RESEARCHUNDERSTANDTAKE ACTION...

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CORPORATE SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY 2020

EUROPEAN OFFICE FURNITURE MANUFACTURER

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EOL is set on positioning the company as a leader in the field of sustainable de-velopment. Aware of the stakes involved—extending beyond merely economical concerns—each project and action initiated must, first and foremost, consider the resulting environmental and social implications. We are firm believers in the human capacity to innovate and the enduring consequences of our actions. Our objective to become a French furniture manufacturer that evolves within a healthy environment and places human beings at the center of its actions, requires a daily commitment in which every employee assumes an active role.

There are currently 30 actions actively being implemented in contribution to this effort. These actions assume different forms: creations that are less ener-gy-hungry and materials-heavy; the refusal to use chrome in our manufacturing processes; purchasing efforts centred on Europe up to 97% of the time; a policy of non-discrimination and gender equality in the workplace; compliance with a variety of certifications as well as ergonomic and environmental standards. These are but a few examples of over 30 actions currently under way. We realise that the job is far from done, and that many opportunities remain for us to make our development model ever-more environmentally responsible.

Olivier Van SteirtegemManaging Director

Arnaud BarralManaging Director

EOL COMMITTED TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

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30 ECO-RESPONSIBLESACTIONS

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10 CERTIFICATIONS,LABELS & STANDARD

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What is sustainable development ? 8

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Our commitment to the environment 10

Our actions leading to sustainable designOptimised manufacturing techniques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12Less polluting manufacturing techniques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14Compounds that are nontoxic to humans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16Optimising energy consumption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18Optimising the use of materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22Optimising the sourcing of materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24Transport and air quality, one common mission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26Reduce, reuse, recycle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Certifications labels, a guarantee of qualityOur certified manufacturing facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42Our certified products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

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Our certified products 46

RecruitmentCréation of local employment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48Combating social exclusion and discrimination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

Skills developmentInternal mobility and training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

Prioritising safety and wellbeing Reducing arduousness of work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54Improving safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

Donations to charitable organisations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

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WHAT IS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT?Since the days of the industrial revolution, our society has experienced unprecedented levels of development. Our lifestyles have evolved, globalisation has taken hold, and so have inequalities between rich and poor nations. The impact of man's activities on the environment has extended to such a degree, that its the very survival of our planet that is now at stake.

How can we meet our current needs, without jeopardising the ability of future generations to meet their own?

Sustainable development sets forth a new model, integrating a global vision for the planet and its evolution, by viewing the economy as a concept that also incorporates environmental and social concerns.

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Social equityBy meeting humanity's basic needs (shelter, food, health and education) whilst reducing inequalities between individuals in a way that is respectful of their different cultures.

Environmental qualityBy ensuring the long-term preservation of natural resources, protecting nature's fundamental balances and limiting impacts on the environment.

Economic efficiencyBy pursuing economic growth through sustainable models of production and consumption.

THE THREE PILLARS OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

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ENVIRONMENT ECONOMIC

SOCIAL

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OUR COMMITMENT TO THE ENVIRONMENTConscious of the impact of its activities on the

environment, a few years ago EOL began a transition

towards sustainable development. To assess the

effectiveness of this commitment, EOL adopted

a technique that analyses product lifecycles.

This method allows an assessment to be drawn on

a product's environmental impact throughout its

lifecycle, from initial conception to end-of-life disposal

management.

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IMPLEMENTING A ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL PRINCIPLEEOL applies the one-size-fits-all principle to the production of its desks, allowing multiple combinations using a minimum number of components.

OUR ACTIONS LEADING TO SUSTAINABLE DESIGN

OPTIMISED MANUFACTURING TECHNIQUES

This overarching modular concept allows for a

considerable reduction of stocks, leading to an

optimisation of raw materials, stocks and production with associated energy savings.

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LESS POLLUTING MANUFACTURING TECHNIQUES

0% solvents and VOCs

(Volatile Organic Compounds)

A NEW EPOXY POWDER COATING BOOTHEOL has invested in the acquisition of a new machine for solvent and VOC-free epoxy powder paint application.

Easy recovery and recycling of excess powder paint

A coating offering stronger resilience against ageing, resulting in a more durable product.

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ZERO USE OF CARCINOGENIC PRODUCTSTo best protect the health of employees, as well as end users,EOL makes zero use of carcinogenic, mutagenic or reproductively toxic chemical compounds (CMRs) in its manufacturing facilities.

The glues we use are water-based and devoid of toxic products, and our paints—of the epoxy type—are free of all solvents other than those acceptable under national and international standards. They ensure that the maximum levels of protection are extended to users, and sensibilise the wider industry on the responsible and sustainable use of chemical products.

EUROPEAN REACH REGULATIONEOL complies with the Euro-pean Union REACH regula-tion (Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Che-micals).

This EU legislation was adop-ted in 2007 in order to better protect human health and the environment from risks associated with the use of chemical substances. In principle, REACH legisla-tion applies to all chemical substances: those used in industrial processes, but also chemicals surrounding us in everyday settings, such as in items of furniture. Companies are required to demonstrate the safe use of a chemical substance and communicate the applicable measures for the mitigation of risks to users.

PEFCThe Programme for the En-dorsement of Forest Certifi-cation Schemes (PEFC) is a private third-party forest cer-tification scheme promoting sustainable forestry mana-gement. PEFC is the leading forest certification scheme in terms of total certified forest area and the primary source of certified timber in the world.

COMPOUNDS THAT ARE NONTOXIC TO HUMANS

100% of our melamine panels are PEFC

certified and sourced from sustainably

managed forests.

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OEKO-TEXTh e O E KO -T E X l a b e l certifies that the materials used are free of products that are harmful to humans and the environment (e.g. formaldehyde, heavy metals, pest ic ides , chlor inated p h e n o l s , p h t h a l a t e s , polyaromatic hydrocarbons, etc.). Maximum permitted levels are stricter.

E1 CLASSIFICATION

The E1 classification provides that formaldehyde emissions must not exceed 8 mg/100 g of material, and thereby ensures the lowest permitted level for materials used in construction and furniture.

What is formaldehyde ?

Formaldehyde is a naturally occurring yet polluting volatile component present in wood, but also in the

glues used to assemble wood panels. This makes it the main pollutant of air within our indoor work and living

spaces.

100% of our chairs are

manufactured using OEKO-TEX certified foams and fabrics.

100% of our melamine

panels fall under the E1 classification.

THE LABELS

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OPTIMISING ENERGY CONSUMPTION

EOL has chosen an epoxy powder-based paint characterised by a reduced drying time compared with traditional paints, allowing us by extension to curb our electricity and gas consumption.

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Savings in electricity

consumption equivalent to 1,600 M kWh 2016 to 2018

Savings in gas consumption equivalent to 500,000 kWh2016 to 2018

-18% -34%

REDUCING ELECTRICITY AND GAS CONSUMPTION

2120

The average flow from a tap over 87 days,

equivalent to 1.5 million litres

REDUCING WATER CONSUMPTION

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1500 m3 d'eauequivalent to :

-1500 m3 water consumption

thanks to a new system of reverse-cascade rinse tanks

How does our new water treatment system work?

The surface treatment tunnel at our facility in Eu (France),

facilitating the degreasing process of metal components prior

to painting, is now fitted with a system of reverse-cascade rinse

tanks. The raw water supply is directed into the last rinse tank

and fed through a cascade process back to the first tank,

effectively in counter-flow to the components being rinsed,

resulting in significant water savings.

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OPTIMISATION OF MATERIALS

REDUCTION OF WASTEAn eight percent reduction in fabric offcuts by transitioning from a manual process of fabric cutting and stapling, to a more efficient and economical threaded upholstering and padding process.

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REDUCTION OF WOOD WASTEOptimised wood and fabric cutting thanks to highly effective software and more efficient techniques.

2Rate of timber

wastage through offcuts :

≤ 16%

Rate of fabric wastage through offcuts :

≤ 12%

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OPTIMISED SOURCING OF MATERIALS IN FRANCE AND EUROPE

MADE IN FRANCE & EUROPEBecause we aim for short supply channels, EOL favours the sourcing of French and European materials, exemplified by our collections 100% Made in France.

97%of materials sourced by

EOL are acquired in Europe, with 73% emanating from

France.

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TRANSPORT AND AIR QUALITY,ONE COMMON MISSION

Because the quality of the air we breathe is a critical environmental factor, EOL is implementing considerable actions in the optimisation of its logistics channels. We are undertaking substantial efforts to consolidate our flows and optimise our transportation. The objective is to curb the total mileage covered by our lorries when returning empty from deliveries, and at the same time limiting costs and reducing our carbon footprint.

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1 less required, for every 6 lorries sent

Increase of lorry loading rates to

+90%

+90%=

As a result, our lorry loading rate stands at over 90% since 2018 (+14.5% in 2019 vs 2017), with ongoing steps being taken to improve this rate further. In fact, we are continuously challenging our service providers to improve performance levels in terms of their lorry loading rates and recycling.

OPTIMISING LORRY LOADING RATES

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PROXIMITY-BASED LOGISTICS NETWORKEOL's distribution platforms are located throughout France and Europe in order to optimise deliveries and pr ior i t ise short supply channels.Merchandise is routed to local distribution platforms that undertake the delivery/i n s t a l l a t i o n s t e p s i n accordance with the specified geographical area. EOL therefore favours road haulage along short channels, thereby reducing our CO² e m i s s i o n s a n d o u r environmental impact.

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4 showrooms

1 entrepôt central HQE

2 usines

12 plateformes

Notre réseau logistiqueEOL dispose d’une capacité logistique de pointe permettant d’opérer sur toute l’Europe. EOL gère un entrepôt central moderne et performant, relayé par 8 plateformes régionales en France, et 4 au Benelux, Royaume-Uni et Irlande. Notre entrepôt central situé à Savigny sur Clairis (89) est au cœur de notre dispositif. Chaque jour, notre logistique permet d’approvisionner, de façon rapide et économique, les plateformes régio-nales. Ainsi, nous offrons une prestation de proximité, de livraison et de montage. EOL garantit ainsi la rapidité, la qualité et une relation privilégiée de proximité avec ses clients.

Poitiers

Carquefou

Lyon

ToulouseVitrolles

Genlis

Paris

EuBrussel

Dublin

Nieuwegein

Savigny-sur-Clairis Montbéliard

London

Nottingham

12 platforms

2 manufacturing facilities

4 showrooms

1 central warehouse facility HQE

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90 % of road haulage

suppliers contracted by EOL subscribe to the "Objectif CO²"

charter.Objectif C0² charter

In 2008, the Ministry of Ecology (MEEDDM) and the ADEME, together with the professional associations representing the road haulage industry, put

together a Charter of voluntary commitments towards reducing CO² emissions.Following a methodical, coherent plan that is trusted and recognised nationally, adherent companies commit to pursue a concrete and personalised action plan

over the course of three years. The objective being to reduce their fuel consumption and therefore their CO² emissions (the main greenhouse gas).

ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE PARTNERSHIPS

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REDUCE WASTEAct ions are constant ly be ing undertaken to reduce industrial waste, and selective sorting is implemented on all waste types in order to dispose of them through the appropriate channels.

REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE

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-22% industrial

waste 2018 vs

2016

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MANUFACTURE USING RECYCLED MATERIALSBecause every little gesture helps, EOL has emphasised the importance of sorting and waste reclamation. In this way, EOL focuses on manufacturing using recycled materials originating from production offcuts and repurposed products.

Our SOLANGE acoustic desktop screens comprise a honeycomb cardboard core,

made using 100% recycled fibres and polyester fibre

foam obtained from recycled plastic bottles.

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Our ZELIE, MARGOT and TWINS ranges are manufactured using repurposed melamine panels.

Melamine panels are made from

75% recycled wood

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RE-USE PACKAGING MATERIALSEOL has implemented a system for the rotation of a significant number of packaging materials, in order to facilitate their reuse.

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RECYCLE PALLETSThe pallets themselves, as well as the white polystyrene and black plastic corner guards are recovered by all our distribution platforms and returned to our manufacturing facilities in order to reinject them into the circuit.

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1800 pallets recycled

every year

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10 permanently installed

skips located throughout our distribution platform

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RECYCLE END OF LIFE FURNITUREEOL adheres to the Valdévia environmental organisation, entrusted with the recovery, reuse and recycling of waste emanating from professional furniture components.

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1013tonnes of furniture

collected by Valdévia in 2018 for reclamation

and reuse.

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CERTIFICATION LABELS, A GUARANTEE OF QUALITYOUR CERTIFIED MANUFACTURING FACILITIESOur manufacturing facilities have been awarded ISO 14001 certifications on account of our efforts to optimise energy consumption, reduce the dependence on natural resources and produce the least waste possible during our product manufacturing processes.

ISO 14001

In 1996, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) established the ISO14001 standards in order to involve companies in efforts to protect the environment.

Thanks to these ISO 14001 standards, companies have a permanent yardstick against which to measure their contribution to environmental pollution and therefore keep sight of the corrective strategies that can be adopted.

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OUR CERTIFIED PRODUCTSFor several years now, EOL has been committed to recognising its environmental and social responsibilities by seeking the certification of its products. As a result, its flagship ranges carry the certifications for NF Environment and NF Office Excellence Certified

4LINE

PURE

OSCAR

PRODUCTS CERTIFICATION LABELS

CERTIFIED RANGES

4MOST-CONECT

IDOL

ARIAL

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SOCIAL AND PEOPLE CENTRIC ENGAGEMENTEOL places the human element at the heart of

its concerns and company strategy.

We strive to guarantee quality employment

whilst also ensuring the wellbeing and safety

of our employees, and client satisfaction

paired with the creation of ties to local

associations and communities.

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RECRUITMENTCREATION OF LOCAL

EMPLOYMENT

EOL actively contributes to the growth of local

employment through an extensive coverage of the

territories where the company is active.

240employees distributed across our

different sites

LondonBrussels

Genlis facility

Eu facility

Rosny Gennevilliers

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COMBATING SOCIAL EXCLUSION AND DISCRIMINATION

WORKERS WITH DISABILITIESThe hiring of workers with disabilities falls comprehensively within the com-pany's commitment to combat exclusion and discrimination.

+ 50 %2018 vs 2016

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MULTINATIONALEOL's employees represent 14 different nationalities.

2GENDER BALANCEEOL promotes equal opportunities between men and women.

49 %men

51 %women

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INTERNAL MOBILITYEOL's recruitment process places the emphasis on opportunities for inter-nal mobility. This key lever for skills development carries a number of ad-vantages, both for the employees and the company.

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YOUTH TRAININGOur world's future, shaped by the young generations of today. EOL has grasped this fact and welcomes a large number of interns within its ranks each year. Beyond a merely pedagogical or training function, internships serve as an au-thentic launchpad towards recruitment, and allow the company to train young workers in its specific procedures.

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SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

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STAFF TRAININGStaff training represents an essential pillar in companies' development and their capacity to adapt in the face of changing organisms and markets. Training opportunities stimulate staff productivity through the development of their technical and behavioural aptitudes.

+ 56 % in scheduled training hours

(2018 vs 2016)

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MOBILITY AND TRAINING

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PRIORITISING SAFETY AND WELLBEING REDUCING ARDUOUSNESS OF WORKEOL frequently proceeds to adapt its employees' workstations in order to render them more ergonomic, lighten the supported loads and reduce the arduousness of work.

Production of a machine used to flip worktops over, in order to check the quality on both sides.

Fabric cutting robot that alleviates the work of the operator and optimises the cutting process.

Laser cutting machine with the ability to automatically load the metal sheets onto

the worksurface, dispose of the leftover material, sort the

different components and stack them on pallets.

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IMPROVING SAFETY

PPE EQUIPMENTEmployees working in our manufacturing facilities are provided with personal protective gear such as custom-moulded ear plugs, reinforced safety boots, ear defenders, etc.

HSECommittee meetings for Health and Safety at Work are regularly organised across all our sites.

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38% fewer accidents

at work since 2015

83%less work related

accidents since 2015

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DONATIONS TO CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS

Embracing the circular economy concept, EOL reintroduces repurposed furniture into the loop by

donating items to a range of not-for-profit organisations

and charities, thereby extending the products

lifestyle and making a positive social contribution.

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EOL Group 17 rue Joseph et Etienne Montgolfier

93110 Rosny sous Bois – France eol-group.net

EUROPEAN OFFICE FURNITURE MANUFACTURER