Responsible Business

1. Sustainability governance

We aim to raise the standard of tea in premium hospitality through quality and responsible business practice. We consider how our decisions affect customers, suppliers, workers, communities and the environment.

• Material sourcing, packaging and logistics decisions are reviewed for quality, cost, environmental and social impacts.
• We maintain actions, risks and supporting evidence and review material issues regularly.
• We listen to relevant customer and supplier feedback and use it to improve our products and practices.
• We publish only accurate statements about Folium Tea Co's performance and certification status, and distinguish our own results from those of suppliers.
• Policies are reviewed before significant changes such as new suppliers, products, premises or employees.

2. Environment and climate

We seek to understand and reduce the environmental impacts of our tea supply chain, packaging, transport and business activities, using measured information wherever practical and clearly labelled estimates where measurement is not yet available.

• Environmental factors are considered when selecting teas, packers, packaging and fulfilment partners, including farming impacts, energy, water, waste and transport.
• We aim to reduce unnecessary travel, consolidate shipments where practical and avoid over-ordering and avoidable packaging.
• We monitor damaged, obsolete and expired stock and support appropriate reuse, redistribution or disposal where safe and feasible.
• We ask significant suppliers for environmental information and improvement plans but do not treat organic certification as proof of carbon neutrality or complete environmental performance.
• As trading data becomes available, we will establish an appropriate environmental baseline and use it to set evidence-based improvement targets.

3. Packaging and environmental claims

We choose packaging to protect tea quality while avoiding unnecessary material. Environmental and disposal claims must be supported by evidence for the actual components and finished pack we use.

• We keep specifications for packaging components including pyramid mesh, string, tag, inks, adhesives, sachets, cartons and transport packaging.
• Material reduction, recycled content, reuse and realistic disposal routes are considered before packaging is approved.
• We request relevant food-contact documentation and certification and check what product, material or finished assembly it actually covers.
• We do not assume that plant-derived packaging is automatically plastic-free, biodegradable, home-compostable or industrially compostable.
• Organic wording and logos are used only on our pyramid teabag range, and only once Folium Tea Co is entitled to use them. Certification, compostability and other environmental wording or logos are used only where the claim is supported for the relevant product.
• Where industrial compostability is substantiated, disposal wording will make the required conditions and local acceptance clear.

4. Responsible sourcing and procurement

We choose suppliers on tea quality, food safety, reliability, fair commercial practice, and their environmental and human-rights performance.

Our pyramid teabag range is sourced as certified organic, supported by verified supplier certification and appropriate product controls. Folium Tea Co itself is currently progressing organic certification for this range and is not yet organically certified.

Our loose leaf teas are selected for exceptional quality. They are not organic and are not described or marketed as organic.

Choosing suppliers

• Before we buy from a new supplier, we assess the risks linked to country of origin, agricultural labour, processing, subcontracting, packaging and logistics. Missing information is treated as a risk to follow up, not as a pass.
• From our tea and packing partners, we ask for origin and traceability information, product specifications, current certificates, food safety controls and evidence of how they protect workers' rights.
• We check that certificates are valid and cover the products and sites we actually use. We will not claim full garden-level traceability until we can show it.
• We share our supplier code of conduct with key suppliers and build proportionate requirements into our agreements.
• We review critical suppliers regularly, agree corrective actions where needed, and aim for clear specifications, realistic lead times and fair payment terms.

5. Supplier code of conduct

We expect our suppliers, and their relevant subcontractors, to meet the standards below. We communicate these expectations, assess risk and agree proportionate corrective action where needed.

People

• Freely chosen work. No forced labour, trafficking, debt bondage or intimidation, and no retention of identity documents against workers' wishes. Workers must never pay fees to get a job.
• No child labour. Minimum-age rules are met and young workers are protected from hazardous work.
• Fair terms. Lawful wages, benefits, working hours, rest and clear employment terms, with respect for freedom of association and collective bargaining.
• Safe and respectful workplaces. Suitable protective equipment and training. No discrimination, harassment or abuse, and concerns can be raised without retaliation.

Environment and integrity

• Meet environmental obligations and manage chemicals, water, emissions and waste responsibly.
• Provide accurate product, origin, material and certification information and report relevant changes or serious incidents promptly.
• No bribery, fraud or corrupt payments. Protect confidential information and personal data and disclose conflicts of interest.
• Maintain product safety, hygiene, traceability and recall arrangements suitable for the goods or services supplied.

6. Human rights and modern slavery

We respect human rights and take proportionate steps to identify, prevent and address exploitation in our business and supply chain. This is a commitment about how we work, not a claim that every risk in a global tea supply chain has been eliminated.

• We assess risks in tea growing, seasonal and migrant labour, packing, warehousing and recruitment.
• We ask critical suppliers how they prevent forced and child labour, recruitment fees, withheld wages or documents, and how workers can raise concerns.
• Where risk is higher, we ask for more evidence and record outstanding actions. Organic or food-safety certification is never treated as proof that labour risks are absent.
• Suspected exploitation is handled carefully, with confidentiality and the safety of affected people in mind. Serious matters are escalated to appropriate specialist support or authorities where required.
• We favour worker-centred remediation and may pause or end a supplier relationship where safety or serious unresolved risk requires it.

7. Fair work, equality and dignity

We will treat everyone working with Folium Tea Co fairly and respectfully. Employment controls will be put in place before recruitment; this policy does not imply that Folium Tea Co currently has employees or any external employment accreditation.

• Employees will receive clear written terms covering role, pay, hours, leave and relevant procedures.
• Recruitment, work allocation, pay and progression will be based on relevant requirements and objective criteria, without unlawful discrimination.
• We will consider reasonable adjustments and accessible working arrangements.
• Bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, victimisation and degrading treatment are not acceptable in person, online or at business events.
• Complaints will be handled fairly and confidentially, with independent input where a Director is personally implicated.

8. Health, safety and wellbeing

We identify and control foreseeable risks to people working for Folium Tea Co and those affected by our activities. Our arrangements reflect home working, customer and supplier visits, tasting events, travel and stock handling.

• We assess practical risks including workstations, lifting, hot water, slips, travel, event setup and lone working.
• We follow host-site rules and emergency arrangements and do not undertake unfamiliar warehouse or machinery tasks without suitable permission and training.
• Suitable first-aid, emergency and food-hygiene arrangements are established for tastings and events.
• Accidents, near misses and corrective actions are recorded and reviewed, with external reporting or competent advice used where required.
• Relevant instruction and equipment are provided before work is assigned, and wellbeing and workload are considered as responsibilities grow.

9. Business ethics and anti-bribery

We conduct business honestly. We do not offer, request or accept bribes, kickbacks or any improper advantage. This applies to everyone who works for or represents Folium Tea Co.

• No facilitation payments or cash gifts. Improper requests are refused and recorded.
• Hospitality and product samples must be modest, transparent and for a genuine business purpose, respecting the recipient's own rules.
• Conflicts of interest are declared and recorded.
• We keep accurate accounts, verify unusual payment instructions and never conceal transactions.
• We compete fairly and do not exchange sensitive competitor pricing, divide markets or misuse confidential information.
• Sales, sourcing and sustainability claims must be accurate; supplier certification, scores or audits are never presented as Folium Tea Co's own.

10. Raising concerns

We welcome concerns from customers, suppliers, workers in our supply chain and anyone affected by what we do. No one will be penalised for raising a concern in good faith, even if it turns out not to be substantiated.

How to report

• Email customersupport@foliumtea.com with “Confidential concern” in the subject line.
• Please include dates, facts and supporting material you can share safely. Anonymous reports are welcome, although they can limit our ability to follow up.
• If a concern is about a Director, the reporter may seek independent advice or approach an appropriate authority. We will arrange a suitably independent review where feasible.
• Emergency situations should be referred to the emergency services first.

We aim to acknowledge non-anonymous concerns within five working days and provide an outcome or progress update within twenty working days, while assessing urgent matters immediately.

11. Information security and confidentiality

We protect customer, supplier, business and personal information using controls proportionate to its sensitivity. This policy works alongside, and does not replace, our Privacy & Cookie Policy.

• We collect only information needed for a defined business purpose and restrict access to people who need it.
• Business systems use appropriate access controls, supported software, device locking, strong unique passwords and multi-factor authentication where available.
• We review access to key systems and remove permissions promptly when they are no longer needed.
• Important business records are backed up appropriately and sensitive material is stored securely.
• Suspected phishing, lost devices, unauthorised access or data incidents are assessed promptly, contained where possible and reported to affected parties or authorities where legally required.
• Information is retained only for a justified business or legal period and disposed of securely when no longer required.

12. Product quality, food safety and traceability

We aim to supply tea that meets agreed quality and safety specifications and to maintain traceability through sourcing, packing, storage and customer delivery. Outsourcing production does not remove Folium Tea Co's responsibility for managing its own controls.

• Specifications cover ingredients, allergens and cross-contact risks, pack weights, shelf life, storage, batch coding and packaging suitability.
• We confirm relevant food-safety arrangements and current certification with our packer and fulfilment partners, while recognising that certification does not replace product-specific checks.
• Artwork and product claims are checked against the approved formulation and supporting evidence.
• Batch identity is preserved through stock handling and business-customer delivery so affected product can be traced where necessary.
• Withdrawal and recall responsibilities and emergency contacts are established before commercial release.
• If product safety is in doubt, affected stock is held, evidence preserved, risk assessed and relevant authorities or customers notified where required.

Urgent product safety concerns

If you believe a Folium Tea Co product may present a food-safety risk, please contact us immediately at customersupport@foliumtea.com or call 0203 488 8628. Urgent product-safety matters are prioritised and escalated through our product withdrawal and recall procedures.

13. Customer complaints

If something is not right with your tea, an order or our service, please tell us. We will respond fairly and use what you tell us to improve. This process does not affect your statutory rights or any agreed trade terms.

How to complain

Email customersupport@foliumtea.com or call 0203 488 8628. Where you can, include the product, batch code, order or delivery details, what went wrong and how you would like us to put it right.

• Potential safety issues such as suspected contamination, incorrect allergen information or injury are prioritised immediately.
• We aim to acknowledge ordinary complaints within two working days and provide a resolution or progress update within ten working days.
• We review relevant product, batch, delivery and supplier records and offer a fair remedy in line with applicable rights and agreed terms.
• If you are not satisfied with the outcome, you can ask for review by a Director.

For cancellations, returns and refunds on consumer purchases, see our Refunds & Returns Policy.

14. Employee development

As Folium Tea Co grows, we will provide people working for the business with the knowledge and skills needed to work safely, responsibly and effectively. This policy does not imply that a current employee training programme already exists.

• People acting for Folium Tea Co will receive role-appropriate induction, including relevant policies, escalation routes and limits of authority.
• Training will reflect the work involved and may include product knowledge, responsible claims, health and safety, ethical conduct, information handling and food hygiene for tastings.
• Learning needs will be reviewed when responsibilities change and at appropriate intervals.
• Development opportunities will be offered fairly, with accessibility needs considered.
• After incidents or recurring complaints, we will consider whether training or clearer instructions are required.

How we review these policies

These policies are approved by a Director and reviewed every year, and sooner if our business changes significantly. The version and effective date at the top of this page show when they last changed.

Questions about any of these policies are welcome at customersupport@foliumtea.com.