Certifikat
Borgstena Of Sweden has genuine chocolate and participates in the CACAO-TRACE PROGRAM®
Our Cacao-Trace Sustainable Cocoa program helps build a truly sustainable future for chocolate and cocoa-based products and everyone involved. At Cacao-Trace, we master the fermentation process to ensure our chocolate and cocoa-based products have a GREAT TASTE. DOING GOOD is our focus so Cacao-Trace farmers benefit from the value they create.
Cacao-Trace® is a cocoa program that includes all standard elements of sustainable certification. It is also the ONLY one that includes taste and quality in a sustainable program (through fermentation mastery) and the ONLY one with an innovative compensation system that balances profit sharing in the supply chain (through the “chocolate bonus”).
Cacao-Trace® is the symbol of the program that subcontractor and Borgstena participate in for sustainable cocoa fields and stakeholder certification. It requires annual audits to be carried out by the sub-supplier from whom Borgstena chooses its chocolate. It also requires continuous improvement. The program is currently active in Ivory Coast and Vietnam, and there are plans to expand our Cacao-Trace purchases to more countries in Southeast Asia, West Africa and Latin America. https://www.cacaotrace.com/
Cacao-Traces® holistic approach ensures that our five winning ambitions not only drive change but have a real positive impact on cocoa farmers:
- Environmental protection and the fight against global warming are also crucial to secure the long-term cocoa production. We help farmers implement best practices and “agroforestry” projects, which involve creating combined plantations of cocoa + wood + fruit trees that work in synergy together. These are also complementary ways to increase agricultural productivity and thus farmers’ incomes and health. The increased biodiversity in the soil, flora and fauna of the plantation increases their resilience to extreme weather conditions (such as drought and floods). It also results in better, cleaner cocoa yields.
- Combining sustainability, superior taste and consistent quality is important to us, our customers and consumers. Therefore, we contribute to the manufacturer being able to invest in exclusive post-harvest centers where they themselves collect, ferment and dry the cocoa beans. This unique approach has allowed our manufacturer to master the fermentation process, a crucial step in ensuring high quality cocoa that consistently meets our strict quality standards. In return, the farmers are rewarded with a better price for their better cocoa. They receive quality premiums linked to the quality of the cocoa they supply – a real incentive for continuous quality improvement.
- The support to farmers is also about helping them and their families to live a sustainable life. We believe that the chocolate bonus can balance the balance of power in the supply chains. Consumers and customers will be able to help lift farmers and their communities out of poverty thanks to a fixed contribution that is part of the price of Cacao-Trace products. With full transparency, 100 percent of this consumer contribution is received by the farmers. In turn, it helps create communities that farmers and their children would want to live in, while encouraging the next generation of cocoa farmers.
- We also believe that children must never be harmed or exploited in cocoa farming, and that cocoa farming can – and must – play a positive role in farming communities. The Cacao-Trace program focuses on measures such as child education and protection, children should not be exposed to unsafe activities.
Borgstena Of Sweden Code Of Conduct
Borgstena of Sweden (further Borgstena) works all the time to support social and sustainable business, comply with the laws on work environment and labor law issues, human rights and environmental work.
OUR INDUSTRY
The cocoa industry is aware that producers have difficulties in terms of finances, underage workers, development of plantations, countries’ political systems, etc.
We only use traceable chocolate, Cacao Trace, which means that you as a customer contribute to a sustainable cocoa supply and better conditions and working conditions for the cocoa farmers. Therefore, the industry has come together and taken responsibility. The World Cocoa Foundation supports the growers and works there through various developments then they get the tools needed for more and better cocoa they work and themselves and become more profitable. Borgstena Of Sweden buys its cocoa from a few well established and serious suppliers who live up to our code of conduct.
OUR PRODUCTION CHAIN
Borgstena has chosen to only work with suppliers we feel secure enough with to be able to assume that the entire flow in the chain works. We have our own printing house and our own production. We comply with the requirements set by our collective agreement.
ENVIRONMENT
In our printing house, we use water based colors that are kind to both the environment and people. We use e.g. of cellophane, which consists largely of regenerated cellulose, NatureFlex, which is certified for composting, when we package our products. We use green electricity, and candy waste we get in the factory is turned into ethanol.
CODE OF CONDUCT FOR SUPPLIERS
Borgstena works for a well functioning private, public and non profit enterprise that inspires trust. Borgstena has drawn up this code of conduct to protect human rights, promote fair employment conditions, safe working conditions, responsible handling of environmental issues and high ethical standards. Borgstena demands that its suppliers conduct their bu siness in a responsible manner. For Borgstena, it is important that Borgstena’s supply chain does not act in a way that conflicts with the principles in this code of conduct. Suppliers who provide products or services to Borgstena must comply with all laws and regulations that are applicable to their operations, as well as set corresponding requirements for their own suppliers. Borgstena expects suppliers
and their subcontractors to comply with this code of conduct, even if it prescribes a higher standard than is required by national laws or regulations. The code of conduct must be applied within all of the supplier’s operations, including manufacturing, delivery, sales and support. Upon request from Borgstena, the supplier must inform which companies are subcontractors in relation to Borgstena.
HUMAN RIGHTS
Borgstena expects the supplier to respect all internationally recognized human rights and strives
to comply with these principles, even when faced with conflicting requirements.
WORK STANDARDS AND ANTI DISCRIMINATION
Borgstena expects the supplier to treat all employees with respect and dignity. Any form of discrimination based on bias or prejudice is prohibited, such as discrimination based on gender, people with a gender transgender identity or expression, certain et hnicity, religion or other belief, pregnancy, parenthood, disability, sexual orientation or age. Borgstena assumes that employees with the same qualifications, experience and achievements receive equal pay for equal work in comparison to others who perform the same work under similar working conditions.
CHILD LABOR
Borgstena expect the supplier to undertake not to employ persons in violation of the applicable law and international conventions and to ensure that this does not happen with subcontractors either. The minimum permitted age for employment is when compulsory schooling has ended, or not under 15. A person under the age of 18 may not be employed for hazardous work or work that is incompatible with the child’s physical, mental, spiritual, moral or social development.
FORCED LABOR
Forced labor or forced labor may not be applied and employees are free to terminate their employment after an agreed notice period, in accordance with national law or agreement. The employer may not require employees to deposit money or identity documents with them in order to obtain employment.
MINIMUM SALARY
Salary for normal working hours, overtime work and other overtime compensation shall at least amount to the highest of the minimum amounts prescribed by law or as compensation normally applied in the supplier’s industry. Unlawful, unauthorized or disciplin ary salary deductions are not permitted.
WORKING HOURS
The supplier must comply with applicable national legislation and industry standards regarding working hours and public holidays. A normal working week should not exceed 48 hours. Working time outside the normal working week must be voluntary unless the collective agreement allows for mandatory overtime. Unless there are exceptional circumstances, the working week including overtime must not exceed 60 hours.
HEALTH AND SAFETY AT THE WORKPLACE
The supplier must at least comply with the applicable laws and regulations regarding the working environment and working conditions. The supplier must prioritize workers’ health and safety. This means, among other things, that the supplier must ensure that
appropriate protection is used, that the equipment and buildings used are safe, and that hazardous substances and hazardous waste are handled in a safe manner. There must also be clear rules and routines for safety and health at the workplace that are adhe red to. If the supplier provides housing for employees, these must be safe, hygienic and provide space for personal privacy.
FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION
All employees must have the right to freely form, join and organize trade unions and to bargain collectively with the supplier. The Supplier shall not in any way impede the establishment, maintenance or administration of such employee organizations or coll ective bargaining. The supplier shall also not take disciplinary or discriminatory measures against personnel who organize workers or personnel affiliated with a union.
ANTI CORRUPTION
The supplier must comply with applicable anti corruption laws and good practice in the area. Any gifts and activities that the supplier considers providing or offering Borgstena’s employees must be moderate and must not risk unduly influencing Borgstena’s employees in the performance of their duties. In case of any doubts about whether a gift or an activity
CSR POLICY
Borgstena Of Sweden
Introduction
Borgstena Of Sweden (the Company) is deeply committed to conducting its business with responsibility and sustainability at its core. We believe that long-term success is built on creating value for our customers, employees, suppliers, society, and the environment. Our CSR policy is a fundamental part of our business strategy and guides how we integrate social responsibility, environmental sustainability, and ethical business practices throughout our value chain.
Environmental Responsibility
We actively work to minimize our environmental impact by optimizing resource use, utilizing recyclable and environmentally friendly materials, and reducing emissions and waste at all levels of our operations. We promote innovation and continuous improvement to support sustainable development and a circular economy.
Social Responsibility
The Company places people at the center of its operations. We ensure that our employees work under safe and fair conditions where health, safety, and well-being are prioritized. We foster diversity, inclusion, and equality in the workplace and invest in the development and education of our employees.
We are also proud of our involvement with Cacao Trace, an initiative that promotes sustainable and ethical cocoa production. Through Cacao Trace, we support small-scale cocoa farmers with training, fair pricing, and improved living conditions, thereby strengthening their communities and contributing to more sustainable food production.
Business Ethics and Governance
The Company conducts its business with integrity, strong business ethics, and transparency. We rigorously comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and industry standards, maintaining strong internal controls and risk management. We strive to build long-term trust with our stakeholders by acting responsibly and ethically in all business relationships.
Community Engagement
We view our social responsibility as an opportunity to create positive change. Through collaboration with partners, customers, and local initiatives, we work to contribute to social development and environmental sustainability beyond our own operations.
Conclusion
By adhering to and continuously developing this CSR policy, Borgstena Of Sweden takes responsibility for creating long-term value for our customers, employees, suppliers, and the broader society. We believe our commitment to sustainability and ethics is essential for a successful and sustainable future
ESG Policy for Borgstena Of Sweden
At Borgstena Of Sweden, we are committed to conducting our business responsibly and sustainably. Our ESG policy (Environmental, Social, and Governance) serves as a guiding framework for integrating environmental responsibility, social commitment, and sound corporate governance into everything we do.
- Environmental (E): We actively work to reduce our environmental impact by optimizing resource use, promoting recyclable materials, and minimizing our carbon footprint throughout the value chain.
- Social Responsibility (S): We prioritize the well-being, safety, and development of our employees. We uphold high standards for fair working conditions, diversity and inclusion, and ethical business relationships.
- Corporate Governance (G): We adhere to strong business ethics, transparency, and regulatory compliance. We proactively manage risks and strive for long-term sustainability in our business decisions.
By integrating ESG into our operations, we create value for our customers, employees, and society as a whole.
Environmental
In our daily work, we always strive to constantly reduce our environmental impact as far as it is technically possible and economically reasonable. We do this work in collaboration with our suppliers. To constantly reduce our environmental impact, we actively work with:
- To continuously educate the company’s staff about the company’s environmental policy and thereby ensure that they have good knowledge of the company’s environmental work, but also about the environment in general. The company must keep knowledge of current legislation up to date and ensure that it is complied with.
- To inform about the company’s environmental policy when purchasing and influence our main suppliers to reduce our joint environmental impact and always consider this when choosing other suppliers.
- To, in cooperation with our distributors, strive for environmentally friendly transport with low fuel consumption and low emissions of environmentally damaging substances.
- To save and, where possible, make our energy consumption more efficient, both for environmental and cost reasons.
- To constantly improve the handling of recyclable residual products. One part of this is to actively work to develop our products in a direction where environmental considerations are an important part of our quality concept.
Material selection
All production of materials requires energy, both in production and transport, consumption and decomposition/recycling. Some materials, such as plastic, require less energy in transportation because the material weighs little, while at the same time it requires relatively more energy in the decomposition process. We choose our material with care and with consideration for all steps in the material’s life cycle as well as food requirements. For example, we cannot use recycled fiber in the material that is in direct contact with food. This is because the composition of these materials may contain residues from substances that can migrate into the food.
Degradable
Packaging material should never end up in nature under uncontrolled circumstances, regardless of whether the material is degradable or compostable. The fact that a product is compostable means that it needs to end up in a compost pile with the right bacterial culture and temperature so that the material breaks down within the expected time and thus does not pose a risk to wildlife. Therefore, Borgstena Of Sweden works focused on source sorting correctly. In this way, we can ensure that the material affects the environment as little as possible.
Renewable energy
We use green electricity in our premises. This means that the energy comes from renewable sources, such as wind and hydropower.
Heating
Surplus energy from our production is led back into the heating systems that heat our premises. Our heating therefore consists partly of recycled energy.
Water- and UV-based paints
In our own printing house, we only use water- and UV-based inks. This means that chemical waste is reduced to close to zero. The spillage that still occurs is broken down via Stena Metall.
Social Responsibility
Borgstena Of Sweden (further Borgstena) works all the time to support social and sustainable business, comply with the laws on work environment and labor law issues, human rights and environmental work.
Our Industry
The cocoa industry is aware that producers have difficulties in terms of finances, underage workers, development of plantations, countries’ political systems, etc. We only use traceable chocolate, Cacao-Trace, which means that you as a customer contribute to a sustainable cocoa supply and better conditions and working conditions for the cocoa farmers. Therefore, the industry has come together and taken responsibility. The World Cocoa Foundation supports the growers and works there through various developments – then they get the tools needed for more and better cocoa they work and themselves and become more profitable. Borgstena Of Sweden buys its cocoa from a few well-established and serious suppliers who live up to our code of conduct.
Our Production Chain
Borgstena has chosen to only work with suppliers we feel secure enough with to be able to assume that the entire flow in the chain works. We have our own printing house and our own production. We comply with the requirements set by our collective agreement.
Environment
In our printing house, we use water-based colors that are kind to both the environment and people. We use e.g. of cellophane, which consists largely of regenerated cellulose, NatureFlex, which is certified for composting, when we package our products. We use green electricity, and candy waste we get in the factory is turned into ethanol.
Human Rights
Borgstena expects the supplier to respect all internationally recognized human rights and strives to comply with these principles, even when faced with conflicting requirements.
Work Standards and Anti-Discrimination
Borgstena expects the supplier to treat all employees with respect and dignity. Any form of discrimination based on bias or prejudice is prohibited, such as discrimination based on gender, people with a gender-transgender identity or expression, certain ethnicity, religion or other belief, pregnancy, parenthood, disability, sexual orientation or age. Borgstena assumes that employees with the same qualifications, experience and achievements receive equal pay for equal work in comparison to others who perform the same work under similar working conditions.
Child Labor
Borgstena expects the supplier to undertake not to employ persons in violation of the applicable law and international conventions and to ensure that this does not happen with subcontractors either. The minimum permitted age for employment is when compulsory schooling has ended, or not under 15. A person under the age of 18 may not be employed for hazardous work or work that is incompatible with the child’s physical, mental, spiritual, moral or social development.
Forced Labor
Forced labor or forced labor may not be applied and employees are free to terminate their employment after an agreed notice period, in accordance with national law or agreement. The employer may not require employees to deposit money or identity documents with them in order to obtain employment.
Minimum Salary
Salary for normal working hours, overtime work and other overtime compensation shall at least amount to the highest of the minimum amounts prescribed by law or as compensation normally applied in the supplier’s industry. Unlawful, unauthorized or disciplinary salary deductions are not permitted.
Working Hours
The supplier must comply with applicable national legislation and industry standards regarding working hours and public holidays. A normal working week should not exceed 48 hours. Working time outside the normal working week must be voluntary unless the collective agreement allows for mandatory overtime. Unless there are exceptional circumstances, the working week including overtime must not exceed 60 hours.
Health and Safety at the Workplace
The supplier must at least comply with the applicable laws and regulations regarding the working environment and working conditions. The supplier must prioritize workers’ health and safety.
Corporate Governance
Borgstena works for a well-functioning private, public and non-profit enterprise that inspires trust. Borgstena has drawn up this code of conduct to protect human rights, promote fair employment conditions, safe working conditions, responsible handling of environmental issues and high ethical standards. Borgstena demands that its suppliers conduct their business in a responsible manner. For Borgstena, it is important that Borgstena’s supply chain does not act in a way that conflicts with the principles in this code of conduct. Suppliers who provide products or services to Borgstena must comply with all laws and regulations that are applicable to their operations, as well as set corresponding requirements for their own suppliers.
Borgstena expects suppliers and their subcontractors to comply with this code of conduct, even if it prescribes a higher standard than is required by national laws or regulations. The code of conduct must be applied within all of the supplier’s operations, including manufacturing, delivery, sales and support. Upon request from Borgstena, the supplier must inform which companies are subcontractors in relation to Borgstena