Certifications & affiliations

• Ethical trading

  We only purchase raw materials from ethical sources, dealing directly with local producers and farmers, fairly and responsibly. Acquiring Earthoil reinforced our sustainable focus as the business is dedicated to ethical and sustainable sourcing, farming and production of ingredients.

• Payment of creditors

  The Group's policy is to fix terms of payment when agreeing the terms of each business transaction, to ensure the supplier is aware of those terms and to abide by the agreed terms of payment. The Group trade creditors’ balance at the end of September 2016 represents 48 (2015: 40) days credit based on the whole year’s purchases.

• Charitable contributions

  We support charities in the local communities in which we operate. In addition, we champion the fund raising efforts of staff by matching sponsorship collected or enabling fund raising activities to take place at work.

  In the financial year to 30 September 2016 charitable donations of £22,000 were made to local causes.

• Championing social and community issues

  As a Group, we endeavour to make a positive impact on the communities in which we operate.

  Earthoil's KOOFA (Kenyan Organic Oil Farmers Association) is situated in the Mount Kenya area and initially began with just 90 farmers growing borage - a pressed seed oil crop. The project has now moved on to tea tree oil and has since expanded to over 500 growers. Through this, and other projects, Earthoil has passed on valuable farming skills that help these farmers ensure successful crops and therefore, valuable income. The farmers can call on Earthoil-employed agronomists and field officers for help and guidance as they learn the required skills.

• Health and safety

  The health and safety of employees is the Group's number one priority. In addition, the Group similarly seeks to ensure the safety of all visitors, customers, suppliers and contractors.

  As part of our comprehensive health and safety policies, managed by health and safety professionals employed by the Group, a range of key indicators are maintained and reported at every Board meeting. The Group promotes a positive in-house health and safety culture through regular health and safety committee meetings, internal safety audits and extensive employee training, all of which lead to continuous improvement.

  Particular emphasis is placed upon the recording and assessment of 'near misses' and the resultant implementation of preventative measures.

• Wellbeing

  An occupational health scheme is in place which monitors the health of employees against baseline assessments taken at commencement of their employment. Regular visits by the occupational health contractor also provide staff with the opportunity to discuss health issues and concerns if they wish. Additionally, a confidential employee assistance service is provided which provides telephone advice and assistance on various subject matters including health, family, financial and legal.

• Environment

  We are committed to good environmental practice, and are very mindful of how our operations activities impact the environment. Recent investment in our environmental function allows us to monitor legislation and act upon it where necessary ensuring regular review of our environmental policies.

  The Group continuously evaluates ways of reducing its impact on the environment by means of:

  • reduction of waste and improvements in waste management;
  • increased recycling and the use of recycled products where possible;
  • conservation of energy and improvements in energy management and efficiency;
  • the use of video conferencing facilities, thereby reducing carbon footprint through reduced travel.

  Group performance and risk reviews are undertaken and monitored on a regular basis and reported to the Board.

• Employment policies

  The Group is committed to a policy of recruitment and promotion on the basis of aptitude and ability without discrimination. Applications for employment by disabled persons are given full and fair consideration for suitable vacancies, having regard to their particular aptitudes and abilities. Where a person becomes disabled while in the Group's employment a suitable position will be sought for that person within the Group where practical.

• Employee involvement

  Meetings are held with employees to discuss the operations and progress of the business and employees are encouraged to become involved in the success of the Group through save as you earn share option schemes.

  In particular, Executive Directors make half yearly results presentations to all employees and encourage questions and dialogue on any matters pertaining to the performance or activities within the Group.

  In addition, our Information Exchange Committee (IEC) in the UK exists in order to encourage a further exchange of ideas and information between the Company and its employees in the UK. In the USA, a similar scheme is operated where all employees can meet with the CEO in small groups over lunch to discuss any work related issues they choose. This provides the CEO with an opportunity to respond directly to concerns and take any appropriate action required.

  Board members make a point of visiting all Group affiliates and regularly carry out site visits and tours, and thereby engage in meaningful discussions with employees at all levels within the organisation. Bonus schemes, based on the performance of the business, remain in place.

• REACH

  We are committed to continued compliance with the terms of REACH.

  Since its inception, we've worked hard to understand the impact of REACH and ensure we remain compliant. As raw material suppliers, the most important requirement of REACH is undoubtedly registration.

  We have completed pre-registrations for all our own manufactured and imported products and are focused on working with our supply chain to ensure any materials obtained from within the EU satisfy the REACH criteria. We have completed all the required registrations for the 2010 and 2013 deadlines and we are on course to finalise all necessary registrations for the 2018 deadline.

  Flavours for end use in foods and beverages are exempt from registration, as are materials for pharmaceutical products. However, fragrance and cosmetic ingredients (including flavours for oral care) do fall under registration obligations. Consumer uses of flavours and fragrances for cosmetics and personal care are out of the scope of REACH's chemical safety assessment, however. We hope to register all such materials which exceed the tonnage threshold without ceasing supply due to REACH.

  Registration exemption is permitted in Annex V part 9 of the regulation which includes vegetable oils without hazard classification or classifications limited to flammability (H224,H225,H226), skin irritant (H315) or eye irritant (H319). This exemption applies to all of Earthoil's range of vegetable oils. Our Treattarome range of products are also exempt from registration under Annex V part eight.

  One step ahead

  We have adopted a leading role in preparing citrus oils registrations in our position as coordinating company of the Citrus Consortium. Under the umbrella of the European Federation of Essential Oils' (EFEO) REACH program, this consortium has already completed registrations for all the eligible citrus oils (orange, lemon, bitter orange, lime, grapefruit, tangerine and mandarin).

  We have also informed our suppliers/lead registrants for all relevant substances of the IFRA standard use mapping for fragrance ingredients regarding the identified uses of our products.

  For more information on Treatt-related REACH topics, please contact our Regulatory Affairs Officer at REACH.Coordinator@treatt.com. For further information on REACH or CLP please see the links section below.

• SVHCs

  We would like to assure our customers that no Substance of Very High Concern is recognised as a component of any of our materials and none are intentionally added.

• GHS and CLP

  The Globally Harmonised System for classification and labelling of chemicals is an international agreement established by the UN which aims to harmonise how chemical hazards are communicated across the world and facilitate safe handling and use of chemicals in our globalised age. This was made law in the European Union through regulation (EC) No. 1278/2006 on the classification, labelling and packaging of chemicals, commonly referred to as CLP. Our safety data sheets and product labels are fully compliant with CLP and we have fulfilled our obligations for notification of classifications. We would also like to reassure you that we are continuously monitoring GHS development across the globe.

• Useful Information

  REACH regulation

  CLP Regulation

  ECHA

  ECHA candidate list

  ECHA guidances

  UN GHS

  CEFIC

  HSE REACH

  EFEO

  IFRA fragrance uses

  Cosmetics Europe