Company signs UN business principles

Guangxi Penshibao Co, which manufactures and sells a fertilizer it invented in 1985 that is less harmful to the environment, has become the first China-based company to sign on as a participant in the UN Global Compact, an agreement to practice sound agricultural practices that lead to economic contributions and social success.

The company became a signatory to the agreement on Thursday, World Environment Day, at UN headquarters in New York.

"I am a farmer; I have devoted my whole life for agriculture, rural areas and farmers. And I want to do something for China's agriculture and that of the world." said Xianglin, Guangxi Penshibao's chairman.

The UN Global Compact brings businesses together with UN agencies, labor, civil society and government to advance 10 principles in the areas of human rights, labor, environment, and anti-corruption. To further the development of the original principles, Global Compact unveiled the Food and Agriculture Business Principles in Rome last month.

The Principles include: aim for food security, health and nutrition, be environmentally responsible, ensure economic viability and share value, respect human rights, create decent work and help communities to thrive, encourage good governance and accountability, and promote access and transfer of knowledge, skills and technology.

"The Food and Agriculture Business Principles do not need lengthy guidance. How users interpret them is on their own terms,'' said Adrienne Gardaz, UN Global Compact Policy adviser.

In 1985, Xianglin invented a fertilizer that worked three times better than other fertilizers. Less of it had to be used, cutting down on the amount of harmful toxic waste from the environment.

The fertilizer is sold in 26 countries in full compliance with international standards. Penshibao is one of the biggest manufacturers in fertilizer research, and has succeeded in scientifically experimenting 57 kinds of crops, resulting in huge economic efficiency and the social effect.

The signing also was attended by his sons, Wang Jicheng, CEO, and Wang Jidong, standing president of the company, and Meng Liu, China's representative to the UN Global Compact.

"I am very happy my company has signed the UN compact business principles, because of our participation with the UN, Penshibao can align itself officially with the international standards we have been trying to uphold," said CEO Jicheng.

Wang Xu, deputy director of China's national fertilizer quality supervision and inspection center, who was at the signing, said, ‘The excessive use of agricultural chemicals, severe water shortages and the lack of effective waste management leads to resources wastage and environmental pollution. In 2012, China consumed more than 58 million tons of fertilizers, a third of total world consumption.''

Wang Xianglin, Chairman of Penshibo, shakes hands with Adrienne Gardaz, UN Global Compact Policy Adviser and Program Manager, after signing the Food and Agriculture Business Principles at United Nations Headquarters in New York on June 5. Elizabeth Wu / for CHINA DAILY