We recognise all our activities impact on the environment. Our aims are:

• to reduce this impact through basing our commercial activities on sustainable resources
• to prevent pollution
• to improve our environmental performance
• to undertake initiatives to improve greater environmental responsibility
• to encourage the development and implementation of environmental friendly technologies
• to achieve and exceed legal and regulatory standard

United Kingdom Union Timber Regulation (UKTR) & European Union Deforestation Regulations (EUDR)

The European Union Timber Regulation (EUTR) came into force in March 2013 and prohibits the placing of illegally harvested timber on the European market.  Following the UK leaving the European market (Brexit), the United Kingdom Timber Regulation (UKTR) came into force in Jan 2021 and prohibits the placing of illegally harvested timber on the United  market.

All products supplied by all Donaldson’s Companies comply with the EUTR/UKTR.

Crucially the EUTR/UKTR requires companies placing timber or timber products on the European/United Kingdom market (both imported and domestic) for the first time to implement a due diligence system, for example Timber Trade Federations Responsible Purchasing Policy

European Union Deforestation Regulations (EUDR)

The EUDR (European Union Deforestation Regulation) is an upcoming legislation that is meant to combat deforestation and illegal harvesting. The EUDR builds upon the current European Timber regulation (EUTR) and it applies to more products than wood alone.

A key feature of the EUDR is the data of the GPS location and time of harvest need to be provided. Due to the complexity, not all elements necessary for the legislation have been provided by the EU.

We are currently working with our supply chain to ensure that we have all necessary information for our customers who trade in Europe in place by the new date of December 2025.

Timber Trade Federations Responsible Purchasing Policy (RPP)

The RPP scheme is a verified due diligence systems in place to manage and minimise the risk of illegal timber in their supply chain. This system was developed from commitments to source from Environmentally responsible sources, made as far back as 1995!

Neil Donaldson, when Chairman of the TTF, was instrumental in making compliance with RPP a condition of membership.

Chain of Custody & Responsible Purchasing Policy

We fully endorse the requirements of all our chain of custody schemes, and have installed systems and procedures in place to meet the demands of the chain of custody requirements.

• James Donaldson Group  Limited including James Donaldson Timber, Donaldson Timber Engineering, Donaldson Direct, Donaldson Door Systems, MGM Timber (Scotland) , James Donaldson Insulation, Nu style products, Perform Panel) are covered by certificate number FSC® Certificate number INT-COC-002191
• PEFC certificate number CATG-PEFC-COC-405
• Donaldson Timber Systems PEFC certificate number BMT-PEFC-COC-0293

ISO 50001

We are committed to improve the energy efficiency of our operations to reduce costs, emissions of CO₂ and minimise our overall contribution to climate change. We aim to deliver these through ISO 50001 (energy management), 14064 (carbon footprint), Energy Saving Opportunities Scheme (ESOS), and Streamlined Energy Carbon Reporting (SECR).

James Donaldson Group  Limited including James Donaldson Timber, Donaldson Timber Engineering, Donaldson Direct, Donaldson Door Systems, MGM Timber (Scotland) , James Donaldson Insulation, Nu style products, Perform Panel, Smith and Frater) are covered by certificate number CATG ISO 501

ISO 14064

James Donaldson Group  Limited including James Donaldson Timber, Donaldson Timber Systems,  Donaldson Timber Engineering, Donaldson Direct, Donaldson Door Systems, MGM Timber (Scotland) , James Donaldson Insulation, Nu style products, Perform Panel, Smith and Frater, and Kitchens International) are covered by certificate number C8731

To enable us to manage our environmental performance we have installed ISO 14001 – The environmental management system.

James Donaldson Group  Limited including  Donaldson Timber Engineering, Donaldson Direct, Donaldson Door Systems, MGM Timber (Scotland) , James Donaldson Insulation, Smith and Frater) are covered by certificate number CATG – ISO – 420

Donaldson Timber Systems certificate number 030

An environmental product declaration, or EPD, is an independently verified document that transparently reports the environmental impact of a product or material, based on a product life-cycle assessment (LCA). The LCA evaluates the environmental effects throughout the product’s lifecycle, from raw material extraction to disposal. EPDs, derived from these LCAs, support carbon emission reduction targets by enabling comparisons of the environmental impacts of different materials and products, helping to select the most sustainable option for buildings or infrastructure.

•     Architects, engineers and designers are able to choose the most sustainable option for their project.
•     Manufacturers are able to optimize the impact of their products and market their carbon transparency.

EPDs help to achieve EPD and LCA credits in certification schemes, like LEED, BREEAM, and others.

We have published EPDs for the following products:

• DTS Alpha Panel
• DTE Trusses
• DTE I-Joist
• JDT Planed Redwood
• JDT Silktrim
• Nu Style Nu-lock panel
• Perform Panel Plywood Core
• Perform Panel MDF Core

The health, safety, and welfare of our employees, suppliers and customers is something we take very seriously at Donaldson’s.

We are committed to ensuring that our products and processes allow our stakeholders to return home from work in the same condition they arrived. It is therefore our policy to do all that is reasonable and practicable to prevent personal injury, and to protect everyone from foreseeable work hazards.

We have achieved ISO 45001 in Donaldson Timber Systems certificate number 10466835.

We are currently working on ISO 45001 for the remainder of the group.

The Company has a responsibility to:

• Look after their own safety, and others who may be affected by their acts or omissions
• Achieve and exceed legal and regulatory standards
• Ensure that our commercial activities preserve everyone’s Health, Safety and Welfare.
• Provide and maintain safe systems of work including plant and equipment
• Provide information, instruction, training, and supervision to enable employees to perform their work safely and effectively.
• Provide a means of communication through the management structure to ensure all matters of Health Safety & Welfare are dealt with in the appropriate manner
• Continually strive for improvements in our performance
• Consult with either Employee or Trade Union appointed Works Council Members, on all matters which may have a bearing on Health & Safety in the workplace

Employees have a duty to co-operate with management in the operation of the policy by:

• Working safely and efficiently
• Using protective equipment provided, and by meeting statutory obligations
• Reporting incidents that have led or may lead to injury or damage
• Adhering to Company procedures and training methods
• Assisting in the investigation of accidents with the object of introducing measures to prevent recurrence

Each of our businesses have a proven record of exemplary service and the supply of only the highest quality products. As a trusted partner to the UK building industry our client’s expectations include stability of supply.

We have a Business Continuity Plan in place to minimise any event that could negatively impact operations such as supply chain interruption, and have processes and procedures to reduce the risk of these impacting on our business.

For many years, wood and wood products used in the construction industry in the UK have been covered by a range of International Standards. These provide designers, specifiers, buyers and users with assurance of fitness for purpose and performance. In an effort to reduce the technical differences between the different European countries, the Construction Products Regulations (CPR) and CE marking were introduced.

Following the UK leaving the EU, these regulations were formed the basis of the UKCA regulations.

What is CE/UKCA Marking?

CE marking has been a mandatory conformity marking for products sold in Europe. UKCA is the same mandatory conformity for the UK.

CE/UKCA marking is the manufacturer’s declaration that the product meets the requirements of the applicable directives.

All construction products, including roof trusses, Posi Joists, structural graded materials, floorings, and linings are required to have either a UKCA or CE Mark.

Through the use of prequalification tender schemes buyers can reduce their PQQ requirements as all members are validated against PAS91 criteria and beyond. As all accreditations are easily visible and searchable on the platforms, customers can quickly and confidently select construction partners like us, that meet their needs.

We have also been assessed through these tender schemes for Safety Schemes in Procurement (SSIP)  we can help you reduce the risks as we have already been assessed against the SSIP Core Criteria, so reducing the need to complete the health and safety vetting stage of the vetting process.

We will not support or deal with any business knowingly involved in slavery, human trafficking, or who’s activities breach the Modern Slavery Act 2015. We carry out an annual risk assessment and audit within our supply chain, and train our employees within the James Donaldson Group Limited companies to ensure that we comply with, and promote this act in line with current legislation.

Our latest modern slavery statement.

We take a zero-tolerance approach to bribery and corruption and are committed to acting professionally, fairly and with integrity in all our business dealings and relationships, wherever we operate. We will uphold all laws relevant to countering bribery and corruption, including the Bribery Act 2010, in respect of our conduct both at home and abroad.

Background and Scope

This strategy applies to James Donaldson Group Limited and subsidiaries in accordance with paragraph 16 of Schedule 19 to the Finance Act 2016 (the “Schedule”). In this strategy, references to the “Donaldson Group” or “the Group” is in relation to James Donaldson Group Limited and all associated subsidiaries. The strategy has been published in accordance with paragraph 16(4) of the Schedule.

This strategy applies from the date of publication until it is superseded. References to “UK Taxation” are to the taxes and duties set out in paragraph 15(1) of the Schedule and include Income Tax, Corporation Tax, PAYE, NIC, VAT, Insurance Premium Tax, Stamp Duty and Stamp Duty Land Tax, as well as Land and Buildings Transaction Tax. References to “tax”, “taxes” or “taxation” are to UK taxation and to all corresponding worldwide taxes and similar duties in respect of which the Group has legal responsibilities.

Aim

The Donaldson Group is committed to full compliance with all statutory obligations and full disclosure to relevant tax authorities. The Group’s tax affairs are managed in a way which considers its wider corporate reputation in line with the Group’s overall high standards of governance.

Governance in relation to UK taxation

Ultimate responsibility for Donaldson Group tax strategy and compliance rests with the Group’s Supervisory Board.

The Board’s requirement to monitor the integrity of the Donaldson Group financial reporting system, internal controls and risk management framework, expressly includes those elements relating to taxation.

The Group CFO is the Board member with executive responsibility for tax matters. Reports are made to the Board on the Donaldson Group tax affairs and risks when considered appropriate.

The Supervisory Board ensures that the Donaldson Group’s tax strategy is one of the factors considered in all significant investments and business decisions taken.

Risk Management

The Donaldson Group, through its Supervisory and Operating Boards, operates a system of tax risk assessment and controls as a component of the overall internal control framework applicable to the group’s financial reporting system;

The Group seeks to reduce the level of tax risk arising from its operations as far as is reasonably practicable by ensuring that reasonable care is applied in relation to all processes which could materially affect its compliance with its tax obligations;

Processes relating to different taxes are allocated to appropriate process owners, who carry out a review of activities and processes to identify key risks and mitigating controls that are in place. These key risks are monitored for business and legislative changes which may impact them and changes to processes or controls are made when required. Appropriate training is carried out for staff outside the finance team who manage, or process matters which have tax implications.

Advice is sought from external advisers where appropriate, including where uncertainty on significant transactions exists.

Attitude towards tax planning and level of risk

The Donaldson Group manages risks to ensure compliance with legal requirements in a manner which ensures payment of the right amount of tax.

When entering into commercial transactions, the Donaldson Group seeks to employ available tax incentives, reliefs and exemptions in line with, and in the spirit of, tax legislation. The Group does not undertake tax planning unrelated to such commercial transactions.

The level of risk which the Donaldson Group accepts in relation to UK taxation is consistent with its overall objective of achieving certainty in its tax affairs. At all times the group seeks to comply fully with its regulatory and other obligations and to act in a way which upholds its reputation as a responsible corporate citizen. In relation to specific issues or transactions, the Board is ultimately responsible for identifying the risks, including tax risks, that need to be addressed and for determining what actions should be taken to manage those risks, having regard to the materiality of the amounts and obligations in question.

Relationship with HMRC

The Donaldson Group seeks to have a transparent and constructive relationship with HMRC. All significant tax risks are identified at the time of preparation of tax returns and, when these are submitted to HMRC, the Group discloses all relevant facts and identifies any transactions or issues where it considers that there is potential for the tax treatment to be uncertain.

Any inadvertent errors in submissions made to HMRC are fully disclosed as soon as reasonably practicable after they are identified. All dealings with HMRC are undertaken in a collaborative and timely manner.

This tax strategy was published on 15/08/2022 and the Group regards this publication as complying with its duty under paragraph 16(2) Schedule 19 FA 2016 in its financial period ended 30 September 2022.