Ethical Statement

Ethical Statement

Ellipsis Brands company expansion and employee growth requiring HQ relocation has resulted in the updated ethical statement below – September 2024

1. Introduction

Ellipsis Brands is a privately owned business specialising in the development and manufacture of branded and private label cosmetic and skin care products. We are a family run business, and we strive to create a friendly, supportive, diverse and collaborative atmosphere for our employees, suppliers, and customers alike. We are always striving to continually improve our practices across all areas of the business.

Ellipsis Brands recognises that as business and manufacturer it is our responsibility to operate in an ethical manner and support the development of a sustainable and prosperous society. We aim to achieve this through every aspect of our business, our policies, procedures and development and training.

This statement aims to reinforce our commitment to ESG practices and supplies further details on our strategy.

Senior management and the board of directors have overall responsibility for the implementation of ESG practices across the business.

2. Our approach

Our aim is to integrate the three pillars of ESG into our operations and for this to become an inherent part of our culture and everything we do. This approach is driven by the senior management of the business.

• Environmental – the impact of Ellipsis on the planet
• Social – the impact of Ellipsis has on people, including staff, customers and the community
• Governance – how Ellipsis is governed

 

Environment

We recognise the significant threat of climate change to our world, and we aim to embed environmental awareness into all our decision making and encourage all employees and stakeholders to share this ethos and commitment to drive down carbon emissions and take responsibility for sustainability throughout the business.

We have implemented a waste management system across our sites to ensure that all our waste is handled and disposed of in the correct manner. We are driving waste management initiatives to minimise usage of paper and plastic and ensure that all waste is properly segregated to maximise recycling and significantly reduce the amount sent to landfill. We encourage reuse and repurposing where practical.

Most of our packaging is fully recyclable and we provide instructions on how to recycle on our brand websites. Where possible we are incorporating at least 30-50%  Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) material into our packaging with an aim to increase this. We have implemented a policy where all new product development in plastic packaging will automatically be made from 50% PCR and we are working through our older products to implement this moving forward.

 

Targets

All packaging components to be recyclable by mid 2025.

All plastic packaging to be at least 30% (50% if possible) PCR by the end of 2024. To-date 50% of our recyclable plastic packaging has a PCR content of above 30%.

Our onsite generator is powered by Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil fuel – an alternative diesel made from 100% renewable raw materials and sustainable waste from verified vegetable fats and oils. Ideal for use in on and off-road commercial vehicles and machinery, businesses benefit from an instant reduction in CO2 emissions, with no engine modifications needed. https://certasenergy.co.uk/my-business/products/hvo/

Due to the company move the Ellipsis Garden has been regrettably closed but we are on the lookout for a new home so we can continue to cultivate our own sustainable natural plant extracts in-house.
We work with our suppliers to help them improve their standards and as the business grows, we will continue to explore and invest in sustainability projects to help reduce our environmental and social impact.

 

Cruelty Free

In line with UK legislation, Ellipsis Brands believes that testing on animals is unacceptable and expect all our suppliers, manufacturers and other third-party companies to also adhere to a standard of zero animal testing or cruelty both in the UK and overseas.

 

Animal Cruelty Free Statement

Ellipsis Brands Ltd., can confirm that the company as a whole implements a no animal cruelty policy in accordance with the AAT standards Policy Against Animal Testing dating from the commencement of the company in March 2013. Ellipsis Brands subscribes to the internationally recognised standard for cosmetics and toiletries, that are not tested on animals, as defined by Cruelty Free International.

The full Policy against Animal Testing (AAT) can be found here https://ellipsisbrands.com/animal-testing-policy

According to UK law, we are not required to include a written statement, or third-party qualifications (such as the Leaping Bunny) on our packaging to notify consumers that we do not test on animals as this is already a legal requirement So please do not be discouraged when you can’t see this information on our product packaging!

 

3. Social

We are an equal opportunities employer, and we actively encourage the opportunity for progression through the business. We pay above the National Living Wage and have employee benefits in place including a wellbeing support system and more visible perks including a monthly pizza Friday, bi-monthly fruit delivery and a quarterly get together for all employees. We strive to create an inspiring workplace in which employees can thrive within a cultivated collaborative environment and where people feel valued. We invest in our employees, using tools such as personal development plans across all departments to help employees gain experience in their chosen area and grow in their field.

Employees have undertaken schemes/training/courses like those listed below:

• Apprenticeships
• Placements
• Training schemes
• Fire, health and safety courses
• Conferences
• Courses in employee field of operation
• Online courses in employee field of operation
• Mentorship

The company’s conversion from apprenticeships/placements to employment at Ellipsis is 100%.

Ellipsis has dedicated its 11 years in existence to bring beautiful products to the market for our customers, to that end we take extraordinary care in the production of our products.

 

4. Health & Safety

 

We have created a safe and healthy working environment across all our sites and are committed to continual improvement for all Health and Safety matters. We have a documented Health and Safety policy which is shared with all employees. Our Health and Safety committee has strong employee representation including 2 representative board members which convenes quarterly to set and review performance against our Health and Safety objectives. Our Health and Safety Management system is certified to ISO 45001 standards.

In addition to this we also ensure that all our practices are in line with the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) Base Code 9 core pillars:

• Employment is freely chosen
• Freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining are respected
• Working conditions are safe and hygienic
• Child labour shall not be used
• Living wages are paid
• Working hours are not excessive
• No discrimination is practiced
• Regular employment is provided
• No harsh or inhumane treatment is allowed

 

5. Supply chain

Ellipsis Brands has a documented Supplier Selection Process and a Supplier Code of Conduct to help ensure that our supply chain is compliant with our values as well as the ETI Base Code. Supporting documentation is required for supplier onboarding. Ellipsis Brands regularly reviews suppliers to ensure that they are meeting the standards required and reserves the right to carry out site visits or audits if there is suspected non-compliance. Ellipsis Brands is happy to work with suppliers to help them achieve the required standards by implementing improvement plans.

Where possible and in preference we use carbon neural transit companies to deliver/collect our components/products.

 

6. Governance

We consider corporate governance essential to help us maintain, monitor and improve our standards and claims and ensure we comply with all applicable laws, rules, regulations and policies and adhere to our corporate values and business principals.

We have established an employee handbook and a code of conduct to assist our employees and suppliers to act with integrity and hold the highest moral and ethical standards.

We use both internal and external auditing to monitor these standards and results are regularly reported to senior management with monitored action plans.

Certification to ISO 22716 and BRCGS Consumer Goods standards ensures that we are adhering to quality standards and best practices across the business and our membership of SEDEX provides accountability and scrutiny through Sedex Members Ethical Trading Audits (SMETA).

Ellipsis Brands regularly engages in brand charitable partnerships (especially local) supporting causes which align with the company’s ethos.