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Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Policy

Eastern Distributors Pty Ltd

Policy Owner: General Manager
Approved by: Directors of Eastern Distributors
Effective Date: 11/3/26
Review Cycle: Annual

1. Purpose

The purpose of this Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Policy is to establish the principles, governance framework, and commitments that guide Eastern Distributors Pty Ltd (“Eastern Distributors”, “the Company”, “we”, “our”) in managing environmental, social and governance risks and opportunities across our operations.

This Policy aims to:

    • support responsible and sustainable business practices
    • ensure compliance with applicable laws and industry standards
    • strengthen transparency and accountability across the business
    • guide decision-making across operations, procurement, logistics and stakeholder engagement
    • support continuous improvement in environmental performance, workplace culture and governance standards.

2. Scope

This Policy applies to:

    • all Directors
    • all employees
    • contractors and temporary staff
    • relevant suppliers and service providers where applicable.

The Policy applies across all Company activities including:

    • distribution and logistics operations
    • procurement and supplier relationships
    • warehousing and workplace operations
    • customer and stakeholder engagement.

This Policy operates alongside related policies including:

    • Code of Conduct
    • Work Health and Safety Policy
    • Modern Slavery Policy
    • Anti-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity Policy
    • Whistleblower Policy
    • Risk Management Policy
    • Procurement and Supplier Policies.

3. ESG Principles

Eastern Distributors is committed to conducting business in a manner that:

    • minimises environmental impacts
    • protects the health and safety of employees and stakeholders
    • supports ethical and transparent governance
    • promotes responsible supply chain practices
    • contributes positively to the communities in which we operate.

Our ESG approach focuses on identifying and managing material risks and opportunities that may impact our business, stakeholders, and the environment.

4. Governance and Accountability

The governance of ESG within Eastern Distributors is structured as follows:

Directors

The Directors have overall responsibility for:

    • oversight of ESG strategy and risk management
    • approval of ESG-related policies
    • monitoring ESG performance and progress.

General Manager

The General Manager is responsible for:

    • implementing this Policy
    • establishing ESG priorities and objectives
    • reporting ESG performance to the Board
    • ensuring compliance with applicable standards and obligations.

Managers

Managers are responsible for:

    • integrating ESG considerations into operational decisions
    • supporting employee awareness and compliance with this Policy.

Employees

All employees are responsible for:

    • complying with this Policy
    • supporting ESG objectives through their daily work
    • reporting concerns or breaches through appropriate channels.

5. Environmental Responsibility

Eastern Distributors is committed to managing environmental impacts across its operations.

Our environmental objectives include:

    • complying with all applicable environmental legislation and regulatory requirements
    • improving energy efficiency and reducing emissions where practicable
    • minimising waste generation and promoting recycling
    • supporting responsible use of materials and resources
    • promoting digital processes to reduce paper consumption.

The Company seeks to continuously improve environmental performance through operational efficiency, supplier engagement and responsible procurement practices.

6. Climate Change

Eastern Distributors recognises climate change as a global challenge that may present operational, regulatory and supply chain risks.

The Company aims to:

    • monitor energy use and environmental impacts where practicable
    • identify opportunities to reduce carbon emissions and operational waste
    • consider environmental impacts in logistics, procurement and supplier engagement
    • support customers and suppliers in identifying more sustainable practices where appropriate.

7. Social Responsibility

Eastern Distributors recognises that its people and relationships with stakeholders are central to long-term business success.

The Company is committed to:

Workplace Health and Safety

Providing a safe and healthy workplace in compliance with Work Health and Safety legislation.

Diversity and Inclusion

Promoting a respectful, inclusive and diverse workplace free from discrimination, harassment or bullying.

Employee Development

Supporting employee development, training and professional growth.

Employee Wellbeing

Encouraging a healthy work-life balance and supporting employee wellbeing.

Human Rights

Respecting human rights and supporting fair labour practices within our operations and supply chain.

Community Engagement

Where appropriate, supporting initiatives that benefit communities, education and environmental stewardship.

8. Ethical Governance

Strong governance practices underpin Eastern Distributors’ ESG approach.

The Company is committed to:

    • maintaining high standards of ethical conduct
    • complying with all relevant laws and regulations
    • promoting transparency and accountability
    • managing risk through effective internal controls
    • supporting ethical decision-making across the organisation.

Eastern Distributors maintains systems to support ethical governance including:

    • Code of Conduct
    • whistleblower reporting mechanisms
    • anti-discrimination policies
    • modern slavery risk management processes.

9. Responsible Supply Chain and Procurement

Eastern Distributors recognises that ESG risks and opportunities exist across its value chain.

The Company seeks to work with suppliers and partners who demonstrate responsible environmental and labour practices.

Our approach includes:

    • assessing supplier risks where appropriate
    • encouraging responsible labour and environmental standards
    • addressing identified issues through engagement and improvement initiatives
    • incorporating ESG considerations into procurement processes where practicable.

10. Membership of the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO)

Eastern Distributors is a Member of the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) and is committed to supporting national initiatives to improve the sustainability of packaging placed on the Australian market.

As an APCO Member, the Company supports the objectives of the Australian Packaging Covenant and the National Packaging Targets.

These commitments include:

    • improving the sustainability of packaging design and procurement
    • increasing the use of recycled materials in packaging
    • supporting packaging that is reusable, recyclable or compostable
    • reducing problematic or unnecessary packaging materials
    • improving recovery and recycling outcomes.

The APCO framework requires organisations to implement packaging sustainability strategies and report annually on packaging placed on the Australian market.

Packaging Sustainability Strategy

Eastern Distributors will:

    • consider the Sustainable Packaging Guidelines (SPGs) when evaluating packaging design and procurement decisions
    • engage suppliers and partners in discussions regarding packaging sustainability
    • seek opportunities to improve packaging efficiency and reduce waste where practicable.

APCO Reporting

As part of its APCO membership obligations, Eastern Distributors will:

    • complete and submit an APCO Annual Report within the required timeframe
    • maintain relevant data on packaging placed on market in Australia
    • support continuous improvement in packaging sustainability performance.

The APCO reporting framework requires participating organisations to monitor packaging design, recycled content, recoverability and disposal labelling as part of national sustainability targets.

11. Monitoring and Reporting

Eastern Distributors will monitor ESG performance through:

    • operational oversight by management
    • periodic internal reviews
    • reporting to the Board where appropriate.

ESG priorities and performance may include:

    • environmental initiatives and operational efficiency improvements
    • workplace safety and employee wellbeing indicators
    • supply chain and governance compliance matters
    • progress relating to APCO commitments.

12. Reporting Concerns

Employees are encouraged to report concerns regarding unethical behaviour, non-compliance with this Policy, or ESG-related risks.

Concerns may be raised through:

    • line management
    • senior management
    • whistleblower reporting channels.

All reports will be treated seriously and handled in accordance with applicable Company policies.

13. Policy Review

This Policy will be reviewed annually to ensure it remains relevant, effective and aligned with regulatory expectations and industry best practice.

Updates may be approved by the Board at any time.

14. Commitment

Eastern Distributors is committed to continuous improvement in environmental, social and governance performance and to conducting business in a responsible and sustainable manner that supports long-term value creation for our stakeholders.

Sustainability Policy