ESG Policy

LeMieux Environmental,

Social and Governance Policy

This policy outlines LeMieux’s intentions and commitment to action positive change throughout our business practices, operations and supply chains in the UK and globally.

As a company we recognise our responsibility to reduce our environmental impact and foster a positive culture with strong ethical and welfare practices within our direct workforce and throughout our supply chains. We commit to supporting our local community and transparency in our governance and reporting.

As a brand, we are working to make more of our product ranges sustainable. We will develop products with quality and sustainability in mind to extend their lifecycle and strive to use more responsibly sourced and sustainable materials in our products. From recycled/biodegradable packaging to eco-friendly and plant-based materials and treatments, each season we increase the steps we are taking to reduce our impact on the environment and create product in an ethical way.

We identify our responsibilities under five key pillars:

Environment

LeMieux aims to become an ecological leader within the local and global equestrian community. We endeavour to:

Reduce carbon emissions and energy consumption through accurate reporting and analysis, efficient use of resources and implementing effective reduction strategies

Favour low-impact, ethically sourced, sustainable materials wherever possible in our products and operations. This can include, but is not limited to:

FSC/PEFC certified and carbon-balanced paper
FSC and/or PEFC certified cardboard for all packaging, preferring this over any other material
Low-density polyethylene 100%, 50% or 30% recycled content used for polybags, which are 100% recyclable
Plastic packaging products must be at least 30% recycled content and 100% recyclable
Paper mailing bags
Paper-based packaging tapes
Paper cushioning and void-fill replacing polystyrene chips and plastic air pillows
100% recycled polyester fill in jackets
Sorona® sustainable faux down fill in jackets
100% and 80% recycled nylon in base layers

Use local vendors located within a 20-mile range of our headquarters to reduce carbon emissions and support our local communities and businesses, where applicable and possible. This includes utilising a local food van to make daily deliveries of fresh food reducing staff reliance on take-aways and its associated packaging

Constantly seek packaging materials with increased content of recycled and recyclable materials

Ensure regular recycling of all in-coming plastic, cardboard & paper packaging from suppliers

Eliminate the use of single-use plastics in our products and operations by using sustainable alternatives wherever possible. Where the use of plastic is unavoidable, it should be recycled and/or recyclable

Replace single-use plastics with card alternatives for packaging where possible

Use string (rattan) ties for securing products to packaging instead of plastic

Create packaging that can be reused or has multiple uses e.g. reusable rug bags/fly hood bags for storage when not in use

Commit to working with our suppliers to increase ethically sourced raw materials:

We will place preference on suppliers who are members of the Leather Working Group and encourage existing leather suppliers to become members of the Leather Working Group
We will place preference on suppliers who are members of British Cotton, Better Cotton or the Global Organic Textile Standard and encourage existing cotton suppliers to become members of the British Cotton, Better Cotton or the Global Organic Textile Standard
We will use FSC or PEFC certified paper and card in our products and operations
Preference will be given to suppliers who produce carbon-balanced paper

We will use the guidelines of the Wildlife Trust’s benchmarks to support the biodiversity of our sites and surrounding areas by identifying and implementing measures and initiatives that support wildlife and promote conservation. All new buildings have in-built rainwater retention systems

We will always endeavour to develop quality reusable products with longevity

People

LeMieux’s ambition is to become a leading local employer. LeMieux will be a great place to work with an engaged, high performing team through:

Embedding our company values that promote a positive company culture

Ensure company values are communicated to all employees. We will ensure the company values are understood and their ethos integrated and adhered to as part of working life

Investing in our people through flexible working, training, career progression and enhanced employee benefits

Providing wellbeing and mental health support from qualified first aiders and mental health first aiders, wellbeing platforms that provide free GP access 24/7

Follow strict health and safety measures including new employee inductions, rigorous HR processes and employee feedback surveys

Community

LeMieux is committed to equal opportunity for all, creating and sustaining a diverse culture where our team members feel empowered to share different ideas, perspectives and experiences in a collaborative environment.

We are working towards equality and inclusion being at the heart of our culture and play a significant role in our approach.

We will obtain ED&I data through annual anonymous employee surveys to inform our strategy to ensure LeMieux is a diverse and inclusive employer

We will gather honest feedback from our teams to shape our inclusive culture

LeMieux takes pride in giving back to our local community through:

Charity partnerships and volunteering, local recruitment and philanthropy

Supporting our local and equestrian communities. We will seek to positively engage with our local community, neighbours and businesses to strengthen our relationships

Where possible we will favour using local businesses and suppliers where applicable and possible

We will uphold high welfare standards throughout our supply chains by assessing our tier 1 suppliers via annual third-party audits, such as SEDEX/SMETA. We will set strict expectations of adherence to the LeMieux Supplier Code of Conduct that encompasses:

Workers freely choose employment

Workers have freedom of association and right to collective bargaining

Workers have safe and hygienic working conditions

Child labour shall not be used

Minimum wage is paid in compliance with local laws

Working hours are not excessive

No discrimination is practised

Workers have regular employment provided

No harsh or inhumane treatment is allowed

Adherence to the LeMieux Modern Slavery Policy

We will support our suppliers in areas of non-compliance and implement improvement plans and monitor through to resolution where applicable and possible.

Governance

LeMieux’s mission is to ‘become the most exciting equestrian brand on the planet’. As such, we strive to be equestrian industry leaders for our ESG ambition and impact.

The Company Directors take overall responsibility for adherence to the Company’s ESG practices and strategy, and performance is reported to the Board on a regular basis

Heads of Departments take responsibility for promoting and supporting ESG initiatives within departments

LeMieux’s ESG Committee represents all areas of our business. Along with dedicated internal ESG resources, the ESG Committee will bring new, creative ideas and initiatives into the business and ensure the ESG action plan is followed, targets and KPIs are met, ensure data collected is accurate, and remain accountable with transparent reporting

We remain devoted to an ambitious and challenging ESG program that is continually reviewed and monitored

We will inform our employees of progress on our sustainability journey and conduct regular stakeholder materiality assessments

Customers

Our customer community is made up of engaged, loyal and passionate horse lovers. We will protect them by maintaining the highest standards of quality and compliance. We will innovate new and exciting products suitable for the highest level of sport, delivered at the best affordable value.

We will adhere to the terms of our Ethical Marketing Policy ensuring our marketing practices are accurate, ethical and positive

Our products will be backed up by best-in-class customer service, acting on feedback on our product and services that is gathered via third-party providers such as Feefo, and our own mechanisms to ensure customer satisfaction

We will ensure the security of our customers' data through training our employees, robust and secure IT systems and strict compliance to data protection and GDPR legislation

The sustainability landscape is a fast-moving and evolving space. LeMieux commits to prioritising improvement and positive impact, knowing that we must learn and adapt as we go. We will strive for constant improvement by regularly reviewing our policies and practices and setting and achieving ambitious KPI targets. Our progression should be continuous, and we must always challenge ourselves by seeking to raise our standards.

This policy is non-contractual, and the business reserves the right to make relevant changes to this policy to ensure compliance with legislative updates. This policy will be reviewed annually, unless we need to review and update at an earlier date. Any changes will be communicated to our employees appropriately.

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LeMieux Environmental,

Social and Governance Policy