Paper and Timber Sourcing
Global Policy

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Our aim is to ensure that 100% of thepaper and timber used in Informa
products and services is sourced
from responsibly managed,
sustainable forests that support localcommunities.
This commitment demonstrates tocustomers, colleagues and investors
our intent for our products to be assustainable as is practical, and that
we seek to mitigate the negative
impacts of our business. Ourcommitment also helps us meet ourlegal responsibilities and adds valueto our products.

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Key points
If you are responsible for ordering timber or paper materials, or for dealing withsuppliers and contractors who do, you and they must be aware of this policy and comply
with it.
You should express a strong preference to suppliers for certified sustainable and, if
possible, recycled paper or timber from one of our chosen certification schemes such as
FSC.
We must never knowingly use timber or paper that has been harvested illegally. As aminimum, confirm with suppliers that they are using legally harvested wood and thatthey conduct checks to ensure there are no human rights violations in their supply chain.
There is a greater risk of illegal timber in supply chains in South America, South East Asia,Africa and the Middle East. If you are sourcing timber or paper in these areas, and it is
not certified sustainable or recycled, additional due diligence must be carried out.
This policy should form part of all contracts with relevant suppliers. If you arerenegotiating an existing deal for paper or timber suppliers, include this in the contractand discuss with your supplier. Ensure you monitor ongoing compliance with the policy.
Report any concerns or questions to the Informa Sustainability team atsustainability@informa.com or contact our confidential whistleblowing service, Speak Up.

Why is this policy important?
Informa seeks to avoid direct involvement and indirect association with any illegal or unsustainable
forestry practices.
Illegal harvesting of timber is a global problem causing significant damage to the environment and local
communities. The illegal timber trade is frequently associated with large-scale corruption, destruction of
the habitat of rare species, organised crime and serious human rights abuses, including the use of forced
and child labour.
We have a requirement to demonstrate we comply with the EU Timber Regulation and the US Lacey Act,
amongst others, that prohibit trade in illegally-sourced timber and paper products.
Informa’s stakeholders additionally expect our products to be produced in a responsible way. Products
made from sustainable paper and timber are seen as a minimum expectation for many customers andthis is also a cost effective, tangible way of demonstrating our commitment to sustainability. Many
customers also attribute a higher value to products with sustainability credentials.

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There is evidence of illegally-harvested timber entering legal global timber and paper supply chains, andtherefore as a business, we need to take great care that the paper and timber used in normal businessactivities, our events, conferences, publishing and marketing, are from certified and traceable sources.
The best way of meeting these expectations is to ensure that all paper and timber usage, and that of our
subcontractors and suppliers, is covered by a certification scheme such as the Forest Stewardship Council(FSC), Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) and the Sustainable Forest Initiative(SFI).
An alternative is ensuring that our paper and timber is sourced from 100% recycled sources. While thishas the additional benefit of having a lower carbon footprint, in certain countries there is a risk of modern
slavery and other human rights breaches in the recycled paper supply chain. If you intend to source
recycled paper from these higher risk countries, additional due diligence would be required.
The gold standard is FSC Recycled paper as this is both certified sustainable and ethically sourced, but thisis not always available in all markets.

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What are responsible sources of paper and timber?
For the purposes of this policy, responsible and sustainable timber and paper comes from sources that:
••
•
•
•
•

Are legally harvested
Are harvested using sustainable logging practices
Include no High Conservation Value Forests
Do not promote the conversion of High Conservation Value Natural Forests into plantations
Do not breach local indigenous rights
Are not harvested, transported or processed in a way that breaches other human rights

The most common way of identifying responsibly sourced timber or paper is that it carries a responsible
sourcing certificate such as FSC, PEFC or SFI.

Which business activities are relevant to this Policy?
This policy is focussed across all of our impact areas, ranging from where we have direct control over theprocurement of the materials through to the procurement made by our various suppliers. Any paper ortimber that we pay for is relevant to this policy, including:• Printing books and journals• Marketing, workbooks and reports• Event signage, stands and decoration• Packaging and shipping materials• Office paper, stationery and business cards• Furniture• Construction and fit-out of buildings.
We have grouped these into three areas based on the scale and level of control.

Timber and paper we specify foruse in our event construction

3

Paper we specify foruse in our printed products,
marketing materials and signage

2

Paper andtimber that webuy and use in
our offices/business

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Where are the risks highest?
Illegal timber can be present in any timber or paper supply chain around the world.
Timber and paper bought and/or used in South America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East presents aparticular risk and due diligence should always be carried out on this uncertified paper and timber.
While Europe and the USA/Canada have reasonably well-established supply chains for timber that help
reduce the risk of illegal timber entering the supply chain, no uncertified supply chain is risk-free andprecautions should still be taken.
In general, recycled paper has a lower carbon footprint than virgin paper, even that which comes fromsustainable forests. However, there is limited third party auditing to confirm that modern slavery is notpresent in the normal recycled paper supply chain, particularly in Asia, Africa and South America. We
prefer certified sustainable paper or certified sustainable recycled paper, where supplies are available,
because the supply chains for these products are fully audited and tracked.

How to work with suppliers
As a minimum, colleagues should specify to suppliers that no illegal timber or paper is used. It can,however, be challenging to ensure compliance without additional due diligence.
The best ways to ensure compliance include:• Specifying paper from an internationally recognised forest certification scheme e.g. FSC, PEFC or SFI
with a preference for FSC recycled paper where available; or• Ensuring the paper/board/timber used is from 100% recycled sources but conducting additional due
diligence to confirm that the supplier has procedures in place to protect human rights in the supplychain.
In many locations, certified sustainable paper does not add a price premium as it is common practice.

Which certification is best?
We believe the FSC Certification (www.fsc.org) best meets our legal and sustainability commitments.
Where it is available in the market you are working in, FSC certified recycled paper is the gold standard ofsustainability, indicating low carbon production and responsible sourcing.
FSC may not however be available in the quantity or type of product required in all markets. In theabsence of FSC, the PEFC (www.pefc.org) or SFI (www.sfiprogram.org) schemes provide good alternatives.
Both FSC and PEFC/SFI are internationally recognised forest certification schemes that set standards at
the forest level and, through their chain of custody systems, provide a traceability system from forest
through to product.

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What about the disposal of paper and timber?
Paper and timber can be recycled many times. We expect our suppliers, partners and waste companies toseek to find a way to reuse or recycle paper and timber-based products. This includes printed products,stands, packaging, stand materials, furniture and office construction materials. Every Informa office should
provide facilities for the recycling of paper and cardboard.

How will we ensure implementation?
Suppliers of paper or timber products, particularly major contractors, will need to demonstrate that they
are meeting, and continuing to meet, this policy.
This should be included in contracts and could be met by either:• Showing a certificate for ‘chain of custody’ for all products being supplied if they are using sustainably
certified paper to the FSC, PEFC or SFU standard;OR• Providing information on the species and country of origin of each forest source going into the product• Providing proof that it has been legally harvested by demonstrating the source• Providing proof that they have robust processes in place to protect human rights in the supply chain.

Further information and assistance
Local procurement professionals can help in the first instance.
Alternatively, please contact Informa’s Sustainability Team (sustainability@informa.com).

Policy Governance
Policy Owner:Group Sustainability

Applicable:

This policy is applicable to all of Informa globallyClassification:

External Policy

Last updated:

November 2019

Additional information:

sustainability@informa.com

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We want to know about any issues in our business, so we can take steps tomake them right.
If you see any action or behaviour that is unethical, dangerous or inappropriate,
we’re here to listen.
It could be a potential conflict of interest, a case of harassment, suspected fraud orsomething else. If you are genuinely concerned, or even if you are unsure and justwant to check, you can feel confident speaking up at Informa.

Speaking to colleagues
If you feel comfortable doing so,
speak to:Your senior leader or manager, orUsing our Speak Up service

HR, orHosted by an external third party:

Group Compliance

The service is available 24/7
in multiple languages
Go to informa.com/speak-up foryour regional phone number

Zero Retaliation
We do not tolerate retaliation in any form against
anyone who raises a genuine concern.