At dormakaba Australia and New Zealand, we are proud to be part of a global organisation that actively prioritises sustainability and social responsibility through meaningful action.
In a significant step towards ethical supply chain management, a research project commissioned by dormakaba on the traceability of cobalt has recently been recognised with the HSG Impact Award 2025, presented by the University of St.Gallen (HSG) in Switzerland. This award highlights research that achieves a real and measurable impact.
A groundbreaking study in supply chain transparency
The award-winning study, Tracing Cobalt in Fragmented Supply Chains, was conducted by the Institute for Business Ethics at HSG, with the aim of improving transparency around the sourcing of cobalt; a critical raw material in electronic components used across many industries, including ours. The research confirmed that due to the complex nature of global supply chains, it is nearly impossible to guarantee that cobalt used in any product is entirely free from links to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where child labour and human rights abuses are sadly still present.
Armed with these insights, dormakaba took decisive steps to foster ethical sourcing practices. One key outcome was our decision to join the Responsible Minerals Initiative, reinforcing our commitment to sustainable procurement.
A partnership to protect children
Building on the study's findings, dormakaba became the first company in Europe to partner with Save the Children Switzerland in a pioneering, long-term initiative to combat child labour in the cobalt mining sector of the DRC. This partnership includes a ten year investment of around $1.9M (CHF1M Swiss francs) to support a comprehensive child protection and education program delivered on the ground by The Centre for Child Rights and Business.
The project offers direct support to affected children and their families, reintegrating them into schools or vocational training programs, providing monthly payments and covering educational and healthcare expenses. Each child also receives individual support from a case worker who helps guide their development and wellbeing.
A shared commitment
This initiative aligns with dormakaba’s global Commitment on Human Rights and reflects the values we uphold locally across Australia and New Zealand—ensuring our operations are responsible, transparent, and contribute positively to society.
We applaud the outstanding work of the research team at the University of St.Gallen and are proud to see our Group’s investment in ethical research and action recognised. More importantly, we are inspired by the real change this partnership is already beginning to make in the lives of children and families in the DRC.
At dormakaba Australia & New Zealand, we stand with our global colleagues in championing sustainable supply chains and contributing to a safer, fairer world… for every place that matters.