I am pleased to confirm that Vertase F.L.I. Ltd supports the ten principles of the Global Compact with respect to human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption. With this communication, we express our intent to advance those principles within our sphere of influence. We are committed to making the Global Compact and its principles part of the strategy, culture and day-to-day operations of our company, and to engaging in collaborative projects which advance the broader development goals of the United Nations, particularly the Millennium Development Goals. Vertase FLI Ltd will make a clear statement of this commitment to our stakeholders and the general public.
Yours sincerely
Michael Rawdon - Managing Director

VertaseFLI comply fully with and support the Human Rights Act 1998 and the UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights. VertaseFLI does not undertake business with any countries or regimes where flagrant human rights abuses are known.

VertaseFLI has an Equal Opportunities policy, ensuring that no job applicant, employee or worker is discriminated against either directly or indirectly on the grounds of race, colour, ethnic or national origin, religious belief, political opinion or affiliation, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, age or disability. We are committed to ensuring that all employees are treated with dignity and respect. We maintain a neutral working environment in which no employee or worker feels under threat or intimidated.

We ensure our policy is circulated to any subcontractors/ suppliers we work with, reminding them of their responsibilities.

We maintain and review the employment records of all employees in order to monitor the progress of this policy. The results of any monitoring procedure are reviewed at regular intervals to assess the effectiveness of the implementation of this policy. Consideration is given, if necessary, to adjusting this policy to afford greater equality of opportunities to all applicants and employees.

VertaseFLI is committed to respecting the Human Rights of its staff, stakeholders, clients, to whom it provides a service, promoting values such as dignity, respect, fairness, and equality. It will continue to develop policies and practices in accordance with Human Rights Act.

As part of our company inductions, our Equal Opportunities policy is discussed with all employees. Equalities and human rights are also detailed within our employee handbook.

We also ask all employees to complete an equal opportunities monitoring questionnaire upon starting with the Company. Our policy is reviewed annually to measure the effectiveness and implementation of the policy.

We will review our subcontractor approval processes to ensure their compliance with human rights and equalities.

We only work with labour agencies employing workers who are paid fairly and in line or above minimum wage.

We will review our subcontractor approval processes to ensure their compliance with human rights and equalities.

VertaseFLI has never been subject to any investigations, legal cases or incidents relating to Human Rights violations or Equality issues.

VertaseFLI supports the ILO’s Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work. We will not undertake any business with any company who uses forced or child labour.

VertaseFLI understands its commitments to employment law.

VertaseFLI enforces a formal Equal Opportunities policy which states that no job applicant, employee or worker is discriminated against either directly or indirectly on the grounds of race, colour, ethnic or national origin, religious belief, political opinion or affiliation, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, age or disability.

All VertaseFLI employees are issued with a Contract of Main Terms and Conditions relating to their employment at VertaseFLI. This states their terms and conditions including pay, holidays, etc. Employees are issued with an employee handbook with contains information on the standard terms and conditions of employment, company benefits, standards, grievance and disciplinary procedures, etc.

VertaseFLI employs trained HR personnel experienced in all aspects of Employment law and have access to various publications/ articles etc on employment law.

VertaseFLI has in place a number of policies relation to employment, including maternity, paternity, applying for flexible working, etc.

VertaseFLI has been looking at the impact of the new Agency Workers Regulations which came into force in the UK in October 2011, and how this effects its employment of agency workers.

VertaseFLI has been looking at the revised regulations for maternity and paternity leave and ensuring its policies and contracts are revised to reflect the new changes.

VertaseFLI has been looking at the changes to Retirement age, and ensuring its policies are revised to reflect the new changes.

VertaseFLI employees receive a yearly appraisal where employees and their Line Manager’s discuss the past year’s performance and developments for the coming year. Any training requirements are identified during these appraisals.

VertaseFLI collects data on equal opportunities when each employee starts at the company as part of induction process.

VertaseFLI has not been involved in any investigations, legal cases or other relevant events related to the contravention of the Global Compact Labour principles.

VertaseFLI’s core business function and objective is to provide a remediation service that contributes to sustainable development through the sustainable regeneration of contaminated brownfield sites and the prevention of pollution.
VertaseFLI are committed to minimising the sustainability impacts of our activities by utilising our design responsibilities to implement the principles of sustainable remediation. We shall reduce, re-use and recycle waste wherever possible and adopt management practices to contribute towards sustainable future.

We have a dedicated Quality and Environmental Representative and various policies such as Quality and Environmental, and Waste Management and Sustainability. We have an integrated management system dedicated to environmental processes and procedures in the company.

We comply with all relevant environmental legislation, best practice and guidelines.

We measure our sustainability impact, set targets and objectives, monitor our legal compliance,and conduct environmental risk assessments for various works activities.

Processes/ Systems include:
• Quality and Environment policy signed by Managing Director.

• Quality and Environment Manual - The Quality & Environmental Manual defines the policies, objectives and processes to satisfy BS EN ISO 9001: 2008 and 14001:2004 – Quality & Environmental Systems requirements. It also provides focus, direction and the control mechanisms for VertaseFLI to manage the quality and environmental systems in line with company business objectives. The Quality & Environmental Management System shall control all VertaseFLI activities.

• Envrionmental aspects register – monitoring taking into account positive and negative environmental impacts, actual and potential environmental impacts and normal, abnormal and potentially emergency situations.

• Environment legislation register - identified for both office and project based activities. The register identifies all environmental legislation anticipated for remediation and lining activities. The Environmental Legislation Register shall be reviewed on a periodic basis.

• Environmental Forms as part of Integrated Management System – including environmental inspections, dust monitoring, noise monitoring, odour assessment, etc.

• Construction Phase Environmental Management Plan for each site we work on – includes details on the general management of the site, water management, waste management, dust and air emissions, etc.

As part of VertaseFLI's integrated quality and environmental system acredited to 14001, objectives and targets are set against business activities that have a significant negative environmental impact. We ensure that contaminated land is remediated with minimal environmental impact, in line with the company’s Environmental, Waste & Sustainability Policy.

VertaseFLI objectives are to:
• Ensure compliance with all applicable legislative and other requirements, achieving a target of zero legislative non-compliance.

• Reduce CO2 emissions from company cars. Target company vehicles to achieve average 150g/km CO2emissions by 2012.

• Ensure site characterisation is done efficiently and effectively and site works are completed in accordance with specification.

• Increase the reuse of materials and reduce the quantities of waste disposed of at landfill through the implementation of CL:AIRE Definition of Waste Development Industry Code of Practice Project Specific Targets for material reuse and waste disposal.

• To prevent the unintentional release of contamination into the substrata and groundwater. Ensure no environmental harm is incurred from spillages of fuel or chemicals used to remediate contaminated ground. A zero spillage target is maintained through the implementation of operational control procedures and best practice for the storage and handling of fuels and chemicals.

In early 2011, VertaseFLI reviewed its sustainability impacts as part of a management review process. At this management meeting a review was undertaken of the sustainability impacts of company cars and employee transport. This was deemed significant given the distance travelled by employees to sites nationwide and with advances in engine technology there are more eco-friendly vehicles available. In light of these changes, VertaseFLI has set the objective of reducing CO2 emissions from company vehicles by targeting 150gCO2/km average emissions for company cars.

VertaseFLI employ a full time Environmental, Quality and Health and Safety co-ordinator who is responsible for environmental protection within the company, both office based and on site. The ultimate responsibility lies with a Director, Michael Longman.

As part of our enviornmental management system, environmental inspec tions are regularly undertaken by our Environmental Co-ordinator. Any corrective actions are issued and followed up for action. Results are regularly reviewed as part of management meetings by Senior Managers.

VertaseFLI uses licensed waste companies for the disposal of waste and are registered with a WEEE compliance company for the disposal of waste electronic equipment.

VertaseFLI are externally audited regularly as part of its acreditation to 14001, and reports are issued.

VertaseFLI has not had any environmental incidents within the last year and has not been subject to any statutory notices or prosecutions.

One of the Company’s core values is to uphold sound, responsible and fair business operations. It is committed to promoting and maintaining the highest possible ethical standards in relation to all of its business activities. The Company’s reputation for maintaining lawful business practices is of paramount importance to it and this policy is designed to preserve these values. The Company therefore has a zero tolerance policy towards any form of corruption, including bribery.

VertaseFLI ensures compliance with anti-bribery laws, rules and regulations, not just within the UK, but also in any other country within which the Company may carry out its business or in relation to which its business may be connected.

VertaseFLI enforces full policies on anti-bribery, corporate hospitality and the receipt of gifts.

Process/ System:
VertaseFLI has signed the Managing Director, policies on anti-bribery, the receipt of gifts and corporate hospitality.

These policies are included in all employee inductions and are communicated to employees on a regular basis.
The policies:

1. Provide suitable and secure reporting and communication channels and ensures that any information that is reported is properly and effectively dealt with.
2. Create and maintain a rigorous and effective framework for dealing with any suspected instances of bribery or other unethical conduct.

The Board of Directors have overall responsibility for ensuring these policies comply with the Company’s legal and ethical obligations, and all Directors, employees and associated persons are expected to adhere to the principles set out in these policies.

Breaches of any of the provisions of these policies constitute a disciplinary offence and are dealt with in accordance with the Company’s disciplinary procedure. Depending on the gravity of the offence, it may be treated as gross misconduct and could render the Director, employee liable to summary dismissal.

In the event that someone wishes to report an instance or suspected instance of bribery, they are to follow the steps set out in the Company’s Policy. Confidentiality is maintained during the investigation to the extent that this is practical and appropriate in the circumstances. The Company is committed to taking appropriate action against bribery or other unethical conduct. This could include either reporting the matter to an appropriate external government department, regulatory agency or the police and/or taking internal disciplinary action against relevant employees and/or terminating contracts with associated persons.

The Company’s Anti-Corruption Officer has lead responsibility for ensuring compliance with this Policy and will review its contents on a regular basis. They are responsible for monitoring its effectiveness and provide regular reports in this regard to the Directors of the Company.

• Training to all Senior Management on the Bribery Act 2010 and its implementation.

• Communication to all employees on Anti-Bribery, Corporate Hospitality, and the Receipt of Gifts policies.

The FInance Director has responsibility for investigating and reporting on any potential corruption within the business.

VertaseFLI has not been involved in any legal cases, rulings or other events relating to corruption and bribery.

VertaseFLI submits audited accounts each year to Companies House which are verified by external auditors and this is used as one of the methods of identifying any spurious payments which could be related to bribery and corrupt behaviour.