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  • Overall approach
    4/16
    • Overarching commitment on deforestation
      0/6
    • Signatory to an initiative tackling deforestation
      1/1
      Signatory
      Yes
      1/1
      Which initiatives?: UN Global Compact

      If Other Initiative, specify:: Sustainable Apparel Coalition
      "Illovo is a member of, and participates in, the activities of the National Business Initiative (NBI) which is the local partner for CDP, World Business Council on Sustainable Development and the UN Global Compact. Illovo attend workshops and seminars that the NBI presents and are represented on its board. Primark is a member of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, made up of more than 150 global brands, retailers and manufacturers as well as government, non-profit environmental organisations, and academic institutions, that are collectively committed to improving supply chain sustainability in the apparel and footwear industries."
      Open source document
    • Awareness of the value of forests
      1/1
      Awareness
      Yes
      1/1
      In reference to the Magombera Forest, Tanzania: "The forest is a threatened area of tropical lowland, rich in biodiversity with unique flora and fauna. As well as endangered populations of red colobus monkeys and rare trees, it is also home to a recently discovered species of chameleon. The forest is vitally important for local communities, who depend on the adjacent land for rice and sugar farming. Without the forest, this important agricultural region would be under serious threat from floods and soil erosion."
      Open source document
    • Deforestation as a business risk
      1/1
      Business risk
      Yes
      1/1
      Does the company recognise the risk as financial, operational, competition, reputational, or other? Please detail.: operational
      "The environmental performance of the group is reported in the 2019 Responsibility Report at www.abf.co.uk/responsibility. We annually report our approach to climate change, water and deforestation risk via CDP at www.cdp.net. Our businesses are continuously seeking ways to reduce their impact on the environment." " Aware of the reputational and supply risks concerned with soya and growing interest in the deforestation associated with the complex supply chain for this commodity, our businesses are increasing their purchases of responsibly sourced soya and leading others in their industries to support its use."
      Open source document
      Open source document
    • High-level management of deforestion
      1/1
      High-level management
      Yes
      1/1
      Which commodities does it apply to?: Palm oil; Soy; Beef & Leather; Pulp & Paper

      How often does the committee or board meet to assess company's progress on addressing deforestation-related issues?: Annually
      "The Chief Risk Officer, who is accountable at board level for matters relating to risk and opportunity management, of which forests-related issues are included, is a member of the Executive Board. Responsibility for all risk management lies with the CRO, who reports into the Audit Committee, and therefore has the ability to review, influence and monitor changes at a group level. The board as a whole is responsible for overall risk management. As forests-related issues are integrated into groupwide risk assessment, the board has ultimate responsibility for all risk. "
      Open source document
    • Executive compensation linked to deforestation
    • Target to reduce emissions from land-use change
      0/3
    • Reporting on emissions from land-use change
      0/3
    • Disclosure of conservation activity
    • Disclosure of reforestation activity
  • Commodity score
    23/84
    • Leather
      12/84
      • Commitment Strength
        3/28
        • Commitment to protect priority forests
          3/17
          • Commitment details
            Sustainability commitment
            2.7/10.7
            Commitment to protect priority forests
            Sustainability commitment
            2.7/10.7
            Which certification schemes are used?: Other certification

            If Other, specify here: Leather Working Group
            "Leather represents less than 1% of Primark's materials. Since joining the Leather Working Group in 2016, Primark has been working with suppliers to improve transparency and reduce the environmental impact of leather production."
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            No
            0/3
            Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            No
            0/3
            What is the rationale for any exclusion?: Commitment to only applies to Primark, a subsidiary of ABF.
            "Leather represents less than 1% of Primark's materials. Since joining the Leather Working Group in 2016, Primark has been working with suppliers to improve transparency and reduce the environmental impact of leather production."
            Open source document
          • Target date
            No target date
            0/2
          • Interim target date
            No
            0/1
        • Commitment to a traceable supply chain
          0/11
          • Commitment details
            No traceability commitment
            0/5.3
          • Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            No
            0/3
          • Target date
            No target date
            0/2
          • Interim target date
            No
            0/1
      • Social Considerations
        7/18
        • Labour rights in the supply chain
          Yes
          4/4
          Labour rights in the supply chain
          Yes
          4/4
          Details of commitment: ILO; UN Declaration for HR; Discrimination; Forced Labour; Child Labour; Freedom of association
          "We therefore want to ensure that those people with whom we deal and in particular our suppliers and our representatives live up to our values and standards and share that responsibility. Accordingly, suppliers and representatives should comply with and seek to develop relationships with their own supply chains consistent with the principles set out below and should be compliant with all local laws and the following principles as a minimum. Our principles are as follows"
          Open source document
        • Inclusion of small-scale farmers
          No
          0/4
        • Gender equality in the supply chain
          Discrimination/Gender Rights/Harassment
          1/4
          Gender equality in the supply chain
          Discrimination/Gender Rights/Harassment
          1/4
          "There is no discrimination in hiring, compensation, access to training, promotion, termination or retirement based on race, caste, national origin, religion, age, disability, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, union membership or political affiliation."
          Open source document
        • Commitment to remediation
          No
          0/2
        • Commitment to ensure Free, Prior and Informed Consent
          Yes the company commits to securing FPIC prior to acquiring new interests/developments/expansions
          2/4
          Commitment to ensure Free, Prior and Informed Consent
          Yes the company commits to securing FPIC prior to acquiring new interests/developments/expansions
          2/4
          What percentage/number of new interests/developments/expansions has the company used FPIC to secure consent of indigenous peoples/local communities?: 0 Not disclosed

          What is the status of those FPIC processes?: Current
          "5. Land Acquisition We adhere to the principle of free, prior and informed consent of all communities when acquiring land. The rights of communities and traditional peoples to maintain access to land and natural resources will be recognised and respected."
          Open source document
      • Reporting and Implementation
        2/38
        • Reporting against commitments
          0/6
          • Commitment to protect priority forests
            No
            0/3
          • Commitment to a traceable supply chain
            No
            0/3
        • Reporting is independently verified
          0/4
          • Commitment to protect priority forests
            No
            0/2
          • Commitment to a traceable supply chain
            No
            0/2
        • Deforestation cut off date
          No
          0/2
        • Collaborative actions
          No
          0/2
        • Risk assessments for forest risk
          Yes
          2/2
          Risk assessments for forest risk
          Yes
          2/2
          How frequently are assessments conducted?: Not disclosed
          Associated British Foods state that "forests-related risks are assessed" across their company.
          Open source document
        • Operations assessed to comply with law
          No
          0/2
        • Accessible grievance mechanism
          No
          0/4
        • Report volumes of commodity
          No reporting
          0/4
        • Downstream: Publishing supplier lists
          No disclosure
          0/4
        • Downstream: Monitor compliance in supply chain
          No
          0/4
        • Downstream: Engagement with non-compliant suppliers
          No engagement or exclusion
          0/2
        • Downstream: Disclosure of non-compliant suppliers
          No disclosure
          0/2
    • Pulp & Paper
      26/84
      • Commitment Strength
        15/28
        • Commitment to protect priority forests
          8/12
          • Commitment details
            Zero-gross deforestation
            6/8
            Commitment to protect priority forests
            Zero-gross deforestation
            6/8
            Which certification schemes are used?: FSC; PEFC
            "A number of our businesses buy FSC certified packaging. No specific engagement activity beyond this. An example is Silverspoon which is the subject of a case study on the UK FSC website." "Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC), PEFC, or recycled materials [are] specified for use in products produced by the largest purchasers of paper and board within the group."
            Open source document
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            No
            0/2
            Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            No
            0/2
            If no, what is excluded?: Subsidary
            "A number of our businesses buy FSC certified packaging. No specific engagement activity beyond this. An example is Silverspoon which is the subject of a case study on the UK FSC website." "Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC), PEFC, or recycled materials [are] specified for use in products produced by the largest purchasers of paper and board within the group."
            Open source document
            Open source document
          • Target date
            Current/2020/Pre-2020
            1.3/1.3
            Target date
            Current/2020/Pre-2020
            1.3/1.3
            "A number of our businesses buy FSC certified packaging. No specific engagement activity beyond this. An example is Silverspoon which is the subject of a case study on the UK FSC website." "Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC), PEFC, or recycled materials [are] specified for use in products produced by the largest purchasers of paper and board within the group."
            Open source document
            Open source document
          • Interim target date
            Yes
            0.7/0.7
            Interim target date
            Yes
            0.7/0.7
            Commitment is current (see 3.2)
            Open source document
            Open source document
        • Commitment to reduce use of virgin wood fibre
          7/8
          • Commitment details
            Yes
            4/4
            Commitment to reduce use of virgin wood fibre
            Yes
            4/4
            Type of commitment: Recycled content; Reduction of material inputs
            "More than half of ABF's consumption for what we deem to be secondary or transit packaging (corrugated containers) is recycled material. We have a commitment to use more recycled material and less overall material when designing and sourcing packaging."
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            Yes
            2/2
            Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            Yes
            2/2
            "More than half of ABF's consumption for what we deem to be secondary or transit packaging (corrugated containers) is recycled material. We have a commitment to use more recycled material and less overall material when designing and sourcing packaging."
            Open source document
          • Target date
            Current/2020/Pre-2020
            1.3/1.3
            Target date
            Current/2020/Pre-2020
            1.3/1.3
            "More than half of ABF's consumption for what we deem to be secondary or transit packaging (corrugated containers) is recycled material. We have a commitment to use more recycled material and less overall material when designing and sourcing packaging [...] A number of our businesses operate a full chain of custody for their packaging. For example, AB Mauri Mexico has this for corrugated packaging and our Silverspoon business in the UK has this for all flour and sugar paper bags. Logos are displayed on pack as evidence to consumers of our wider commitment to the environment [...] A number of our businesses buy FSC certified packaging"
            Open source document
          • Interim target date
            No
            0/0.7
        • Commitment to a traceable supply chain
          0/8
          • Commitment details
            No traceability commitment
            0/4
          • Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            No
            0/2
          • Target date
            No target date
            0/1.3
          • Interim target date
            No
            0/0.7
      • Social Considerations
        7/18
        • Labour rights in the supply chain
          Yes
          4/4
          Labour rights in the supply chain
          Yes
          4/4
          Details of commitment: ILO; UN Declaration for HR; Discrimination; Forced Labour; Child Labour; Freedom of association
          "We therefore want to ensure that those people with whom we deal and in particular our suppliers and our representatives live up to our values and standards and share that responsibility. Accordingly, suppliers and representatives should comply with and seek to develop relationships with their own supply chains consistent with the principles set out below and should be compliant with all local laws and the following principles as a minimum. Our principles are as follows"
          Open source document
        • Inclusion of small-scale farmers
          No
          0/4
        • Gender equality in the supply chain
          Discrimination/Gender Rights/Harassment
          1/4
          Gender equality in the supply chain
          Discrimination/Gender Rights/Harassment
          1/4
          "There is no discrimination in hiring, compensation, access to training, promotion, termination or retirement based on race, caste, national origin, religion, age, disability, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, union membership or political affiliation."
          Open source document
        • Commitment to remediation
          No
          0/2
        • Commitment to ensure Free, Prior and Informed Consent
          Yes the company commits to securing FPIC prior to acquiring new interests/developments/expansions
          2/4
          Commitment to ensure Free, Prior and Informed Consent
          Yes the company commits to securing FPIC prior to acquiring new interests/developments/expansions
          2/4
          What is the status of those FPIC processes?: Current

          What percentage/number of new interests/developments/expansions has the company used FPIC to secure consent of indigenous peoples/local communities?: Not disclosed
          "5. Land Acquisition We adhere to the principle of free, prior and informed consent of all communities when acquiring land. The rights of communities and traditional peoples to maintain access to land and natural resources will be recognised and respected."
          Open source document
      • Reporting and Implementation
        4/38
        • Reporting against commitments
          0/6
          • Commitment to protect priority forests
            No
            0/2
          • Commitment to reduce use of virgin wood fibre
            No
            0/2
          • Commitment to a traceable supply chain
            No
            0/2
        • Reporting is independently verified
          0/4
          • Commitment to protect priority forests
            No
            0/1.3
          • Commitment to reduce use of virgin wood fibre
            No
            0/1.3
          • Commitment to a traceable supply chain
            No
            0/1.3
        • Deforestation cut off date
          No
          0/2
        • Collaborative actions
          No
          0/2
        • Risk assessments for forest risk
          Yes
          2/2
          Risk assessments for forest risk
          Yes
          2/2
          How frequently are assessments conducted?: Not disclosed
          Associated British Foods state that "forests-related risks are assessed" across their company.
          Open source document
        • Operations assessed to comply with law
          No
          0/2
        • Accessible grievance mechanism
          No
          0/4
        • Report volumes of commodity
          Reporting non-certified/non-compliant volume
          2/4
          Report volumes of commodity
          Reporting non-certified/non-compliant volume
          2/4
          What is the non-certified/non-compliant volume?: 8000 tons
          "In scope is all timber related packaging directly purchased by the various group companies to be subsequently used in our manufacturing process." ABF state that they use 8000 metric tons.
          Open source document
        • Downstream: Publishing supplier lists
          No disclosure
          0/4
        • Downstream: Monitor compliance in supply chain
          No
          0/4
        • Downstream: Engagement with non-compliant suppliers
          No engagement or exclusion
          0/2
        • Downstream: Disclosure of non-compliant suppliers
          No disclosure
          0/2
    • Soy
      23/84
      • Commitment Strength
        7/28
        • Commitment to protect priority forests
          7/17
          • Commitment details
            Sustainability commitment
            2.7/10.7
            Commitment to protect priority forests
            Sustainability commitment
            2.7/10.7
            Which certification schemes are used?: Other certification

            (For downstream soy companies only) Does the company commitment also apply to hidden/indirect soy?: No

            If Other, specify here: FEFAC
            "65% of UK-purchased soy meets the FEFAC sourcing benchmark." "Our ambition is to source 100% of our soy and other raw materials from certified responsible sources by 2024."
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            Yes
            3/3
            Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            Yes
            3/3
            "65% of UK-purchased soy meets the FEFAC sourcing benchmark." "Our ambition is to source 100% of our soy and other raw materials from certified responsible sources by 2024."
            Open source document
          • Target date
            2024
            1/2
            Target date
            2024
            1/2
            What actions or steps are identified for time-bound implementation?: None given
            "AB Agri has committed to responsibly sourcing all its major feed ingredients, including soya, by 2024. As an active member of the UK Roundtable on Sustainable Soya, the company supports its customers to meet the growing demands for livestock products produced using responsibly sourced ingredients [...] Currently, 67% of the soya AB Agri buys in the UK for its ABN feed mills meets the FEFAC benchmark for responsibly sourced soya."
            Open source document
          • Interim target date
            No
            0/1
        • Commitment to a traceable supply chain
          0/11
          • Commitment details
            No traceability commitment
            0/5.3
          • Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            No
            0/3
          • Target date
            No target date
            0/2
          • Interim target date
            No
            0/1
      • Social Considerations
        7/18
        • Labour rights in the supply chain
          Yes
          4/4
          Labour rights in the supply chain
          Yes
          4/4
          Details of commitment: ILO; UN Declaration for HR; Discrimination; Forced Labour; Child Labour; Freedom of association
          "We therefore want to ensure that those people with whom we deal and in particular our suppliers and our representatives live up to our values and standards and share that responsibility. Accordingly, suppliers and representatives should comply with and seek to develop relationships with their own supply chains consistent with the principles set out below and should be compliant with all local laws and the following principles as a minimum. Our principles are as follows"
          Open source document
        • Inclusion of small-scale farmers
          No
          0/4
        • Gender equality in the supply chain
          Discrimination/Gender Rights/Harassment
          1/4
          Gender equality in the supply chain
          Discrimination/Gender Rights/Harassment
          1/4
          "There is no discrimination in hiring, compensation, access to training, promotion, termination or retirement based on race, caste, national origin, religion, age, disability, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, union membership or political affiliation."
          Open source document
        • Commitment to remediation
          No
          0/2
        • Commitment to ensure Free, Prior and Informed Consent
          Yes the company commits to securing FPIC prior to acquiring new interests/developments/expansions
          2/4
          Commitment to ensure Free, Prior and Informed Consent
          Yes the company commits to securing FPIC prior to acquiring new interests/developments/expansions
          2/4
          What percentage/number of new interests/developments/expansions has the company used FPIC to secure consent of indigenous peoples/local communities?: 0 Not disclosed

          What is the status of those FPIC processes?: Current
          "5. Land Acquisition We adhere to the principle of free, prior and informed consent of all communities when acquiring land. The rights of communities and traditional peoples to maintain access to land and natural resources will be recognised and respected."
          Open source document
      • Reporting and Implementation
        9/38
        • Reporting against commitments
          3/6
          • Commitment to protect priority forests
            Yes
            3/3
            Commitment to protect priority forests
            Yes
            3/3
            "Currently, 67% of the soya AB Agri buys in the UK for its ABN feed mills meets the FEFAC benchmark for responsibly sourced soya."
            Open source document
          • Commitment to a traceable supply chain
            No
            0/3
        • Reporting is independently verified
          2/4
          • Commitment to protect priority forests
            Yes: third-party
            2/2
            Commitment to protect priority forests
            Yes: third-party
            2/2
            "Currently, 67% of the soya AB Agri buys in the UK for its ABN feed mills meets the FEFAC benchmark for responsibly sourced soya."
            Open source document
          • Commitment to a traceable supply chain
            No
            0/2
        • Deforestation cut off date
          No
          0/2
        • Collaborative actions
          Yes
          2/2
          Collaborative actions
          Yes
          2/2
          What initiatives does the company participate in?: FEFAC Task force on Sustainability and Responsible Soya, the AIC Sustainability Committee and the AIC Responsible Raw Material Sub Group.

          What is the nature of that participation?: Attending & contributing to meetings; Providing support/advice/experience/expertise
          "We are also a member of the FEFAC Task force on Sustainability and Responsible Soya, the AIC Sustainability Committee and the AIC Responsible Raw Material Sub Group." "We are a member of the newly formed UK Round Table on Sustainable Soya"
          Open source document
          Open source document
        • Risk assessments for forest risk
          Yes
          2/2
          Risk assessments for forest risk
          Yes
          2/2
          How frequently are assessments conducted?: Not disclosed
          Associated British Foods state that "forests-related risks are assessed" across their company.
          Open source document
        • Operations assessed to comply with law
          No
          0/2
        • Accessible grievance mechanism
          No
          0/4
        • Report volumes of commodity
          No reporting
          0/4
        • Downstream: Publishing supplier lists
          No disclosure
          0/4
        • Downstream: Monitor compliance in supply chain
          No
          0/4
        • Downstream: Engagement with non-compliant suppliers
          No engagement or exclusion
          0/2
        • Downstream: Disclosure of non-compliant suppliers
          No disclosure
          0/2
    • Palm oil *
      42/84
      • Commitment Strength
        18/28
        • Commitment to protect priority forests
          10/12
          • Commitment details
            Zero-gross deforestation
            6/8
            Commitment to protect priority forests
            Zero-gross deforestation
            6/8


            Which certification schemes are used?: RSPO
            "In 2015, we met our commitment to source 100% of our palm-related consumption through supply models recognised by the RSPO, including Book and Claim, Mass Balance and Segregated, which has been continued each year since. • Within this 100% RSPO-recognised consumption, we currently source 24% of our palm consumption from more stringent physically certified sources, known as Mass Balance or Segregated. To date, 29 of our manufacturing sites in nine countries have been RSPO Supply Chain Certified (SCC). "
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            Yes
            2/2
            Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            Yes
            2/2
            "In 2015, we met our commitment to source 100% of our palm-related consumption through supply models recognised by the RSPO, including Book and Claim, Mass Balance and Segregated, which has been continued each year since. • Within this 100% RSPO-recognised consumption, we currently source 24% of our palm consumption from more stringent physically certified sources, known as Mass Balance or Segregated. To date, 29 of our manufacturing sites in nine countries have been RSPO Supply Chain Certified (SCC). "
            Open source document
          • Target date
            Current/2020/Pre-2020
            1.3/1.3
            Target date
            Current/2020/Pre-2020
            1.3/1.3
            What actions or steps are identified for time-bound implementation?: not specified
            "In 2015, we met our commitment to source 100% of our palm-related consumption through supply models recognised by the RSPO, including Book and Claim, Mass Balance and Segregated, which has been continued each year since. • Within this 100% RSPO-recognised consumption, we currently source 24% of our palm consumption from more stringent physically certified sources, known as Mass Balance or Segregated. To date, 29 of our manufacturing sites in nine countries have been RSPO Supply Chain Certified (SCC). "
            Open source document
          • Interim target date
            Yes
            0.7/0.7
            Interim target date
            Yes
            0.7/0.7
            What date is given for the interim milestone(s)?: Current
            "In 2015, we met our commitment to source 100% of our palm-related consumption through supply models recognised by the RSPO, including Book and Claim, Mass Balance and Segregated, which has been continued each year since. • Within this 100% RSPO-recognised consumption, we currently source 24% of our palm consumption from more stringent physically certified sources, known as Mass Balance or Segregated. To date, 29 of our manufacturing sites in nine countries have been RSPO Supply Chain Certified (SCC). "
            Open source document
        • Commitment to protect High Carbon Stock areas and/or peatlands
          8/8
          • Commitment details
            Yes
            4/4
            Commitment to protect High Carbon Stock areas and/or peatlands
            Yes
            4/4
            Type of commitment: HCS; Peat
            "In 2015, we met our commitment to source 100% of our palm-related consumption through supply models recognised by the RSPO, including Book and Claim, Mass Balance and Segregated, which has been continued each year since. • Within this 100% RSPO-recognised consumption, we currently source 24% of our palm consumption from more stringent physically certified sources, known as Mass Balance or Segregated. To date, 29 of our manufacturing sites in nine countries have been RSPO Supply Chain Certified (SCC). "
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            Yes
            2/2
            Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            Yes
            2/2
            What is the rationale for any exclusion?: N/A
            "In 2015, we met our commitment to source 100% of our palm-related consumption through supply models recognised by the RSPO, including Book and Claim, Mass Balance and Segregated, which has been continued each year since. • Within this 100% RSPO-recognised consumption, we currently source 24% of our palm consumption from more stringent physically certified sources, known as Mass Balance or Segregated. To date, 29 of our manufacturing sites in nine countries have been RSPO Supply Chain Certified (SCC). "
            Open source document
          • Target date
            Current/2020/Pre-2020
            1.3/1.3
            Target date
            Current/2020/Pre-2020
            1.3/1.3
            "In 2015, we met our commitment to source 100% of our palm-related consumption through supply models recognised by the RSPO, including Book and Claim, Mass Balance and Segregated, which has been continued each year since. • Within this 100% RSPO-recognised consumption, we currently source 24% of our palm consumption from more stringent physically certified sources, known as Mass Balance or Segregated. To date, 29 of our manufacturing sites in nine countries have been RSPO Supply Chain Certified (SCC). "
            Open source document
          • Interim target date
            Yes
            0.7/0.7
            Interim target date
            Yes
            0.7/0.7
            What date is given for the interim milestone(s)?: Current
            "In 2015, we met our commitment to source 100% of our palm-related consumption through supply models recognised by the RSPO, including Book and Claim, Mass Balance and Segregated, which has been continued each year since. • Within this 100% RSPO-recognised consumption, we currently source 24% of our palm consumption from more stringent physically certified sources, known as Mass Balance or Segregated. To date, 29 of our manufacturing sites in nine countries have been RSPO Supply Chain Certified (SCC). "
            Open source document
        • Commitment to a traceable supply chain
          0/8
          • Commitment details
            No traceability commitment
            0/4
          • Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            No
            0/2
          • Target date
            No target date
            0/1.3
          • Interim target date
            No
            0/0.7
      • Social Considerations
        7/18
        • Labour rights in the supply chain
          Yes
          4/4
          Labour rights in the supply chain
          Yes
          4/4
          Details of commitment: ILO; Discrimination; Forced Labour; Child Labour; Freedom of association
          "We therefore want to ensure that those people with whom we deal and in particular our suppliers and our representatives live up to our values and standards and share that responsibility. Accordingly, suppliers and representatives should comply with and seek to develop relationships with their own supply chains consistent with the principles set out below and should be compliant with all local laws and the following principles as a minimum. Our principles are as follows"
          Open source document
        • Inclusion of small-scale farmers
          No
          0/4
        • Gender equality in the supply chain
          Discrimination/Gender Rights/Harassment
          1/4
          Gender equality in the supply chain
          Discrimination/Gender Rights/Harassment
          1/4
          "There is no discrimination in hiring, compensation, access to training, promotion, termination or retirement based on race, caste, national origin, religion, age, disability, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, union membership or political affiliation."
          Open source document
        • Commitment to remediation
          No
          0/2
        • Commitment to ensure Free, Prior and Informed Consent
          Yes the company commits to securing FPIC prior to acquiring new interests/developments/expansions
          2/4
          Commitment to ensure Free, Prior and Informed Consent
          Yes the company commits to securing FPIC prior to acquiring new interests/developments/expansions
          2/4
          What is the status of those FPIC processes?: Current

          What percentage/number of new interests/developments/expansions has the company used FPIC to secure consent of indigenous peoples/local communities?: 0 Not disclosed
          "5. Land Acquisition We adhere to the principle of free, prior and informed consent of all communities when acquiring land. The rights of communities and traditional peoples to maintain access to land and natural resources will be recognised and respected."
          Open source document
      • Reporting and Implementation
        17/38
        • Reporting against commitments
          4/6
          • Commitment to protect priority forests
            Yes
            2/2
            Commitment to protect priority forests
            Yes
            2/2
            (Downstream only) How many hectares of deforestation and/or conversion have occurred since the commitment cut-off date in the operations of the company's direct or indirect suppliers?: 0 Not specified
            Reported through RSPO - "In 2015, we met our commitment to source 100% of our palm-related consumption through supply models recognised by the RSPO, including Book and Claim, Mass Balance and Segregated, which has been continued each year since. • Within this 100% RSPO-recognised consumption, we currently source 24% of our palm consumption from more stringent physically certified sources, known as Mass Balance or Segregated. To date, 29 of our manufacturing sites in nine countries have been RSPO Supply Chain Certified (SCC)."
            Open source document
          • Commitment to protect High Carbon Stock areas and/or peatlands
            Yes
            2/2
            Commitment to protect High Carbon Stock areas and/or peatlands
            Yes
            2/2
            In their 2019 ACOP, Associated British Foods report that they used 20,916 tons of palm oil, of which 100% is RSPO-certified.
            Open source document
          • Commitment to a traceable supply chain
            No
            0/2
        • Reporting is independently verified
          3/4
          • Commitment to protect priority forests
            Yes: third-party
            1.3/1.3
            Commitment to protect priority forests
            Yes: third-party
            1.3/1.3
            Which tools, approaches, third-party verification, including certification, schemes are used?: RSPO Certification
            "In 2015, we met our commitment to source 100% of our palm-related consumption through supply models recognised by the RSPO, including Book and Claim, Mass Balance and Segregated, which has been continued each year since. • Within this 100% RSPO-recognised consumption, we currently source 24% of our palm consumption from more stringent physically certified sources, known as Mass Balance or Segregated. To date, 29 of our manufacturing sites in nine countries have been RSPO Supply Chain Certified (SCC)." [...] To facilitate the availability of clear and transparent information, our reporting covers all palm-related consumption, including palm kernel oil, other palm-based derivatives and products containing palm input, not just straight palm oil."
            Open source document
          • Commitment to protect High Carbon Stock areas and/or peatlands
            Yes: third-party
            1.3/1.3
            Commitment to protect High Carbon Stock areas and/or peatlands
            Yes: third-party
            1.3/1.3
            In their 2019 ACOP, Associated British Foods report that they used 20,916 tons of palm oil, of which 100% is RSPO-certified.
            Open source document
          • Commitment to a traceable supply chain
            No
            0/1.3
        • Deforestation cut off date
          No
          0/2
        • Collaborative actions
          No
          0/2
        • Risk assessments for forest risk
          Yes
          2/2
          Risk assessments for forest risk
          Yes
          2/2
          How frequently are assessments conducted?: Not disclosed
          Associated British Foods state that "forests-related risks are assessed" across their company.
          Open source document
        • Operations assessed to comply with law
          No
          0/2
        • Accessible grievance mechanism
          Yes
          4/4
          Accessible grievance mechanism
          Yes
          4/4
          Does the company publish grievances that have been made against it, as well as responses and resolutions including status and timeframes: No

          What is the nature of the grievance mechanism used by the company (own mechanism, that of external company, internationally recognised mechanism, focused on social issues, focused on environmental issues, etc.)?: External company - expolink

          Details of the mechanism: Social; Environmental
          "We have a whistleblowing telephone hotline in place, managed by Expolink, which can be used by our people, or others, wherever they work in the world. Any calls made to the hotline are disseminated to the senior management team responsible for investigating issues raised. A thorough investigation is then undertaken and any remediation agreed."
          Open source document
        • Report volumes of commodity
          Reporting non-certified/non-compliant volume; Reporting certified/compliant volume
          4/4
          Report volumes of commodity
          Reporting non-certified/non-compliant volume; Reporting certified/compliant volume
          4/4
          Which certification schemes are used?: RSPO

          What is the non-certified/non-compliant volume?: 0 Tonnes

          For what percent of the company's supply volume is third-party verification of performance relative to commitments conducted?: 100%

          What is the certified volume?: 20,916 tons
          "In 2015, we met our commitment to source 100% of our palm-related consumption through supply models recognised by the RSPO, including Book and Claim, Mass Balance and Segregated, which has been continued each year since. • Within this 100% RSPO-recognised consumption, we currently source 24% of our palm consumption from more stringent physically certified sources, known as Mass Balance or Segregated. To date, 29 of our manufacturing sites in nine countries have been RSPO Supply Chain Certified (SCC)." In their 2019 ACOP, Associated British Foods report that they used 20,916 tons of palm oil, of which 100% is RSPO-certified.
          Open source document
          Open source document
        • Downstream: Publishing supplier lists
          No disclosure
          0/4
        • Downstream: Monitor compliance in supply chain
          No
          0/4
        • Downstream: Engagement with non-compliant suppliers
          No engagement or exclusion
          0/2
        • Downstream: Disclosure of non-compliant suppliers
          No disclosure
          0/2

    • * commodity scores for which a company is not a powerbroker are given half the weighting of other commodities in total scores

  • Commitment strength
    10/28
    Avg. score
  • Reporting and Implementation
    7/38
    Avg. score
  • Social considerations
    7/18
    Avg. score

Profile

Associated British Foods is a diversified group with operations in food, ingredients and retail. The group’s business units include teas, cereals, sugars, and animal feed with such brands such as Twinings, Ryvita, and Blue Dragon. It is also a leading vendor in the baking ingredients market and the owner of the clothing retailer Primark. These diverse businesses expose the group to palm oil and soy in food production, soy in animal feed and leather in apparel. It is also among the largest producers of animal feed in Europe. Associated British Foods Plc is selected as a powerbroker for soy, leather and paper packaging and is also assessed for its exposure to palm oil.

Sector
Industry sector 
Apparel & footwear, Ingredients, Packaged food
Segments
Manufacturer, Retailer
HQ
HQ 
United Kingdom
Company Type
Company type 
Public listed
Collective Commitments
Consumer Goods Forum member
New York Declaration on Forests signatory

Top Brands

AB Mauri, Allisons, Askeys, Billingtons, Blue Dragon, Capullo, Dorset Cereals, Jordans, Kingsmill, Ryvitas, Silver Spoon, Sunblest, Tip Top, Twinings, Primark

How we assess the Forest 500

To ensure deforestation free supply chains, companies need to adopt and implement timebound and measurable policies for forest risk commodities.

All assessments use policies published on company websites, some links may have changed or been removed since the time of assessment.

Full corporate sector performance data Forest 500 assessment methodology

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Disclaimer

This assessment has been carried out following the methodology developed for the Forest 500 project, available here. Please see our disclaimer applicable to all information contained within this site and our terms and conditions for use of data presented on this site.

All assessments use policies published on company and financial institution websites, and while we endeavor to keep them updated some links may have changed or been removed since the time of assessment.

Please contact us with any concerns or feedback about this or other assessments included in the Forest 500.