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Environmental & Social Review Summary
Project Number
50258
Company Name
POPULAR PHARMACEUTICALS LTD
Date ESRS Disclosed
Jan 6, 2026
Country
Bangladesh
Region
South Asia
Last Updated Date
Jan 6, 2026
Environmental Category
B - Limited
Status
Pending Approval
Sector
Pharmaceuticals and Medicine Manufacturing
Industry
other
Department
Regional Industry - MAS Asia & Pac
Project Description
IFC is considering a senior A loan of up to US$20 million and participating loans of US$10.7 million (together the “Loan”) to support the working capital needs of Popular Pharmaceuticals PLC. (“PPL” or the “Company” or the “Borrower”), a well reputed, mid-sized pharmaceutical company in Bangladesh. The Loan will ensure an uninterrupted supply of critical essential medicine amidst a shortage of US Dollars in the country, which is impacting the import of key raw materials for the pharmaceutical sector. Use of Proceeds (UoP) for the IFC Loan does not cover any brownfield or greenfield capacity expansion.
PPL is primarily involved in the production of diabetics, pain management, ophthalmology, and dialysis and include human insulin, cephalosporin, penicillin, small and large volume parenteral and dialysis fluids with wide distribution coverage across the country. PPL has its manufacturing unit in Tongi industrial area (15 km from Dhaka) built with compliance with WHO cGMP standards. PPL is presently undertaking construction of a new Hormone Building and a New Utility Building as well as upgrading the Effluent Treatment Plant at their Tongi manufacturing facility; however, such expansion activities are not considered under IFC’s UoP.
PPL is primarily involved in the production of diabetics, pain management, ophthalmology, and dialysis and include human insulin, cephalosporin, penicillin, small and large volume parenteral and dialysis fluids with wide distribution coverage across the country. PPL has its manufacturing unit in Tongi industrial area (15 km from Dhaka) built with compliance with WHO cGMP standards. PPL is presently undertaking construction of a new Hormone Building and a New Utility Building as well as upgrading the Effluent Treatment Plant at their Tongi manufacturing facility; however, such expansion activities are not considered under IFC’s UoP.
Overview of IFC's Scope of Review
IFC’s E&S review of the proposed investment included (i) site visits of the existing operations in Tongi industrial area in Bangladesh; (ii) review of PPL’s E&S / Human Resources (HR), Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) and supply chain management systems and associated policies, plans and procedures and information shared by the Company as requested as part of the IFCs E&S appraisal questionnaire; (iii) meetings with PPL senior management, facility management team as well as their supply chain management team regarding raw materials sourcing; (iv) interviews with workers at PPL’s manufacturing facility in Tongi.
E & S Project Categorization and Applicable Standard
While all Performance Standards are applicable to this investment, IFC’s environmental and social due diligence indicates that the investment will have impacts which must be managed in a manner consistent with the following Performance Standards
PS 1 - Assessment and Management of Environmental and Social Risks and Impacts
PS 2 - Labor and Working Conditions
PS 3 - Resource Efficiency and Pollution Prevention
PS 4 - Community Health, Safety and Security
PS 1 - Assessment and Management of Environmental and Social Risks and Impacts
PS 2 - Labor and Working Conditions
PS 3 - Resource Efficiency and Pollution Prevention
PS 4 - Community Health, Safety and Security
This is a Category B project as per IFC’s Policy on Environmental and Social Sustainability (2012). The key E&S issues include: i) the company’s management and monitoring systems to assess and manage E&S risks and impacts from its operations; ii) assurance of fair, safe and healthy working conditions for employees and contract workers; (iii) management hazardous chemicals and waste; iv) life & fire safety risk management; v) community health and safety; and vi) supply chain risks assessment and management.
Environmental and Social Mitigation Measures
IFC’s appraisal considered the environmental and social management planning process and documentation for the Project and gaps, if any, between these and IFC’s requirements. Where necessary, corrective measures, intended to close these gaps within a reasonable period of time, are summarized in the paragraphs that follow and (if applicable) in an agreed Environmental and Social Action Plan (ESAP). Through implementation of these measures, the Project is expected to be designed and operated in accordance with Performance Standards objectives.
PS1: Assessment and Management of Environmental and Social Risks and Impacts
Policy: PPL has adopted a Health, Safety Environmental and Environment (HSE) Policy, that is broadly aligned with the objectives of IFC’s Performance Standards.
The company is a WHO cGMP certified manufacturer of pharmaceutical finished formulations with a number of regional GMP compliance certifications in Asia and Africa. The company holds ISO 9001:2015 certification for its quality management system. The company has established a health, safety and environment management system (HSEMS) across its business activities and is preparing for certification as per ISO 14001 (Environmental Management) and ISO 45001 (Occupational Health and Safety). As per ESAP#1, the Company will augment its existing HSEMS into an Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS), formalizing and updating the requirements for E&S procedures and plans in line with the regulatory framework, IFC Performance Standards, relevant WBG EHS Guidelines and GIIP. The ESMS will, at a minimum, include (i) procedures for conducting environmental, health, safety and social (EHSS) risk assessments at both the business and asset levels, aligned with the IFC Performance Standards and industry best practices, including consideration of supply chain risks, (ii) requirement for development of SOPs for managing EHSS risks and impacts across manufacturing, R&D, quality control, warehousing, and utility operations; (iii) ongoing monitoring, reporting and management review of ESMS implementation; (iv) EHSS training plan; (v) emergency preparedness and response; (vi) appropriate E&S organization, with responsibility and resource allocation; (vii) operational control procedures for occupational health and safety (OHS) including exposure control for potent compounds, aseptic operations, and laboratory safety; (viii) stakeholder engagement and community grievance mechanism consistent with the principles of transparency, accessibility, and responsiveness outlined in IFC Performance Standard 1.
Identification of E&S risks and impacts and management programs: The company identifies and manages E&S risks and impacts associated with its operations through compliance with applicable national standards and E&S regulatory permits and requirements. The Company, as part of the HSEMS, has established procedure for identification of E&S risks and impacts of its operations consistently with nation law and good international industry practices through use of standard tools such HIRA (Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment). The Company has prepared a list of critical areas, activities and capital machinery used in its operations to carry out HIRAs at regular intervals. As per ESAP#2, the Company will conduct HIRAs for all process areas (including production areas for hormones, cephalosporin, penicillin, vaccines, large volume parenteral, ophthalmic and other products), R&D centers, QC units and animal house, warehouses (including chemicals and solvent storage areas), utilities and others critical areas identified. The HIRAs will be updated on a regular basis to capture changes in processes, raw materials, and products; integrate emerging statutory requirements and relevant GMP / industry best practices; and drive continual improvement within the organization’s risk management system.
The company maintains legal register for its operations and the registers capture the key applicable permits and approvals (including Environmental Clearance from DOE, Factory License, Boiler Certificate, Fire License, Permission for use of acids, License for flammable and explosive materials storage and uses, etc.). The legal register includes information on the validity of each permit along the permit renewal calendar.
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) have been developed and implemented across the company operations for processing areas and products, quality control, operation and maintenance activities and facility management, warehousing and distribution, etc. In addition, as part of the HSEMS, specific SOPs have been developed to address key health, safety and environmental aspects such as site safety management, contractor safety, waste management, personnel hygiene and sanitation, fire safety, emergency preparedness and response, first aid, HSE risk assessments, audits and incident reporting, etc. These procedures aim to ensure a safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible work environment.
Organizational Capacity and Competency: The Company has established an HSE organizational structure with defined roles, responsibilities, and authority for implementing the HSEMS. At present, the Director-Projects and Plant Operations holds dual charge as Head - HSE and reports directly to the MD & CEO of PPL. In addition to HSE oversight, the Director-Projects and Plant Operations is responsible for managing production divisions, engineering operations (including utilities maintenance and project management), and warehousing. HSE aspects are currently coordinated by a Senior Executive-HSE (a mid-level function), supported at site by an HSE Executive, a Medical Officer, and a 15-member team drawn from the workforce (non-management) involved in fire safety, waste management, pest control, and other HSE related functions. The Director-HR & Admin oversees human resources, social and labor-related aspects, and stakeholder engagement, supported by a dedicated HR and administration team. The Director-Quality Operations & International Regulatory Affairs (IRA) is responsible for quality control and assurance, research & development (R&D), microbiology, and IRA. In line with ESAP#3, the Company will appoint a SeniorHSE resource with the overall responsibility for establishing, implementing, and maintaining the Company’s ESMS, ensuring compliance with applicable national regulations and international standards and IFC PS requirement and with a direct reporting line to the Director - Projects and Plant Operations.
Emergency Preparedness and Response: The Company has developed a comprehensive Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan (ERP) that addresses both onsite and offsite emergencies. The ERP provides specific procedures to be followed in the event of fire or explosion, chemical, diesel, or wastewater spills, hazardous chemical or gas leaks, medical emergencies, and climate-related incidents such as heavy rainfall, flooding, high winds, and cyclones. It also covers other potential scenarios, including earthquakes, structural collapse, electrical or utility failures, traffic accidents, bomb threats, worker unrest, civil disturbances, and national emergencies. A dedicated emergency response organization has been established within the Company, with clearly defined roles and responsibilities and external responders to be contacted during emergencies have also been identified. Regular emergency training sessions and mock drills are conducted to test preparedness and with participation from external agencies (Fire Service and Civil Defence Department).
Monitoring & Reporting: The company conducts annual internal HSE audits at its production facilities. The audits are conducted by a three member team consisting of representatives from HSE and engineering functions as well as relevant internal subject matter experts (SMEs). Based on the audit findings, corrective and presentive actions (CAPAs) are recommended and assigned to specific functions/departments for execution within specified timelines. External energy audits are also conducted at the production facilities by certified third party energy auditors. The energy audits are aimed at evaluating current operations in terms of energy efficiency and waste heat recovery and recommending improvements for cost and carbon reduction.
PS2: Labor and Working Conditions
Human Resource (HR) Policies and Procedures, Working Conditions and Terms of Employment: PPL has around 2500 employees, with around 3.5% of females in manufacturing roles. All the employees are hired directly by the company, and there are no third-party employees. In addition, the Company engages sales personnel and medical representatives for product promotion, market outreach, and customer engagement.
The company has established HR policies on relevant aspects for the employees, related to child labor, forced labor, recruitment, probation confirmation, performance management, compensation & benefits, leave, transfer, working hours, training, occupational health & safety, disciplinary procedures, aligning with the local law requirements and IFC. These policies are communicated via ‘employee handbook’ to all the executive staff and workmen. A dedicated HR team is responsible for managing human resources and the employees’ wellbeing. The company provides decent working conditions for all staff and workers. The factory shopfloors, office areas, utility areas, storage areas etc were noted to be well organized and kept in order. Company pays the employee’s salary regularly at rates higher than the applicable minimum wages, pays bonus twice a year, provides leaves and other benefits to workers.
Company rules defined for receiving accumulated PF amount after employee’s separation from the company have some gaps against the legislative requirements. The company will revise and implement the Provident Fund Policy to align with applicable statutory requirements. (ESAP#4)
Freedom of Association: The company does not have a documented policy on ‘freedom of association’. While there is no union at the factory, consultations with management and workers suggested that the workers have not attempted or requested to form any association in the past. Any alternative forum for collective discussions, in the form of a workers’ committee, is not present in the factory. The company has formulated a safety committee and canteen committee for specific purposes. The company will establish a formal policy on freedom of association and facilitate the formation & functioning of an effective ‘workers participation committee (WPC)’ and formulate a formal policy on freedom of association aligning with global standards. Members to the committee shall be elected and empowered in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations (ESAP#5).
Non-discrimination and Equal Opportunity: PPL has well defined policies on gender equality and the prevention of workplace harassment. The Policy against harassment addresses the prohibition of sexual harassment. Consultations with management and workers indicated that no incidents of sexual harassment have been reported within the Company premises to date. HR department is responsible to receive such complaints and resolve employees’ concerns. Going forward, the company will establish a dedicated, independent mechanishm in the form of a specific anti-sexual harassment committee to hear, manage and mitigate workers’ grievances and compliants on the issues of sexual harassment (ESAP #5).
Grievance Mechanism: PPL has established a detailed grievance handling mechanism and is well explained in the employee handbook. The documented mechanism defines grievance policy, responsibilities for the management, supervisor/team leaders/managers, complainant, and HR department. The mechanism has further defined the grievance process with suggested timeframes, resolution methods and covers the aspects of conflict of interest, confidentiality & privacy. An opportunity to appeal the decision of grievance process is also added to the overall grievance process. Suggestion boxes have been placed at different locations within the premises. Workers were noted to be aware of the existing grievance handling mechanism during the consultations.
Protecting the Workforce: Management has established policies on Child Labor and Forced Labor. There are no underage workers employed by the company. The HR department ensures the minimum age of all employees by verifying and keeping a age-proof record for all the employees. HR also ensures that any policy or procedure does not lead to any involuntary or forced work practice.
Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) Management: PPL has developed an OHS policy for its manufacturing operations. A dedicated OHS department with 20 members is deployed to ensure good, safe practices. Trainings are conducted throughout the year on specific OHS topics including, but not limited to fire prevention, work permits, HSE risk assessment, first aid, handling chemicals, PPE usage, safety signs & color coding, incident reporting, safety inspection, personal hygiene, forklift safety, etc.) for relevant participants. Mock drills are conducted to acquaint the staff with an emergency evacuation process. A Safety Committee is constituted at the factory to discuss and mitigates safety risks and issues. The Company has developed and implemented Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to address critical process-related risks and enhance occupational health and safety performance. In particular, the SOP for the receipt, storage, and handling of flammable solvents defines detailed safety and operational procedures for managing such hazardous materials within the warehouse. The procedure ensures personnel safety, compliance with applicable safety standards, and environmental protection through effective material handling, spill prevention, and quality control measures.
As a part of its Industrial Hygiene process, the Company has developed and implemented Contamination Control Strategy (CCS) for critical units like the Vaccine Facility, that poses health risks to the workforce. The strategy outlines specific approaches on contamination control and to maintain appropriate standard to ensure an adequate level of contamination control throughout the process. The strategy duly considers the overall approach for managing microbiological, particulate, endotoxin pyrogen and cross-contamination of products manufactured in the Vaccine Facility. The Company conducts pre-employment as well as annual medical examinations for all staff. These assessments include specific health investigations for personnel engaged in critical operations, such as Cephalosporin/Penicillin sensitivity or hypersensitivity tests, visual acuity (vision) tests, and hormone profile evaluations (including immunological tests for Progesterone and Estradiol), among others. The Company has also undertaken categorisation of molecules/drugs handles in their facility in accordance with occupation exposure levels (OEL). This has helped in aligning operational controls, and worker protection measures with inherent potency and toxicity of the substances handled.
The Company reports that there has been no fatal workplace accident or incident at any of the operating facilities. The company maintains an injury register and tracker to document all injuries and accident/incidents that have occurred within the company premises. A review of the injury register for 2024, indicates 31 medical injuries – most of them were noticed to be hand injuries and were treated in the company health center. All accidents and incidents were analyzed by the designated HSE team to identify the root causes and the appropriate action plan to mitigate as a result.
The operational units of the Company have valid fire permit from Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defence Department. The Company has implemented fire detection, alarm and firefighting systems included fire hydrant, and fire extinguishers, manual call points, fire exit signages, emergency lights and public address systems. An Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan has been developed the Company conducts fire and emergency preparedness training, and first aid training for its operational personnel. During the site visits, certain gaps were observed in PPL’s existing life and fire safety systems, notably, the absence of functional fire detection systems in critical areas such as the central warehouse and solvent storage sections. The Company informed that the extension of detection systems to such areas will be undertaken shortly. As per ESAP#6, The Company will conduct a third party Life and Fire Safety (LFS) Audit for all process and utility areas and implement the audits recommendations to address the gaps in a time bound manner
Supply chain: PPL sources APIs, excipients and primary and secondary packaging materials from its supply chain. APIs are sourced principally from China and India, excipients from Europe and packaging materials (PVC films, aluminum foil, ampule, vial, HDPE containers, syringes, etc.) from China, Indonesia, France, Thailand, India and Korea. PPL has developed a Supplier Screening Mechanism to identify, evaluate, and periodically assess its suppliers. Periodic vendor audits are conducted for selected vendors. The vendor appraisal questionnaire, in addition to techno-economic parameters, quality aspects, and business licenses, also includes E&S screening elements covering policies, management systems, certifications, utility management and HR aspects. The Company, as per ESAP#7, will update the Supplier Screening Mechanism to integrate specific assessment criteria and controls related to child labor, forced labor, occupational health and safety (OHS), and regulatory compliance.
PS3: Resource Efficiency and Pollution Prevention
Resource Efficiency: PPL operations consume resources such as electricity, natural gas, LPG, diesel, and water. Based on last year’s (2024’s) consumption, the annual resource consumption covering company facilities is around: 48.12 million (kWH) of electricity; 11.62 million m3 of natural gas, 17,280 Kg of LPG, 200 Kiloliter (KL) of diesel and approx. 722,000 cubic meter of water. The company sources electricity from national power grid power and has also installed rooftop solar generating 10 MWh per month. The water demand is sourced from ground water after securing necessary approvals.
The Company is actively engaging in initiatives to enhance both resource efficiency and energy conservation. These include measures such as installing heat recovery systems, utilizing rooftop solar energy, and reusing treated effluent. PPL operates seven (7) boilers, of which three (3) are exhaust gas boilers (EGBs) that generate steam by utilizing waste heat from captive power generators. The remaining four (4) boilers are dual-fuel units that use natural gas as the primary fuel and diesel as a secondary fuel, and are equipped with economizers and a central condensate recovery system. Additionally, the company is focused on optimizing water utilization through reuse of the treated effluent from the ETP for housekeeping and landscaping purposes. A significant volume of water generated from the moist heat sterilizers used in the Large Volume Parenteral (LVP) production process is also recovered and recycled within the system.
Greenhouse Gases (GHG) Emissions: PPL generates approximately 30,036 tonnes of CO2-equivalent emissions annually (Scope 1 and Scope 2), as determined through a third-party GHG emissions assessment. As part of its GHG emission reduction strategy, the company has implemented boiler heat recovery systems and installed rooftop solar plants. The company has set a goal to increase solar energy usage to cover 5% of the lighting load in the future
Air Emissions: Air emissions from the company’s operations are limited to particulate matter and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from process areas, as well as emissions from gas generator stacks, emergency diesel generator (DG) stacks, and boiler exhausts. PPL’s manufacturing facility houses three (3) gas generators for captive power generation and seven (7) boilers. Diesel generators are installed as backup power sources; however, their use remains minimal due to the availability of dedicated grid power and the in-house captive generation system. The company has implemented specific emission control measures, including maintaining appropriate stack heights for generators, capturing VOC vapors through air extractors in fume hoods, collecting particulates using a series of filters (pre-filter, intermediate filter, and HEPA filter), and deploying dust collectors.
A regular air emission monitoring program is in place, under which stack emissions from boilers and DG sets are periodically tested by independent, accredited third-party laboratories. The latest stack emission monitoring results indicate compliance with regulatory standards. For the parameters tested, the results also meet the corresponding limits under the WBG EHS Guidelines.
Source noise levels are regularly monitored in process and utility areas. The results of noise monitoring indicate adherence to OSHA source noise standards.
Wastewater Treatment: The company operates an Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) with a treatment capacity of 30 m³/day to manage wastewater generated from the production floors. Effluents from the vaccine, cephalosporin, and penicillin manufacturing units are first routed through neutralization basins for pre-treatment before being conveyed to the ETP. The existing ETP employs conventional primary and secondary treatment processes, and the quality of treated effluent is routinely monitored both internally and by the Department of Environment (DOE) Laboratory. Recent monitoring results indicate compliance with national discharge standards. For the parameters tested, the results also meet the corresponding limits under the WBG EHS Guidelines. The treated effluent is reused for car washing, landscaping, and general housekeeping within the facility premises, while the balance is discharged into public drains within the industrial area after meeting the applicable discharge standards. Sanitary sewage from the facility is currently managed through septic tanks with soak pits. To support ongoing and planned expansions, the company is enhancing its effluent treatment capacity through the construction of a new 600 m³/day ETP equipped with reverse osmosis (RO) process. The new system is designed to treat both industrial effluent and sewage, improve overall treatment efficiency, and increase the proportion of recycled water within the facility.
As part of ESMS implementation (ESAP#1) the Company will implement a plan for periodic monitoring of ambient air quality and emissions, ground water and treated effluent quality from its facility to demonstrate performance levels aligned with the applicable WBG EHS Guidelines.
Waste management: The company operations generate hazardous and non-hazardous waste which are managed as per a specific Waste Management Plan (WMP) developed by PPL. As part of the WMP, standards operational procedures have been put in place, outlining the processes for the collection, handling, storage, and disposal of waste, including specific procedures to deal with waste generated from process units and laboratories. The Company has entered into an agreement with Lafarge Holding PLC (a DOE approved agency) for disposing the hazardous waste generated in PPL – this includes rejected raw materials, pharmaceutical solid waste, ETP sludge and lube oil. The waste is utilized for coprocessing in cement manufacturing by Lafarge and a certificate of safe disposal is issued to the Company.
Hazardous chemicals are stored in a designated central chemical storage room, which is equipped with appropriate ventilation and segregation systems. Chemicals are stored in accordance with their compatibility classification and following established protocols to ensure safety and prevent cross-contamination. Chemical dispensing and usage take place under controlled conditions - typically within fume hoods, using appropriate PPEs and chemical storage cabinets to minimize exposure risks. Hazardous chemicals are disposed, neutralized or decontaminated before discharge in ETP as per standard operating procedures. This ensures compliance with regulatory requirements and promotes safe and environmentally responsible chemical management practices.
PS4: Community Health, Safety and Security
The company’s manufacturing units are located within an established industrial zone and have been designed, constructed, and are operating in compliance with the national building and fire safety codes. The company has obtained factory license from Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments (DIFE), trade license from the Gazipur Municipal Corporation and license to manufacture drugs from the Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA). The company has established regular infrastructure and an equipment safety related inspection regime in compliance with local regulations and GMP standards. SOPs are also in place for routine testing and verification of contamination control systems (e.g. conducting leakage tests of HEPA filtration systems using aerosol photometers and aerosol generators to ensure system integrity and performance).
The Company has adopted required safety measures when transporting and storing hazardous materials. The company raises driver’s awareness on defensive driving and speed limits during traffic to address issues of local traffic increase and associated impacts on community health and safety. The manufacturing units have adequate access roads and are typically located close to the highways/wide roads with basic infrastructure available for attending to emergency scenarios.
Security Personnel: The company has arranged for deployment of unarmed security personnel across its manufacturing units, after conducting necessary background checks. The company reports no security incident in the past involving workforce, community members and other stakeholders. The company briefs security personnel about policies on prevention of child labor to be verified among contractor/third party workers at gate and provides training on basic safety, first-aid, fire safety and emergency response.
PS1: Assessment and Management of Environmental and Social Risks and Impacts
Policy: PPL has adopted a Health, Safety Environmental and Environment (HSE) Policy, that is broadly aligned with the objectives of IFC’s Performance Standards.
The company is a WHO cGMP certified manufacturer of pharmaceutical finished formulations with a number of regional GMP compliance certifications in Asia and Africa. The company holds ISO 9001:2015 certification for its quality management system. The company has established a health, safety and environment management system (HSEMS) across its business activities and is preparing for certification as per ISO 14001 (Environmental Management) and ISO 45001 (Occupational Health and Safety). As per ESAP#1, the Company will augment its existing HSEMS into an Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS), formalizing and updating the requirements for E&S procedures and plans in line with the regulatory framework, IFC Performance Standards, relevant WBG EHS Guidelines and GIIP. The ESMS will, at a minimum, include (i) procedures for conducting environmental, health, safety and social (EHSS) risk assessments at both the business and asset levels, aligned with the IFC Performance Standards and industry best practices, including consideration of supply chain risks, (ii) requirement for development of SOPs for managing EHSS risks and impacts across manufacturing, R&D, quality control, warehousing, and utility operations; (iii) ongoing monitoring, reporting and management review of ESMS implementation; (iv) EHSS training plan; (v) emergency preparedness and response; (vi) appropriate E&S organization, with responsibility and resource allocation; (vii) operational control procedures for occupational health and safety (OHS) including exposure control for potent compounds, aseptic operations, and laboratory safety; (viii) stakeholder engagement and community grievance mechanism consistent with the principles of transparency, accessibility, and responsiveness outlined in IFC Performance Standard 1.
Identification of E&S risks and impacts and management programs: The company identifies and manages E&S risks and impacts associated with its operations through compliance with applicable national standards and E&S regulatory permits and requirements. The Company, as part of the HSEMS, has established procedure for identification of E&S risks and impacts of its operations consistently with nation law and good international industry practices through use of standard tools such HIRA (Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment). The Company has prepared a list of critical areas, activities and capital machinery used in its operations to carry out HIRAs at regular intervals. As per ESAP#2, the Company will conduct HIRAs for all process areas (including production areas for hormones, cephalosporin, penicillin, vaccines, large volume parenteral, ophthalmic and other products), R&D centers, QC units and animal house, warehouses (including chemicals and solvent storage areas), utilities and others critical areas identified. The HIRAs will be updated on a regular basis to capture changes in processes, raw materials, and products; integrate emerging statutory requirements and relevant GMP / industry best practices; and drive continual improvement within the organization’s risk management system.
The company maintains legal register for its operations and the registers capture the key applicable permits and approvals (including Environmental Clearance from DOE, Factory License, Boiler Certificate, Fire License, Permission for use of acids, License for flammable and explosive materials storage and uses, etc.). The legal register includes information on the validity of each permit along the permit renewal calendar.
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) have been developed and implemented across the company operations for processing areas and products, quality control, operation and maintenance activities and facility management, warehousing and distribution, etc. In addition, as part of the HSEMS, specific SOPs have been developed to address key health, safety and environmental aspects such as site safety management, contractor safety, waste management, personnel hygiene and sanitation, fire safety, emergency preparedness and response, first aid, HSE risk assessments, audits and incident reporting, etc. These procedures aim to ensure a safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible work environment.
Organizational Capacity and Competency: The Company has established an HSE organizational structure with defined roles, responsibilities, and authority for implementing the HSEMS. At present, the Director-Projects and Plant Operations holds dual charge as Head - HSE and reports directly to the MD & CEO of PPL. In addition to HSE oversight, the Director-Projects and Plant Operations is responsible for managing production divisions, engineering operations (including utilities maintenance and project management), and warehousing. HSE aspects are currently coordinated by a Senior Executive-HSE (a mid-level function), supported at site by an HSE Executive, a Medical Officer, and a 15-member team drawn from the workforce (non-management) involved in fire safety, waste management, pest control, and other HSE related functions. The Director-HR & Admin oversees human resources, social and labor-related aspects, and stakeholder engagement, supported by a dedicated HR and administration team. The Director-Quality Operations & International Regulatory Affairs (IRA) is responsible for quality control and assurance, research & development (R&D), microbiology, and IRA. In line with ESAP#3, the Company will appoint a SeniorHSE resource with the overall responsibility for establishing, implementing, and maintaining the Company’s ESMS, ensuring compliance with applicable national regulations and international standards and IFC PS requirement and with a direct reporting line to the Director - Projects and Plant Operations.
Emergency Preparedness and Response: The Company has developed a comprehensive Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan (ERP) that addresses both onsite and offsite emergencies. The ERP provides specific procedures to be followed in the event of fire or explosion, chemical, diesel, or wastewater spills, hazardous chemical or gas leaks, medical emergencies, and climate-related incidents such as heavy rainfall, flooding, high winds, and cyclones. It also covers other potential scenarios, including earthquakes, structural collapse, electrical or utility failures, traffic accidents, bomb threats, worker unrest, civil disturbances, and national emergencies. A dedicated emergency response organization has been established within the Company, with clearly defined roles and responsibilities and external responders to be contacted during emergencies have also been identified. Regular emergency training sessions and mock drills are conducted to test preparedness and with participation from external agencies (Fire Service and Civil Defence Department).
Monitoring & Reporting: The company conducts annual internal HSE audits at its production facilities. The audits are conducted by a three member team consisting of representatives from HSE and engineering functions as well as relevant internal subject matter experts (SMEs). Based on the audit findings, corrective and presentive actions (CAPAs) are recommended and assigned to specific functions/departments for execution within specified timelines. External energy audits are also conducted at the production facilities by certified third party energy auditors. The energy audits are aimed at evaluating current operations in terms of energy efficiency and waste heat recovery and recommending improvements for cost and carbon reduction.
PS2: Labor and Working Conditions
Human Resource (HR) Policies and Procedures, Working Conditions and Terms of Employment: PPL has around 2500 employees, with around 3.5% of females in manufacturing roles. All the employees are hired directly by the company, and there are no third-party employees. In addition, the Company engages sales personnel and medical representatives for product promotion, market outreach, and customer engagement.
The company has established HR policies on relevant aspects for the employees, related to child labor, forced labor, recruitment, probation confirmation, performance management, compensation & benefits, leave, transfer, working hours, training, occupational health & safety, disciplinary procedures, aligning with the local law requirements and IFC. These policies are communicated via ‘employee handbook’ to all the executive staff and workmen. A dedicated HR team is responsible for managing human resources and the employees’ wellbeing. The company provides decent working conditions for all staff and workers. The factory shopfloors, office areas, utility areas, storage areas etc were noted to be well organized and kept in order. Company pays the employee’s salary regularly at rates higher than the applicable minimum wages, pays bonus twice a year, provides leaves and other benefits to workers.
Company rules defined for receiving accumulated PF amount after employee’s separation from the company have some gaps against the legislative requirements. The company will revise and implement the Provident Fund Policy to align with applicable statutory requirements. (ESAP#4)
Freedom of Association: The company does not have a documented policy on ‘freedom of association’. While there is no union at the factory, consultations with management and workers suggested that the workers have not attempted or requested to form any association in the past. Any alternative forum for collective discussions, in the form of a workers’ committee, is not present in the factory. The company has formulated a safety committee and canteen committee for specific purposes. The company will establish a formal policy on freedom of association and facilitate the formation & functioning of an effective ‘workers participation committee (WPC)’ and formulate a formal policy on freedom of association aligning with global standards. Members to the committee shall be elected and empowered in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations (ESAP#5).
Non-discrimination and Equal Opportunity: PPL has well defined policies on gender equality and the prevention of workplace harassment. The Policy against harassment addresses the prohibition of sexual harassment. Consultations with management and workers indicated that no incidents of sexual harassment have been reported within the Company premises to date. HR department is responsible to receive such complaints and resolve employees’ concerns. Going forward, the company will establish a dedicated, independent mechanishm in the form of a specific anti-sexual harassment committee to hear, manage and mitigate workers’ grievances and compliants on the issues of sexual harassment (ESAP #5).
Grievance Mechanism: PPL has established a detailed grievance handling mechanism and is well explained in the employee handbook. The documented mechanism defines grievance policy, responsibilities for the management, supervisor/team leaders/managers, complainant, and HR department. The mechanism has further defined the grievance process with suggested timeframes, resolution methods and covers the aspects of conflict of interest, confidentiality & privacy. An opportunity to appeal the decision of grievance process is also added to the overall grievance process. Suggestion boxes have been placed at different locations within the premises. Workers were noted to be aware of the existing grievance handling mechanism during the consultations.
Protecting the Workforce: Management has established policies on Child Labor and Forced Labor. There are no underage workers employed by the company. The HR department ensures the minimum age of all employees by verifying and keeping a age-proof record for all the employees. HR also ensures that any policy or procedure does not lead to any involuntary or forced work practice.
Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) Management: PPL has developed an OHS policy for its manufacturing operations. A dedicated OHS department with 20 members is deployed to ensure good, safe practices. Trainings are conducted throughout the year on specific OHS topics including, but not limited to fire prevention, work permits, HSE risk assessment, first aid, handling chemicals, PPE usage, safety signs & color coding, incident reporting, safety inspection, personal hygiene, forklift safety, etc.) for relevant participants. Mock drills are conducted to acquaint the staff with an emergency evacuation process. A Safety Committee is constituted at the factory to discuss and mitigates safety risks and issues. The Company has developed and implemented Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to address critical process-related risks and enhance occupational health and safety performance. In particular, the SOP for the receipt, storage, and handling of flammable solvents defines detailed safety and operational procedures for managing such hazardous materials within the warehouse. The procedure ensures personnel safety, compliance with applicable safety standards, and environmental protection through effective material handling, spill prevention, and quality control measures.
As a part of its Industrial Hygiene process, the Company has developed and implemented Contamination Control Strategy (CCS) for critical units like the Vaccine Facility, that poses health risks to the workforce. The strategy outlines specific approaches on contamination control and to maintain appropriate standard to ensure an adequate level of contamination control throughout the process. The strategy duly considers the overall approach for managing microbiological, particulate, endotoxin pyrogen and cross-contamination of products manufactured in the Vaccine Facility. The Company conducts pre-employment as well as annual medical examinations for all staff. These assessments include specific health investigations for personnel engaged in critical operations, such as Cephalosporin/Penicillin sensitivity or hypersensitivity tests, visual acuity (vision) tests, and hormone profile evaluations (including immunological tests for Progesterone and Estradiol), among others. The Company has also undertaken categorisation of molecules/drugs handles in their facility in accordance with occupation exposure levels (OEL). This has helped in aligning operational controls, and worker protection measures with inherent potency and toxicity of the substances handled.
The Company reports that there has been no fatal workplace accident or incident at any of the operating facilities. The company maintains an injury register and tracker to document all injuries and accident/incidents that have occurred within the company premises. A review of the injury register for 2024, indicates 31 medical injuries – most of them were noticed to be hand injuries and were treated in the company health center. All accidents and incidents were analyzed by the designated HSE team to identify the root causes and the appropriate action plan to mitigate as a result.
The operational units of the Company have valid fire permit from Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defence Department. The Company has implemented fire detection, alarm and firefighting systems included fire hydrant, and fire extinguishers, manual call points, fire exit signages, emergency lights and public address systems. An Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan has been developed the Company conducts fire and emergency preparedness training, and first aid training for its operational personnel. During the site visits, certain gaps were observed in PPL’s existing life and fire safety systems, notably, the absence of functional fire detection systems in critical areas such as the central warehouse and solvent storage sections. The Company informed that the extension of detection systems to such areas will be undertaken shortly. As per ESAP#6, The Company will conduct a third party Life and Fire Safety (LFS) Audit for all process and utility areas and implement the audits recommendations to address the gaps in a time bound manner
Supply chain: PPL sources APIs, excipients and primary and secondary packaging materials from its supply chain. APIs are sourced principally from China and India, excipients from Europe and packaging materials (PVC films, aluminum foil, ampule, vial, HDPE containers, syringes, etc.) from China, Indonesia, France, Thailand, India and Korea. PPL has developed a Supplier Screening Mechanism to identify, evaluate, and periodically assess its suppliers. Periodic vendor audits are conducted for selected vendors. The vendor appraisal questionnaire, in addition to techno-economic parameters, quality aspects, and business licenses, also includes E&S screening elements covering policies, management systems, certifications, utility management and HR aspects. The Company, as per ESAP#7, will update the Supplier Screening Mechanism to integrate specific assessment criteria and controls related to child labor, forced labor, occupational health and safety (OHS), and regulatory compliance.
PS3: Resource Efficiency and Pollution Prevention
Resource Efficiency: PPL operations consume resources such as electricity, natural gas, LPG, diesel, and water. Based on last year’s (2024’s) consumption, the annual resource consumption covering company facilities is around: 48.12 million (kWH) of electricity; 11.62 million m3 of natural gas, 17,280 Kg of LPG, 200 Kiloliter (KL) of diesel and approx. 722,000 cubic meter of water. The company sources electricity from national power grid power and has also installed rooftop solar generating 10 MWh per month. The water demand is sourced from ground water after securing necessary approvals.
The Company is actively engaging in initiatives to enhance both resource efficiency and energy conservation. These include measures such as installing heat recovery systems, utilizing rooftop solar energy, and reusing treated effluent. PPL operates seven (7) boilers, of which three (3) are exhaust gas boilers (EGBs) that generate steam by utilizing waste heat from captive power generators. The remaining four (4) boilers are dual-fuel units that use natural gas as the primary fuel and diesel as a secondary fuel, and are equipped with economizers and a central condensate recovery system. Additionally, the company is focused on optimizing water utilization through reuse of the treated effluent from the ETP for housekeeping and landscaping purposes. A significant volume of water generated from the moist heat sterilizers used in the Large Volume Parenteral (LVP) production process is also recovered and recycled within the system.
Greenhouse Gases (GHG) Emissions: PPL generates approximately 30,036 tonnes of CO2-equivalent emissions annually (Scope 1 and Scope 2), as determined through a third-party GHG emissions assessment. As part of its GHG emission reduction strategy, the company has implemented boiler heat recovery systems and installed rooftop solar plants. The company has set a goal to increase solar energy usage to cover 5% of the lighting load in the future
Air Emissions: Air emissions from the company’s operations are limited to particulate matter and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from process areas, as well as emissions from gas generator stacks, emergency diesel generator (DG) stacks, and boiler exhausts. PPL’s manufacturing facility houses three (3) gas generators for captive power generation and seven (7) boilers. Diesel generators are installed as backup power sources; however, their use remains minimal due to the availability of dedicated grid power and the in-house captive generation system. The company has implemented specific emission control measures, including maintaining appropriate stack heights for generators, capturing VOC vapors through air extractors in fume hoods, collecting particulates using a series of filters (pre-filter, intermediate filter, and HEPA filter), and deploying dust collectors.
A regular air emission monitoring program is in place, under which stack emissions from boilers and DG sets are periodically tested by independent, accredited third-party laboratories. The latest stack emission monitoring results indicate compliance with regulatory standards. For the parameters tested, the results also meet the corresponding limits under the WBG EHS Guidelines.
Source noise levels are regularly monitored in process and utility areas. The results of noise monitoring indicate adherence to OSHA source noise standards.
Wastewater Treatment: The company operates an Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) with a treatment capacity of 30 m³/day to manage wastewater generated from the production floors. Effluents from the vaccine, cephalosporin, and penicillin manufacturing units are first routed through neutralization basins for pre-treatment before being conveyed to the ETP. The existing ETP employs conventional primary and secondary treatment processes, and the quality of treated effluent is routinely monitored both internally and by the Department of Environment (DOE) Laboratory. Recent monitoring results indicate compliance with national discharge standards. For the parameters tested, the results also meet the corresponding limits under the WBG EHS Guidelines. The treated effluent is reused for car washing, landscaping, and general housekeeping within the facility premises, while the balance is discharged into public drains within the industrial area after meeting the applicable discharge standards. Sanitary sewage from the facility is currently managed through septic tanks with soak pits. To support ongoing and planned expansions, the company is enhancing its effluent treatment capacity through the construction of a new 600 m³/day ETP equipped with reverse osmosis (RO) process. The new system is designed to treat both industrial effluent and sewage, improve overall treatment efficiency, and increase the proportion of recycled water within the facility.
As part of ESMS implementation (ESAP#1) the Company will implement a plan for periodic monitoring of ambient air quality and emissions, ground water and treated effluent quality from its facility to demonstrate performance levels aligned with the applicable WBG EHS Guidelines.
Waste management: The company operations generate hazardous and non-hazardous waste which are managed as per a specific Waste Management Plan (WMP) developed by PPL. As part of the WMP, standards operational procedures have been put in place, outlining the processes for the collection, handling, storage, and disposal of waste, including specific procedures to deal with waste generated from process units and laboratories. The Company has entered into an agreement with Lafarge Holding PLC (a DOE approved agency) for disposing the hazardous waste generated in PPL – this includes rejected raw materials, pharmaceutical solid waste, ETP sludge and lube oil. The waste is utilized for coprocessing in cement manufacturing by Lafarge and a certificate of safe disposal is issued to the Company.
Hazardous chemicals are stored in a designated central chemical storage room, which is equipped with appropriate ventilation and segregation systems. Chemicals are stored in accordance with their compatibility classification and following established protocols to ensure safety and prevent cross-contamination. Chemical dispensing and usage take place under controlled conditions - typically within fume hoods, using appropriate PPEs and chemical storage cabinets to minimize exposure risks. Hazardous chemicals are disposed, neutralized or decontaminated before discharge in ETP as per standard operating procedures. This ensures compliance with regulatory requirements and promotes safe and environmentally responsible chemical management practices.
PS4: Community Health, Safety and Security
The company’s manufacturing units are located within an established industrial zone and have been designed, constructed, and are operating in compliance with the national building and fire safety codes. The company has obtained factory license from Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments (DIFE), trade license from the Gazipur Municipal Corporation and license to manufacture drugs from the Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA). The company has established regular infrastructure and an equipment safety related inspection regime in compliance with local regulations and GMP standards. SOPs are also in place for routine testing and verification of contamination control systems (e.g. conducting leakage tests of HEPA filtration systems using aerosol photometers and aerosol generators to ensure system integrity and performance).
The Company has adopted required safety measures when transporting and storing hazardous materials. The company raises driver’s awareness on defensive driving and speed limits during traffic to address issues of local traffic increase and associated impacts on community health and safety. The manufacturing units have adequate access roads and are typically located close to the highways/wide roads with basic infrastructure available for attending to emergency scenarios.
Security Personnel: The company has arranged for deployment of unarmed security personnel across its manufacturing units, after conducting necessary background checks. The company reports no security incident in the past involving workforce, community members and other stakeholders. The company briefs security personnel about policies on prevention of child labor to be verified among contractor/third party workers at gate and provides training on basic safety, first-aid, fire safety and emergency response.
Stakeholder Engagement
The company’s engagement with the neighboring communities is limited as all of the facilities are located inside designated industrial areas. The company communicates regularly with different groups of internal and external stakeholders (workforce, contractors, suppliers, regulators, etc.). The company maintains regular engagement with the labor department and other regulatory authorities regarding compliances as well as meeting the local requirements. The company also collaborates with external emergency responders such as the Fire Service and Civil Defence Department, Police, City Corporation, and government utility agencies.
Same as in SII
Broad Community Support
Broad Community Support is not applicable for this project.
Environmental & Social Action Plan
| S.no | Description | Anticipated Completion Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Company will augment its existing HSEMS into an Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS), formalizing and updating the requirements for E&S procedures and plans in line with the regulatory framework, IFC Performance Standards, relevant WBG EHS Guidelines and GIIP. The ESMS will, at a minimum, include (i) procedures for conducting environmental, health, safety and social (EHSS) risk assessments at both the business and asset levels, aligned with the the IFC Preformance Standards and industry best practices, including consideration of supply chain risks, (ii) requirement for development of SOPs for managing EHSS risks and impacts across manufacturing, R&D, quality control, warehousing, and utility operations; (iii) ongoing monitoring, reporting and management review of ESMS implementation; (iv) EHSS training plan; (v) emergency preparedness and response; (vi) appropriate E&S organization, with responsibility and resource allocation; (vii) operational control procedures for occupational health and safety (OHS) including exposure control for potent compounds, aseptic operations, and laboratory safety; (viii) stakeholder engagement and community grievance mechanism consistent with the principles of transparency, accessibility, and responsiveness outlined in IFC Performance Standard 1 | 12/11/2026 |
| 2 | The Company will conduct Hazard Identification and Risk Assessments (HIRAs) for all process areas (including production areas for hormones, cephalosporin, penicillin, vaccines, large volume parenteral, ophthalmic and other products), R&D centers, QC units and animal house, warehouses (including chemicals and solvent storage areas), utilities and others critical areas identified. The HIRAs will be updated on a regular basis to capture changes in processes, raw materials, and products; integrate emerging statutory requirements and relevant GMP / industry best practices; and drive continual improvement within the organization’s risk management system | 09/12/2026 |
| 3 | The Company will appoint a Senior HSE resource with overall responsibility for establishing, implementing, and maintaining the Company’s ESMS, ensuring compliance with applicable national regulations and international standards and IFC PS requirement and with a direct reporting line to the Director - Projects and Plant Operations. | 09/12/2026 |
| 4 | The Company will revise and implement the Provident Fund Policy to meet the requirements of applicable statutory requirements. | 09/12/2026 |
| 5 | The Company will establish a formal policy on freedom of association aligning with global standards and facilitate the formation & functioning of an effective ‘workers participation committee’ to represent worker interests with management. Members to the committee shall be elected and empowered in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations. The company will establish a dedicated anti-sexual harassment committee to deal with workers’s complaints and grievances around issue of sexual harassment. | 11/10/2026 |
| 6 | The Company will conduct a third party Life and Fire Safety (L&FS) Audit for all process and utility areas and implement the audits recommendations to address the gaps in a time bound manners | 09/12/2026 |
| 7 | The Company will update the Supplier Screening Mechanism to integrate specific assessment criteria and controls related to child labor, forced labor, occupational health and safety (OHS), and regulatory compliance. | 09/12/2026 |
Press-Release
Related SII
Similar Projects
**Information on IFC's Policy and Performance Standards on Environmental and Social Sustainability can be found at www.ifc.org/sustainability
IFC supports its clients in addressing environmental and social issues arising from their business activities by requiring its real sector clients to set up and administer appropriate grievance mechanisms and/or procedures to address complaints from Affected Communities in relation to environmental and social issues arising from IFC's clients' business activities. Since 2012, IFC's Financial Intermediary clients applying the Performance Standards are required to develop External Communications Mechanisms to receive and review inquiries or complaints from any interested party regarding the E&S risks and impacts of their operations.
For IFC projects that are active or under consideration, individual(s), or their authorized representative(s), who allege they have been or will be adversely affected by E&S risks or impacts arising from IFC's clients' business activities, may submit a complaint to IFC directly for consideration. When receiving an E&S complaint, IFC engages with complainants and works with its clients to find solutions to E&S concerns as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Complaints can be submitted to IFC online at www.ifc.org/escomplaints or by email to EScomplaints@ifc.org.
IFC complaint response is separate from and complementary to IFC’s clients’ project level grievance mechanisms and IFC’s Independent Accountability Mechanism (CAO). Lodging a complaint directly with IFC does not, at any time, restrict access to CAO.
Affected communities have unrestricted access to the Compliance Advisor Ombudsman (CAO), the independent accountability mechanism for IFC and MIGA. CAO facilitates the resolution of complaints related to IFC and MIGA projects and sub-projects, undertakes reviews of IFC’s and MIGA’s environmental and social compliance, fosters public accountability for their commitments, and enhances the environmental and social performance of IFC and MIGA.
Independent of IFC and MIGA management and reporting directly to the IFC and MIGA Boards of Executive Directors, CAO helps resolve issues raised about the environmental and social impacts of projects through a neutral, collaborative, problem-solving approach via its Dispute Resolution function. It also reviews IFC’s and MIGA’s compliance with environmental and social policies, assesses related harm, and recommends remedial actions through its Compliance function. Additionally, CAO provides advice to IFC, MIGA, and their Boards to enhance environmental and social sustainability performance and minimize the risk of harm.
Complaints may relate to environmental and social harm regarding any aspect of the planning, implementation, or impact of a project or sub-project, and can be made by any individual, group, community, entity, or other party affected or likely to be affected by the environmental or social impacts of an IFC- or MIGA-financed business activity.
Complaints can be submitted by any of the following methods:
CAO receives and addresses complaints in accordance with the CAO Policy, which can be accessed at: https://www.cao-ombudsman.org/policies-guidelines.
IFC supports its clients in addressing environmental and social issues arising from their business activities by requiring its real sector clients to set up and administer appropriate grievance mechanisms and/or procedures to address complaints from Affected Communities in relation to environmental and social issues arising from IFC's clients' business activities. Since 2012, IFC's Financial Intermediary clients applying the Performance Standards are required to develop External Communications Mechanisms to receive and review inquiries or complaints from any interested party regarding the E&S risks and impacts of their operations.
For IFC projects that are active or under consideration, individual(s), or their authorized representative(s), who allege they have been or will be adversely affected by E&S risks or impacts arising from IFC's clients' business activities, may submit a complaint to IFC directly for consideration. When receiving an E&S complaint, IFC engages with complainants and works with its clients to find solutions to E&S concerns as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Complaints can be submitted to IFC online at www.ifc.org/escomplaints or by email to EScomplaints@ifc.org.
IFC complaint response is separate from and complementary to IFC’s clients’ project level grievance mechanisms and IFC’s Independent Accountability Mechanism (CAO). Lodging a complaint directly with IFC does not, at any time, restrict access to CAO.
Affected communities have unrestricted access to the Compliance Advisor Ombudsman (CAO), the independent accountability mechanism for IFC and MIGA. CAO facilitates the resolution of complaints related to IFC and MIGA projects and sub-projects, undertakes reviews of IFC’s and MIGA’s environmental and social compliance, fosters public accountability for their commitments, and enhances the environmental and social performance of IFC and MIGA.
Independent of IFC and MIGA management and reporting directly to the IFC and MIGA Boards of Executive Directors, CAO helps resolve issues raised about the environmental and social impacts of projects through a neutral, collaborative, problem-solving approach via its Dispute Resolution function. It also reviews IFC’s and MIGA’s compliance with environmental and social policies, assesses related harm, and recommends remedial actions through its Compliance function. Additionally, CAO provides advice to IFC, MIGA, and their Boards to enhance environmental and social sustainability performance and minimize the risk of harm.
Complaints may relate to environmental and social harm regarding any aspect of the planning, implementation, or impact of a project or sub-project, and can be made by any individual, group, community, entity, or other party affected or likely to be affected by the environmental or social impacts of an IFC- or MIGA-financed business activity.
Complaints can be submitted by any of the following methods:
- Online form: available at https://www.cao-ombudsman.org/
- Mail/Hand Delivery to: 2121 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20433, USA
- Voice mail: +1 202 458 1973
- Email: cao@worldbankgroup.org
- SMS, WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal: +1 202 650 2627
CAO receives and addresses complaints in accordance with the CAO Policy, which can be accessed at: https://www.cao-ombudsman.org/policies-guidelines.
This Environmental and Social Review Summary (ESRS) is prepared by IFC to disclose its findings and recommendations related to environmental and social considerations regarding potential investments. Its purpose is to enhance the transparency of IFC's activities. For any project documentation or data included or attached herein, whether prepared by the project sponsor or otherwise, authorization has been given for public release by the project sponsor. IFC considers that this ESRS is of adequate quality for release to the public, but has not necessarily independently verified all of the project information therein.
It is distributed in advance of IFC Board of Directors' consideration and may be periodically updated thereafter. Board dates are estimates only and this document should not be construed as presuming the outcome of the Board Directors’ decision. The following ESRS is disclosed in accordance with IFC's Access to Information Policy (AIP).
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It is distributed in advance of IFC Board of Directors' consideration and may be periodically updated thereafter. Board dates are estimates only and this document should not be construed as presuming the outcome of the Board Directors’ decision. The following ESRS is disclosed in accordance with IFC's Access to Information Policy (AIP).
The map is for illustrative purposes and does not imply the expression of any opinion on the part of the World Bank, concerning the legal status of any country or territory or concerning the delimitation of frontiers or boundaries. Country borders or names do not necessarily reflect the World Bank Group's official position. In some cases, available project location information is limited to the country of the project's activities. Locations are approximate.