Our commitments

- Commitment #1:UN Global Compact.

DAMMANN Frères is a member of the United Nations Global Compact, an initiative designed to encourage businesses across the world to adopt a socially responsible attitude by undertaking to incorporate and promote several principles related to human rights, international labour standards, the environment, and fighting corruption.

As a member of the compact, DAMMANN Frères undertakes to make progress every year in each of the Global Compact themes and to submit an annual report, known as a Communication on Progress (COP), setting out the progress made.

·         Commitment #2: The Three Pillars of our Raison d’être

1.       Growing the connection between people and plants, starting with upstream agricultural activities

·         Sourcing:

No.1 RIGOROUS SELECTION OF SUPPLIERS

Our detailed specifications include a summary of the laws and regulations in force and set out DAMMANN Frères’ often stricter and more specific rules for suppliers. They are then assessed and scored every year.

No.2 STRICT, REASSURING INSPECTION & MONITORING MEASURES

All of the teas and plants we buy are systematically inspected by our product specialists in their places of harvest and production. Once they reach France, a second inspection is carried out to ensure all batches are of irreproachable quality. All phytosanitary testing is completed in France at a COFRAC-certified independent laboratory. Tests are carried out every time a new batch is selected.

No.3 STANDARDS THAT NEVER COMPROMISE ON TASTE

The main criteria for selecting each tea or plant, in addition to food safety, remains their taste. This enables our specialists to offer delicious teas and plant infusions that never compromise on either of these aspects.

No. 4 IFS FOOD, QUALITY & FOOD SAFETY CERTIFICATION

Our production site is IFS Food-certified. This certification is based on an index that groups together distributor requirements for quality and food safety. The goal is to ensure our sourcing and food processing activities are compliant, and that we are able to guarantee safe, healthy products for all our consumers. This certification is awarded following an audit carried out by an external independent body. It is renewed annually.

No. 5 ALLERGEN INFORMATION

Our production site is guaranteed allergen-free. When we work with raw agricultural materials, however, trace allergens may occasionally be detected. As our producers are unable to guarantee the complete absence of allergenic plant matter (peanuts, for example), we now publish* information for consumers on all our packaging alerting them to the possible presence of allergen traces in our teas, plants and blends.

*This information will gradually appear on packaging as boxes, cases and tins are resupplied.

·         Healthy, certified teas:

All of the teas and plants we buy are systematically inspected by our product specialists in their places of harvest and production. Once they arrive in France, a second inspection is carried out to ensure all batches are of irreproachable quality. All phytosanitary testing is completed in France at a COFRAC-certified independent laboratory. Tests are carried out every time a new batch is selected.

·         Recipes:

DAMMANN Frères regularly updates its recipes and adapts these based on the results of individual harvests in order to obtain the most natural and great-tasting results possible.

·         Organic:

DAMMANN Frères gradually began introducing a range of organic teas and plant infusions with no significant traces of pesticides in 2023.

2.       Growing the connection between people and plants by sharing knowledge

·         Tea Academy:

DAMMANN Frères works with its internal training centre to share its knowledge and expertise in tea and plant infusions with its staff and customers. The business provides both introductory and expert level training.

·        Online training:

DAMMANN Frères has created the MyDAMMANN app for professionals and staff members. It is designed to use knowledge to promote the value of plants for a better and more sustainable future. To reach the widest audience possible, DAMMANN Frères has chosen to use an online learning model and MyDAMMANN is available in multiple languages.

·         Communications:

DAMMANN Frères increasingly uses its BTB newsletters and social media to promote sustainable consumption among relevant parties. For the primary source of emissions in our carbon audit, for example, DAMMANN Frères offers recommendations for its customers and consumers on preparing tea: Using the most appropriate volume and temperature of water for optimum results. Dammann Frères promotes its recommendations for use of a temperature-controlled kettle rather than a hotplate or microwave for optimal energy efficiency.

3.       Growing the connection between people through our business culture and practices

DAMMANN Frères is committed to reducing its impact on the environment while keeping people at the heart of its practices, all for a higher quality of life.

·         Environment:

DAMMANN Frères adheres to the ten principles set out by the UN Global Compact, including those related to the environment. This is manifested in a precautionary approach to environmental issues and initiatives that promote increased environmental responsibility.

Carbon Audit: Greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) are responsible for global warming. Dammann Frères completed its carbon audit with three objectives:

1.       To assess its carbon footprint for its three activity scopes

2.      To raise awareness of climate issues among internal stakeholders

3.      To identify areas for intervention where Dammann Frères can reduce its carbon impact

For example:

Through its communications and wide range of products, DAMMANN Frères encourages its customers and consumers to buy loose leaf tea and plant infusions, offering easy-to-use solutions for preparing these products, such as 100% recyclable filter sachets that can be composted at home, tea infusers and teapots. At DAMMANN Frères, loose leaf products represent the majority of our sales.

DAMMANN Frères has implemented a "3R" strategy based on the Reduction, Reuse and Recycling of its packaging.

DAMMANN Frères is committed to reducing the use of plastic and its gradual replacement with biosourced and recyclable materials.

DAMMANN Frères is committed to creating packaging that protects its products and can also be reused (wooden boxes, cases, bags, metal tins, etc.).

Waste recycling: Waste is sorted and recycled at the DAMMANN Frères production site, where 100% of iron, organic waste, cardboard, plastic and paper are recycled. DAMMANN Frères recycles 100% of its organic waste via methanation, a process which harnesses the natural breakdown of organic matter by bacteria in the absence of air.

·         Higher quality of life:

DAMMANN Frères adheres to the ten principles set out by the UN Global Compact, including those related to people. This is manifested, for example, in compliance with international laws governing human rights, compliance with French law, and elimination of all forms of discrimination in the matter of employment. To fight discrimination and injustice, our staff are trained on business diversity and inclusion.

For example:

DAMMANN Frères ensures the protection of whistleblowers by providing access to a special channel for reporting any issues (harassment, discrimination, corruption, conflict of interest, etc.). This channel offers guaranteed confidentiality and anonymity and enables staff to speak freely.
DAMMANN Frères has set up a Quality of Work Life audit and an associated action plan.
DAMMANN Frères is working on transforming its current work environment over the next three years through its Green Factory project designed to improve work-life quality.

·         Ethics Charter:

DAMMANN Frères sets out and shares its fundamental values through its ethics charter (link to Ethics Charter section). Integrity, ethics, social responsibility, loyalty, respect for others, transparency, and fighting corruption and unfair competition are all fundamental values of our business conduct.