Health and Safety
As a manufacturing company, health and safety is fundamental to our operations and is our license to operate. We are committed to Zero Harm.
Across our sites, we run comprehensive Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) management programs. This includes clear protocols, regular comprehensive health and safety training, and emergency response procedures. We operate with a ‘Think Safe, Act Safe’ approach, encouraging a safety-first culture that goes beyond compliance. We began implementing our nine Life Saving Rules across our sites in FY25 and frequent safety walks help us to proactively identify, assess and eliminate risks. Our Digital Safety Observation Cards empower every employee to report concerns and contributes to a culture of shared responsibility, focusing on a ‘Journey to Zero’.
These internal inspections play a critical role in identifying and prioritising areas for improvement and we maintain robust procedures to investigate any work-related injuries, illnesses, diseases or incidents. Action plans with quantified targets are also an essential tool in developing targets to address risks. To ensure continuous improvement, we track performance through key performance indicators (KPIs), including incident rates, near misses, and safety observations. Performance against annual safety targets is regularly reviewed by senior leadership and the Board.
Safety is embedded in our daily decisions and operations. Through leadership, engagement, and continuous improvement, we are building a strong culture of safety where everyone goes home safe, every day.
Workplace and Wellbeing
At Accsys, we believe that meaningful and satisfying careers begin with an inclusive, supportive and fair workplace, free from discrimination.
We are committed to fostering a workplace where everyone is treated with dignity, fairness, and respect. We do not tolerate any form of discrimination or harassment, whether sexual or non-sexual, and we actively work to eliminate such behaviours across our operations. Our Code of Conduct and Ethics Policy outlines clear expectations for ethical behaviour and respectful conduct. All employees, contractors, and suppliers are entitled to work in an environment that upholds their rights and dignity, free from bias or abuse. We provide regular training on discrimination and harassment to reinforce awareness and accountability. In addition, we maintain a clear escalation process for reporting concerns, and we take corrective and disciplinary action where necessary to uphold our standards.
We also have several employee development programs which encourage continuous learning, cross-functional collaboration, and personal growth—empowering our people to expand their skills, take on new challenges, and thrive in their careers. This includes training for employees on emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), to equip employees with the skills to leverage these tools responsibly in the workplace and support the digital transition.
In addition to tailored development programs (see more on our careers page), we recently created an Employee Resource Hub to help employees to deepen their knowledge and understanding of our products and customers. This network allows employees to access additional resources and opportunities to learn more about our products, their production, quality testing and accreditations, as well as All Accsys Updates with guest speakers from our external suppliers and customers.
Throughout the year we celebrate and acknowledge important issues from cultural diversity, to pride, and health and safety. This past year, we celebrated a number of international days, including Health and Safety Week, International Women’s Day, and World Mental Health Day. Supporting employee wellbeing is a priority for Accsys and this year we hosted wellness activities at each of our sites, including a formalised workplace stress management program in Arnhem and an all-employee meditation class. These activities are aimed at helping employees reduce stress and improve mental wellbeing in the workplace.
Supported by our Charity Committee, we also plan regular volunteering events and continue to explore ways to further improve employee wellbeing.
Accsys’ Commitment to Positive Labour Practices and Programs
Accsys is committed to ensuring fair treatment of its employees and upholding positive labour practices with alignment to international standards. We apply this commitment across our own operations, and seek to do so with the contractors and partners we work with. The Accsys Code of Conduct and Ethics details our approach to equal pay for equal work, regardless of gender, race, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law. We routinely monitor the gender pay gap, reporting annually in the Accsys ESG Data Table. Our Human Rights Policy details our commitment to eliminate excessive working hours and reduce overtime, and the clear limits we have set on maximum working hours, in accordance with national laws, as well as our aspirations to provide a living wage. We monitor and manage overtime and annual leave, ensuring that our operations staff are paid for any overtime work and leave entitlements. We also regularly engage with our employee-led Works Council in Arnhem to better understand any concerns employees may have on important decisions relating to Arnhem as required by local law.
Human Rights and Our Supply Chain
We are committed to a policy of minimising any negative social and environmental impact that may flow from our activities and expect the same high standards from our suppliers and business partners. To maintain our Cradle to Cradle Certified® Gold label, we must complete both a human rights and an environmental risk assessment that includes our own operations, suppliers, and the wider value chain. These consider both country-specific and sector-specific risks. The latest assessment was approved and verified Cradle to Cradle in 2025.
Suppliers are required to adhere to our Supplier Code of Conduct, which is continuously reviewed, and to confirm their support for the principles of the UN Global Compact.
100% of Accoya is made from certified sustainable wood sources (through FSC® (CO1233), PEFC, or equivalent) which mandates high human rights standards and strict chain of custody criteria. In addition, we are compliant with the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR & UKTR) and new EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) requirements.
As a UN Global Compact signatory, Accsys has committed to implement its Ten Principles across Human Rights, Labour, Environment, and Anti-Corruption issues. Additionally, we respect internationally recognised human rights standards, including the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions, and expect our suppliers to do the same.
Our key wood and chemical suppliers are required to demonstrate ethical and legal behaviour, sustainability, robust health and safety procedures and business continuity planning through their own operations and supply chain. Accsys will work with its key suppliers to drive continuous improvement. Supplier evaluation and review meetings will support this process and feedback should be two-way to drive all round improvements and facilitate working together.
Suppliers without a Supplier Code or Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement will be asked if they comply with the Accsys’ Modern Slavery and Human Rights Statement.
We regularly assess our corporate strategy, Human Rights Policy and carry out risk reviews and assessment to monitor and mitigate where possible evolving risks and expectations.
Whistleblowing
We are committed to conducting our business with honesty and integrity. Individuals should consult the Whistleblowing and/or Human Rights policies for information on how to raise a concern. Accsys’ grievance mechanism is not a substitute for existing judicial or arbitration procedures or a substitute for resources provided through collective agreements.