A "SafeGuard" Excellence Label for our US Shopping Centres
The Group has worked with Bureau Veritas – one of the world’s most distinguished leaders in testing, inspection, and certification (TIC) services – since 2012 to attest to the implementation of very strict standards regarding health and safety within our shopping centres. Following the certification of our Westfield European centres as “Safe & Healthy Places”, Bureau Veritas conducted a review and audit of Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield’s world-class COVID-related health and safety practices, policies, and procedures in the United States. We are proud to announce that 28 of our US shopping centres are now certified with the industry-leading hygiene and safety excellence label, SafeGuardTM.
The Bureau Veritas’ SafeGuardTM "Hygiene Excellence and Safety Certification" designates a facility that has met stringent requirements to minimise the onsite risk of virus spread and is adhering to best-in-class hygiene and safety protocols.
Bureau Veritas reviewed and certified the procedures implemented at all 28 of the US centres that participated in the programme, including flagship destinations such as Westfield Century City and Westfield Topanga in Los Angeles, Westfield San Francisco Centre and Westfield Valley Fair in the Bay Area, Westfield Garden State Plaza in New Jersey, and Westfield Montgomery in Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C.
“The well-being and health of our retailers, shoppers, and employees is our top priority and Westfield is taking every measure possible to ensure our shopping centres are safe for the community. With the support and guidance of Bureau Veritas, our customers can be assured that we carry the Bureau Veritas SafeGuardTM 'Hygiene Excellence and Safety Certification', serving as an important mark of trust. We look forward to continuing to serve the community knowing that we have implemented procedures that meet the highest sanitation, health, safety and hygiene standards.”
Shelly Schembre, SVP of Shopping Centre Management in the US
The SafeGuardTM "Hygiene Excellence and Safety Certification" by Bureau Veritas includes:
- Detailed review of safety guides and protocols to achieve hygiene and safety excellence using industry best practices, local laws and requirements, and leading medical expertise;
- Best-in-class digital solutions to conduct audits of Westfield’s properties to ensure compliance of hygiene protocols and operational requirements;
- Administration of the Bureau Veritas SafeGuardTM "Hygiene Excellence and Safety Label" upon achieving a successful audit which demonstrates Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield is in compliance, thus providing an extra layer of assurance to the general public, employees, and retailers.
As our shopping centres resume their activities, our top priority is to protect the health and safety of our employees, tenants and visitors. We are all working together to ensure our customers can enjoy their visit feeling safe and confident everything is in place to protect them.
