Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs)
The Sustainable Development Goals, also known as the Global Goals, were adopted by the United Nations in
2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and
ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity. The 17 SDGs are
integrated - they recognize that action in one area will affect outcomes in
others, and that development must balance social, economic and environmental
sustainability. Countries have committed to prioritize progress for those who
are furthest behind. The creativity, knowhow, technology and financial
resources from all of society is necessary to achieve the SDGs in every
context.
At Folat we have linked our materialities to the best
matching SDGs and the focus will be on the SGD 12 - Responsible
Consumption and Production (Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns), SDG 8 - Decent
work and economic growth (Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and
productive employment and decent work for all) and SDG 17 -
Partnership for the goals (Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global
Partnership for Sustainable Development). Of course, other SDGs will be
considered, however a focus is needed rather than an all-in approach.
amfori BSCI
amfori BSCI (Business Social Compliance Initiative) is an
industry-driven movement that aims to monitor and assess workplace standards
across the global supply chain. There is growing expectation that companies not
only ensure their own businesses are responsible, but that their suppliers are
also demonstrating social responsibility. A amfori BSCI audit helps a business
monitor its supply chain to ensure that all suppliers are treating workers
ethically and legally.
Folat is a member of amfori BSCI since 2011
and we work together with our suppliers to raise awareness and enable change. Multiple
social compliance initiatives, organizations and standards exist and we at
Folat therefore operate under an open architecture where we also accept other internationally
recognized social compliance standards, like SEDEX (SMETA) and ICTI.
FSC
FSC stands for “Forest Stewardship Council”. Founded
in 1994 in Mexico, FSC does promote environmentally appropriate, socially
beneficial, and economically viable management of the world’s forests. Folat is
FSC certified since 2019 and we strive to increase the use of FSC certified
material continuously for products and packaging across our assortment with the
focus on products with the most impact. Already more than 250 products are made
of FSC certified materials or are packaged in FSC certified materials.
PEFC
PEFC means the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification and is a leading global alliance of national forest certification systems. As an international non-profit, non-governmental organization, PEFC is dedicated to promoting sustainable forest management through independent third-party certification.
PEFC was founded in 1999 in France in response to the specific requirements of small- and family forest owners as an international umbrella organization providing independent assessment, endorsement, and recognition of national forest certification systems. PEFC responded to the need for a mechanism enabling the independent development of national standards tailored to the political, economic, social, environmental, and cultural realities of the respective countries, while at the same time ensuring compliance with internationally accepted requirements and global recognition. Folat is PEFC certified since March 2023, and we strive to increase the use of PEFC-certified material continuously for products and packaging across our assortment with the focus on products with the most impact.
European Balloon & Party Council and PartySafe
Folat is a member of the European Balloon & Party Council (EBPC) and its consumer education website PartySafe.eu.
The primary objective of the EBPC is to assist
members in understanding the broad range of safety issues and helping to change
standards in the balloon and party industry. The partysafe website is designed
to raise awareness amongst consumers and to educate about responsible product
use.
Flustix “Plastic Free” certification mark
Flustix - a
product certification mark for consumer protection, the environment and the
economy. The flustix PLASTIC FREE label is the first and only registered
European sustainability certificate concerning plastic-use in products. The
name “Flustix” is a neologism and a word
combination created from the claim “free from plastics”.
Flustix tests products and packaging for their use and volume of plastics. The certification provides a reliable guide for eco-conscious customers and consumers. The flustix certification mark is the world’s first symbol for plastic purity, registered as a European Union Certification Mark by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) and the German Patent and Trade Mark Office.
At Folat we introduced
our first flustix “plastic free” certified product in 2022. As a result of the
European Single Use Plastics Directive we have introduced the first printed paper
plates without a plastic lamination or coating that fully meets the
requirements of the SUP Directive and the Commission guidelines on single-use
plastic products. We will continue to broaden our offering over time. Our official
Flustix registration number for printed paper plates is FPP011 and our first
flustix certified printed paper plate is item 62840.
The Royal
Netherlands Standardization Institute (NEN)
The Royal
Netherlands Standardization Institute (NEN) connects
parties and stakeholders and ensures that they reach agreements in standards
and guidelines. This is done in national and/or international standards
committees. The NEN supports the standardization process in The Netherlands.
Folat actively
participates in the standardization for toy safety and is a member of NEN since
2015.