Santos Ethics Policy Statement.

Santos Ethics Policy Statement

 

Dear Customers

We have the pleasure of announcing the commencement of the practical stage of our ethical auditing process. A little over a year ago a Santos Ethic's Committee formed and began researching the ethical priorities of our customers, shareholders and staff. Products that do not fulfill any of the criteria we developed will be removed permanently from our order, and more suitable replacements will be sought. Our customers will be assured of a high ethical benchmark and will be able to shop confidently knowing that each product has been scrutinized.

This is a painstaking process that calls for the patience and support of our customers and staff.

By making all our customers aware of the criteria, we hope to enlist your support. You may be able to garner relevant product information where we have been unable to do so and recommend more ethical replacement products to ones we choose to remove. Also you may be part of the feedback system to the product companies helping them achieve a higher ethical rating in what is becoming the future direction of conscious consuming.

We look at the following:

• Non-GMO ; Santos will not stock any product that has Genetically Modified ingredients or packaging, even where it fulfills other criteria. We pay particular attention to products with soy, corn or canola.

• Palm oil ; Products containing palm oil must use ethically derived palm oil that is certified organic , as the ethical status of “sustainable palm oil” certifiers are industry funded and dubious.

• Organic/Biodynamic ; Points are awarded for the organic/biodynamic status of a product.

• Product Miles ; Whole products and ingredients. Points are awarded within our definitions of ‘local' as well as the method of transportation if known. Products derived from and packaged within a 150 km radius are highly regarded. Where only an imported version of a product is available, those with fair trade certification are preferred.

• Eco Packaging ; We grade packaging within the context of the needs of the product, and give preference to packaging made using post consumer material, or recyclable product.

• Health Merit ; A product may gain points if it has exceptional health merit. A product may be removed if it has ingredients, particularly chemicals and additives that are thought to be harmful to health.

• Business conduct ; A product may gain points where the company has a proven ethical business practice. (companies are invited to highlight their green and other ethical policies and practices.)

• Biodegradability ; In particular non edible items such as cleaning products must be biodegradable and be non harming to the environment.

We look forward to your support in this process of research and assessment.

Contact Santos ethics Committee

Yours Sincerely
Santos Ethics Committee