Manifesto
We aim for a climate neutral world, with equal rights for all, with social/sustainable companies who take responsibility for the effects of their businesses on humans, animals and the environment. Entrepreneurs that see opportunities in 'people and planet' issues for new products, services or processes that benefit society and the company. The MVO uses the following principles as the standard for the 21st century.
- All business decisions should aim for a careful balance between people, planet and profit.
- The aim is to have the possibly smallest ecological footprint. This is done by reducing the environmental impact, energy consumption and CO2 emissions as much as possible, and produce completely clean if possible.
- The vitality, employability and development of employees will be promoted as much as possible.
- The structure of staff members have to reflect diversity in gender, ethnicity, culture and age.
- Opportunities will be created for groups that experience difficulty in finding employment.
- Social and environmental aspects are strongly considered when purchasing goods and services that play an important role involving production, transport and use, agreements about this will be made with suppliers and customers.
- There is a constant search for new opportunities in the area of sustainable products and services.
- Entrepreneurs are open to cooperation and partnerships, and are willing to actively share knowledge and experiences.
- Entrepreneurs contribute to the quality of life in the city or region where the company is connected to.
- Entrepreneurs deliver honest and clear information about the sustainable goals of the company and are prepared to discuss them with interested parties.
Sustainable activities
Clean Planet
It is important to encourage businesses to positively contribute to a clean earth and the development of sustainable solutions for environmental pollution. This is urgent because our natural environment is being pressured increasingly. Companies that are active in this field are usually involved in new developments in the field of environmental technologies that prevent pollution and help clean up the earth. Companies that are involved in the monitoring of environmental pollution and energy consumption are also classified under this theme.
Climate protection
Climate change poses a serious threat to the functioning of the earth and therefore also to humanity and demands a global response by governments, businesses and citizens. Fair Vision has set itself the objective of encouraging companies that positively contribute to combating climate change. Companies focusing on this theme are active in sustainable energy production by using natural resources such as sun, wind, waves and geothermal energy. Companies that are involved in storing energy and improving energy efficiency are also classified under this theme.
Healthy living
Fair Vision has the objective to stimulate companies that positively contribute to a healthy lifestyle for everyone. Companies focusing on this theme provide solutions to health care issues, such as medical technology, drugs for treating diseases in developing countries, clean drinking water and innovative health care. Other activities that we consider relevant within this theme include medicines based on natural ingredients and nourishment from organic farming. In addition to the sustainable activities above other durable activities can be taken into consideration in specific situations or in the context of new developments. For example, activities that focus on products or services that have particular importance from an environmental and social perspective.
Corporate Social Responsibility
Environment
Enterprises with an inefficient management or obsolete or wasteful products needlessly exhaust natural resources and create pollution. To justify their long-term existence it is imperative that these companies make an effort to minimize the negative impact on the natural environment.
Society
This theme looks at how companies fulfill their social role. This includes relations with the community, employees, suppliers, customers and competitors. Companies play a role in the local communities in which they operate and in society as a whole. A good relation with employees is an important stipulation for the success of a long-term venture, this involves the employment, working conditions and labor relations. Given the tendency to outsource (part of) the production process, it is important how companies use their influence to protect the interests of employees in the supply chain and that companies do not make unreasonable demands to their suppliers. Finally, the relationship of companies with customers and competitors is important. This refers to customer satisfaction and the quality and safety of products supplied by the company. In addition, we attach value to the companies respect for the principle of free competition and the practice of responsible marketing of products and services.
Corporate governance
Ethical business management is an important condition for a sustainable relationship between an enterprise and its stakeholders. This involves corporate structure, business ethics and integrity of the company.
Exclusion criteria, product-related
Bio industry
Companies that produce, process or sell animal foodstuffs without applying minimum standards for the livestock breeding system and offer no alternatives. Companies that sell food products with animal ingredients without taking measures to encourage and promote animal welfare friendly products. Companies that provide specific products or services directly to intensive livestock or animal transport companies and slaughterhouses that provide services to intensive farming.
Fur Industry
Enterprises that catch or keep animals for their skin/fur. Companies that provide services to the fur industry and enterprises that sell fur products and special leather.
Animal testing
Companies that sell non-medical products that have been tested on animals or testing for non-medical purposes without being legally obliged to. The use of animal testing for medical purposes is allowed, provided that animal suffering and the number of animals used is minimized.
Genetic modification
Companies that make products using genetically modified organisms, unless the product has a clear social and environmental added value and is produced under strictly controlled conditions. Companies that develop and commercialize trans genic food crops. Genetically modified animals may only be used in the treatment of life threatening diseases when no alternatives are available. Companies that process genetically modified organisms unless they are proactive in reducing and/or avoiding the use of these organisms. Companies that sell and process products containing genetically modified ingredients and materials, unless they offer an alternative product without genetic modification.
Gambling
Enterprises that develop, produce or sell gambling games. Companies that provide financial services related to gambling.
Nuclear energy
Companies that produce or sell nuclear energy, nuclear power stations or specific components for nuclear power. This includes companies that transport and store the used propellant. An exception is made for electricity companies with relatively low CO2 emissions for the supply of electricity during peak times depending on the purchase of electricity from an unknown source to a maximum of 5% of the total sold electricity.
Coal
Companies that produce or sell electricity coming from coal plants.
Environmentally hazardous substances
Companies that produce or sell substances that threaten humans and the environment, such as pesticides. In addition companies are directly excluded from participation if they have any involvement in the production or sale of substances that are internationally recognized as dangerous substances.
Extraction of gas
Companies that produce unconventional gas, such as shale gas. In addition, companies are excluded from participation if they are indirectly involved in the production of non-conventional gas through share holdings in other companies.
Extraction of oil
Companies that produce non-conventional oil, such as oil derived from tar sands. In addition, companies are excluded from participation if they are indirectly involved in the production of oil from tar sands through share holdings in other companies.
Pornography
Companies that produce or develop pornographic products.
Tobacco
Companies that produce tobacco products and companies that sell such products under their own brand.
Weapons
Companies that sell and produce weapons, components specifically designed for weapons and weapon-related services. These include conventional weapons and non-conventional weapons such as nuclear, chemical and biological weapons and complete weapons systems. In addition, companies are excluded from participation if they are indirectly involved in weapons and weapons-related activities through share holdings in other companies.
Process-related
Violation of labor and human rights
Companies that seriously and frequently violate fundamental labor rights. Also companies that, as a result of their activities, are likely to be involved in such violations but when there is no sign of concern or awareness. Basic labor rights include the prevention of child labor, discrimination, forced labor and freedom of association, the right to collective bargaining, a safe and healthy workplace, fair wages and working hours related rights. This is based on the fundamental conventions of the International Labour Organization and the OECD guidelines. Enterprises that directly and significantly contribute to or benefit from structural and gross human rights violations by governments or other parties are also excluded.
Corporate governance
These include companies in which serious irregularities are found in the book-keeping. Also the compensation policies fall under this criterion. If the remuneration policy raises significant ethical concerns or is incompatible with local or international standards this can lead to exclusion from participation.
Corruption
Companies that are frequently sentenced for corruption, bribery, or money laundering.
Environmental damage
Even without breaking any laws or regulations, companies can be guilty of inflicting damage to the environment and ecosystems. Importance is attached to whether an enterprise pays attention to biodiversity and preventing climate change, freshwater scarcity and deforestation. It will be monitored whether companies that use palm oil, fishery and forestry products are aware of the unsustainable aspects of these products and take measures to prevent involvement. Companies that produce energy from biomass using controversial materials. Companies that severely damage and degrade the environment frequently can also be excluded from participation if they have not previously been or being prosecuted (for instance in countries where laws and regulations are insufficiently developed).
Violation of laws, codes of conduct or conventions
Companies that frequently and seriously violate laws, codes of conduct or conventions, unless there is evidence of a structural change within the company leading to fundamental behavioral changes.
The following criteria are considered:
Violation of international codes and conventions, this includes violations of international environmental conventions and relevant codes of conduct. In a number of sectors, businesses are expected to comply with sector-specific codes.
Violation of laws: this includes violations of other rules for product liability, national environmental standards and regulations, labor legislation, marketing legislation and laws against the building of cartels.

