Corporate Social Responsibility

While the management of Acal is primarily accountable to its shareholders, in managing the business it takes into account all stakeholders in Acal including employees, customers and suppliers, as well as the local communities and environment in which it operates. In a balanced way, without unnecessarily restricting the optimisation of returns, it endeavours to identify and manage any risks to the value of Acal’s business from social, environmental and ethical matters, and to take any opportunities presented by a sensible and considerate approach to such matters to enhance shareholder value. The Board of Acal has adopted policies in relation to corporate social matters that take into account the interests of the Group’s employees; the need to foster business relationships with suppliers, customers and others; the impact of the Group’s operations on the community and the environment; and the desirability of the Group maintaining a reputation for high standards of business conduct. Day-to-day responsibility for implementation of these policies is delegated to the management of Acal’s operating companies. In implementing these policies the Group endeavours to ensure that the cost of managing risks is proportionate to their significance to Acal and its business partners. More specifically, Acal’s policies cover the following:

General
Management at all levels in the organisation is committed to taking account of its corporate social responsibility in its actions and endeavours to show due respect for human rights and works to high standards of integrity and ethical propriety. As an international organisation, Acal takes account of cultural differences between the various territories in which it operates.

Employees, health and safety
Acal provides equal opportunities to all employees and prospective employees, and does not discriminate on grounds of colour, ethnic origin, gender, age, religion, political or other opinion, disability or sexual orientation.

Clear and fair terms of employment, as well as a fair and competitive remuneration policy, are put in place. Employees are encouraged to develop their knowledge and skills and to progress their careers to the mutual benefit of themselves and the companies they work for. It is the responsibility of management to ensure that they comply with all local regulations, including those relating to the employment of underage staff. Local business units are responsible for developing and implementing effective arrangements for employee communication.

A great deal of importance is attached to the provision of clean, healthy and safe working conditions. In addition to compliance with all local regulations, Acal promotes working practices which protect the health and safety of its employees and other persons who come onto its premises. The Group endeavours to protect employees from, and does not tolerate, any sexual, physical or mental harassment. Heath and safety matters are kept under regular review by local management and at Group level. The Group’s statement of intent on health and safety matters can be found on its website (www.acalplc.co.uk).

The Group operates a ‘whistle-blowing’ policy whereby employees may report in confidence any suspected wrongdoing.

Disabled employees
The Group gives full consideration to applications for employment from disabled persons where the candidate’s particular aptitudes and abilities are consistent with adequately meeting the requirements of the job. Opportunities are available to disabled employees for training, career development and promotion.

Where existing employees become disabled, it is the Group’s policy to provide continuing employment wherever practicable in the same or an alternative position and to provide appropriate training to achieve this aim.

Business relationships
All Acal Group companies seek to be honest, fair and competitive in their relationships with customers and suppliers. Every attempt is made to ensure that products and services are provided to the agreed standards and all reasonable steps are taken to ensure the safety and quality of the goods and services provided. Payment is made to suppliers in accordance with the agreed terms, the relevant goods or services having been satisfactorily delivered. It is Acal’s policy that no one in the Group should offer or accept any bribes or other corrupt payments, engage in any anti-competitive practices or knowingly be involved in any fraud or money laundering.

So far as it is able to, and taking into account local cultural and regulatory differences, Acal encourages the organisations and people with whom it does business to abide by principles of good practice in relation to their corporate social responsibility.

The Group’s statement of intent on business ethics can be found on its website (www.acalplc.co.uk).

Community and environment
Community and environmental matters are important to the Group because it is sensitive to the local community’s cultural, social and economic needs. It seeks to ensure that its activities do not harm the communities as places in which to work and live. The Group endeavours to ensure that its operations do not have a negative impact on the environment. Apart from compliance with all local environmental regulations, Group companies try earnestly to promote the effective management of natural resources and encourage energy efficiency as well as waste minimisation and recycling where economically viable means of doing so are available. Although the vast majority of products Acal deals with are non-hazardous, where such products are involved it minimises the environmental risks by use of appropriate labelling and technical information in conjunction with proper training and procedures for the handling, storage and disposal of such products. The Group has implemented procedures to ensure compliance with the Restriction of the Use of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2004, the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations and the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations 2005.