Information for our business partners
Conscious
Thinking and acting
As a food manufacturing company, we are mindful of our responsibility throughout the value chain – towards our environment, our society and future generations.
Our approach to sustainability aims to gradually integrate environmental, social and economic aspects into our processes. We are constantly developing our infrastructure and production processes with regard to energy efficiency, raw material sourcing and CO₂ reduction. For many years, we have participated in recognised certification schemes relating to food safety and raw material sourcing. Our energy management systems, which we actively implement and which are certified to DIN EN ISO 50001, are also part of our philosophy.
To put this commitment into practice as effectively as possible, we rely on the active involvement of our workforce and business partners. All behavioural and compliance requirements relevant to our business activities are set out in our Code of Conduct. You can find it here.
Continuous improvement
We view sustainability as an ongoing process of development. We are committed to continuously developing and improving our business processes. The scope of individual measures and certifications may vary depending on the product, location or raw material. Statements regarding environmental, climate or social aspects therefore relate exclusively to the specific context mentioned.
RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palmoil)
We are a member of the RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil) and participate in the Supply Chain Certification System (SCCS). The RSPO system aims to establish minimum standards within the palm oil supply chain in order to achieve more responsible cultivation.
We source all our palm oil through RSPO-certified supply chain models. Certification is carried out in accordance with the applicable RSPO supply chain models. We currently use only palm (kernel) oil that is certified to at least the RSPO ‘Segregated’ standard. Segregated-certified palm oil is physically stored separately from non-certified palm oil throughout the supply chain and comes exclusively from certified sources.
Compliance with the relevant requirements is regularly audited externally by independent, RSPO-accredited bodies. Furthermore, we implement the RSPO Shared Responsibility requirements applicable to our company. Information on our RSPO membership is available at www.rspo.org.
Rainforest Alliance
Many of our biscuit and wafer products, as well as our seasonal baked goods, contain cocoa – a popular ingredient that may originate from growing regions where cocoa farmers and their families face difficult living and working conditions. Furthermore, environmentally harmful practices may occasionally be used in the cultivation of cocoa plants. To counteract these difficult conditions, we use only Rainforest Alliance-certified cocoa in the manufacture of our own-brand products and, at the customer’s request, in private-label products too.
By achieving and maintaining Rainforest Alliance certification, we support more responsible cocoa sourcing. Furthermore, by purchasing Rainforest Alliance-certified cocoa, we are committed to promoting agricultural practices that combat forest degradation, new deforestation and land conversion, and aim to enhance biodiversity.
We source Rainforest Alliance-certified cocoa in accordance with the mass balance supply chain model. Under this model, the quantity of Rainforest Alliance-certified cocoa purchased must be at least equal to the quantity required to manufacture the Rainforest Alliance-certified products. Compliance with the relevant requirements is regularly audited externally by independent bodies recognised by the Rainforest Alliance.
You can find information about the Rainforest Alliance at www.rainforest-alliance.org
Fairtrade
Fairtrade is an international organisation that promotes responsible trade in products such as coffee, tea, cocoa, bananas and cotton. One of the aims of Fairtrade’s work is to ensure that Fairtrade producers benefit from a stable minimum price for their products and that workers receive a minimum wage.
For certain products in our range, we use Fairtrade-certified cocoa in accordance with the mass balance supply chain model. Under this model, the quantity of Fairtrade-certified cocoa purchased must be at least equal to the quantity required to manufacture the Fairtrade-certified products. Compliance with the relevant requirements is regularly audited externally by independent, Fairtrade-accredited bodies.
You can find information about Fairtrade at www.fairtrade.net
EcoVadis award
EcoVadis is an independent assessment platform that analyses information provided on a company’s environmental, social, ethical and sustainability management practices. The assessment provides a comparative snapshot and relates exclusively to the criteria assessed and the relevant assessment period.
You can find the EcoVadis recognition page here for Verden-based Hans Freitag GmbH & Co. KG (Bronze) and here for Heidekeks GmbH & Co. KG (Committed).
Sedex
We undergo regular voluntary audits in accordance with the SMETA (Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit) standard. SMETA is a globally recognised audit process that assesses labour and social standards, measures to safeguard the health and safety of the workforce in the workplace, environmental aspects and business ethics.
The audits are carried out by independent, accredited auditors in accordance with the SMETA audit protocol and reflect the situation at the respective site at the time of the audit.
Our voluntary participation in SMETA audits serves to systematically identify and assess risks and areas for improvement.
Sedex membership
Organic
Our customers appreciate not only the delicious taste of our biscuits, but also our commitment to healthier eating and treating nature responsibly. As a certified organic biscuit and wafer manufacturer, we are proud to use high-quality, organically grown ingredients in our organic product range. No synthetic pesticides or fertilisers are used in the cultivation of the raw materials we process for our organic range; instead, alternative methods are employed for pest control and to maintain the health of the plants. We always strive to source raw materials such as flour, sugar and butter as locally as possible and to build long-term relationships with our suppliers.
Bioland
We have traditionally been at home in the conventional sector, but we consider it essential to drive forward the transition towards sustainability and environmental compatibility. An important milestone for us on this journey is our successful membership of Bioland e.V., which gives us access to a vast network of knowledge and resources. We are very grateful for this wonderful partnership, which is based on the following principles: promoting soil fertility, rearing animals in a species-appropriate manner, producing high-quality food, promoting biodiversity, preserving natural resources, and securing a future worth living for people.
Regionality is at the heart of everything we do. Bioland-certified raw materials, such as cereal flours, beet sugar and butter, come exclusively from Germany and South Tyrol in Italy, thereby supporting our local regions and farmers and shortening supply chains.
Energy management
To systematically record and analyse our energy consumption, we operate an energy management system in accordance with DIN EN ISO 50001 at both our sites. Compliance with the relevant requirements is regularly audited externally by independent, accredited bodies.
The energy management system helps us to make energy consumption transparent, identify potential savings and evaluate measures to improve efficiency. The results of the energy management system help us to identify deviations at an early stage, respond to them and develop solutions that can be taken into account when investing in our production facilities.