recyclable packaging, take-back programs for used products.

Waste management and the circular economy

• —We operate an internal system for the selective collection of waste: paper/cardboard, plastic, glass, metal, electronic waste (WEEE), used oils, batteries.
• —The packaging used for equipment delivery is predominantly recyclable or reusable (treated wood, cardboard, recoverable VCI films).
• —For equipment that has reached the end of its life cycle, we facilitate collection and recycling through partners authorized by the National Environmental Protection Agency (ANPM).
• —We promote the refurbishment and upgrade of clients' existing equipment as an alternative to purchasing new products, for projects where this option is technically viable.
• —For components replaced during service, we ensure recovery and reintroduction into the loop through remanufacturing programs with OEM partners.
• —We measure and report the quantities of waste generated annually, with the objective of continuous reduction.

Reducing the carbon footprint

Uzinex has set a decarbonization strategy aligned with the EU objectives for 2030 (a 55% reduction in emissions compared to 1990) and climate neutrality by 2050. The concrete measures include: (1) monitoring and reporting our own emissions (Scope 1 — direct, Scope 2 — electricity, Scope 3 — supply chain); (2) improving the energy efficiency of premises through LED lighting, thermal insulation, modern HVAC systems; (3) purchasing electricity from certified renewable sources (guarantees of origin); (4) gradually transitioning the fleet of commercial vehicles to electric or hybrid; (5) optimizing delivery routes to minimize the kilometres travelled; (6) promoting virtual meetings to reduce business travel; (7) offsetting residual emissions through certified carbon-absorption projects (reforestation, capture technologies).

REACH compliance and hazardous substances

All equipment and components supplied by Uzinex comply with the REACH Regulation (EC) 1907/2006 on the registration, evaluation, authorization and restriction of chemicals. We verify that our suppliers: (1) do not use substances from the SVHC Candidate List (Substances of Very High Concern) in concentrations above 0.1%; (2) comply with the restrictions in Annex XVII of REACH; (3) provide safety data sheets (SDS) for all chemical products; (4) comply with the RoHS Directive on the restriction of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment. If problematic substances are identified, we seek safer alternatives together with the manufacturer.

Energy efficiency in our own operations

• —Periodic energy audits of premises and workplaces to identify saving opportunities.
• —Investment in office and IT equipment with a high energy class.
• —Intelligent lighting and climate-control management systems, with presence sensors and automatic control.
• —A responsible printing policy, with preferential use of digital documents.
• —Reusable containers, eliminating single-use items (plastic cups, cutlery, plates) from workspaces.
• —Internal awareness campaigns for employees on eco-responsible behaviour at the office.

Transparency and reporting to clients

For EU-funded projects or clients with strict ESG requirements, Uzinex makes available: (1) the complete DNSH conformity documentation, prepared according to the European Commission's methodology; (2) REACH and RoHS conformity certificates for equipment; (3) safety data sheets (SDS) for the substances used; (4) the calculation of the carbon footprint of the delivered equipment (LCA — Life Cycle Assessment) when available; (5) annual sustainability reports; (6) declarations on supply sources and chain traceability; (7) technical support for completing the project documentation for European funds or PNRR.

Training and organizational culture

We promote a sustainability-oriented organizational culture through: periodic training of employees on environmental legislation and best practices, integrating sustainability criteria into decision-making processes, recognizing and rewarding employees' environmental initiatives, involving the team in ecological volunteering activities (tree planting, cleaning public areas). We are aware that the green transition is a collective responsibility and every employee contributes to achieving the sustainability objectives.

Continuous improvement and objectives

Uzinex sets measurable environmental objectives annually, aligned with the European Green Deal strategy and the specific requirements of clients and investors. Examples of objectives: reducing energy consumption by X% compared to the previous year, increasing the share of renewable energy in total consumption, reducing waste sent to landfill by X%, increasing the number of ISO 14001-certified suppliers, integrating DNSH criteria into 100% of EU-funded projects. Progress is monitored quarterly and reported to management, and the results are published in the annual sustainability report.