Risk management

Last updated: March 9, 2023

Overview of the risk management systems

Principles of risk management

Risk management is an essential part of the internal control system of the Group and an active means to analyze and manage opportunities and threats related to the business strategy and operations. The Company has defined the principles applied in the organization of the risk management. The purpose of risk management is to identify potential events that may affect the achievement of the Group’s objectives in changing business environment and to manage such risks to a level that the Group is capable and prepared to accept so that there is reasonable assurance and predictability on the achievement of the Group’s objectives. The risk management process of the Group is based on Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) framework of Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

Risk management process and responsibilities

The Group’s risk management process involves assessing risks systematically by business unit, segment and Global function, improving risk management awareness and quality, sharing best practices and supporting cross-functional risk management initiatives. In order to systematize and facilitate the identification of risks they are categorized as strategic, operational and financial risks. These categories are closely aligned with the strategic, operational, financial and compliance objectives of the Group.

Huhtamaki Group Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Policy defines the objectives, scope and responsibilities of risk management. Compliance with the risk management policy assures timely identification and recording of risks and the application of relevant risk management measures to address these risks. More detailed risk management procedures are set forth in the Group’s ERM framework and process guideline.

The Audit Committee monitors the implementation of risk management activities, and evaluates the adequacy and appropriateness of ERM. The Audit Committee reports regularly to the Board, which is responsible for reviewing the Group’s strategic, operational and financial risks. The Board approves the risk level that the Group is capable and prepared to accept and the extent to which risks have been identified, addressed and followed up.

The GET is responsible for the adoption and deployment of the Group’s internal control principles and procedures relating to risk management. The risk management process includes systematic identification and assessment of risks in each business segment and their business units as well as at Group level. Risks are consolidated from the business unit to the segment level and from the business segment to the Group level. At each level risk treatment actions are defined in order to reach acceptable risk levels. Execution and supervision of these risk treatment actions is a task of line management. Upper level line management always approves lower level risk mitigation actions and the risk level reached after implementation of such actions. The Global Risk Management function monitors and reports the achievement of these actions. The purpose is to verify that risk treatment actions support the achievement of the Group’s strategic, operational, financial and compliance objectives.

The Global risk management function organizes, instructs, supports, supervises and monitors risk management activities on an ongoing basis. The function also analyzes changes in the impact, likelihood and level of control for each identified business risk. It reports results of the risk management process to the Audit Committee annually. The Global risk management function also prepares reports to the business segment and Group management as well as the internal audit and the Auditor.

Business unit, segment and Group level risk management process and activities are integrated into the Group’s strategic planning and budgeting processes. Risk management process may be commenced any time in the course of the financial year should a certain business area encounter essential strategic changes requiring initiation of the risk management process.