PUMA has issued its new Sustainability Report 2005/2006. For the first time, German Technical Service and Assurance Provider TÜV Rheinland verified and certificated the report.

Greenpeace and Fair Labor Association (FLA) have explicitly recognized the social and ecological commitment of the Sportlifestyle company.

The report is published in accordance with the demanding guidelines of Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), a large multistakeholder network.

PUMA's Sustainability Report obtained the best GRI application level A+ - a first in the sporting goods industry. Moreover, according to Swiss Institute SAM (Sustainability Asset Management), PUMA will continue to be ranked in Dow Jones and STOXX Sustainability Index next year.

On a total of 84 pages, PUMA presents its extensive activities in the area of social standards, environment protection and restricted substances.

The Sportlifestyle company clearly outlines the continuous improvement of S.A.F.E. (Social Accountability and Fundamental Environmental Standards)-activities.

Their aim is not only to generate fair working conditions, protect the environment and manufacture ecologically compatible products. An active dialog with different stakeholders (and pressure groups) is also of great importance to PUMA.

TV Rheinland certifies that "PUMA has developed a significant and operational management system for environmental and social aspects." Results of the examination confirm that the Sportlifestyle company successfully implemented the "Code of Conduct", the "Code of Ethics"and the "Handbook for Environmental Issues".

Those guidelines are generally binding, not only for all PUMA headquarters but also for the 369 independent suppliers and manufacturers named in the report.

The independent environmental organization Greenpeace confirms that PUMA's commitment sets standards. Greenpeace has checked different companies regarding eco friendliness of their products, ranking them from red to green.

After examination of PUMA's product range, the Sportlifestyle company has obtained the best category "green". Fair Labor Organization (FLA) is in agreement with this positive appraisal: PUMA has been accredited this year as full member for the first time.

FLA is a non-profit organization dedicated to improve working and production conditions. As accredited member, the Sportlifestyle company thoroughly supports the strict guidelines and unannounced audits by FLA.

Jochen Zeitz, CEO and Chairman, PUMA AG: "We are pleased that PUMA's social and ecological commitment has been recognized not only by analysts and experts, but also by independent organizations such as TV Rheinland and Greenpeace. Through responsible and sustainable corporate governance, we want to ensure that our aim to be the most desirable Sportlifestyle company is not only oriented towards economical, but also towards social and environmental criteria."

In the course of its transparent ecological and social policy, PUMA's social audits have been seen off by a journalist for the first time, describing his experiences in the Sustainability Report.

Bernhard Bartsch, Asia-correspondent for German newspaper Berliner Zeitung and magazine brand eins, characterizes visits of suppliers in Turkey, Vietnam and China.

He portrays how PUMA auditors inspect the realization of safety regulations in China or compliance of adequate wages in Vietnamese factories.

Corporate social responsibility is getting ever more important in global business community. For many years now PUMA has continuously improved its S.A.F.E. activities to ensure high social and environmental standards along its entire supply chain. In order to maximise transparency in this sector the company publishes sustainability reports.