Sustainability Policy

13th December 2010

See here for BCF's Sustainable Development Brochure

Bringing the World to Life

We, the member companies of the British Coatings Federation believe in producing our paints, coatings, wallcoverings and printing inks in a way that “meets the needs of the present, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.”

The BCF and its members are committed to providing quality Products which:

• Protect the environment

• Conserve resources

• Enhance lifestyle

• Communicate information

We will continue to meet the demand for excellent products but we also affirm our commitment to 3 pillars that support a sustainable future:

• Environmental Responsibility

• Economic Viability

• Social Responsibility

Sustainability is a lifelong journey, and the BCF will continuously review this policy, seeking improvements where possible.

The three pillars of sustainability are:

Environmental Responsibility	Economic Viability	Social Responsibility
Environmental Impact We will: • Develop new materials and processes to replace those thatmay pose a risk to the environment or human health • Reduce greenhouse gas emissions • Reduce emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) • Increase recycling and reduce waste going to landfill • Discuss future regulations with the appropriate authorities to ensure they are effective at improving our environment.	Economic Contribution We are successful UK businesses and aim to: • Grow sustainably as viable companies • Create employment within our industry and suppliers • Invest in our people, their skills, knowledge and awareness	Diversity and Equal Opportunities • We will operate a policy of equal opportunity in all aspects of employment and training Fairness • All relationships with suppliers, customers and stakeholders will be conducted with fairness
Resources Careful choices about the resources we use should lead to: • Improvements in energy efficiency • Minimising waste around the hierarchy of ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ • Increased use of renewable materials • Optimised water usage • Improved service life and durability for products that act as Protection	Innovation We will continue to develop and deliver products which meet customer needs whilst: • Maximising sustainable processes and resource use • Partnering with suppliers in the development and use of sustainable raw materials • Investing in new technologies for the benefit of future generations	Employee Health and Safety Our businesses depend on the wellbeing and safety of our staff. We make a commitment to care for them: • Staff will be informed and trained on all relevant health and safety procedures • We will seek continuous improvements in safety during manufacturing processes • We also make a commitment to improving the welfare and wellness of our employees
Safe Products In line with good Product Stewardship, we will promote the: • Safe use and handling while being used for their intended application • Safe Transport of our products • Correct Disposal of our products	Compliance We aim to do more than simply comply with our legal requirements and will: • Reach higher standards with voluntary codes of practice • Create partnerships with the appropriate authorities to develop further initiatives	Respect for people and communities With pride, our businesses are part of and employ local communities. That partnership must be strong and, to maintain it we will: • Engage with the local community • Treat people with respect and dignity • Listen and learn from the views of a diverse range of stakeholders • Share our experiences and discuss emerging issues with our stakeholders and local communities

Commitment

The BCF Sustainability Policy is supported by a voluntary code of conduct for members of the Federation and will be monitored. Clear information from BCF will be provided to our members.

The BCF Sustainability Policy will be carefully considered for each member business, to fit in with their strategic goals and priorities, taking into account the overall social, economic and environmental impact of any change. The BCF Sustainability Policy will be actioned through Commitment, Communication and Participation.

The BCF will establish responsible practices, working internationally, and communicated to members and suppliers. Member companies will, in endorsing this policy, commit to:

• Assessing their progress on sustainable development

• Encouraging responsible behaviour by suppliers and customers

• Integrating sustainability considerations into their

business decisions

Communication

As the voice of the industry, BCF will act to educate and inform its members and regulators about the improvements that have been made and the progress of new efforts. The BCF will also work with other organisations internationally to identify improvements and innovations which members can use to increase sustainability. Member companies will become champions for improved sustainability, communicating their commitment to their employees, suppliers and customers.

Participation

All member companies are encouraged to take part and take a lead on involving their employees, suppliers and customers. Sustainable business practices can make significant differences to the environment, customer relations and profitability. We want as many of our partners to benefit as possible.