UEL is a leading player in trading in chemicals and agro-commodities. It has released its Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report (BRSR) for the fiscal year 2023-24. The report, presented in conformity with SEBI’s Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements Regulations, 2015, reflects the company’s initiative regarding ethical governance, environmental care, and social responsibility.
Overview: In an era where corporate accountability runs parallel, UEL’s BRSR 2023-24 reflects the commitment of UEL towards sustainability and responsible business behavior. The report epitomizes salient features of the company’s operations, best governance practices, and environmental impact, focusing on core values related to excellence, integrity, respect, and collaboration.
Body UEL was incorporated in 1969 and is essentially a trading company. A large portion of the turnover consists of trading in chemicals and agro commodities. For FY 2023–24, revenue from trading operations contributed 54.16%, while income from investments in equity shares and mutual funds contributed 42.26% of revenue.
The company is headquartered in Mumbai with regional offices based in Gujarat. Its staff is on deputation, with only a small number being UEL recruits; it has taken important steps in maintaining gender diversity—one-third of the members on the Board of Directors comprise women.
The report enumerates corporate governance practices in which UEL has also ensured the whistleblower policy to get grievances over and above transparency. UEL further states its due compliance with regulatory requirements, as amply evidenced by the reaction of the company to a minor delay in the regulatory filings for which the waiver of the fine was sought from stock exchanges.
Although UEL is not a manufacturing company, the report reflects the concern of the company regarding environmental sustainability. The environmental impact of UEL is very minimal, as the company consumes limited amounts of energy only and does not produce much waste that is considered harmful to the environment. The sustainability practice at UEL is mainly limited to ensuring full compliance with environmental laws and regulations, and operations are performed in a manner to ensure no adverse impact on the environment.
From the viewpoint of social responsibility, the activities of UEL are restricted to its scale of operation; however, the company maintains a conducive and non-threatening workplace. It is pointed out in the report that UEL follows the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, providing accessibility in offices and non-discrimination in employment.
UEL’s commitment to doing good business is further reflected in its anti-bribery and anti-corruption policies, although the company has not adopted a stand-alone anti-corruption policy; rather, the principles are encapsulated within its general code of conduct meant for all employees and major vendors.
Overview The Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report for FY 2023-24 underlines the commitment of Uniphos Enterprises Limited to promote the gold standard in corporate governance, care for the environment, and observe social responsibility. Though the operation of the company remains limited within the scope mentioned, its commitment remains toward responsible business practices. While moving forward with challenges in the modern business landscape, UEL remains focused on aspects related to sustainability, transparency, and ethical conduct and sets a good example for such categories of companies.
Source: BRSR
Credit: Uniphos Enterprises Limited