Sustainable Procurement

We have stringent policies in place to ensure that we only work with suppliers who do not prevent or discourage their employees from joining trade unions or discriminate against employees who hold trade union membership 

When seeking suppliers for products or services we seek to work with suppliers who:

• Afford their employees the freedom to choose to work for them. Employees should be free to leave the supplier after reasonable notice is served. Suppliers should not use forced, bonded or non-voluntary prison labour;
• Establish recognised employment relationships with their employees that are in accordance with their national law and good practice. Suppliers should not seek to avoid providing employees with their legal or contractual rights;
• Can demonstrate a commitment to equality of opportunity for individuals and groups enabling them to live their lives free from discrimination and oppression;
• Impose working hours on their staff which are compliant with national laws or industry standards;
• Under no circumstances abuse or intimidate, in any fashion, employees and have appropriate disciplinary, grievance and appeal procedures in place;

We continue to encourage the ethical sourcing practices among our suppliers, partner organisations and the broader market.

Promoting greater environmental sustainability

In promoting greater environmental sustainability through procurement we will:

• Seek to reduce waste through reviewing the amount and type of materials purchased and by exploring the opportunities to purchase refurbished, recycled and recyclable equipment, products and materials;
• Source green energy wherever possible and adopt appropriate energy management measures;
• Ensure that goods we purchase derive from natural sources where appropriate, do not have an adverse effect on the environment, and comply with the UK, the EU and international trading rules;
• Ensure that the vehicles we purchase, commission have low emissions air pollutants and climate change gases, and take account of the need to minimise emissions and exposure to air pollution in all our purchasing of goods and services;

 

Bribery & Corruption policy

We do not tolerate bribery or corruption in any form.

We prohibit the offering, giving, solicitation or the acceptance of any bribe or corrupt inducement, whether in cash or in any other form:

• to or from any person or company wherever located, whether a public official or public body, or a private person or company;
• by any individual employee, director, agent, consultant, contractor or other person or body acting on the firm’s behalf;
• in order to gain any commercial, contractual, or regulatory advantage for the firm in any way which is unethical or to gain any personal advantage, pecuniary or otherwise, for the individual or anyone connected with the individual.

 

This policy is not intended to prohibit the following practices provided they are appropriate, proportionate and are properly recorded:

• normal hospitality, provided that it complies with our Corporate Entertainment Policy;
• fast tracking a process which is available to all on the payment of a fee; and/or
• providing resources to assist a person or body to make a decision more efficiently, provided that it is for this purpose only.

 

It may not always be a simple matter to determine whether a possible course of action is appropriate.  If you are in any doubt as to whether a possible act might be in breach of this policy or the law, the matter should be referred to our General Manager.

The firm will investigate thoroughly any actual or suspected breach of this policy, or the spirit of this policy.  Any stakeholder of the Company found to be in breach of this policy may be subject to appropriate disciplinary action.

Palm Oil / Palm Oil Derivatives

We are concerned about the environmental and social impacts of the buying of palm oil from South East Asia and in response ask that all our suppliers, who directly procure palm oil, are members of the RSPO. If they do not directly procure palm oil / Palm derivatives, they must ensure their suppliers are a member of this organisation to show their commitment to the growth and use of sustainable palm oil with full traceability back to crude palm oil.

Below are our guiding principles which we share with the suppliers who procure palm oil - these seek to build on the RSPO Principles & Criteria and New Planting Procedure, as well as adhere to all relevant national and international laws and conventions.

No deforestation

• No conversion of High Conservation Value (HCV) areas.
• No conversion of High Carbon Stock (HCS) forests2.
• No burning in the preparation of new plantings and re-plantings.
• A progressive reduction in greenhouse gas emissions associated with existing plantations.

 

No development on peat

• No new development on peat regardless of depth.
• Application of RSPO Best Management Practices for existing plantations on peat.
• Work with experts and stakeholders to explore options for peat restoration where feasible.

 

Transparency

• Encourage suppliers and their third parties to be transparent about their supply chains.
• Disclose any complaints made.
• Report any breaches of the Responsible Sourcing Policy.
• Disclose any new plantings.

No exploitation of people or communities

• Adherence to responsible Sourcing - mandatory requirements on human rights and protection of workers, particular attention to be paid       to migrant workers on plantations.
• Application of the principles of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) to ensure protection and promotion of the rights of indigenou peoples and vulnerable communities.
• Responsible handling of all complaints or breaches identified using generally accepted grievance procedures or conflict resolution.
• Responsible development of new land areas, which does not result in ‘land grabbing’.
• Promote equality between women and men in sustainable production of palm oil including gender equity in access to inputs, resources, training and decision-making rights in rural areas.

Driving positive social and economic impact for smallholders and women while protecting forests

• Facilitate the inclusion of smallholders into the supply chain.
• Support adherence by smallholders to the Five Principles laid out in this Policy.
• Support interventions to increase smallholder yields and incomes, and address social issues, while protecting forests.
• Encourage and support industry initiatives to ensure that processes and mechanisms are developed to eliminate gender discrimination in the workplace and to promote a gender-friendly work environment.

Sustainable Soya, Soy-derived Sourcing

Soya (or soy), is a valuable and versatile ingredient which can be found in products ranging from tofu to chocolate. Soya supply chains can be associated with negative environmental and social issues. Most soya is grown in South America, where deforestation and the conversion of natural and semi-natural habitats  - along with the associated impacts on biodiversity and climate change - is a particular risk. For this reason, we are committed to achieving ‘zero deforestation’ in our own supply chains, and to endeavour to work with others to support progress towards a sustainable soya industry more widely.

We are committed to only using responsibly sourced soya

Sustainable sourcing of fish-based supplements or ingredients

We only work with companies that are able to show their commitment towards protecting resources, fish stocks and eco systems; supporting the development of sustainable marine aquaculture methods; facilitating well informed sourcing policies and promoting best environmental practice.

GMO Policy

We are fully committed to ensure that all the products which we supply are totally free, of Genetically Modified Organisms, and to this end we have sought guarantees from all our suppliers. Our definition of ‘genetically modified' includes ingredients and material derived from GM sources, even where these do not have to be declared according to current legislation.

Modern Slavery Statement

We believe in the importance of equality in the workplace. Being a responsible corporate citizen is not only the right thing to do, it is good for the long-term viability of our business.

We have an established Employee Code of Conduct which details the standards by which we operate. We expect these same high standards from our suppliers. We are committed to preventing acts of modern slavery and human trafficking from occurring within our business and the supply chain.

We make it clear that we expect the staff employed by our suppliers, whether permanent or temporary, to have the same basic right to be treated with respect and dignity at work as our own employees. We believe employment should be chosen. There must be no forced, bonded or involuntary labour. Supplier employees must not be required to lodge monies or identity papers in order to work and must be free to leave employment after the giving of reasonable notice.