ELAVE Skincare publishes these policies and statements as part of our commitment to responsible business, human rights, inclusive communication, transparency, and continuous improvement.
Last updated: June 2026
On this page
- Human Rights Policy
- Advocacy, Lobbying and Political Contributions Policy
- Inclusive Communications and Ethical Content Policy
- Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy
Human Rights Policy
1. Our Commitment
ELAVE Skincare is committed to respecting human rights across all our activities. We believe that every individual has the right to be treated with dignity, fairness, and respect - whether they are our employees, our suppliers' workers, or communities in the regions where our ingredients are sourced.
2. Scope
This policy applies to all individuals and communities affected by ELAVE Skincare's own operations and its entire value chain, including direct employees, temporary workers, contractors, suppliers (Tier 1 and beyond), customers, and local communities.
3. Our Framework
- The UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs).
- The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the International Bill of Rights.
- The International Labour Organization's (ILO) Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work.
4. Assessing Our Impacts
We are committed to regularly assessing our potential and actual negative human rights impacts. This includes conducting human rights impact assessments covering our own operations and supply chain, engaging with our stakeholders, and reviewing our risks at least every 36 months.
5. Remediating Negative Impacts
Where we identify that our operations or value chain have caused or contributed to negative human rights impacts, we are committed to taking appropriate steps to remediate those impacts - including working with affected individuals and communities to provide effective remedy.
6. Continuous Improvement
We understand that respecting human rights is an ongoing journey. We are committed to continuously improving our practices, engaging transparently with our stakeholders, and reporting on our progress.
7. Governance
This policy has been approved by the highest governing body of ELAVE Skincare and is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains relevant and effective.
Advocacy, Lobbying and Political Contributions Policy
1. Purpose
ELAVE Skincare is committed to conducting our non-direct advocacy activities ethically, transparently, and in a manner consistent with the company's purpose, values, and social and environmental commitments.
The company recognises that public policy and industry standards can influence environmental and social outcomes. ELAVE Skincare participates indirectly in advocacy activities, it will do so only in support of initiatives that contribute positively to society, public health, human rights, sustainability, environmental protection, ethical business practices, or responsible industry development.
ELAVE Skincare does not engage in lobbying activities that seek to weaken environmental protections, social safeguards, consumer rights, labour standards, or public health regulations.
2. Scope
- All directors, officers and employees of ELAVE Skincare.
- Participation in industry associations, trade bodies, business networks and intermediary organisations that may engage in lobbying or advocacy activities on behalf of their members.
- Any third parties acting on behalf of ELAVE Skincare.
3. Commitment to Responsible Advocacy
- Support positive social and/or environmental outcomes.
- Align with the company's mission, values and sustainability commitments.
- Comply with all applicable laws and regulations.
- Be conducted honestly, transparently and ethically.
- Avoid misleading, inaccurate or unsubstantiated claims.
- Use reliable, evidence-based, technical or scientific information wherever possible.
4. Industry Associations and Intermediary Organisations
ELAVE Skincare may participate in industry associations, business networks and intermediary organisations that engage in advocacy activities relevant to their members.
The company recognises that membership of such organisations may create risks where the organisation's advocacy positions differ from ELAVE Skincare's values or commitments. Therefore, all memberships will be periodically reviewed to ensure broad alignment with the company's social, environmental and ethical commitments.
Where a material misalignment is identified, ELAVE Skincare will engage with the organisation to raise concerns, seek clarification, advocate for alignment where appropriate, and consider suspending or terminating membership where concerns cannot be satisfactorily resolved.
5. Political Contributions
ELAVE Skincare does not make financial contributions, donations or sponsorships to political parties, political candidates, elected officials or political campaigns.
The company does not provide in-kind political contributions, including company resources, facilities, products, services or employee time, for political purposes.
Any exception to this commitment would require prior approval from the Board of Directors and full disclosure in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
6. Anti-Corruption and Anti-Bribery
All advocacy, lobbying and stakeholder engagement activities must be conducted in accordance with ELAVE Skincare's Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption commitments.
No employee, representative or third party acting on behalf of the company may offer, promise or provide anything of value to improperly influence a public official, regulator or decision-maker; request or accept any improper advantage in connection with advocacy activities; or engage in conduct that could reasonably be perceived as bribery, corruption or undue influence.
Any suspected breach of these requirements must be reported immediately through the company's grievance or reporting mechanisms.
7. Governance and Accountability
The Board of Directors is responsible for approving this policy and overseeing its implementation.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is accountable for implementing this policy, maintaining records of relevant memberships and advocacy activities, monitoring compliance, ensuring corrective action is taken where non-compliance is identified, and reporting material issues to the Board.
This policy will be formally reviewed at least every three years or sooner if significant changes occur in the company's activities, governance arrangements or applicable regulations.
8. Policy Implementation
- Employees responsible for managing relationships with industry associations or intermediary organisations will be made aware of the requirements of this policy.
- Advocacy-related decisions will be reviewed for alignment with the company's values and commitments.
- Records of relevant memberships and reviews will be maintained.
- Governance responsibilities will be clearly assigned and documented.
9. Identifying, Managing and Monitoring Risks of Non-Compliance
ELAVE Skincare identifies risks of non-compliance by maintaining an up-to-date register of all industry association and intermediary organisation memberships.
The company periodically reviews the publicly stated positions, advocacy activities and policy stances of these organisations to identify any material misalignment with ELAVE Skincare's values, mission or social and environmental commitments.
Where a misalignment is identified, the company will engage with the relevant organisation to raise concerns and, where appropriate, seek corrective action. If concerns cannot be resolved, ELAVE Skincare may suspend or terminate its membership.
The CEO holds overall responsibility for monitoring these risks and ensuring that appropriate corrective action is taken in a timely manner.
10. Evaluating Compliance
- Active memberships in industry associations and intermediary organisations.
- Any advocacy or lobbying positions adopted by those organisations.
- Alignment with ELAVE Skincare's commitments and values.
- Any concerns raised through the grievance mechanism.
- Any instances of non-compliance and actions taken.
11. Stakeholder Concerns and Grievances
Employees, suppliers, customers and other stakeholders may raise concerns regarding activities covered by this policy through ELAVE Skincare's grievance mechanism. All concerns will be reviewed promptly, investigated where necessary and addressed without retaliation against individuals who raise concerns in good faith.
12. Transparency
ELAVE Skincare will maintain a register of memberships in industry associations, trade bodies and intermediary organisations. The company will make this policy publicly available through its website and will communicate material updates to relevant stakeholders.
13. Current Memberships
- Enterprise Ireland - https://www.ibec.ie/
- Chamber of Commerce - https://www.dundalk.ie/
- IBEC - https://www.ibec.ie/
- This list will be reviewed and updated annually.
Inclusive Communications and Ethical Content Policy
1. Purpose
This guide ensures all external communications from ELAVE Skincare are inclusive, respectful, and free from bias, stereotypes, or discrimination.
As a Certified B Corp committed to Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI), our external communications must welcome and respect all members of our community, represent the diversity of Ireland and our customer base, be accessible to everyone, avoid stereotypes, bias and exclusionary language, and reflect our commitment to ethical, honest and transparent communication.
2. Scope
- Website, blog posts, social media.
- Email newsletters and marketing.
- Printed materials, leaflets, signage, prescription bags.
- Customer information materials.
- Press releases and advertising.
3. Our Six Core Commitments
- Represent diversity - imagery, language, and stories reflect the real diversity of our community.
- Use inclusive language - language that welcomes everyone and excludes no one.
- Be accessible - content can be understood and accessed by all.
- Avoid stereotypes - we never reduce people to stereotypes or assumptions.
- Communicate with dignity - we treat all people with respect.
- Be honest and transparent - we communicate ethically and truthfully.
4. Inclusive Language
General rules: use plain English, gender-neutral language, person-first language, and positive language.
Avoid ableist terms, dehumanising terms, assumptions of normal, racial, gender or cultural stereotypes, and ageist marketing language such as anti-age or age-defying.
5. Inclusive Imagery
All visual content must reflect the diversity of our Irish community.
Include people of different genders, ages, ethnicities and abilities, people with visible disabilities, diverse family structures, and realistic everyday situations.
Avoid stereotyped or tokenistic representation, imagery that sexualizes or objectifies people, unrealistic body standards, and showing disabled people only in contexts of suffering or charity.
Digital accessibility: all images must have descriptive alt text and all videos must have captions or subtitles.
6. Accessibility Standards
- All PDFs must be screen-reader accessible.
- Provide materials in large print or audio upon request.
- Key health information available in multiple languages where possible, with priority languages Polish, Romanian and Arabic based on the community.
7. Ethical Content Standards
- All health claims must be evidence-based and accurate.
- No fear-based, shame-based or manipulative marketing.
- No targeting of vulnerable customers with inappropriate messaging.
- Never share customer stories or images without explicit written consent.
- Comply with GDPR in all communications.
- Clearly identify sponsored or promotional content.
8. Social Media
We post accurate health information, diverse imagery, inclusive seasonal content acknowledging diverse cultural celebrations, and accessible formats.
We do not post stereotyping content, unverified health claims, before/after weight-loss imagery, or discriminatory content.
Comments: respond respectfully within 24-48 hours. Delete and report hateful or abusive comments.
9. Before Publishing - Quick Checklist
- Is the language gender-neutral, person-first, and free from stereotypes?
- Is it written in plain English?
- Does the imagery reflect diversity and avoid stereotypes?
- Are alt texts on images and captions on videos?
- Is font size, contrast, and format accessible?
- Are all health claims accurate and evidence-based?
- Does it respect customers' privacy and dignity?
- Would you be comfortable if any customer or community member saw it?
Approval Process
- Social media posts: Approved by Mark Darby, Head of Marketing.
- Marketing materials: Approved by Mark Darby, Head of Marketing.
- Customer information leaflets: Approved by Mark Darby, Head of Marketing.
- Press releases: Approved by Mark Darby, Head of Marketing.
10. Training
All staff creating external content receive training on this guide. Training is provided annually and during staff induction. Training records are maintained for B Corp JEDI verification.
11. Reporting Concerns
Staff: Raise concerns immediately with Mark Darby. No one will be penalized for raising concerns in good faith.
Public: Contact mdarby@gardinerfamilyapothecary.com - we will respond within 2 business days.
12. Policy Review
Reviewed annually, next review: June 2027. Updated based on staff and patient feedback, JEDI1 survey findings, and changes to Irish equality legislation.
Questions? Mark Darby | Head of Marketing
Email: mdarby@gardinerfamilyapothecary.com
Questions or concerns?
For questions about these policies, or to raise a concern, please contact us through our Contact Us page.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy
1. Purpose and scope
This policy sets out how staff may use AI tools, such as ChatGPT, Claude, Microsoft Copilot and similar, in their work. It applies to everyone at Gardiner Family Apothecary, whether using company-provided tools or personal accounts for work tasks.
2. Acceptable use
AI tools can be a real help for everyday work, drafting and tidying up written content, summarising documents, research support, brainstorming ideas and routine admin. Staff are encouraged to use them sensibly to work faster and better.
3. Protecting confidential information
Never enter confidential or commercially sensitive company information into public AI tools which are typically the free versions of major AI tools. Once information is typed into a public tool, we have no control over where it ends up.
4. Keeping sensitive information safe
Sensitive company information must never be shared with free versions of popular AI tools such as ChatGPT or Claude. Sensitive information includes product formulations, financial figures, supplier terms, customer or staff details, unpublished plans, and anything else not already in the public domain.
5. Approved tools for sensitive work
For any detailed work involving sensitive information, only Google Gemini, which is built into our Google Workspace backend, is approved. Used through your company login, anything you enter stays within our organisation and is not used to train Google's models or seen by anyone outside the business. If you are unsure how to access Gemini, speak with your manager. Any other paid AI tool requires your manager's explicit approval before it is used for work involving sensitive information.
One thing to watch: signing into a personal or free Gemini account is not covered by this protection, it is only safe through your company Workspace login.
6. Personal data
Take particular care with personal data, customer details, staff details or anything that identifies a living person. Putting this into the wrong tool may breach data protection law (GDPR). When in doubt, use approved Gemini or check with your manager first.
7. Checking accuracy
AI tools can sound confident while being wrong, including inventing facts, figures or sources. Always check anything an AI produces before you rely on it, share it or send it out. You remain fully responsible for any work you produce with AI help.
8. Product claims and regulatory content
AI must not be used to create or finalise product claims, label and packaging copy, or any cosmetic safety, regulatory or health-related content without proper review through our normal approval process. Getting this wrong carries legal and compliance risk.
9. Brand voice
Any AI-assisted content that goes to customers or the public must be reviewed so it matches our tone and brand before it is used.
10. Accountability
AI is a tool to support your work, not to replace your judgement. The member of staff using it is responsible for the final result.
