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| Privacy & Use Policy Candlewick Press, Inc., 99 Dover Street, Somerville, MA 02144 (Tel No. 617-661-3330) is committed to protecting your privacy. We use any information we obtain about you to communicate with you and to provide a personalized experience on our site. Please read on for more details about our privacy & use policy. Information: what do we collect, how do we collect it, and how do we use it? Using "Cookies" Google Analytics Disclosure of Information to Others Updating Your Information Your Consent Tell Us What You Think Copyright Trademarks Use Limitation Permission Requests Please note we cannot process any requests that are not submitted in writing. We estimate a minimum of 4 weeks from the date of submission before being able to respond to any such requests. However, please note that this timing estimation may be subject to variation. No Unlawful or Prohibited Use Liability Disclaimer Links to Third-Party Vendor Sites No Unauthorized Linking Access Restriction Modification of These Terms and Conditions Applicable Law Click here for Bunny, My Honey Board Book Recall Information. Service Contact Copyright © 2000 Candlewick Press, Inc. 99 Dover Street, Somerville, MA 02144. All rights reserved.
It is Walker Books Ltd, Walker Books Australia, Candlewick Press Inc and Walker Productions Ltd's ("the
Walker Group") policy to conduct business in an honest way, and without the use of corrupt practices or acts
of bribery to obtain an unfair advantage.
Everyone at Candlewick Press is committed to making the world a better place, not just through the books we publish but also in the way we work. You can read here about our green initiatives and our commitment to improving life in our community. A strong sense of ethics is intrinsic to most great children’s books, so to us, taking our responsibilities seriously seems obvious: more than that, it is central to everything we do. As a publisher of more than two hundred books a year in the United States alone, we’re particularly aware of our impact on the environment and have always done everything we could to ensure that that impact is positive rather than negative. Here are some of the ways in which we are working: Our Books and ProductsAs a producer of children’s books, we aim to do business with suppliers who recognize a social accountability standard, and we are engaged in a number of projects to make that goal a reality. Candlewick Press will not knowingly use paper sourced from high-risk regions or other controversial sources. We are deeply committed to halting the production of all paper from controversial sources, which are defined as: Producers and fiber associated with the loss of old growth, intact or primary forests, tropical peatlands and peatland forests, or other high-carbon landscapes; producers and fiber associated with the loss of habitats of threatened or endangered fish and wildlife species; producers and fiber associated with the loss of high conservation values; producers and fiber associated with the conversion of natural forests to plantations lacking natural forest diversity or to non-forest land uses (and thus likely reducing forest carbon stocks and maintaining forest landscapes, biodiversity and resource sustainability); producers and fiber associated with violations of indigenous or local community rights; producers and fiber associated with violations of laws applicable to forest allocation, management, production, and trade; and producers and fiber associated with the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs); producers and fiber associated with the use of elemental chlorine and harmful water and air pollution; producers and fiber associated with companies that have failed to address the legacy of negative social and environmental impacts of their operations via restoration/compensation efforts and resolution of land and social conflict with affected communities whose rights have been violated by a process mutually agreed by the parties. (Source: Rainforest Action Network) As a global publishing group we have stopped using paper from controversial Indonesian sources and do not do business with the Indonesian mills of Asia Pulp and Paper and Asia Pacific Resources International Limited. Our minimum paper requirement is a three-star rating on the PREPS database, and Candlewick Press actively encourages print partners to improve recycled grades and FSC availability. We are currently 100 percent three stars and above with the goal of having 40 percent FSC stock in Asia, subject to availability and cost, and will work diligently towards being able to report a higher increase over the next three years. In addition, we support and encourage our suppliers to operate in accordance with our high standards. PREPS Candlewick Press and our parent company, Walker Books Group, are founding members of the Publishers' Database for Responsible Environmental Paper Sourcing (PREPS), an organization that provides objective information about paper and its sources. PREPS is a joint initiative of twenty-three leading publishers. Together, these companies have set up a database of technical specifications and details of the pulps and forest sources for each of the papers they use, with the aim of ensuring that we all use legally harvested and sustainable forest sources. Based on this information, each paper will be awarded a grade of one to five stars, using the PREPS Grading System. This system considers whether material has been legally harvested (or recycled) and how the forest sources have been managed. Our policy is to use materials that are three-star grades and above, which excludes pulp of uncertain origin, including Indonesian, and we have been actively substituting our core range of papers to stock with traceability. The rating system also encompasses FSC and PEFC certification. Further information about PREPS can be found at www.prepsgroup.com. Independent Fiber Testing We carry out fiber testing with an external testing laboratory and are currently working toward having all group papers from Asia tested at random from each of our printers to cross-reference the data we hold from both the PREPS database and fiber profiles from our print partners. For domestic printings, where papers originate in North America, we will cross-reference via fiber testing the environmental renewable credentials against information supplied by the printer and mills. Forest Stewardship Council The Forest Stewardship Council is an international nonprofit organization founded in 1993 to promote and recognize good and sustainable forestry practices around the world. At Candlewick Press, we insist that all our suppliers hold the FSC Chain of Custody, a tool for tracking and confirming how much wood fiber comes from a certified forest. It certifies that all raw wood material is from legal sources and also certifies the tracing process. Wherever possible we use FSC grades, which ensures that the paper and board in our books are natural recyclable products made from wood grown in sustainable forests. This helps to prevent illegal logging as well as preserve indigenous habitats and wildlife. The manufacturing process must also conform to the environmental regulations of the country of origin. For more information, visit www.fsc.org. Recycling Overall, Candlewick Press makes every effort to minimize waste wherever possible, both in our supply chain and our office environment. PRELIMS Candlewick Press’s parent company, Walker Books, also belongs to PRELIMS, an umbrella organization for companies in the international book trade who want their products to meet the highest ethical standards. We are all working together through PRELIMS to promote and implement a common, internationally recognized social accountability standard, which both we and our suppliers must adhere to. For further information, please visit www.prelims.org. CARE The standards we are adopting derive from those used by the global toy industry and managed by its industry body, the International Council of Toy Industries. Called the CARE Process, the standard covers areas such as working conditions, health and safety, remuneration, working hours, and the prohibition of the use of child or forced labor. For more information about social accountability and for details about CARE, please visit www.toy-icti.org. Product Testing We want to ensure that our books are fun and safe, and all of our products with play value are tested to relevant legislation EN 71 (Europe). Candlewick Press products are and will remain in compliance with the relevant portions of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008, which went into effect August 14, 2008. Please refer to: www.cpsc.gov for complete details and the latest information on this act. Please direct any further questions on Candlewick products to us at productsafety@candlewick.com. Our Work with Charities and the Local CommunityCaring for children is at the heart of what we do, and Candlewick Press has a long history of supporting literacy and charitable organizations, including, but not limited to, Reading Is Fundamental, First Book, the Department of Social Services, the Boys and Girls Club of America. Candlewick Press in the CommunityAs anyone who has worked with children knows, often the most precious thing you can give them is your own time. So as well as donating books to schools and educators, a number of Candlewick staff participate in the Read to a Child program. Read to a Child (readtoachild.org) is a national nonprofit literacy and mentoring organization that inspires caring adults to read aloud to children. Our Working EnvironmentWhen Candlewick Press moved offices in March 2008, we made sure that environmentally friendly materials were used in our new office space, from our light bulbs to flooring materials, which are a combination of concrete and bamboo. We also used sustainable fabrics for some of our furnishings and kept a substantial portion of our furniture from our old offices to use in our new space. Recycling: We encourage all employees to recycle, and to make it easier, we make sure every desk has a recycle bin and each department a separate bin. Our paper recycling efforts typically yield approximately 19,000 pounds of paper each year. Every effort is made to use recycled paper products as much as possible. Energy efficiency: We encourage everyone to be energy-conscious, to switch off unwanted lights and turn off computers when not in use, whether during the day or when leaving work. Our office lights are also programmed to switch off after business hours, and the interior offices have sensors so the lights automatically turn off when rooms are not occupied. We also use timers on our HVAC systems so they automatically shut off each weekday and stay off over weekends and holidays to conserve electricity. Drinking water: We filter our drinking water from the main water line rather than using bottled water, and we encourage use of glasses instead of plastic cups. Photocopier paper: Our paper is supplied from sustainable sources and returns to the recycling process as waste. The aim is for everyone to print only when necessary and to print on both sides of the paper. In the summer of 2009, Candlewick, in an effort to reduce our paper consumption, replaced the distribution of printed manuscripts with distribution via e-reader devices. Video conferencing: We use our in-house video conferencing facilities to help reduce “meeting
miles.”
About this statement This is an updated statement from the Walker Group published in accordance with the Modern Slavery Act 2015. This statement demonstrates our compliance with the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and our progress during the financial year end 31 December 2021. The statement sets out the steps the Walker Group continues to take in order to address and eliminate the risk of modern slavery and human trafficking taking place within our organisation and supply chains. The Modern Slavery Act 2015 provides for the following offences: slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour and human trafficking. The Walker Group The Walker Group includes Walker Books Ltd, Walker Books Australia, Candlewick Press Inc and Walker Productions. As one of the world's leading publishers of books and content for children and young adults, we are committed to protecting the fundamental human rights of all individuals involved in all aspects of our organisation and supply chains, and to improving our practices to combat slavery and human trafficking. The principles of sustained fair labour are embedded within our organisation. Our aim has consistently been to create a safe environment for all those involved in our business. The Walker Group recognises and champions the need for transparency and accountability. Our focus is on children and young adults and we endeavour to enrich their lives through the products we produce. The need for a rigorous and responsible attitude to ensure that what we do in no way harms, prejudices or enables people to exploit anyone involved in the publishing process is never underestimated and remains at the forefront of how we conduct our business. Our Supply Chain The Walker Group continues to evaluate and assess its global impact in its production activities and the supply of books, merchandise and other content for children and young adults. The nature of our business requires a supply chain involving third party suppliers in the following areas: paper, printing, logistics (including transportation), repro and safety testing Within our organisation itself, we do not discriminate in any way and ensure that all staff are treated fairly and equally. We employ a number of company policies which support our commitment to combatting modern slavery, and to creating a safe working environment for all employees. All relevant policies are outlined in the Policies and Procedures section of this statement. As part of our business practices, in addition to producing our own books and related materials, we license others to produce products using our brands. Those merchandising licensees are required to adhere to the standards set out in the Walker Group's Code of Conduct. We continue to follow our green approach to the way our offices are run and we purchase Fairtrade products wherever possible. The Book Chain Project Walker is a founding signatory of the Book Chain Project - a collaborative project involving leading publishers, suppliers and manufacturers, working together to ensure better supply chains by supporting publishers to make informed decisions throughout their supply chain activities. Walker is a member of two strands of the project - Forest Sourcing, which relates to responsible forestry sourcing, and Labour & Environment, which relates to labour practice, human rights and environmental standards within the print production supply chain. More information on our involvement in the Book Chain Project throughout our supply chain can be found in the Policies and Procedures and Due Diligence and Risk Assessment sections of this statement. Policies and Procedures Walker has a number of policies in place which contribute to our efforts towards addressing and tackling modern slavery in the workplace and beyond and continues to add to the list of policies. All our employees, contractors and, where relevant, visitors, are bound by these policies. All company policies are readily available on our HR system. The following policies are aimed at ensuring the correct conduct is followed at all times within our business. Our working environment adheres to best health and safety practices, no acts of bribery are tolerated, all individuals are treated equally and fairly, and our output reflects our company values in respect of sustainability and the environment. Relevant policies are listed below:
Due Diligence and Risk Assessment We continually assess our performance and that of our suppliers in order to mitigate the risk of modern slavery and human trafficking taking place. In doing so, we adopt the following procedures: Identify and assess potential risk areas and mitigate the risk of slavery and human trafficking occurring in our supply chains: our risk assessment and due diligence process includes identifying high risk suppliers based on geography, using the Book Chain Project's Country Risk Tool. This tool is available on the Book Chain Project website and helps to guide us regarding which suppliers to concentrate on in terms of risk and auditing requirements. As part of our involvement with the Book Chain Project, members from our production team attend meetings twice per year in the Labour & Environment division. These meetings provide a forum for publishers to come together and discuss labour practices and environmental management. Publishers have the opportunity to review any issues encountered, along with any cause for concerns. Previous discussions have involved recruitment practices of suppliers in high-risk areas, as well as health and safety practices in factories and human rights issues. Those who attend these meetings are able to provide feedback to other team members, allowing us to constantly review our supply chain practices and highlight areas for change. In addition, members of our production team attend meetings twice per year in the Forest Sourcing division - this provides an opportunity to discuss good practice in sourcing and helps us to identify responsible forest sources for our books. The Book Chain Project's Forest Sourcing tool operates a grading system to analyse and distil data on tree species and country of origin - manufacturers are therefore held accountable and graded. This allows us to make better informed decisions. We also use the Forest Risk Assessment tool provided by the Project in order to identify high risk countries. We have also sent 'Best Practice' documents, through Book Chain, to our suppliers on responsible recruitment. Monitor potential risk areas in our supply chain: if any of our suppliers are identified as operating in high-risk areas, including any of our printing suppliers, we ask those suppliers to upload valid audits i.e., valid audits which have been conducted in the last 12 months, from a third-party auditor (ICTI or SMETA), along with any relevant corrective action plans. Valid audits need to be provided before they can become an accredited supplier. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, suppliers were given a six months' extension for audit renewal. The audits focus specifically on labour standards, with the onus being on that supplier to improve their business practices. This information is uploaded to the Book Chain Project Labour & Environment tracker. This level of transparency and accountability allows us to monitor supplier performance and any potential threat of risk of modern slavery or human trafficking to our supply chain. Monitoring Effectiveness We continue to monitor our performance in recognising and eliminating the risk of modern slavery and human trafficking within our organisation and supply chains. By enabling individuals to raise concerns about any of our working practices, or those of our suppliers or contractors, we are able to continuously review compliance through investigating any concerns. In the last year, no concerns were raised by any of our staff members regarding our internal working practices within the Walker Group. To ensure a high level of understanding of the risks of modern slavery and human trafficking, we support training to relevant departments and teams. We ask that all our suppliers adhere to the Book Chain Project's industry Code of Conduct, which outlines our commitments to our suppliers as publishers, and what we expect from those suppliers in return. The Code sets out standards of labour practice and environmental performance, and is based on internationally recognised standards, codes and laws, including; the ILO Conventions, the UN Declaration for Human Rights and the ETI Base Code (the “Code”). The Code is regularly updated and includes statements regarding forced labour, sub-contracting, wages, discrimination and child labour. The Code includes a clause (Clause 1.1) which states that suppliers must not use forced or bonded labour, and upon signing into the Book Chain Project, the suppliers are deemed to have agreed to this clause. In the event that we discover, or it is brought to our attention, that modern slavery or human trafficking is taking place within our supply chain, it is our policy to terminate our relationship with that supplier in line with our zero-tolerance approach. In 2019, Walker suspended relations with a new supplier after discovering that the supplier had outworked some of their printing workers. We would insist that any suppliers who wish to outwork should supply a valid audit for anyone the work is outsourced to. This statement is made pursuant to section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and constitutes Walker Group's slavery and human trafficking statement for the financial year ending 31 December 2021. It was approved by the Board. Candlewick Press |
| • | Privacy & Use Policy | |
| • | Legal Notices | |
| • | Recall Notices | |
| • | Anti-bribery Policy | |
| • | Environmental Policy | |
| • | Modern Slavery Statement | |