H5. Community relations and role in society

Essity strives to be a dedicated partner in the local communities in which it operates. This work includes arranging education courses in hygiene and health for customers and consumers. In 2019, the collaboration between Essity and UNICEF in Mexico was strengthened to jointly promote awareness among school children, teachers and parents of the importance of good hand hygiene and to break the taboo around menstruation.

Essity invested approximately SEK 38m (18; 16) and about 8,000 work hours (including staff management) in over 350 projects in 2019. Most of the projects were related to hygiene and health.

Essity’s community relations instruction states that Essity shall be politically and religiously neutral. The company must not make payments or product donations to political parties or candidates, or their institutions, agencies or representatives. Essity did not support any organizations or projects with political or religious aims in 2019.

Community relations by focus area 2019