Polarica’s business is based on pure ingredients from the nature and our northern operational environment. How we treat nature and our stakeholders directly influences the prerequisites of our operations now and in the future. That is why we want to improve the wellbeing in our operational environments and develop our sustainable policies.
Confidence in entrepreneurship, employment and responsible operations is Polarica’s driving force that extends also to our future through our strategy and vision.
Polarica Group is Europe’s leading supplier of frozen berries. The company’s story dates back to 1972 when Polarica AB started business operations in Haparanda, Swedish Lapland.
Over the years, the company has grown into an international group, but its roots are still firmly in the north. The pure nature of Lapland is the source of many of our wild berries and headquarters are still in northern Sweden.
Healthy, flavoursome and ethically produced wild food has become more and more appealing to the modern conscious consumer. However, wild food is not an easy business: natural conditions vary from year to year, and operations take place in remote and vulnerable communities.
The way wild food companies treat the nature and their stakeholders has a direct effect on their operating conditions now and in the future. Taking the various aspects of responsibility into consideration is a precondition for Polarica’s success and has a key role in its strategy. Polarica’s objective is to minimise its environmental load, and to promote wellbeing in our operating environment and to work closely together with our stakeholders.
Consumers are increasingly interested in social responsibility. The way Thai berry pickers are treated and the transparency of operations have received a lot of public attention. Polarica is the first company in the berry industry to implement the ISO 26000. We want to be an industry leader in social responsibility, and aim to continuously improve our operations and increase transparency.
In everything it does, Polarica Group aims to ensure that its products are safe, of high quality, and meet customer expectations. Consumers value pure Nordic berries and are increasingly well informed and demanding regarding the origins of their food. Polarica’s production control and reporting systems across the entire supply chain ensure traceability from raw materials to finished materials.
Polarica offers organic products to consumers, for instance Krav certified berries in Sweden. Krav certification is built around organic production, but the factors taken into consideration also include social responsibility and environmental impacts.
1. Ethical responsibility.
Polarica assumes responsibility for the work environment and has a far-reaching product responsibility. All of Polarica’s operations are based on respect for human rights, zero-tolerance for corruption, forced labour and discrimination, and the right to freedom of association and collective bargaining.
2. Environmental responsibility.
All operations must comply with laws and regulations, and must contribute to long-term sustainability.
3. Social responsibility.
Polarica is strongly committed to the surrounding community. This includes responsibility for the health and well-being of co-workers in the workplace. For the Thai berry-pickers that we bring to Sweden, under our own management and under the management of subcontractors, we ensure provision of room and board and a minimum wage.
We are concerned for our Customers, so the area encompassed by our quality system includes such an early stage as plantation, even before fruit appears. Yearly meetings with our Suppliers aim at making them aware of changing needs and expectations of our Customers, which entails the creation of special plantation protection programmes adjusted to individual needs.
The produced goods are made of specially selected fruit and are free of any additives and preservatives. On account of the completely natural way of obtaining and very high production and hygiene standards, our products are totally safe for people and can be eaten by all the groups of consumers.
The system of marking raw materials, semi-finished goods and finished goods has been elaborated to the smallest detail to assure the perfect identification for the goods produced.
A highly advanced technology and many-year experience allow us to successfully achieve ambitious goals related to quality.
A team of our highly qualified specialists continuously has cared for the quality and safety of produced goods. Precisely selected training enables us to continuously develop and use modern solutions in daily work. The complete dedication of quality control employees allows us to foresee and solve most problems even before they appear. Each stage of looking for, processing and storage of goods was subject to a profound analysis and potential threats have been limited to the minimum.
All the goods that we produce are subject to the constant control of the plant laboratory and external control of renowned accredited laboratories.
The code of conduct describes the requirements and expectations that Polarica puts on its own organization as well as on our suppliers, which also applies to those who choose to wear Polarica.
The Code of Conduct is based on the Global Compact's ten principles based on the UN Declaration of Human Rights, ILO's Basic Conventions on Human Rights at Work, the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, the United Nations Convention against Corruption, and laws and agreements in the countries where the business is conducted.
1. Human Rights
Discrimination
All employees should be treated equally, impartial and with respect regardless of race, gender, age, nationality, disability, sexual orientation, association or political opinion.
Forced labor and disciplinary action
Employees are treated with respect and dignity. Forced labor, involuntary or unpaid work shall not occur. Salaries or possessions may never be deposited / taken in pledge by anyone in return for work. No person may be detained for work for some time, against his will. No employee may under any circumstances be subjected to bodily punishment or other forms of physical, sexual or psychological punishment or harassment.
Child Labor
No person may be employed until he has completed compulsory schooling. They may not be employed until they reach the age of 15 years. If younger children work as apprentices in accordance with their country's labor laws, they must be protected from all forms of exploitation. Employment of younger people up to the age of 18 may not risk their education or their physical, mental, social or moral development.
Salary
The salary is to be paid on a regular basis, on time and reasonable in relation to work performance. The statutory minimum wage is the lowest accepted salary.
Working hours
Laws and agreements shall be followed in terms of working hours and overtime.
Vacancy and sick leave
Workers should be entitled to take legal leave and other legal leave (eg parental leave) in consultation with the employer and have sick leave without any negative consequences.
Employment Contract
Employees are entitled to employment contracts.
Freedom of association
Employees have the freedom to exercise their right to be members of organizations representing their interests as employees, without fear of threat or harassment.
2. Legal requirements
We comply with national laws that apply in the countries where business is conducted. Should any requirement in the Code of Conduct be in conflict with national law, the law prevails.
3. Good Working Conditions
Our employees and hired partners are offered a safe and healthy work environment and that the requirements set out in national legislation are met. In cases where housing is provided, the living space per worker must meet the minimum requirements of the law, be hygienic and provide satisfactory personal integrity.
4. External environment
We comply with environmental requirements in legislation and regulations and have knowledge of and control of our environmental impacts. We are constantly working to reduce the impact on the environment.
5. Corruption
Through good ethics and morals, we counteract all forms of corruption, including extortion and bribery.
6. Animal protection
We seem that animal welfare and nursing aspects are a natural part of the business. Together with our suppliers, we work to create good natural conditions. Minimum requirements for animals to:
Application and follow-up the code of conduct is a natural part of our business and is the focus of continuous throughout our production chain. This improvement. We demand that our Code of Conduct be ensured is ensured by risk analyzes with supplier assessments as a basis.
Deficiencies and discrepancies should be reported, action and action plans will be established which will then be followed up. Throughout this process, Polarica offers support to suppliers to ensure that the requirements of our Code of Conduct are met. Polarica reserves the right to unannounced visits for inspection and follow-up by the suppliers.
SALES, HAPARANDA
Polarica Ab
Haparanda
Järnvägsgatan 35
95321 Haparanda
Phone: +46 (09)22-292 00
Fax: +46 (09)22-292 22
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