IMPACT REPORT 2019
Introduction
Benefit companies (SB) represent an evolution of the classic business paradigm, since they integrate the economic objective with that of pursuing ‘one or more purposes of common benefit, operating in a responsible, sustainable and transparent way towards people, communities, territories and the environment, cultural and social assets and activities, bodies and associations and other stakeholders‘. (1)
Italy was the first country in Europe (and second in the world, after the USA) to introduce benefit companies into its legal system in 2016. Through a reform of the civil code that allows entrepreneurs, managers and shareholders to formalize their strategies aimed at contribute to shared values (Contributing to Social Values, CSV. Dongo, 2015). (2) Also focusing attention on governance organization and its relationships with the ecosystem.
Wiise Srl benefit company
WIISE Srl (Workable Ideas and Initiatives for a Sustainable Economy) was founded in 2012 by the lawyer Dario Dongo. (3) The company operates mainly in the sectors food and feed, food contact materials, consumer goods, in favor of companies whose work is considered – following internal assessments, on the basis of the data and information collected – in line with the sustainable development goals (Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs). As well as, often, alongside and at the service of institutions and non-governmental bodies. His activities concern:
– Research, including in the context of EU co-financed programs,
– advice strategic and technical-legal (aimed at agricultural and food industries and SMEs, distribution, consumer associations),
– public relations e lobbying, at a European and national level, only in favor of economic operators, citizens and their categories and only for initiatives that meet the criteria of sustainable development and the common good on which the work of Wiise SRL sb is based, (4)
– training in favor of public bodies (supervisory authorities, universities) and private bodies (trade and consumer associations), also at European and international level,
– independent publishing, through the two web portals GIFT, (whose section dedicated to Italian food and drink is translated by native speakers into English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, Russian, Chinese) and FARE, dedicated to in-depth studies on agri-food law.
They are also published ebook a download free on the various topics covered.
Benefit goals
The social objectives of Wiise Srl had already been focused in the constitution phase, as the same company name shows (WIISE, Workable Ideas and Initiatives for a Sustainable Economy) and the logo depicts (using the symbols of the embrace and the ecosystem, in the two letters ‘i’ and in the colors of the rainbow respectively).
To promote widespread knowledge and compliance with the rules, as well as the research and development of best practices aimed at guaranteeing the sustainability and socio-environmental reporting of supply chains and economic systems have always been the key objectives of Wiise Srl’s work. there is also the commitment to promote awareness among consumers of the impact of their choices on the health, environment and well-being of the communities. So that they can guide the turning point of supply chains – food, and not only – in the direction of sustainability.
The 6.3.19 Wiise Srl has reformed its statute to assume the legal identity of a benefit company (sb). In order to formalize its responsible, sustainable and transparent action towards people, communities, territories and the environment, cultural and social assets and activities, bodies and associations and other stakeholders. The objectives of contributing to shared social values are achieved through the following specific activities:
1) promotion of sustainable development, in the agri-food chain above all. With attention to its social dimensions (protection of workers, fairness of commercial practices business to business e business to consumers, health and consumer protection), environmental (estimation and reduction of Life Cycle Assessment, circular economy), economic (equity in the distribution of resources, participation in district economies through a solidarity and inclusive approach, international cooperation inspired by principles of solidarity and knowledge sharing,
2) independent information on the food supply chain, from seeds and feed to fork, nutrition and health,
3) awareness raising economic operators and consumers regarding the rules in force regarding the production and sale of food products,
4) protection initiatives collective interests aimed at affirming the legality and correctness of commercial practices, for the protection of consumers and the market.
Benefit report 2019
In 2019 Wiise has dedicated a great deal of effort to contribute to two pan-European research projects, ProFuture and Camelmilk, under the Horizon 2020 program. Both of these projects aim to contribute to the development of sustainable agri-food chains, in the sectors of aquaculture (microalgae) and animal husbandry (camelid milk and derivatives). With specific objectives of increasing the food security (security of food supplies), improve the living conditions of populations and their economic growth. In line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on the UN 2030 agenda.
400 articles approximately were published on independent news websites in 2019 GIFT, FARE ed Égalité. Sites strictly free of banner o pop-up advertising. Among the hundreds of articles, there are some examples of relevance to the Wiise benefit objectives:
– Sustainable Development. ‘World Food Day, 2019. Eat Local, Buy Local, Act Global!’, ‘SDGs, the necessary transformations for the food supply chain’, ‘Varietal blends of wheat, agrobiodiversity and resilience’, ‘Sustainability of pasta, ancient and modern grains in comparison. Scientific study ‘,’ PlasticTax and reuse, Italian disputes and examples in Europe ‘,’ Short supply chain and km0, market trends and standards in Italy ‘,’ Industrial hemp and circular economy ‘,
– food, nutrition and health supply chain. ‘Obese and overweight children at greater risk of cancer’, ‘Gluten-free breadcrumbs, slalom between fats, salt and additives’,’ Baby food, 68% is junk food. European research ‘,’ Mediterranean, a sea of plastic. The ISPRA report ‘,’ Genetic characterization of ancient Sicilian grains, scientific study ‘,’ Too much salt in vegan and vegetarian packaged products. Australian study ‘,’ Glyphosate damages the microbiome even at the doses allowed in the EU. Scientific study and application for renewal of authorization ‘,
– rules to oversee food safety and consumer information. ‘Official public controls, EU regulation 2017/625 is underway’, ‘Green procurement, the ecological push of the reform,’, ‘Pig meat origin, incoming decree’, ‘Traces of PDO and PGI in the compound product? The lawyer Dario Dongo answers ‘,’ The Italian Input List is born, database of substances allowed in organic farming ‘,’ Hemp and CBD, the great chaos ‘,’ Artisan tomato canned labels, the lawyer Dario Dongo answers ‘,’ Plant headquarters and mandatory origin, non-compliant labels’,
– fundamental human rights, crimes and other irregularities. ‘Coca-Cola, false health and wellness propaganda aimed at teenagers. Scientific study ‘,’ Ferrero, hazelnuts and child labor. BBC investigation in Turkey ‘,’ Amazon, expired food and unfit for human consumption ‘,’ Illegal pesticides in the Agro Pontino, it’s time for Giuseppe Conte ‘,’ Pet food, business and bins on the rise ‘,’ Amazon, new complaints to Antitrust and ICQRF ‘,’ Made in Italy deforestation, Buycott! ‘,
– European citizens’ initiatives and rules for their protection. ‘Consumer protection, the new EU directive approved’, ‘Aluminum and food, how to reduce the risk of contamination’, ‘EatORIGINal! Transparency on origin and not only on the label is underway ‘,’ Class action, the news in Italy. The ABC ‘,
– petitions. ‘Let’s save the bees, the collection of signatures begins’,’ The unsustainable advance of the salmon industry in Scotland. Petition ‘,’ End the Cage Age, 1,5 million signatures against farm cages ‘,’ Palm oil and diesel, #NotInMyTank petition ‘,’ Whole Foods, Amazon. Animal abuse and repression of dissent, a petition ‘,’ # StopCorporateImpunity, #StopISDS, petition for human rights’.
Égalité Onlus
The 6.3.19, the same day on which the statute of WIISE srl was modified for its transformation into a benefit company, its majority shareholder and sole director Dario Dongo established, together with the collaborators of the company, the association Égalité Onlus.
The non-profit association was born to do, create, contribute to the common good. To promote a model of social inclusion in which the weakest link expresses not only the weakness but also the strength of the community itself.
Égalité acts for the protection of human rights and the ecosystem. Observing, sharing and acting is the operational scheme. Which translates into concrete actions, on the information front but also in the administrative, political and judicial offices from time to time deemed most suitable for solving problems.
Initiatives and projects they are carried out with the help of members and benefactors. Among these figure (in primis) Wiise Srl sb itself, which offered economic and operational support, including the professional contributions of communication experts, lawyers, researchers. The Wiise team, in particular, provided Égalité with operational support for a series of actions aimed at protecting the rights of people with disabilities. In particular:
– a complaint to the Competition and Market Authority (AGCM), against a supplier of walking aids and devices, which ended on 27.7.20 with the conviction of the professional Sapio Life Srl to a fine of 240 thousand euros and the affirmation of the right of particularly vulnerable categories of consumers to receive immediate assistance in the event of breakdowns of devices and aids for disability. (5) Even when they have been handed over to disabled and sick people on the orders of the ASL. In fact, the Consumer Code guarantees the possibility of obtaining the required replacements – or, alternatively, repairs – within onereasonable term‘from the request. ‘Without causing significant inconvenience to the consumer, taking into account the nature of the good and the purpose for which the consumer purchased the good‘, (6)
– a complaint and a lawsuit against the legal representatives of ATAC SpA and the company entrusted with the maintenance of the Rome Capital metro line, due to public service interruptions and private violence. In the face of the systematic inaccessibility of numerous subway stations during the summer of 2019 (see ‘Rome Metro, elevators black-out‘),
– a complaint to the AGCM against Booking.com, to ascertain non-compliance with the Consumer Code in the sale of travel services through ecommerce to people with disabilities.
Wiise Srl sb it also offered concrete economic and professional support to Égalité Onlus on various fronts:
– sponsor for the purchase of the web domain www.egalite.org, construction and maintenance of the site and of the profiles on social networks,
– exclusive sponsor of the Égalité mission in Senegal, in July 2019, for the organization of the first Disability Pride in the African continent,
– sponsor and organization of the campaign through crowdfunding relating to the ‘Intelligent Chair’ project,
– dissemination of initiatives and projects of Égalité Onlus, drafting and publication of articles on Sustainable Development Goals and related topics (see, by way of example, the articles SDGs, the 6 necessary revolutions. Study and comments, Land grabbing and climate change, the IPCC report, ‘European Green Deal, the new strategy in the EU’),
– sharing the campaign #Buycott! Soya GMO palm oil and American meats, which was also attended by other associations such as Comuni Virtuosi, Humus, Disability Pride, CALG, European Consumers, Legambiente.
The evaluation Benefit Impact Assessment (BIA)
The evaluation impact generated by Wiise Srl sb was performed using the Benefit Impact Assessment (BIA). (7) An evaluation process developed on the basis of the experiences of North American Benefit Corporations, equipped with organizations and resources that are incomparable to those of micro-enterprises operating in Italy in the consulting sector, such as Wiise itself. In fact, the BIA evaluation includes the following areas of analysis:
– governance. To assess the degree of transparency and responsibility of a company in the pursuit of the purposes of common benefit, we have with regard to its objectives, the level of involvement of stakeholder, the degree of transparency of the policies and practices adopted,
– workers. Relations with employees and collaborators are evaluated in terms of wages and benefits, training and opportunities for personal growth, quality of the work environment, internal communication, flexibility and safety at work,
– others stakeholder. The relationships of the company with its suppliers, the territory and the local communities where it operates, voluntary actions, donations, cultural and social activities, any action to support local development and its supply chain are evaluated,
– environment. The impacts of society are considered from the perspective of the life cycle of products and services. And therefore in terms of use of resources, energy, raw materials, production processes, logistics and distribution processes, use and consumption and end of life.
The score relating to the company WIISE SRL Società Benefit, applying the BIA system, is equal to 111,2, divided as follows:
Moreover, the score assigned on the basis of the aforementioned criteria does not reflect the intensity of the commitment that Wiise Srl sb dedicates, 365 days a year, to the benefit objectives described in the previous paragraphs. Nor does it consider the results of related activities.
The environmental management of waste that the company does not produce and the KPIs (Key Performance Indicators, key performance indicators) are virtually inapplicable to a small service company based on smart working.
Perspectives
In the course of 2020, WIISE Srl, a benefit company will continue the daily activity of public and free information on issues related to the food supply chains, socio-environmental sustainability, nutrition and health. With the aim of intensifying activities in favor of the community and in particular of the weakest subjects. First of all, the elderly, disabled and sick people. In synergy with civil society and other bodies dedicated to this.
Wiise believes profoundly in the importance of in-depth study and scientific research, for the development of civilization as well as for the growth of its employees and collaborators. It is therefore intended to include a young food technology graduate in the team, with the prospect of starting him on a research doctorate.
The #SediaIntelligente project, which WIISE SRL sb will carry out in 2020 alongside Égalité Onlus, aspires to favor the industrial production, in a non-profit logic, of light and amortized wheelchairs, equipped with a front wheel with an electric motor, easy to attach and unhook. To allow all people with motor disabilities to face at least in part the ubiquitous architectural barriers and promote their personal mobility. WIISE SRL sb will carry out activities of through crowdfunding for the success of this initiative, also through devolution to the project of donations to be received thanks to the various eBook being published on the GIFT, FARE and Égalité websites.
Dario Dongo
Director
WIISE srl benefit company
Notes
1) See law 28.12.15 n. 208, art. 1, paragraph 376-384
2) For more information, see http://www.societabenefit.net/
3) Dario Dongo (Genoa, 1971) is a lawyer and journalist, MBA (Edhec), master in strategy and governance (University of Pisa) Ph.D. in European food law (Agrisystem, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart of Piacenza and Cremona). For over 25 years he has been dealing with policies and regulations in the agri-food, environmental, occupational safety, antitrust and consumer rights sectors. He has published a dozen books and a couple of thousand articles, as well as holding about 250 conferences, seminars and lectures in Italy, the EU and third countries,
4) The FARE division of the company is therefore registered in the special Transparency Register held by the European Commission.
5) V. https://www.egalite.org/garanzia-su-ausili-per-la-disabilita-lantitrust-afferma-il-diritto-allassistenza-immediata/
6) See the Consumer Code, article 130 paragraph 5.
7) The law that regulates the Benefit Companies has adopted the architecture of the B Impact Assessment (BIA) developed since 2006 by B Lab specifically the Benefit Corporations to measure their impacts. The B Impact Assessment is founded from its origins on principles of materiality. This tool is available for free, also in Italian, and has already been adopted by over 70.000 companies worldwide.
