Social and Environmental Commitment

Sustainability Policy:

Sustainability is fundamental to the way we conduct our business. It is ingrained in our corporate culture, decision-making processes, supply chain management, and operations. This approach enables us to provide innovative, high-quality products and exceptional services that meet our customers’ expectations, while also safeguarding the environment and fulfilling our corporate responsibilities. We firmly believe that sustainability is an ongoing, long-term process of continuous improvement. 

At Concept 4, we have established transformative social and environmental objectives and targets, which we have integrated into our Code of Conduct for both employees and suppliers. 

Governance:

Strong corporate governance plays a pivotal role in driving sustainable and responsible business practices. We are fully committed to upholding the utmost standards of governance, transparency, and ethical conduct across all our operations. Our governance framework is meticulously designed to ensure accountability, protect the interests of stakeholders, and foster long-term value creation. 

Our beneficial ownership and highest governing body are publicly available and characterized by transparency. Led by Chairman, Mr. Pascal Vieilvoye, our shareholders and beneficial owners, including Mr. Eric Léonard, Mr. Jean-François Destexhe, and Mr. Thomas Dupont, bring their expertise and knowledge to provide strategic guidance, oversee company performance, and uphold the highest levels of integrity and ethical behaviour. Their responsibilities encompass: 

• Regularly convening to review and approve key decisions pertaining to our mission, strategy, and long-term goals. 
• Identifying, evaluating, and managing transitional and physical risks associated with finance, compliance, market dynamics, technology, reputation, climate change, and other relevant factors. 
• Approving and subsequently monitoring the implementation of our sustainability strategy. 

Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption

At Concept 4, we believe that economic and social progress cannot be achieved in the presence of corruption. That’s why we are dedicated to promoting sustainable development by adopting a rigorous anti-corruption and anti-bribery approach. Our unwavering commitment extends to every member of our team, our business partners, and our supply chain.

Our initiatives to combat bribery and corruption include:

• Developing comprehensive Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption Policies on Procurement, Gifts, Entertainment and Hospitality for employees and supply chain stakeholders.
• Prohibiting offering or accepting a bribe, attempting to bribe a foreign official, or failing to prevent third-party bribery attempts on behalf of the organization. As well as, paying foreign public officials or leaders of state-owned organizations for favorable treatment.
• Providing clear policy guidelines on identifying and reporting suspicious activities related to bribery, with consequences for non-compliance, to safeguard our reputation, protect stakeholders and contribute to a fair and ethical business environment.
• Retaining appropriate documented information as evidence of methods for monitoring, measurement, analysis, and evaluation to ensure valid results of anti-bribery performance and effectiveness of the management system.
• Conducting regular corruption risk assessments of clients, suppliers, and business partners by integrating globally recognized ratings such as the Corruption Perception Index, with reference from Transparency International.
• Providing monitoring mechanism on prospective personnel, particularly for appointments to positions with a significant bribery or corruption risk, to inform bribery risk assessment and ensure compliance with the Policy.
• Continuously improving our Management System for the Prevention of Corruption and guaranteeing the authority defined through the responsibilities attributed to the function and made known to all staff.

Whistleblower Policy:

Concept 4 is dedicated to running our supply chain and business in an ethical manner. In all our operating regions, we strictly adhere to the relevant legal requirements and place the utmost priority on the highest ethical standards. The Supply of Goods Agreement with suppliers and our Employee Handbook both expressly forbid any kind of misconducts, including fraud, money laundering, bribery, extortion, human trafficking, and unfair competition. We anticipate that our suppliers and colleagues will always act with the utmost impartiality, honesty, and integrity in our Code.

We provide a comprehensive Whistleblower Policy to encourage reports of suspected misconduct cases and protect the confidentiality of whistleblowers, internally and externally of the company.

Raise a Concern:

In case you witness illegal or unethical behaviour, harassment or discrimination cases or have questions and feedback regarding our Code, you are encouraged to report anonymously to us through the following channels:

1. Email: c4confidential@concept4.net
2. Mail: The Company Director – 11/F, 41 Heung Yip Road, Wong Chuk Hang, Hong Kong
3. To ensure confidentiality, the form should be sent in a sealed envelope marked “Strictly Private and Confidential – To be opened by Addressee only”

Confidential Protection: All reports must be directly addressed to the Chair of the highest governing body, who serves as the Company Director. The Company is dedicated to preserving the confidentiality of whistleblowers, unless legally obligated to disclose their identity. Protection against retaliation and victimization is explicitly outlined in the Whistleblower Policy.

Data Security:

Concept 4 has established a formal policy on data privacy and information security, aiming to safeguard our intellectual property rights and physical security. We ensure that employees, clients, suppliers, and external parties are duly informed about our data collection practices and the purposes behind them whenever necessary. Our commitment lies in maintaining strict confidentiality of our data and refraining from disclosure unless legally mandated to do so.

Furthermore, we organize regular and comprehensive training sessions for employees to enhance their awareness of data security and intellectual property rights, enabling them to adopt the best practices in data handling.

Environmental:

Furthermore, we organize regular and comprehensive training sessions for employees to enhance their awareness of data security and intellectual property rights, enabling them to adopt the best practices in data handling.

To mitigate our environmental impact, we proactively promote the following measures to the best of our ability and reach:

• Installing energy-efficient office equipment, including lighting, air conditioning, and electronics.
• Purchasing and consuming low-impact renewable energy.
• Maintaining efficient water consumption systems in pantries and toilets.
• Sourcing environmentally friendly, locally produced office equipment, such as office suppliers, snacks, electronics, and toiletries.
• Providing adequate waste management tools and facilities.
• Disposing of hazardous waste responsibly through official processors, including used electronics, batteries, and chemicals.
• Optimizing the use of virtual meeting technology as a substitute for business travel.

We collect and monitor data regarding our environmental impact. Our annual emissions inventory and calculation methodologies have undergone an audit and verification process by TÜV Rheinland, in compliance with the standards outlined in ISO 14064-1:2018. Certificate No. CF 50594027 0001 – Certipedia]

Eco-Design:

Concept 4 is actively applying eco-design principles throughout the product and packaging lifecycle, from design to sourcing. Our principles highly referenced to the common norm and Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation of EU. With our extensive experience and knowledge, we create designs that optimize material consumption and consider end-of-life scenarios. We have implemented the following measures:

• Employ specialized design software and assembly techniques to enhance cost efficiency and reduce raw material usage.
• Give priority to the use of natural and recycled materials in product development. Whenever possible, we exclusively utilize raw materials certified with sustainable product certificates, such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), Global Recycled Standard (GRS), and others.
• Strive to minimize the use of non-reusable products.
• Make conscious efforts to reduce the use of plastics in secondary packaging.
• Provide continuous training on eco-design practices to our employees.

Beneficial Ownership:

Jean-François Destexhe, Eric Léonard, Thomas Dupont, Pascal Vieilvoye are director and equally final shareholders and beneficial owners of the Company.

ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS OF OUR SUPPLY CHAIN

Global Solutions | Better Supply Chain

Eco-friendly Shipping Solutions

Concept 4 is committed to minimizing the environmental impact caused by our products and services. We continuously seek out innovative methods and materials that foster a sustainable supply chain. When it comes to shipping inbound or outbound items, we prioritize utilizing transportation modes with the lowest available environmental impact, if feasible.

Worker Impact:

At Concept 4, we are deeply committed to upholding the fundamental principles of labor and human rights. We recognize that the success of our company is closely intertwined with the well-being, respect, and empowerment of our employees impacted by our operations. We strive to provide comprehensive protection and empowerment to our employees and the affected community, which includes:

• Implementing a responsible recruitment process.
• Ensuring fair living wages and offering flexible work arrangements.
• Providing attractive holiday and remuneration packages.
• Offering regular career development and skillset training opportunities.
• Cultivating a safe, inclusive workplace culture and environment.
• Establishing a confidential Whistleblower policy and Grievance mechanism.
• Organizing engaging company events themed according to SDGs.
• Undertaking meaningful community projects and encouraging volunteering.

Diversity & Inclusion:

Concept 4 became a signatory of the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) since 2024. We have embraced the WEPs as a crucial component of our overarching objective to advance diversity, equality, inclusion, and women’s empowerment in the workplace, marketplace, and community.

We hold a strong belief in ensuring the safety and security of all our employees, both within the workplace and in their personal lives, free from biased threats and discrimination. To fulfil this commitment, we undertake the following actions:

• Ensuring non-discrimination in hiring and employment practices, encompassing factors such as race, color, religion, sex, gender, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or age.
• Measuring and maintaining fair and competitive remuneration, including benefits and bonuses, for work of equal value.
• Providing equal access to and participation in all company-supported education and training programs, as well as formal and informal networking and mentoring initiatives.
• Promoting a safe and confidential environment that encourages open dialogue on concerns or suspected cases of sexual harassment, discrimination, or domestic violence.

Supply Chain Management:

Ensuring ethical practices within our supply chain is essential. Concept 4 provides comprehensive ethics and environmental management programs that align with international standards. We work closely with our suppliers to establish sustainable manufacturing processes, collaborating with industry peers such as Sedex and The Mekong Club. Our management system encompasses the following areas:

• Reasonable Working Hours and Fair Wage
• Responsible Recruitment
• Occupational Health and Safety
• Child and Forced Labor
• Modern Slavery Diversity and Inclusion, Discrimination Free Workplace
• Remediation and Grievance Mechanism

We assess factory compliance with local laws and regulations for environmental protection, as well as best practices which includes:

• Legal Requirements and Risk Assessment
• Environmental Management System
• Air Pollutants and Carbon Emission
• Hazardous and Non-hazardous Waste
• Blue and Grey Water
• Chemical Handling
• Biodiversity

Modern Slavery:

In Concept 4, when we talk about our supply chain, we mean the full range of activities required to bring products from our Tier One suppliers into our clients’ destinated location. Along the way, we expect our business partners to respect basic human rights, comply fully with local labour regulations, provide safe workplaces and fair employment for all workers. Modern slavery is common in manufacturing businesses in the form of forced labour, sexual exploitation and human trafficking. We must be aware of child labour, work that deprives children of their childhood, their potential and their dignity, and that is harmful to physical and mental development.

Becoming a membership of The Mekong Club, enabled Concept 4 to receive continuous topic training, establish our formal modern slavery strategy and collaborate with other brands on the topic.

We commit to:

• International standards such as International Labour Organisation’s Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women.
• Practices guided by the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, OECD Due Diligence Guidance
• Identify and address critical human rights risks within the company and along the supply chain proactively
• Work towards international human right regulations, including EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), UK Modern Slavery Act (2015) and the SB657 California Transparency in Supply Chains Act (2012) and more
• Offer regular awareness trainings to all employees and role-specific training to relevant positions and management levels
• Provide the correct remediation tools for internal staffs and Tier One suppliers’ workers to seek help via confidential communication channels and receive adequate, immediate supports