Socfin Group

1. Sustainable natural rubber policy or commitment for all its operations?

The company has published a sustainable natural rubber policy that aligns with the GPSNR Policy Components.

2. Sustainable natural rubber policy or commitment applies to all suppliers?

The company has published a sustainable natural rubber policy which applies to all suppliers.

3. High-level position of responsibility for sustainability?

The company has a sustainability department, managed by the 'Head of Sustainability'.

4. One or more members within the board of the company have responsibility for sustainability?

The company reports that the board of directors has overall responsibility for sustainability.

5. Percentage or number of women in senior management team?

6. Percentage or number of women board members?

0% - Out of the five board members none are female. Data as of 2022.

7. Member of multiple industry schemes or other external initiatives to reduce negative environmental or social outcomes associated with natural rubber production?

[Externally verified] IRSG, TFA and Earthworm Foundation.

8. Collaboration with stakeholders to reduce negative environmental or social outcomes associated with natural rubber production?

The company reports that it has collaborated with the 'Earthworm Foundation' to monitor the implementation of its responsible management policy in plantation companies. In addition, a subsidiary collaborated with CNRA in Côte d'Ivoire and IFC/CIRAD in France to improve the yield and disease resistance of rubber plants.

9. Sustainability report published within last two years?

The company's latest sustainability report was published in 2022.

10. Reports through standardised reporting systems?

The company references GRI Standards in its latest sustainability report. However, it does not report the statement required to be in accordance with GRI 101: Foundation requirements.

11. Climate risks assessment available?

12. Lists countries and operations?

Plantations (Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Cote D'ivoire, Cameroon, Cambodia, and Indonesia), processing (Liberia, Nigeria, Cote D'ivoire, Cameroon, Cambodia, and Indonesia).

13. Lists countries sourcing from?

14. Total land area managed/controlled for natural rubber (ha)?

382599 - The figure includes both palm oil concessions and rubber concessions.

15. Total natural rubber planted area (ha)?

60802 - The company has 60,802 ha of total natural rubber planted area.

16. Scheme smallholders/outgrowers planted area (ha)?

This indicator is disabled as the company reports that it does not source from scheme/outgrower smallholder suppliers.

17. Unplanted area (areas designated for future planting) (ha)?

18. Conservation set-aside area, including HCV area (ha)?

49 - The company reports a total of 49,178 ha of HCV area for subsidiaries with natural rubber plantations in 2022.

19. Maps of estates/management units?

The concession maps for all the estates are available on the company's website however, some estates have both palm oil and rubber-planted areas, but only collective maps are available for them. Separate maps for rubber estates in such cases were not available.

20. Management plans for natural rubber production are available for all estates/management units?

21. Monitoring of management plan implementation available for all estates/management units?

22. Maps of all scheme/outgrower smallholders?

This indicator is disabled as the company reports that it does not source from scheme/outgrower smallholder suppliers.

23. Maps of all third-party supplying industrial estates/management units?

24. List of jurisdictions where sourcing from smallholders?

25. Number of company owned natural rubber processing facilities?

The company has 8 natural rubber processing facilities in 2022.

26. Maps of company owned natural rubber processing facilities?

The names and locations of all company owned natural rubber processing facilities are available on the company website.

27. Number (or percentage) of company-owned processing facilities that source from company-owned operations and third parties?

The company reports that four out of eight processing facilities source from company-owned operations as well as third parties.

28. Reports total volumes (or percentages) sourced by company-owned processing facilities that come from company's own operations and third-parties?

The company reports a total of 290,515 tonnes of dry rubber to be sourced by company-owned processing facilities that come from the company's own operations and third parties in 2022.

29. Number of company owned natural rubber manufacturing facilities?

This indicator is disabled as the company does not operate manufacturing facilities.

30. Maps of manufacturing facilities?

This indicator is disabled as the company does not operate manufacturing facilities.

31. Number of third party supplying processing facilities?

This indicator is disabled as the company reports that it does not have any third-party processing facility suppliers.

32. Maps of all third party supplying processing facilities?

This indicator is disabled as the company reports that it does not have any third-party processing facility suppliers.

33. Number (or percentage) of third party supplying processing facilities that source from their own plantations and third party plantations?

This indicator is disabled as the company reports that it does not have any third-party processing facility suppliers.

34. Reports total volume (or percentages) sourced from third-party supplying processing facilities that come from the supplying facilities' own operations and third parties?

This indicator is disabled as the company reports that it does not have any third-party processing facility suppliers.

35. Total volume (or percentage) sourced for manufacturing that comes from intermediary traders rather than directly from processing facilities?

This indicator is disabled as the company does not operate manufacturing facilities.

36. Time-bound commitment to achieve 100% traceability to processing facility level?

This indicator is disabled as the company reports that it does not have any third-party processing facility suppliers.

37. Percentage of supply traceable to processing facility level?

This indicator is disabled as the company reports that it does not have any third-party processing facility suppliers.

38. Time-bound commitment to achieve 100% traceability to industrial plantation level?

The company has reported a commitment to achieve 100% traceability of its natural rubber supply from industrial plantations by 2025.

39. Percentage of supply from own processing facilities traceable to industrial plantation level?

The company reports that 100% of the supply from its own processing facilities is fully traceable to the plantation level.

40. Percentage of supply from third-party processing facilities traceable to industrial plantation level?

This indicator is disabled as the company reports that it does not have any third-party processing facility suppliers.

41. Time-bound commitment to achieve 100% traceability to jurisdictional level for smallholders?

The company has reported a commitment to achieve 100% traceability to jurisdictional level of its natural rubber supply from smallholders by 2025.

42. Percentage of supply from own processing facilities traceable to smallholder at jurisdictional level?

The company reports that 66% of supply from smallholders is traceable to the jurisdictional level.

43. Percentage of supply from third party processing facilities traceable to smallholders at jurisdictional level?

This indicator is disabled as the company reports that it does not have any third-party processing facility suppliers.

44. Member of the Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber (GPSNR)?

[Externally verified] The company is a member of GPSNR. This has been verified via the GPSNR website.

45. Submitted self-declaration form for the Sustainable Natural Rubber Initiative (SNR-i)?

The company has submitted a self-declaration form for SNR-i.

46. Percentage area (ha) FSC certified?

47. Time-bound plan for achieving FSC FM certification of estates/management units?

48. Percentage of scheme/outgrower smallholders (ha) FSC-certified?

This indicator is disabled as the company reports that it does not source from scheme/outgrower smallholder suppliers.  .

49. Time-bound plan for achieving FSC certification of scheme/outgrower smallholders?

This indicator is disabled as the company reports that it does not source from scheme/outgrower smallholder suppliers.

50. Percentage of natural rubber supply (tonnes) from independent smallholders/outgrowers/third-party natural rubber suppliers that is FSC-certified?

51. Percentage of all natural rubber products handled/traded/processed (tonnes) that is FSC-certified?

This indicator is disabled as the company does not operate manufacturing facilities.

52. Percentage area (ha) PEFC certified (excluding FSC certified area)?

The company has two PEFC FM certificates, however, the area certified has not been disclosed.

53. Certified under voluntary sustainability certification scheme?

[Externally verified] The company has PEFC FM certifications available for two of its plantations. The company also reports that some of its natural rubber facilities are certified against ISO 14001 and the certificates are publicly available on its website.

54. Commitment to become 100% certified under voluntary sustainability certification scheme?

The company reports a commitment to become 100% ISO 14001 certified by the end of 2023.

55. Commitment to zero conversion of natural ecosystems?

56. Commitment to zero conversion of natural ecosystems applies to all suppliers?

57. Commitment to zero deforestation?

The company makes this commitment through the GPSNR Policy Framework. Full points have therefore been awarded on the basis of the company's alignment with GPSNR Policy Components that fully meet the SPOTT indicator criteria. The company also commits to no deforestation in its own reporting.

58. Commitment to zero deforestation applies to all suppliers?

The company makes this commitment through the GPSNR Policy Framework. Full points have therefore been awarded on the basis of the company's alignment with GPSNR Policy Components that fully meet the SPOTT indicator criteria. The company also commits all suppliers to no deforestation in its own reporting.

59. Criteria and cut-off date for defining deforestation and/or ecosystem conversion?

The company makes this commitment through the GPSNR Policy Framework. GPSNR defines natural rubber sourced from deforested areas (previously primary forest, HCV or HCS) or where HCVs have been degraded after 1 April 2019 to be non-conformant with its policy. The company also defines deforestation as the removal of HCV and HCS areas and specifies any deforestation/conversion past 2017 will not be accepted.

60. Criteria and cut-off date for defining deforestation and/or ecosystem conversion in supplier operations?

The company makes this commitment through the GPSNR Policy Framework. GPSNR defines natural rubber sourced from deforested areas or where HCVs have been degraded after 1 April 2019 to be non-conformant with its policy. The company also defines deforestation for suppliers as the removal of HCV and HCS areas and specifies any deforestation/conversion past 2017 will not be accepted in supplier operations.

61. Evidence of monitoring deforestation and/or ecosystem conversion?

The company monitors its concessions continuously via high-resolution satellite images.

62. Evidence of monitoring deforestation and/or ecosystem conversion in supplier operations?

The company reports that a traceability platform based on geolocation called the 'NERO' can be used to combat deforestation in smallholder plantation areas. However, it is unclear whether this initiative has been started.

63. Amount of deforestation and/or ecosystem conversion recorded in own operations since cut-off date?

64. Amount of deforestation and/or ecosystem conversion recorded in supplier operations since cut-off date?

65. Commitment to restoration of deforestation/conversion in own operations since cut-off date?

The company commits to restore ecosystems in their own operations to their prior condition. The cut-off date beyond which deforestation/conversion is not accepted, and therefore will be restored, is March 2017.

66. Commitment to restoration of deforestation/conversion in supplier operations since cut-off date?

The company commits suppliers to restore ecosystems in their operations to their prior condition. The cut-off date beyond which deforestation/conversion is not accepted, and therefore will be restored, is 2017. However, it is unclear if suppliers are required to restore deforestation/conversion within their own operations caused by themselves or third parties.

67. Implementing a landscape or jurisdictional level approach?

Limited, externally verified points have been awarded on the basis of the company's PEFC FM certification (PEFC ST 1003:2018) as the requirements do not fully meet the SPOTT indicator criteria. The company also reports that it has created and regularly monitors the implementation of locally adapted action plans which include topics such as internal and external grievance management processes, supplier training and monitoring, community engagement and support. The company has also created a stakeholder round table for the implementation of an integrated conservation land use plan made up of local companies and authorities. Evidence is externally verified via the quotes on the 'Earthworm Foundation's' website. However, the information is over two years old.

68. Biodiversity policy?

The company reports a biodiversity strategy to protect primary forests, areas of HCS, HCV, peatland, and critical habitats. However, a time-bound target was not found.

69. Biodiversity policy applies to all suppliers?

70. Identified species of conservation concern, referencing international or national system of species classification?

[Externally verified] An independent Carbon Stock Assessment of the company's concession in the western region of Ghana carried out by Proforest is available on the company website. This report includes information on the species of conservation concern identified referencing the IUCN red list.

71. Examples of species and/or habitat conservation management?

Comprehensive, externally verified points have been awarded on the basis of the company's PEFC FM certification (PEFC ST 1003:2018) as the requirements fully meet the SPOTT indicator criteria. The company's subsidiary runs a reforestation program in its plantation and the company also reports that it maintains, protects and supports the rehabilitation of peatland areas if it is degraded. However, the information is self-reported. No additional points have been awarded according to the percent of company landbank certified by PEFC as the total area certified has not been published.

72. Commitment to no hunting or only sustainable hunting of species?

The company makes this commitment through the GPSNR Policy Framework. Partial points have therefore been awarded on the basis of the company's alignment with GPSNR Policy Components that do not fully meet the SPOTT indicator criteria. The company also commits to protecting wildlife and rare, threatened, endangered and critically endangered species from poaching, hunting and habitat loss in areas under its management. However, a commitment to no hunting of all species or only sustainable hunting by local communities could not be found.

73. Commitment to no hunting or only sustainable hunting of species applies to all suppliers?

The company commits all suppliers to protect wildlife and rare, threatened, endangered and critically endangered species from poaching, hunting and habitat loss in areas under its management. However, a commitment to no hunting of all species or only sustainable hunting by local communities could not be found.

74. Commitment to protect areas from illegal activities?

The company commits to protect the natural ecosystems and plantations under its management from illegal activities.

75. Commitment to protect forest areas from illegal activities applies to all suppliers?

The company commits all suppliers to protect wildlife from poaching only.

76. Evidence of protecting forest areas from illegal activities?

Comprehensive, externally verified points have been awarded on the basis of the company's PEFC FM certification (PEFC ST 1003:2018) as the requirements fully meet the SPOTT indicator criteria. The company also reports that it monitors and prevents all illegal hunting, fishing, logging, or cutting, in respect of local legislation. However, the information is not externally verified. No additional points have been awarded according to the percent of company landbank certified by PEFC as the total area certified has not been published.

77. Commitment to conduct High Conservation Value (HCV) assessments?

The company makes this commitment through the GPSNR Policy Framework. Full points have therefore been awarded on the basis of the company's alignment with GPSNR Policy Components that fully meet the SPOTT indicator criteria. The company also commits to conduct HCV assessments in its own reporting.

78. Commitment to conduct High Conservation Value (HCV) assessments applies to all suppliers?

The company makes this commitment through the GPSNR Policy Framework. Full points have therefore been awarded on the basis of the company's alignment with GPSNR Policy Components that fully meet the SPOTT indicator criteria. The company also commits suppliers to conduct HCV assessments in its own reporting.

79. High Conservation Value (HCV) assessments available for all new plantings since 1st April 2019?

This indicator is disabled as the company reports to have not planted new rubber plantations since April 2019.

80. High Conservation Value (HCV) management and monitoring plans available for all new plantings since 1st April 2019?

This indicator is disabled as the company reports to have not planted new rubber plantations since April 2019.

81. Commitment to the High Carbon Stock (HCS) Approach?

The company commits to apply the HCS Approach, as defined by the HCS Approach Toolkit.

82. Commitment to the High Carbon Stock (HCS) Approach applies to all suppliers?

The company commits all suppliers to apply the HCS Approach, as defined by the HCS Approach Toolkit.

83. High Carbon Stock (HCS) assessments available?

[Externally verified] HCS assessment reports of two concessions prepared by Proforest are available on the company website.

84. Peer review of all High Carbon Stock (HCS) assessments undertaken since April 2015 by the HCSA Quality Assurance Process?

85. Commitment to conduct social and environmental impact assessments (SEIAs)?

The company commits to conduct SEIAs for all its operations.

86. Commitment to conduct social and environmental impact assessments (SEIAs) applies to all suppliers?

87. Social and environmental impact assessment (SEIAs) undertaken, and associated management and monitoring plans?

[Externally verified] One SEIA assessment is publicly available on the company website, but it does not have detailed associated management and monitoring plans.

88. Commitment to no planting on peat of any depth?

The company makes this commitment through the GPSNR Policy Framework. Full points have therefore been awarded on the basis of the company's alignment with GPSNR Policy Components that fully meet the SPOTT indicator criteria. The company also commits to no planting on peat of any depth in its own reporting.

89. Commitment to no planting on peat of any depth applies to all suppliers?

The company makes this commitment through the GPSNR Policy Framework. Full points have therefore been awarded on the basis of the company's alignment with GPSNR Policy Components that fully meet the SPOTT indicator criteria. The company also commits suppliers to no planting on peat of any depth in its own reporting.

90. Landbank or planted area on peat (ha)?

The company reports 1,905 ha is planted on peatland in its Socfindo subsidiary out of a total group landbank of 382,599 ha. Data as of 2022.

91. Implementation of commitment to no planting on peat of any depth?

The company reported 1,905 planted area on peat in 2021 and 2022. The reported area has not increased.

92. Commitment to best management practices for soils and peat?

The company commits to best management practices for soils and peat.

93. Commitment to best management practices for soils and peat applies to all suppliers?

The company commits all suppliers to best management practices for soils and peat.

94. Evidence of best management practices for soils and peat?

Limited, externally verified points have been awarded on the basis of the company's PEFC FM certification (PEFC ST 1003:2018) as the requirements do not fully meet the SPOTT indicator criteria. The company also reports multiple examples of best management practices for soils, which include the use of nitrogen-fixing cover crops, contour planting and windrowing, structure improvement through encouragement of compost use, applying organic fertilisers, etc. However, the evidence of best management practices for peat was not reported by the company.

95. Commitment to best/sustainable tapping practices?

96. Commitment to best/sustainable tapping practices applies to all suppliers?

97. Evidence of best/sustainable tapping practices?

The company reports that it organises annual training on tapping practices to increase the efficiency and skills of tappers. However, the information is over two years old.

98. Commitment to zero burning?

The company makes this commitment through the GPSNR Policy Framework. Full points have therefore been awarded on the basis of the company's alignment with GPSNR Policy Components that fully meet the SPOTT indicator criteria. The company also commits to no burning in its own reporting.

99. Commitment to zero burning applies to all suppliers?

The company commits all suppliers to no burning.

100. Evidence of fire monitoring and management?

Comprehensive, externally verified points have been awarded on the basis of the company's PEFC FM certification (PEFC ST 1003:2018) as the requirements fully meet the SPOTT indicator criteria. No additional points have been awarded according to the percent of company landbank certified by PEFC as the total area certified has not been published. The company also reports that one of its subsidiaries conducted fire and first aid training in 2022. However, the information is not externally verified.

101. Details/number of hotspots/fires in company estates/management units?

The company recorded 189 cases of fires due to internal or external causes in 2022.

102. Details/number of hotspots/fires in suppliers operations/jurisdictions?

103. Time-bound commitment to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions?

104. GHG emissions?

The company reports individual figures for GHG emissions per processing unit. However, figures are for 2021 and do not state if they include both scope 1 & 2 emissions.

105. GHG emissions from land use change in company's own operations (scope 1)?

106. GHG emissions from land use change in supplier operations (scope 3)?

107. Progress towards commitment to reduce GHG emissions?

108. Methodology used to calculate GHG emissions?

The company uses the GHG Protocol 'Product Lifecycle Accounting and Reporting Standard' methodology to calculate GHG emissions of natural rubber operations.

109. Time-bound commitment to improve water use intensity?

The company reports that the water consumption per ton of dry rubber is stable and consistent with the target set below 20 m3/T.

110. Water use intensity?

17.04 - The company reports the average water consumption per ton of dry rubber as 17.04 in 2022.

111. Progress towards commitment on water use intensity?

The company reports a decrease in its average water consumption intensity from 17.15 m3/T in 2021 to 17.04 m3/T in 2022. However, the information is not externally verified.

112. Time-bound commitment to improve water quality (BOD or COD)?

The company commits to maintain BOD and COD levels within legal limits.

113. Progress towards commitment on water quality (BOD or COD)?

114. Treatment of effluents from processing facilities?

The company reports that all rubber factories have been installed with water treatment facilities (anaerobic and aerobic effluent ponds) which treat effluent before discharging it into waterways. However, the information is not externally verified.

115. Treatment of effluents from manufacturing facilities?

This indicator is disabled as the company does not operate manufacturing facilities.

116. Commitment to protect natural waterways through buffer zones?

The company commits to protect natural waterways through buffer zones.

117. Implementation of commitment to protect natural waterways through buffer zones?

The company only states that it has a strategy for the management of riparian buffer zones. However, an SOP or other detailed information was not disclosed.

118. Reducing odours from natural rubber processing or manufacuring facilities?

119. Commitment to minimise the use of chemicals, including pesticides and chemical fertilisers?

The company commits to minimise the use of chemical fertilisers only.

120. Commitment to minimise the use of chemicals, including pesticides and chemical fertilisers, applies to all suppliers?

The company commits all suppliers to minimise the use of chemical fertilisers only.

121. Commitment to no use of paraquat?

The company commits to not use paraquat.

122. Commitment to no use of paraquat applies to all suppliers?

The company commits all suppliers to not use paraquat.

123. Commitment to no use of World Health Organisation (WHO) Class 1A and 1B pesticides?

The company commits to not use World Health Organisation (WHO) Class 1A and 1B pesticides.

124. Commitment to no use of World Health Organisation (WHO) Class 1A and 1B pesticides applies to all suppliers?

The company commits all suppliers to not use World Health Organisation (WHO) Class 1A and 1B pesticides.

125. Commitment to no use of chemicals listed under the Stockholm Convention and Rotterdam Convention?

The company commits to not use Stockholm and Rotterdam Convention chemicals.

126. Commitment to no use of chemicals listed under the Stockholm Convention and Rotterdam Convention applies to all suppliers?

The company commits all suppliers to not use Stockholm and Rotterdam Convention chemicals.

127. Chemical usage per ha or list of chemicals used?

The company publishes a list of chemicals used across all-natural rubber operations.

128. Implementation of commitment to minimise inorganic fertiliser usage?

The figures reported by the company show a decrease in usage of chemicals except for Carbofuran which shows an increase in usage for 2019 as compared to 2018. However, information is between two to five years old.

129. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach?

Comprehensive, externally verified points have been awarded on the basis of the company's PEFC FM certification (PEFC ST 1003:2018) as the requirements fully meet the SPOTT indicator criteria. No additional points have been awarded according to the percent of company landbank certified by PEFC as the total area certified has not been published. The company also reports that it has implemented an integrated pest management (IPM) approach however, the information is not externally verified.

130. Commitment to human rights?

The company makes this commitment through the GPSNR Policy Framework. Full points have therefore been awarded on the basis of the company's alignment with GPSNR Policy Components that fully meet the SPOTT indicator criteria. The company also commits to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

131. Commitment to human rights applies to all suppliers?

The company commits all suppliers to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

132. Progress on human rights commitment?

[Externally verified] The company reports that it provides training on human rights to its security teams to ensure the security of its employees. It also organises awareness campaigns on human rights to reduce the potential risk of harassment. Further, the 'Earthworm Foundation' reports that in June 2021, two staff workshops were conducted online, including an evaluation of the implementation of the internal grievance management system. However, the externally verified information is over two years old.

133. Commitment to respect Indigenous and local communities' rights?

The company makes this commitment through the GPSNR Policy Framework. Full points have therefore been awarded on the basis of the company's alignment with GPSNR Policy Components that fully meet the SPOTT indicator criteria. The company also commits to the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in its own reporting.

134. Commitment to Indigenous and local communities' rights applies to all suppliers?

The company commits all suppliers to respect indigenous and local communities' rights in relation to FPIC only.

135. Commitment to respect legal and customary land tenure rights?

The company makes this commitment through the GPSNR Policy Framework. Full points have therefore been awarded on the basis of the company's alignment with GPSNR Policy Components that fully meet the SPOTT indicator criteria. The company also commits to respect legal and customary land tenure rights in its own reporting.

136. Commitment to legal and customary land rights applies to all suppliers?

The company commits all suppliers to respect legal and customary land tenure rights.

137. Commitment to free, prior and informed consent (FPIC)?

The company makes this commitment through the GPSNR Policy Framework. Full points have therefore been awarded on the basis of the company's alignment with GPSNR Policy Components that fully meet the SPOTT indicator criteria. The company also commits to free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) in its own reporting.

138. Commitment to free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) applies to all suppliers?

The company commits all suppliers to respect FPIC.

139. Details on Free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) process available?

140. Examples of local stakeholder engagement to prevent conflicts?

[Externally verified] The company reports participating in dialogue platforms organised to structure community relations. Further, in case of a conflict, it encourages dialogue between the stakeholders concerned at a local, national, and international level to resolve the situation. This online grievance management and monitoring platform, checked by EF, guarantees all stakeholders access to factual and transparent information. Further, the 'Earthworm Foundation' reports that in December 2021, training was conducted on conflict analysis and resolution, including grievance management, to prepare the team for handling internal and external conflicts and grievances adequately. However, the externally verified information is over two years old.

141. Details of process for addressing land conflicts available?

The company has a grievance procedure which has been used to record and respond to land conflict related grievances.

142. Supports the inclusion of women across natural rubber operations, including addressing barriers faced?

The company reports limited details on holding workshops and awareness sessions on discrimination and offering specific support to the 'Women's Associations' within the plantations. However, the information is not externally verified.

143. Commitment to mitigate impacts on food security?

The company makes this commitment through the GPSNR Policy Framework. Full points have therefore been awarded on the basis of the company's alignment with GPSNR Policy Components that fully meet the SPOTT indicator criteria. The company also commits to ensure food security for local communities in its own reporting.

144. Progress on commitment to mitigate impacts on food security?

The company reports that linking agro-industrial activity and smallholder plantation development is an efficient way to tackle the food security needs of affected areas. It also ensures food security by providing food supplies to the local communities. However, no other example could be found. However, the information is not externally verified.

145. Commitment to provide essential community services and facilities?

The company makes this commitment through the GPSNR Policy Framework. Full points have therefore been awarded on the basis of the company's alignment with GPSNR Policy Components that fully meet the SPOTT indicator criteria. The company also commits to provide essential community services and facilities in its own reporting.

146. Progress on commitment to provide essential community services and facilities?

The company reports that it provides electricity, water supply, and health facilities to village communities and also encourages the employment of members of neighbouring communities. However, the information is not externally verified.

147. Commitment to provide business/work opportunities for local communities?

The company commits to provide business opportunities for local communities.

148. Commitment to Fundamental ILO Conventions or Free and Fair Labour Principles?

The company makes this commitment through the GPSNR Policy Framework. Partial points have therefore been awarded on the basis of the company's alignment with GPSNR Policy Components. GPSNR does not reference all Fundamental ILO Conventions as amended in 2022 to include Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) and the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 2006 (No. 187). The company also commits to eight Fundamental ILO Conventions in its own reporting.

149. Commitment to Fundamental ILO Conventions or Free and Fair Labour Principles applies to all suppliers?

The company commits all suppliers to eight Fundamental ILO Conventions. However, it does not commit to all fundamental ILO conventions.

150. Progress on commitment to respect all workers' rights?

Comprehensive, externally verified points have been awarded on the basis of the company's PEFC FM certification (PEFC ST 1003:2018) as the requirements fully meet the SPOTT indicator criteria. No additional points have been awarded according to the percent of company landbank certified by PEFC as the total area certified has not been published. The company also organises regular awareness campaigns for workers, communities, and subcontractors on the policies and grievance management systems. Furthermore, toolbox meetings are always conducted to train workers on protection measures. However, the information is not externally verified.

151. Commitment to eliminate gender related discrimination with regards to employment?

The company commits to prevent employment-related discrimination based on gender.

152. Commitment to eliminate gender related discrimination with regards to employment applies to all suppliers?

The company commits all suppliers to no discrimination. However, the commitment does not refer to employment and/or occupation-related discrimination based on gender specifically.

153. Progress on commitment to eliminate gender related discrimination with regards to employment?

[Externally verified] The company has organised workshops and awareness sessions on discrimination against women. The company reduces the risk of workplace violence and harassment by raising awareness among all employees and suppliers about its violence and harassment policies, setting up discussion platforms on violence and harassment, strengthening anonymous complaint procedures, raising awareness with women during family planning campaigns, and offering specific support to the women associations within the estates. In addition, the 'Earthworm Foundation' has established gender committees at all sites. However, externally verified evidence is over two years old.

154. Percentage or number of temporary employees?

6.92% - The company reports that its temporary employees are 3,684 (6.92%) in 2022.

155. Percentage or number of women employees?

24.94% - The company reports that it has 13,277 (24.94%) women employees in 2022.

156. Commitment to pay a living wage?

The company states that 'when Decent Living Wages (DLW) applicable to our operations have been established and validated by RSPO or GPSNR, they will be implemented'. A clear commitment that all workers are paid a living wage was not found.

157. Commitment to pay a living wage applies to all suppliers?

The company states that 'when Decent Living Wages (DLW) applicable to our operations have been established and validated by RSPO or GPSNR, they will be implemented'. This commitment applies to all suppliers, however, it is not a clear commitment that all workers are paid a living wage.

158. Progress on commitment to pay a living wage?

159. Reporting of salary by gender?

The company reports that the minimum wages of all subsidiaries are set legally and are equal among genders. However, reporting of figures or ratios of salary per employment category and significant location of operations, in line with GRI reporting, was not found.

160. Commitment to address occupational health and safety?

The company commits to address health and safety at work for all workers.

161. Commitment to address occupational health and safety applies to all suppliers?

The company commits all suppliers to address health and safety at work for all workers.

162. Provision of personal protective equipment and related training?

Comprehensive, externally verified points have been awarded on the basis of the company's PEFC FM certification (PEFC ST 1003:2018) as the requirements fully meet the SPOTT indicator criteria. No additional points have been awarded according to the percent of company landbank certified by PEFC as the total area certified has not been published. The company also reports that for waste collection and handling, HSE guidelines were followed to ensure that PPE (personal protective equipment) was used and that waste was stored appropriately. Further, in 2022, 172 training sessions were organised on this topic.

163. Time lost due to work-based injuries?

The company reports that it has a 7.63 injury rate in 2022. Calculated as recordable injuries x 200,000/total working hours.

164. Number of fatalities as a result of work-based accidents?

The company reports five work-related fatalities in 2022.

165. Commitment to support smallholders?

The company makes this commitment through the GPSNR Policy Framework. Full points have therefore been awarded on the basis of the company's alignment with GPSNR Policy Components that fully meet the SPOTT indicator criteria. The company also commits to support smallholders in its own reporting.

166. Percentage of supply from smallholders?

The company reports that 55% of rubber production comes from smallholders.

167. Programme to support scheme smallholders/outgrowers?

This indicator is disabled as the company reports that it does not source from scheme/outgrower smallholder suppliers.

168. Percentage of scheme smallholders/outgrowers involved in programme?

This indicator is disabled as the company reports that it does not source from scheme/outgrower smallholder suppliers.

169. Programme to support independent smallholders?

The company provides information on support provided to smallholders, which includes technical assistance, agriculture advice, etc. However, the information is not externally verified.

170. Percentage of independent smallholders involved in programme?

171. Process used to engage smallholder suppliers on compliance with company's policy and/or legal requirements?

The company ensures that all identified smallholder operations are in compliance with its policy and sustainability requirements. It has also been committed to the 'RubberWay' project since the very beginning, and the first evaluations took place on its Ivorian sites in 2018.

172. Number or percentage of smallholder suppliers engaged on compliance with company's policy and/or legal requirements?

173. Process used to prioritise, assess and/or engage non-smallholder suppliers on compliance with company's policy and/or legal requirements?

174. Number or percentage of non-smallholder suppliers assessed and/or engaged on compliance with company's policy and/or legal requirements?

94% - The company reports that it has a total of 13,117 smallholders, out of which 94% have received training on environmental and social issues in 2022. However, the information is not externally verified.

175. Suspension or exclusion criteria for suppliers?

The company states that suppliers can be excluded for non-compliance if remedial actions to correct failures are not adopted. However, the exact criteria for exclusion were unclear, and timeframes were not published.

176. Time-bound action plans (including Key Performance Indicators) for suppliers to be in compliance with natural rubber sourcing commitments?

177. Proportion of supply from suppliers that is verified as deforestation- and/or conversion-free (DCF)?

178. Percentage of supply coming from agroforestry?

179. Commitment to ethical conduct and prohibition of corruption?

The company commits to ethical conduct and the prohibition of corruption.

180. Commitment to ethical conduct and prohibition of corruption applies to all suppliers?

The company commits all suppliers to ethical conduct and the prohibition of corruption.

181. Progress on commitment to ethical conduct and prohibition of corruption?

The company reports that it has a central purchasing body, 'Sodimex', which has developed a specific business ethics code, strongly regulating and limiting the practices of corruption. Further, the company has also decided to appoint a 'Compliance Officer' at the group's headquarters from the first quarter of 2023 to strengthen training and prevent corruption in all its subsidiaries. However, it is unclear if this initiative has been implemented.

182. Disclosure of the company's management approach to tax and payments to governments?

183. Whistleblowing procedure?

The company has a whistleblowing policy including whistleblower protection.

184. Own grievance or complaints system open to all stakeholders?

The company has a grievance management system open to all stakeholders.

185. Details of complaints and grievances disclosed?

The company provides details of complaints and grievances such as date, status, progress and subject.