We started out in 2008 with a clear vision. We wanted to make products that were good for the planet, good for people and good for the future. Ever since then every single decision we have made has been subject to the same questions - does it harm the planet? Is it good for people? Will its short term benefit be at the long term cost of our planet’s health?

Ethics are never an afterthought, they have been built into the very fabric of our business and our products from the beginning.

Stakeholder Governance

Friendly Soap is not Shareholder Governed. This means that we do not have a legal requirement to create a profit for our shareholders. Or that our decision making has to prioritise growth over our planet or our worker’s health. We are stakeholder governed - defining our stakeholders as our workers, our customers, our suppliers, our communities, AND the environment.

Any decisions we make must first consider the impact on all stakeholders. This creates and conserves a robust legal framework for a business model that really does put people and the planet before profit.

Planet Care

Friendly Soap commits itself to the continual revision of its environmental policy in line with emerging environmental science.

Current practices are always driven by a foundational structure that seeks to reduce our use of the planet’s resources, and to actively give back to organisations who protect these resources in order that they may support future generations.

Animal Testing

Friendly Soap believes that beauty and household products should be cruelty free. We are proud to be Leaping Bunny approved. A global programme, Leaping Bunny requires cruelty free standards over and above legal requirements.

All of our own brand cosmetic and personal care products and household and cleaning
products are approved under the Cruelty Free International Leaping Bunny programme, the internationally recognisable gold standard for cruelty free products.

We adhere to a fixed cut-off date policy and proactively monitor our suppliers to ensure that our products continue to adhere to the Leaping Bunny criteria. Our supplier monitoring system is also independently audited.

For more information about Cruelty Free International, Leaping Bunny and Leaping Bunny criteria, please visit:

www.crueltyfreeinternational.org

Human Fuel, Not Fossil Fuel

Friendly Soap commits to the use of Human Fuel, Not Fossil Fuel. We believe the mechanisation of manufacturing hides multiple hidden costs behind a company’s increased profits. These costs are human: the right to a secure,fulfilling and properly paid job, and environmental: the cheap energy that results from the increased use of fossil fuels has a direct and deadly impact on our planet.

Our Products Leave No Trace

Friendly Soap only make and sell products that are 100% biodegradable and we extend this commitment to our packaging too.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Friendly Soap commits to the Reduce, Reuse, Recycle policy. Our understanding of this policy is as a stepped policy, in which it is always preferable to firstly reduce and then to reuse; we view recycling as a last resort, understanding that the recycling industry is itself not without environmental cost.

Wherever possible Friendly Soap use previously recycled materials, and all of our product’s packaging is home recyclable.

No Nasties

Friendly Soap will never use synthetic fragrances or ingredients in our products. We understand that these ingredients are bad for the planet and bad for our skin.

Friendly Soap is a Campaigning Company

Friendly Soap actively campaigns on the issues of Animal Rights, Human Rights and The Protection of the Natural World. We use our social media channels to promote and amplify causes that fall within the above outlined categories.

Affordability

Friendly Soap believes no one should be priced out of an alternative to environmentally damaging products.

We believe everybody should be able to afford a product that is better for their skin and better for the planet, and it is for this reason we will always keep our prices low.

Fair Wages Fair Share

Friendly Soap pays all of our staff a Living Wage which exceeds the UK government’s minimum standard for staff wages.

All members of Friendly Soap are party to an annual profit-share scheme.

Fair Taxes

Friendly Soap is committed to responsible tax conduct. Friendly Soap holds the Fair Tax Mark accreditation.

We believe in the civic value of tax collection and wealth redistribution for the betterment of state provision and those that rely on it.

Transparency

We want to engender the trust of all of our stakeholders; we want our workers to sleep well at night, we want our customers to know that we’re on the same journey together, with the same destination, we want our community to trust that we’re doing the best we can for them.

We believe the only way we can build this trust is by being open and honest when we make mistakes, or when we know there is something we could improve on.

We see local communities as valuable sources of resilience. Fostering connections is important to us and we hope to lead by example. That’s why you’ll see us at the school fete, you’ll see us at the local Food or Hygeine Bank and you’ll see us volunteering with local charities. We want people to see that the networks created in a community are often so much more than the sum of their parts and that community participation is good for you!

We support our local economy by choosing local services, by employing local people and by promoting local businesses. We believe keeping money in the community helps to counter the globally entrenched trickle-up economy that has become so pervasive in the twenty-first century.

We also support local community groups and social enterprises who provide direct benefits for the community, such as Slow The Flow and Forus Tree, both of which use natural and environmentally sound methods to combat the climate change-exacerbated flooding to which our home location is so prone.

Diversity Equality & Inclusion

Friendly Soap is committed to the equal treatment of all people, irrespective of age, sex, or sexual orientation, gender reassignment, disability, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief.

We embrace difference and believe that in an environment where respect and kindness are consistently fostered, deep-rooted and fundamental values, much can be learnt from the different perspectives diversity brings.

Bribery & Corruption

Friendly Soap does accept or partake in bribery in any form, including kickback or gifts, be they financial or in-kind. Friendly Soap will never give financial or in-kind donations to political parties or politicians.

Wherever contributions to charitable organisations are made, this information will be publicly disclosed in our annual Impact Report.

OUR AFFILIATIONS