At Star Editions, we recognise our profound responsibility to uphold human rights and promote equality. It is imperative that we conduct our business with unwavering respect for all individuals, ensuring that every person has a platform to express themselves freely and without judgement. Our commitment extends to managing labour and environmental standards meticulously across our operations and supply chains.

Our Commitment

At Star Editions, we are dedicated to safeguarding human rights throughout our business practices. Our Human Rights Policy underscores this commitment, outlining our proactive measures to respect and protect human rights across all facets of our operations and supply chain. This policy aligns with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, which provide a global framework for ethical business conduct.

To foster enduring and equitable commercial relationships, we acknowledge that achieving value is inseparable from ensuring a fair balance of power and responsibility with our suppliers. Our commitment is guided by the Ethical Trading Initiative's (ETI) Guide to Buying Responsibly, tailored to our unique operations.

We are conscious that our purchasing decisions significantly impact workers' lives. Therefore, we hold ourselves accountable to set supportive standards for our suppliers, ensuring their operations uphold human rights and safety. Our approach includes:

• Adhering to all relevant regulations and codes of conduct in every jurisdiction where Star Editions operates.
• Building and nurturing collaborative relationships with suppliers to promote labour and environmental excellence.
• Assisting suppliers in meeting required labour and environmental standards within a reasonable timeframe.
• Continuously refining our Labour and Environmental policies based on supplier feedback and performance.
• Providing practical support to suppliers to help them meet their commitments.
• Ensuring fair and respectful handling of any termination of purchase arrangements, with adequate notice and opportunities for improvement before severing relationships, except in cases of serious violations.
• Maintaining open communication channels with suppliers to facilitate efficient order processing and address any issues promptly.
• Paying fair prices that support a living wage for workers and negotiating lead times that consider labour standards impacts.

We expect our suppliers to align with and uphold these ethical and environmental standards:

• Compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
• Transparency in operations and readiness to provide information for assessment.
• Educating customers about the impacts of their purchasing decisions on working conditions and wages.
• Commitment to equal opportunity and non-discrimination in all employment practices.
• Prohibition of bribery, corruption, and any form of financial crime, with mechanisms for confidential reporting of such behaviour.
• Clear communication with workers regarding their employment conditions and rights.

Our Approach

Star Editions is committed to leading the industry toward a more sustainable and responsible future. Our dedication to human rights is integrated into our policies and practices, supported by our culture and governance structure. We strive to:

• Conduct due diligence to identify and mitigate risks to people, ensuring mechanisms are in place for raising concerns and accessing remedies.
• Maintain transparency and communicate our expectations to inspire action and collaboration.
• Continue learning and adapting our practices to make a positive difference.

Environmental Standards

We are dedicated to minimising our environmental impact through sustainable practices. Our environmental commitments include:

• Monitoring and reducing Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, setting time-bound reduction targets for industrialised countries and Economies in Transition.
• Adhering to the Waste Hierarchy, prioritising minimisation, reuse, and recycling to reduce landfill and incineration waste.
• Promoting the use of recycled and recyclable materials, avoiding reliance on finite resources.
• Ensuring ethical sourcing of cotton, avoiding products from Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Xinjiang (China).
• Minimising and recycling packaging materials, with a preference for recycled plastics.
• Verifying that all wood and forest products are legally sourced, with a preference for Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) certified products.
• Reducing energy consumption and favouring renewable energy sources.
• Minimising travel and transport impacts, and promoting efficient logistics.
• Protecting biodiversity and conserving water resources.

Labour Standards

We uphold rigorous labour standards in our operations and expect the same from our suppliers, aligned with the Ethical Trading Initiative's Base Code. Key principles include:

• Freedom from forced, bonded, or involuntary labour.
• Respect for freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining.
• Safe and hygienic working conditions.
• No child labour, with policies ensuring education and protection for young workers.
• Fair wages that meet or exceed national legal standards or industry benchmarks.
• Reasonable working hours with fair compensation for overtime.
• Non-discrimination in all employment practices.
• Regular employment based on national laws, avoiding labour-only contracting and excessive use of fixed-term contracts.
• Prohibition of harsh or inhumane treatment.

Governance and Integration

Our Human Rights Policy is integrated into our corporate governance and operational-level policies. We aim to embed respect for human rights throughout our business culture and provide necessary training to colleagues.

Training

We offer comprehensive human rights training tailored to different roles within our organisation. This includes basic awareness, responsibilities under UNGPs, and specialised training on topics such as forced labour and remedy processes.

Human Rights Due Diligence

We conduct continuous human rights due diligence across our supply chain, focusing on high-risk areas and incorporating feedback from stakeholders. Our efforts include risk assessments, monitoring programmes, and capacity-building initiatives.

Reporting and Communication

We are committed to transparent reporting on human rights risks and outcomes. Effective grievance mechanisms are in place to manage issues and ensure no retaliation against whistleblowers.

Grievance Mechanisms and Incident Management

We promote a culture of openness and ensure effective grievance mechanisms for employees and supply chain workers. Our internal Grievance Policy supports a fair process for handling issues, with a focus on resolution and remedy.

Through these measures, Star Editions aims to uphold the highest standards of ethical and environmental responsibility, fostering a positive impact on people and the planet.

For any questions or additional information regarding our sustainability initiatives, please contact us at gogreen@starearth.co.uk