Sustainability at FPC

We are working to strengthen and illuminate the benefits that our products create from a sustainability perspective and to reduce the negative impact of our operations, products and supply chain.

BUSINESS MODEL

Fingerprint Cards (FPC) is a biometrics company that develops and sells biometric systems - i.e., a combination of sensors, microcontroller units (MCUs), algorithms, software and packaging technologies - for secure and convenient user authentication. The solutions are used in applications such as FIDO security keys, crypto wallets and payment cards, and are sold globally through customers and partners. The business model is based on creating value through high-security biometrics (primarily fingerprint and iris) and commercializing both products and intellectual property (e.g., technology licensing), while shifting focus from price-pressured high-volume segments (Mobile and PC) towards higher-value areas such as payments, access control/enterprise login and digital identity.

BUSINESS-INTEGRATED SUSTAINABILITY FRAMEWORK

Sustainability work at FPC is carried out within the company’s framework, which comprises a vision, core values and policies, including the Code of Conduct and sustainability targets. FPC wholeheartedly supports the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Connected to our specific operations and material focus areas, we have decided to focus on seven of these goals.

We have defined a set of core sustainability targets, connected to our focus areas. The continuous implementation of the targets represents the core of the company’s sustainability work and is part of our company-wide balanced scorecard, which contributes to giving sustainability aspects the same status as the company’s other objectives. The targets have been broken down to each business area and function to determine exactly how they can contribute to target fulfilment. In our opinion, this enhances both commitment and participation.

The visibility and integration of the sustainability targets also makes it easier for managers to follow up the work. To integrate sustainability into our internal processes, we have been inspired by the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). Our environmental and quality management systems are certified in accordance with ISO 14001 and ISO 9001. A working method has been rolled out to manage our overall policies and Code of Conduct, with the aim of managing all policy areas equally. One area of major importance is our work on responsible sourcing, and all direct suppliers must thus sign our Code of Conduct for Suppliers.

INITIATIVES AND PARTNERSHIPS

We believe that companies working collectively on sustainability challenges is the best way to achieve long-term results. In order to ensure the security and functionality of both mobile payments and card payments, we have collaborated with key payment system players, e.g. Eurosmart, a sector organization for businesses active in smart security, such as digital identities, data security, cyber security, Internet of Things (IoT), payment solutions and border control. Another example is EMVCo, a global technological body that facilitates worldwide interoperability and  acceptance of secure payments by handling and developing what are known as EMV® specifications and related test processes. 

STAKEHOLDER DIALOGUE AND MATERIALITY ANALYSIS

FPC's materiality analysis forms the foundation for our sustainability targets. Our targets are aligned with the UN SDGs. The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and stipulations of the Swedish Annual Accounts Act on non-financial information (Ch. 6 Sect. 10) have served as the starting point for producing our materiality analysis, which is integrated into the company’s overall risk-management process.

All business lines and functions were involved in the work to produce the materiality analysis. 

Fingerprints has identified the following stakeholder groups:

• End users 
• Module houses and distributors
• Coworkers 
• Investors 
• Financial analysts 
• Suppliers 
• Business partners
• Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) 
• Media 
• Consumers
• Political decision-makers 

As a result of the stakeholder dialogue and materiality analysis, the following sustainability issues have been judged to be the most material areas for Fingerprints. These have been categorized under the key focus areas established in Fingerprints’ sustainability framework.