Trading Ethically

Pavestone has always been acutely conscious of the concerns raised through consumers’ increasing awareness of the ethical issues associated with the production of natural stone products.

For many years we have been importing only from audited stone producers who can successfully demonstrate that their processes meet the moral and ethical codes as established by the ETI (Ethical Trading Initiative) Base Code. In doing so we have contributed to the economic success of the communities in which our stone processors work and have helped to provide a safer and more secure working environment for our supplier partners' employees. Pavestone is committed to ensuring that the working conditions of employees in our partner supply companies meet or exceed international standards and for many years we have adopted the ETI Base Code as a criteria for our supply chain.

The ETI Base Code

1. Employment should be freely chosen with no forced, bonded or involuntary labour.
2. Workers have the right to join or form trade unions of their own choosing and to bargain collectively.
3. A safe and healthy working environment shall be provided.
4. Child labour shall not be used.
5. Wages should always be enough to meet basic needs and to provide some discretionary income.
6. Working hours are not excessive and comply with national laws and benchmark industry standards.
7. Workers should be treated equally regardless of race, caste, national origin, religion, age, disability, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, union membership or political affiliation.
8. Regular employment for individuals should be provided where work is ongoing.
9. No harsh or inhumane treatment of workers. Physical abuse (or threat of), sexual or other harassment including verbal abuse or intimidation shall be prohibited.

For further information on the Ethical Trading Initiative and the Base Code please visit: www.ethicaltrade.org

Helping To Provide A Better Future

Pavestone has a fundamental belief that the poor and vulnerable within the communities that produce our stone products should derive benefits from our local trading beyond the simplicity of the stone workers pay. We work closely in partnership with our suppliers to improve the quality of life, not only for those immediately employed by our supply partners but also all those living in and around their community.

Sustainability

Pavestone strives to minimise and continually reduce the adverse impacts of all our operations both in the immediate, local environment and throughout our supply chain globally. We also seek to contribute to the economic success of the communities in which we work and to provide a safe, secure working environment for both our employees and our supplier partners’ employees.

Corporate Social Responsibility

Our Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives seek to make our businesses more accountable for our actions and decisions. We are committed to full legal compliance in all that we do and to make our business accountable to those that we directly or indirectly impact upon through the adoption of good practices.

Practices include:

• Creating a safe environment and a rewarding career for all our employees.
• Hold regular local residents 'open meetings' to discuss our impact on their local life.
• Monitoring and managing the environmental impact of all our operations.
• Monitoring and understanding the environmental impact of our suppliers' operations.

Environment Policy

Pavestone recognises that it has an obligation to help protect the environment and the neighbourhoods in which we operate. Our awareness is a fundamental part of the Pavestone business strategy. We will seek as far as is reasonably practicable to minimise the company's effects on the environment.

Main initiatives include:

• Ensuring environmental issues are considered carefully at all levels when planning and conducting business activities and that our employees understand and act in accordance with our environmental aims
• Working co-operatively with regulatory bodies including the environment agency and local authorities in addition to our industry trade association the Builders' Merchants Federation (BMF) so as to facilitate full awareness and contribution to environmental legislation changes
• Managing our activities in line with best business practice to control the impact on the local community from noise, dust, light emissions and traffic movements
• Annual reduction in energy consumption water usage waste production and improved segregation for reuse/recycling
• Production of environmentally friendly ranges of products.