Hermès - Registration Document 2016

Corporate social responsability

Environment

press. Apart from a few minor operating incidents, the treatment plants at other tanneries (Cuneo, Lafayette, Le Puy and Annonay) had stable operations throughout the year. In addition, considerable investments have been made on these facilities to optimise their operations and the quality of discharges. The tanneries division’s air emissions primarily result from the operation of the boilers, the dry degreasing activity and the finishing booths. The verifications of such equipment, as identified in the prefectural orders or site permits, are performed in compliance with the applicable regula- tions. The thresholds were not exceeded on any site. Finally, each year, in keeping with regulations, the French sites prepared a management plan for their solvents. Flows of specific VOCs (volatile organic compounds) were found to comply with applicable requirements. Measures aimed at reducing the use of solvents or changing processes used in the past have also reduced VOC emissions. At the same time, insulation and improved treatment of the air in the skin degreasing workshops have significantly limited the exposure of employees. Crystal Industrial wastewater, pre-separated in the respective workshops and collected at a single point, has been purified by amodernised phytotreat- ment facility since 2015. An awareness programme to educate users in the treatment of water to sustain the performance of the new facility was initiated in conjunction with these projects. To further improve the quality of wastewater discharges and prepare for potential regulatory changes, a study has been conducted in partnership with the water board and an external partner. Measurements of air emissions were carried out in the first half of the year and in December. The first results confirm air emission readings bearing on the operation of the facilities and resulted in the implemen- tation of measures to optimise the management of facilities, including gas-fired washer/scouring sluices. Textiles A study of potential improvements to the SIEGL effluent treatment plant was undertaken in 2016. The aim is to improve our performance in pro- cessing waste and to increase the proportion of recycled water put back into processes.

Perfumes In 2016, releases of VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) were well below the emission limit of 5% set for the perfume industry. These VOCs prima- rily consist of ethanol, a product that is not bioaccumulative, presents no measurable risk to animal and plant life, and vaporises and biodegrades quickly. CATE Wastewater from the enamel activity is pretreated directly on site by a conventional physicochemical process. Thedehydration sludge is sent to a suitable treatment company, and pre-treated water is discharged into the urban network. An external laboratory carries out monthly analyses. A study was conducted in 2016 with a view to improving the automa- tion of the installation, reducing sedimentation effluent in the works and increasing wastewater storage capacity in the event of systems failure so as to reduce pollution risks. Work will be conducted in early 2017 to complete this study. Beyrand The site has a water treatment station at the exit of the washer/scouring sluice. It also uses a physicochemical process. Silver recovery units have been installed at the exit of the film developers. Porcelain and enamel As illustrated above, Hermès is gradually taking concrete measures to reduce its energy consumption and carbon footprint. In addition, the group decided five years ago to establish a voluntary carbon offset sys- tem in order to reduce its overall impact. Since 2013, the Group has been equipped with the tools needed to carry out an annual update of the overall assessment of greenhouse gas emissions from its production and distribution sites. This work is carried out with the help of an independent external specialist, using the Bilan Carbone ® method. In compliance with the requirements of the applicable regulations (Article75of law2010-788of12July2010), inDecember2015Hermès published its Bilan Carbone ® , as per the method and scope indicated by the legislation (direct emissions generated by fixed and mobile sources, and indirect emissions associated with the consumption of electricity, heat or steam). 2.5.7 Reduction of the carbon footprint and offsetting

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