Social Responsiblity

Our Commitment to Creating Positive Impact

The Solomon Brokerage Firm, through the European Digital Trade Center (EDTC), believes that business success and social responsibility are inseparable. We are committed to leveraging digital innovation, professional expertise, and ethical business practices to advance environmental sustainability, support economic development, strengthen organizational capacity, and contribute to Portugal’s and the European Union’s ambitious sustainability and digital transformation goals.

Our Social Responsibility strategy is grounded in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and aligned with the sustainability frameworks and national commitments of the European Union and Portugal:

• Portugal: General Waste Management Scheme (Decree-Law 102-D/2020), Unified Legal Framework for Specific Waste Streams (Decree-Law 152-D/2017, amended by Decree-Law 24/2024), Climate Law (Law 98/2021), Roadmap for Carbon Neutrality 2050 (Resolution 107/2019), National Plan for Energy and Climate 2030 (PNEC 2030, Resolution 53/2020), Portuguese Circular Economy Action Plan (Resolution 190-A/2017), Action Plan for Circularity in Construction Sector (PACCO, 2022), and Public Procurement Code (Decree-Law 18/2008, rectified by DR 25/2021).
• European Union: European Green Deal (2019), Circular Economy Action Plan (2020), Circular Economy Act (due 2026), Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (July 2024), Directive on Right to Repair (July 2024), Regulation on Packaging and Packaging Waste (February 2025), Batteries Regulation (July 2023), Waste Shipments Regulation (May 2024), Directive Empowering Consumers for Green Transition (March 2024), and Industrial Emissions Directive 2.0 (August 2024).

We recognize that social responsibility is not a separate initiative—it is embedded in how we do business, how we serve clients, and how we engage with communities and stakeholders. Our circular economy and digital waste management operations directly contribute to:

• Environmental stewardship through waste diversion, resource recovery, emissions reduction, and support for the EU’s net-zero by 2050 objective and 55% emissions reduction target by 2030 (vs. 1990), as well as Portugal’s carbon neutrality by 2050 commitment.
• Economic opportunity by creating employment, supporting local recycling industries, and enabling circular business models aligned with the EU’s circularity rate increase target (from 12% to 24% by 2030) and Portugal’s economic diversification objectives under the National Plan for Energy and Climate 2030.
• Community engagement through transparent stakeholder partnerships with government authorities, municipalities, environmental agencies, and licensed private sector partners across the EU and Portugal.
• Climate resilience by advancing sustainable waste infrastructure, reducing carbon footprints, and contributing to regional climate commitments including the EU’s Fit for 55 package and Portugal’s >55% greenhouse gas reductions by 2030, >65–75% by 2040, and >90% by 2050 (vs. 2005).

This integrated approach ensures that EDTC’s operations deliver measurable environmental, social, and economic value while supporting the long-term sustainability objectives of Portugal and the European Union.

Four Pillars of Our Social Responsibility

1. Environmental Stewardship and Circular Economy Advancement

EDTC recognizes that environmental protection and circular economy development are essential to Portugal’s and the European Union’s long-term prosperity and global climate leadership.

Our Environmental Commitments:

• Circular Economy Leadership: We actively support Portugal’s and the EU’s transition to a circular economy through our digital platforms and services, aligned with the Circular Economy Action Plan (2020), the forthcoming Circular Economy Act (due 2026), and the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (July 2024). Our initiatives enable implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) frameworks, help organizations develop Circular Management Plans, and support compliance with the Directive on Right to Repair (July 2024) and the Regulation on Packaging and Packaging Waste (February 2025). We partner with key authorities—including the Ministry of Environment and Climate Action, the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA), the Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests (ICNF), and the European Commission (DG Environment)—to facilitate the sectoral rollout of EPR obligations and circular economy program implementation, aligned with Portugal’s Circular Economy Action Plan and the EU’s broader Green Deal objectives.
• Waste Valorization: Through our digital solutions, we facilitate the transformation of waste into economic value—connecting waste generators, recyclers, and secondary raw material users to maximize resource recovery. In Portugal and across the EU, we support compliance with the General Waste Management Scheme (Decree-Law 102-D/2020), the Unified Legal Framework for Specific Waste Streams (Decree-Law 152-D/2017, amended by Decree-Law 24/2024), the Waste Framework Directive (2008/2018), the Batteries Regulation (July 2023), and the Waste Shipments Regulation (May 2024). Our platforms integrate with the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA) reporting systems to track and report on waste diversion metrics and resource recovery targets. These initiatives align with the EU’s circular economy targets and Portugal’s national commitment to achieve a 70% material recovery rate for construction and demolition waste and a 10% minimum recycled materials requirement in public infrastructure projects.
• Digital Solutions for Environmental Impact: We develop and implement cutting-edge digital technologies—IoT monitoring systems, real-time waste tracking, route optimization algorithms, Electronic Freight Transport Information (eFTI) systems (aligned with EU Regulation 2020/1056), and environmental compliance dashboards—that reduce environmental footprint and enable data-driven environmental governance aligned with regulatory requirements in Portugal and the European Union.
• Operational Sustainability: Our own facilities implement waste reduction, segregation, energy efficiency, water conservation, and renewable energy adoption aligned with Portugal’s Climate Law (Law 98/2021), the Roadmap for Carbon Neutrality 2050 (Resolution 107/2019), and the National Plan for Energy and Climate 2030 (PNEC 2030). We comply with Portugal’s General Waste Management Scheme (Decree-Law 102-D/2020) and contribute to circular economy coordination objectives under the Ministry of Environment and Climate Action.
• Transparent Environmental Reporting: We publish annual environmental performance reports detailing waste diversion metrics, carbon emissions (Scopes 1, 2, 3), energy efficiency improvements, and progress toward sustainability targets in all operating regions. Our reporting aligns with regulatory compliance requirements of the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA) and the European Environment Agency (EEA). We track and report progress on circular management initiatives registered with the APA, demonstrating alignment with Portugal’s Climate Law and the EU’s Green Deal objectives.
• Supply Chain Environmental Standards: All vendor and partner relationships require environmental compliance and sustainable procurement practices aligned with Portugal’s Public Procurement Code (Decree-Law 18/2008, rectified by DR 25/2021). We actively work with suppliers to reduce supply chain environmental impact and prioritize partnerships with organizations certified under ISO 14001:2015 and compliant with the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation and Directive on Right to Repair to ensure alignment with national and EU circular economy objectives.

Our 2030 Environmental Goal:

Circular Economy Advancement: Support Portugal’s and the EU’s transition to a high-value circular economy through waste diversion, resource recovery acceleration, and material recovery targets:

• EU Targets: Increase circularity rate from 12% to 24% by 2030; achieve net-zero emissions by 2050; reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030 (vs. 1990).
• Portugal Targets: Achieve a 70% material recovery rate for construction and demolition waste; ensure 10% minimum recycled materials in public infrastructure projects; achieve carbon neutrality by 2050; reduce GHG emissions by >55% by 2030, >65–75% by 2040, and >90% by 2050 (vs. 2005); maintain a net CO₂ equivalent sink of >13 MtCO₂ in land use and forestry (2045–2050).

By achieving these goals, EDTC directly contributes to Portugal’s and the EU’s sustainability strategies through measurable waste diversion, resource recovery acceleration, emissions reduction in waste logistics and treatment, strengthened circular economy infrastructure, and enhanced climate resilience across the European Union and Portugal.

For detailed environmental governance, policies, and performance metrics, please review our Environmental Commitment Statement and get in touch with us for our Full Environmental Policy.

2. Professional Ethics, Transparency, and Governance

EDTC believes that ethical business conduct is the foundation of stakeholder trust and institutional integrity.

Our Governance Commitments:

• Zero-Tolerance Anti-Corruption: We maintain strict prohibition on bribery, corruption, money laundering, and sanctions violations, with mandatory compliance screening and suspicious activity reporting aligned with the EU Anti-Money Laundering Directives (AMLD5, AMLD6) and Portugal’s Law 25/2008 on Combating Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism, as amended by Law 11/2021.
• Financial Crime Prevention: All new clients undergo comprehensive Customer Due Diligence (identity verification, beneficial ownership disclosure, source-of-funds verification) and sanctions screening against OFAC, UN Security Council, EU consolidated sanctions lists, and Portuguese designations administered by the Portuguese Financial Intelligence Unit (UNIF) and the European Commission.
• Data Protection and Privacy: We process all personal and environmental data in strict compliance with the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Portugal’s Law 67/98 (Personal Data Protection Act), Portugal’s Law 32/2008 (implementation framework for GDPR), and applicable Portuguese environmental data regulations under the Environmental Framework Law (Law 11/87, as amended), protecting individual privacy rights and maintaining transparent, secure data handling practices.
• Transparent Pricing and Fair Dealing: All fee structures, referral commissions, and financial arrangements disclosed in writing before engagement; pricing consistent with market rates and competitive fairness standards.
• Conflict of Interest Management: All strategic partnerships and financial interests disclosed; conflicts identified, documented, and managed transparently to ensure client interests prioritized.
• Professional Accountability: All advisors carry minimum professional indemnity insurance (EUR 1,000,000+ per claim); annual performance reviews assess client satisfaction, quality standards, and ethical compliance.
• Mandatory Ethics Training: All employees and contractors complete annual training on Code of Professional Ethics, confidentiality, conflict management, anti-corruption, and regulatory compliance aligned with EU compliance directives and Portuguese regulatory requirements.

Governance Structure: EDTC maintains a Management Board of Senior Partners overseeing ethical policy implementation, regulatory alignment, and continuous improvement. Our Chief Strategy Officer ensures policy compliance and investigation of suspected violations.

For our complete governance framework, please review our Code of Professional Ethics Commitment and contact us for our Full Professional Code of Ethics.

3. Economic Development, Capacity Building, and Knowledge Sharing

EDTC contributes to Portugal’s and the European Union’s economic development and organizational capacity through advisory expertise, professional development, and knowledge leadership aligned with the European Green Deal and EU circular economy objectives.

Our Economic Development Commitments:

• Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Support: We provide accessible advisory services to support SME digital transformation, operational efficiency, and sustainable business model development—enabling Portugal’s and the EU’s diverse business ecosystem to compete globally while meeting stringent environmental and circular economy standards.
• Digital Transformation Accessibility: Our environmental and digital consultancy services help organizations across sectors (manufacturing, logistics, retail, healthcare, government) adopt digital solutions that reduce costs, improve efficiency, and enable sustainability compliance with EU Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation, eFTI Directive (2020/1056), and Portugal’s General Waste Management Scheme.
• Circular Economy Business Model Innovation: We advise organizations on circular economy transition—from linear production to regenerative business models emphasizing product longevity, repair, material recovery, and secondary market development, aligned with the EU Circular Economy Action Plan (2020) and Portugal’s Circular Economy Action Plan.
• Professional Workforce Development: Through training programs and advisory services, we build organizational capacity in:
  • Digital logistics and supply chain optimization compliant with EU eFTI standards.
  • Environmental management and compliance with EU Directives and Portuguese regulations.
  • Circular economy strategy aligned with EU and Portugal targets (55% emissions reduction by 2030, 24% circularity rate by 2030, 70% construction/demolition waste recovery).
  • Project management and operational excellence.
  • Technology adoption and digital transformation.
• Thought Leadership and Knowledge Sharing: EDTC publishes research, case studies, and industry insights on:
  • Digital waste management and circular economy innovation under EU Waste Framework Directive.
  • Supply chain digitalization and logistics optimization via eFTI Directive.
  • Regulatory compliance and environmental governance across EU and Portugal frameworks.
  • Sustainability business case development and ROI analysis aligned with Net-Zero 2050 targets.
• Talent Development: EDTC creates employment opportunities for qualified Portuguese and EU professionals and supports continuous professional development through certifications, training programs, and career advancement pathways.

Government Engagement:

EDTC actively engages with government authorities and sustainability bodies to support the achievement of EU environmental targets, Portugal’s carbon neutrality objectives, and circular economy goals:

• Portugal Level: EDTC collaborates with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Action, Portuguese Environment Agency (APA), and the Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests (ICNF) to advance Portugal’s Climate Law (Law 98/2021), General Waste Management Scheme (Decree-Law 102-D/2020), and National Plan for Energy and Climate 2030 (PNEC 2030). We engage with regional environmental authorities and municipal governments to support implementation of Portugal’s Circular Economy Action Plan, Action Plan for Circularity in Construction Sector (PACCO), and Portugal’s carbon neutrality roadmap (2050), which targets >55% GHG reductions by 2030, >65-75% by 2040, and >90% by 2050 (vs 2005 baseline), alongside 70% material recovery for construction/demolition waste and 10% minimum recycled materials in public infrastructure projects. We also coordinate with sectoral authorities responsible for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) frameworks, sustainable public procurement under the Public Procurement Code, and sustainable urbanization standards to facilitate circular economy transition across Portuguese industries and municipalities.
• European Union Level: EDTC collaborates with the European Commission (Directorate-General for Environment) and the European Environment Agency (EEA) to support implementation of European Green Deal initiatives, the Circular Economy Action Plan, Waste Framework Directive amendments, Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation, Directive on Right to Repair, Batteries Regulation, Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, and Industrial Emissions Directive 2.0. We facilitate knowledge transfer on EU-wide 55% emissions reduction targets (by 2030), net-zero by 2050 commitments, and circular economy transition metrics (target: 24% circularity rate by 2030).

Through structured stakeholder partnerships, regulatory compliance monitoring, transparent reporting, and collaborative circular economy initiatives, EDTC aims to support Portugal’s and the EU’s achievement of national and regional environmental targets, emissions reduction commitments, and sustainable resource management objectives aligned with the European Green Deal and UN SDGs 12, 13, and 15.

4. Community Engagement and Stakeholder Collaboration

EDTC recognizes that sustainable development requires active engagement with communities, stakeholders, and strategic partners.

Our Community and Stakeholder Commitments:

• Environmental Awareness and Advocacy: We promote public understanding of circular economy principles, waste valorization opportunities, and sustainable business practices through:
  • Public seminars and workshops on environmental compliance and circular economy.
  • Participation in industry conferences and sustainability forums.
  • Collaboration with environmental NGOs and community organizations.
  • Support for educational initiatives on environmental stewardship.
• Regulatory Stakeholder Collaboration: We maintain transparent dialogue with:
• PORTUGAL:
  • Ministry of Environment and Climate Action (Ministério do Ambiente e Ação Climática).
  • Portuguese Environment Agency (APA — Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente).
  • Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests (ICNF — Instituto da Conservação da Natureza e das Florestas).
  • Portuguese Financial Intelligence Unit (UNIF) for AML/CFT compliance.
  • Portuguese Data Protection Authority (CNPD — Comissão Nacional de Proteção de Dados).
  • Institute for Management of Waste (IMEA) and regional waste management entities.
  • Municipal environmental authorities and local sustainability offices across Portugal’s 18 districts.
  • Portuguese Industry Associations and professional organizations focused on circular economy, waste management, and sustainability.
  • Portuguese Environmental NGOs and community organizations engaged in waste valorization and circular economy promotion.
• EUROPEAN UNION:
  • European Commission (Directorate-General for Environment).
  • European Environment Agency (EEA).
  • EU Financial Intelligence authorities and EU sanctions coordination mechanisms.
  • EU Data Protection Board.
  • European industry associations and sectoral organizations aligned with EU circular economy and Green Deal objectives.
• Client Success and Impact: Our advisory work directly supports client environmental performance improvements and sustainable business model transformation—multiplying EDTC’s impact across client organizations and their supply chains.
• Partner Network Responsibility: We require all strategic partners and service providers to meet environmental compliance, data protection, and ethical business standards; we actively collaborate with partners on continuous improvement.
• Feedback and Accountability: We solicit and incorporate stakeholder feedback regarding our environmental performance, business practices, and social impact; we are transparent about challenges and committed to continuous improvement.
• Inclusive Advisory Practice: Our advisory services are designed to be accessible across organization sizes and sectors, supporting both government entities and private enterprises in sustainability transition.

Community Engagement Examples:

• Advisory support for municipal waste management system optimization across Portuguese local authorities.
• Environmental training for government and corporate partners aligned with EU Circular Economy Action Plan objectives.
• Supply chain sustainability assessments for transportation and logistics sectors in compliance with eFTI Directive (EU Regulation 2020/1056).
• Circular economy business model advisory for manufacturing and retail organizations under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (2024).
• Digital transformation support for environmental compliance and monitoring aligned with Portugal’s General Waste Management Scheme and EU environmental data standards.

Alignment with Global and National Sustainability Frameworks

EDTC’s social responsibility strategy is explicitly aligned with:

Measuring Our Social Responsibility Impact

EDTC commits to transparent measurement and reporting of social responsibility performance:

Environmental Metrics:

• % of operational waste diverted from landfill (target: 80% by 2031, aligned with EU Waste Framework Directive).
• Annual operational carbon footprint (Scopes 1, 2, 3) with year-over-year reduction targets aligned with Portugal’s >55% GHG reduction by 2030 and EU 55% emissions reduction by 2030.
• % renewable energy utilized in facility operations (supporting EU net-zero by 2050 and Portugal’s carbon neutrality by 2050).
• % of suppliers meeting EU environmental compliance standards and Portugal’s circular economy requirements.
• % of clients supported in circular economy transformation (contributing to EU’s 24% circularity rate target by 2030 and Portugal’s 70% material recovery target for construction/demolition waste).

Governance Metrics:

• Employee Code of Ethics training completion rate (target: 100% annually, aligned with EU compliance directives).
• Post-engagement client satisfaction scores (target: 4.0/5.0 minimum).
• Professional indemnity insurance coverage maintained (100%).
• AML/CFT compliance assessment completion rate (100%, aligned with EU Anti-Money Laundering Directives and Portugal’s Law 25/2008).
• Environmental and data protection incidents (target: zero tolerance, aligned with GDPR and Portugal’s environmental protection frameworks).

Economic Development Metrics:

• # of SMEs, government entities, and community organizations supported through advisory services aligned with Portugal’s circular economy and climate action initiatives.
• # of employees trained in digital transformation, sustainability, environmental compliance, and professional development.
• # of thought leadership publications and public workshops delivered supporting EU and Portugal’s sustainability objectives.
• # of strategic partnerships with EU, Portuguese government, and regional/local community organizations.

Annual Reporting: EDTC publishes a comprehensive Annual Social Responsibility Report documenting environmental performance aligned with EU Waste Framework Directive, Circular Economy Action Plan, and Portugal’s Climate Law (Law 98/2021); governance compliance with EU GDPR, AML Directives, and Portuguese regulations; circular economy transformation initiatives; and community engagement outcomes.

Our Commitment Going Forward

EDTC recognizes that social responsibility is a continuous journey requiring sustained commitment, investment in people and systems, and willingness to evolve as environmental science advances and regulatory frameworks develop.

We commit to:

1. Annual comprehensive review of social responsibility policies and performance aligned with EU and Portuguese regulatory updates.
2. Transparent stakeholder communication regarding achievements, challenges, and progress toward EU 2030 and 2050 climate targets and Portugal’s carbon neutrality objectives.
3. Continuous improvement in environmental performance and governance standards exceeding EU minimum compliance levels and supporting Portugal’s >55% GHG reduction by 2030.
4. Active collaboration with EU institutions, Portuguese government (Ministry of Environment and Climate Action), and regional authorities to support Portugal’s and the EU’s regional sustainability and circular economy objectives.
5. Long-term investment in digital innovation for environmental monitoring, waste valorization, and sustainable economic benefit across Portugal and the broader European Union.

We invite clients, partners, employees, government entities, and community stakeholders to join us in building a more sustainable, circular, transparent, and prosperous digital economy aligned with Portugal’s climate commitments and the European Union’s Green Deal objectives.

Connect With Us

For inquiries about EDTC’s social responsibility initiatives, partnership opportunities, or to discuss how we can support your organization’s sustainability transition:

Contact Information:

• Email: info@solomonbrokerage.com
• Phone: +372 5332 9390
• Address: Tornimäe 5, Harju County, 10145, Tallinn, Estonia.

EDTC: Digital Innovation for Environmental Stewardship, Sustainable Development, and Economic Prosperity.