We have a strong sense of responsibility toward future generations by offering them well-designed
products with indisputable environmental performance. Our mission is to give all pupils and students
the right tools with the guarantee that we constantly strive to minimise their impact on the environment.

– Eric Joan, CEO.

COMMITMENT #1: RETHINKING HAMELIN PRODUCTS TO REDUCE
THE ENVIRONMENTAL FOOTPRINT THROUGH ECO-DESIGN
AND ECOLABELLING

The eco-design approach made us reconsider the entire life-cycle of our
products from sourcing, paper manufacture, conversion, transport to end-of-
life. With the help of experts, eight task forces have been created to analyse the
major sources of environmental impact. We adopted a scientific approach for all
of our product categories by making ‘Products Life Cycle Assessments’
according to the ISO 14044 standard. This work allowed us to reduce the
environmental impact of our products.

Ecolabel Code of Conduct & Certification

We only support Ecolabels that reduce products’ environmental footprint during
their entire life-cycle. In 2016, OXFORD became the first brand of notebooks to
certify its products EU Ecolabel. The EU Ecolabel for converted paper products
is the only official pan-European Ecolabel guaranteeing reduced environmental
impacts through factors such as the use of use of certified sustainable forest
management paper, reduced air and water pollution, no toxic and hazardous
chemicals, paper waste reduction and lower energy consumption.

COMMITMENT #2: CONTRIBUTING TO ENVIRONMENTAL
PRESERVATION THROUGH RESPONSIBLE SOURCING

We promote sustainable forest management certification to contribute positively to the preservation of our forests. “We exercise constant vigilance regarding the origin of the paper and cardboard we source.” Managing Director of Books and Pads. Since 2003, we have been sourcing our raw materials in an ecologically responsible manner, by using certified sustainable forest management paper.

Responsible Paper Suppliers

We require our paper suppliers to provide environmental guarantees. 43% of
our writing papers are already certified by the EU Ecolabel for “copying and
graphic paper”. For all other paper and board, as there is no EU Ecolabel, we
require more information from our suppliers such as water pollution (COD, AO_X,
N_Tot, P_Tot), air emissions (SO₂, NO_x, CO₂ fossil), solid waste landfill and purchased
electricity consumption, to ensure that environmentally-friendly processes were used.

COMMITMENT #3: REDUCING OUR CARBON FOOTPRINT
TO PARTICIPATE IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE

COMMITMENT #4: FAVORING THE RECYCLABILITY AND
DURABILITY OF PRODUCTS WE PUT ONTO THE MARKET

Our notebooks respect the recyclability standards as they are tested in a
laboratory according to the INGEDE Method 12. For instance, this allows us to
claim that our OXFORD exercise books containing glue are 100% recyclable.
Moreover, Oxford OPTIK PAPER® is de-inkable during paper recycling process
and our laminated covers can be recycled without being removed.

A way of reducing a product’s environmental footprint is to prolong its life-cycle
or to allow for its reuse. When creating new products, we develop more
resistant materials to improve the product’s lifespan or to ensure the product
remains intact throughout the school year. For example, Elba Ultimate®
suspension files have a 20 year warranty.

COMMITMENT #5: ASSESSING AND IMPROVING ALL OUR
PROCESSES FOR BETTER QUALITY, ENVIRONMENTAL AND
SAFETY PERFORMANCES

In 2011, we launched the “JUMP” project to improve our quality, environmental
and safety performances. The JUMP project aimed to implement a
management system across all of our sites in Europe. Beyond looking at the
quality of the products we make, our focus is on the quality of every process we
undertake. Today, our 21 Hamelin European sites have been certified ISO 9001
(Quality), 14001 (Environment) and ISO 45001 (Health and Safety) compliant.

In 2018, we launched the project “ZERO” related to the Health and Safety of all
of our colleagues and visitors. The project aims to decrease the number of
accidents to approach « zero » by 2019 through implementing effective
prevention action plans and developing the Safety Culture thanks to our
Safety Managers.

COMMITMENT #5: ENSURING SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
SUPPORTING THE SKILLS AND TALENTS OF OUR EMPLOYEES

In France, Hamelin is one of the main partners of the MoHo project. Described as the 1^st
“collider” in Europe, the MoHo is a place dedicated to digital but also social innovation
and entrepreneurship “to build a diverse nation of changemakers”.

For a few years now, the UK Hamelin team has taken part in ‘The Climb of life’, the number
one fund raising event for ‘The Institute of Cancer Research’. In 2020, Hamelin was again
the top manufacturing fundraiser at over £5,000.

In Benelux, Hamelin has supported local sports teams such as the premier league club
VVV-Venlo as well as projects that enhance the learning environment in less prosperous
regions in Europe providing teaching materials to schools.

In Spain, Hamelin collaborated with the foundation “Fundació per la Creativació” that
promotes new skills during school stage training to encourage creativity and imagination.