ARC International B2B Division - Worldwide leader in tailor made glassware solutions

Sustainability aims to combine economic performance, social equity and respect for the environment. These stakes, together with the effects of globalisation increase the growth of the world's population.

Companies which sign up to Sustainable Development decide to adopt a Corporate Citizen's role in society. Economic growth, social cohesion and protecting the environment all go in tandem. These are no longer constraints which have to be taken into consideration, but investments which are central to a company's strategy.

Conscious of these principles, ARC International signed up to the United Nations' "Global Compact" on 14th May 2003. The objective of this step is to reinforce its involvement in social and environmental areas by following the Ten Guiding Principles based upon the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Arc International has defined its priority activities and target measures for certain projects. The different initiatives which result from this are rolled out across all the Group's subsidiaries around the world.

{mospagebreak title=Global Compact&heading=Global Compact}

The Global Compact

In 1999, at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Secretary General Kofi Annan proposed a "Global Compact" between the United Nations and businesses; the operational phase of the agreement was launched at the Headquarters of the UN in New York on 26^th July 2000.
The Global Compact is a frame of reference and dialogue, aimed to facilitate the convergence of social, economic and environmental practices within the private sector with universal values.
The Global Compact asks companies to embrace, support and enact, within their sphere of influence, a set of core values in the areas of human rights, labour standards, the environment, and anti-corruption:

10 principles 

The 10 principles apply to:

Human Rights

• Principle 1: Businesses should support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights

• Principle 2: make sure that they are not complicit in human rights abuses

Labour Standards

• Principle 3: Businesses should uphold the freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining

• Principle 4: the elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labour

• Principle 5: the effective abolition of child labour

• Principle 6: the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation
   

Environment

• Principle 7: Businesses should support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges

• Principle 8: undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility

• Principle 9: encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies   

Anti-Corruption

• Principle 10: Businesses should work against all forms of corruption, including extortion and bribery
  

{mospagebreak title=Workplace&heading=Workplace}

In the Workplace

Policy of Inclusion

ARC International has put in place a policy to benefit disabled workers. This activity aims to maintain the employment of workers who have medical limitations. Disability does not reduce productivity provided that the individual concerned is working in an adapted and managed situation. As a result, a team has been set up in France to look at the redeployment of staff and which is currently under review in other countries within the Group's auspices.

Social Policy

ARC International plays a role in the prevention of dependency and the fight against addiction to nicotine, alcohol, and "soft" drugs in France's workplace.
Finally, the Group commits to refuse all forms of discrimination (be it religious, sexual or racial). These actions are also being rolled out in other countries.

{mospagebreak title=Environment&heading=Environment}

Our Environmental Policy

Our Policy

Reduce the impact of the Group's actions on the environment, whilst improving current living conditions and to pass on to future generations a safeguarded environment. The environmental impact of Arc International's sites stems from:

• Energy consumption
• Atmospheric or gaseous emissions
• The choice of materials to manufacture products
• Waste Management

As far as production procedures are concerned, energy consumption levels are very high for Arc International. This is why the Group has been researching different technical solutions to reduce energy consumption for several years: and to switch to less polluting energy as soon as possible. The Group has voluntarily enrolled in programmes to reduce CO2 emissions, such as AERES - Companies for the Reduction of Greenhouse Effect (in France) and PNAQ (National Quota Scheme), in accordance with the Kyoto Protocol.

Wherever possible Arc International uses river or sea transport in order to limit the impact on the environment. A European reference document on technologies used in the glass industry reveals that Arc International is one of the top companies for respecting the environment.

Our water and gas emissions are measured regularly to avoid any anomalies.
Equipment such as filters and decanters are used as much as possible to limit impact on the environment. The base materials used in the manufacturing of our products are recyclable and ecological (glass, porcelain and steel). The Group is involved at the very heart of local, national and international committees which promote a reasoned vision of: THE ENVIRONMENT.

All procedures put in place to reduce our impact on the environment are in accordance with ISO 14001 guidelines.

{mospagebreak title=Safety&heading=Safety}

Our Safety Policy

Our Policy
"Assure and guarantee for our colleagues and staff working conditions which protect health and safety".

Since the very beginning, safety has been inscribed in the founding values of the company and in particular, the respect of men and women in whichever country we are active. By signing up to the U.N's Global Compact Arc, International is reinforcing these values.

Safety begins at the concept stage of equipment installation in order to ensure their safe use. Risk analyses are updated regularly to allow that adequate measures, both individually and collectively, ensure the safety of employees. In each operational unit, a safety team led by managers provides safety instructions and oversees risk prevention. Medical supervision is present at all sites. In order to prevent the occurrence of RSI, all activities are carried out according to the best ergonomic practices.

Training and information programmes are held to develop employees' skills and to maintain their safety awareness over time.

In the operational units, fire fighting teams have been formed to protect the company as well as to ensure a continuity of service for our clients. Audits and inspections are regularly carried out to avoid faults and to identify any needs for improving our management safety systems which take international safety directives into consideration.

In the event of any incident or accident, a full investigation is made immediately in order to prevent the same situation at the Group's other sites. Corrective steps are then also shared with all the Group's other production areas to ensure maximum prevention.

All of these policies, combined with a constant vigilance make the Group's place of work a safe place for its employees.