Standards in the Supply Chain

As a small business reliant on intermediaries, we cannot directly enforce labor standards within our supply chain. However, we advise our suppliers on acceptable standards and choose not to engage with those that do not meet our high expectations. We depend on the Fairtrade Foundation to uphold rigorous labour standards among our international suppliers. Where possible we only use products certified by the Fairtrade Labelling Organisation in our supply chain, reflecting our commitment to ethical practices.

Support for British Farmers

While coffee cultivation in the UK is rare, we recognise the impact of imported crops on British farmers. To support local agriculture, we are members of the National Farmers’ Union (NFU), ensuring we stand in solidarity with our domestic farming community.

Workers’ and Human Rights Practices

We adhere to both domestic and international laws concerning workers’ and human rights, often exceeding legal requirements. As members of The Co-operative Party, affiliated with The Labour Party, we actively support campaigns advocating for these rights. Our co-operative partners consistently uphold high standards, aligning with international laws and frequently surpassing national regulations.

Living Wage

We are proud to be accredited by the Living Wage Foundation, distinguishing us from the National Living Wage, which is set at a lower rate. For example, in Costa Rica, our member Coop Tarrazu ensures that itinerant workers from Nicaragua and Ecuador are paid at least the national minimum wage, with many earning above this threshold.

Taxes

Revolver Co-operative is committed to paying our fair share of taxes. We do not engage in tax avoidance schemes or utilise tax havens through transfer pricing. We pay all taxes owed in accordance with the spirit of applicable tax laws, reflecting our responsibility as societal participants. Our financial reporting accurately represents the economic reality of our transactions. We avoid any arrangements that would require disclosure under the Disclosure of Tax Avoidance Schemes Regulations or fall under the UK’s General Anti-Abuse Rule. While we may trade with entities in tax havens, we do not use these jurisdictions to gain tax advantages. Our accounts are prepared in compliance with this policy and are reviewed annually with our accountants. We are certified by the Fair Tax Mark; more information is available at https://fairtaxmark.net.

Animal Welfare and Testing

We do not involve animals in the artificial production of our coffee. Our sourcing practices encourage biodiversity, with farms maintaining hedgerows that provide habitats for bees, butterflies, birds, and small mammals, which naturally pollinate the crops, with guidance from Labour animal welfare activists, we adhere to the Labour Animal Welfare Society’s policies on animal testing and welfare. We are members of LAWS, underscoring our commitment to these issues. The policies we follow are available at https://labouranimalwelfaresociety.org.uk/laws-animal-charter.