Absolutely

At Absolute Essential we are blessed with one of the most breathtaking natural environments in the world.

For us there is absolutely no question about the importance of preserving and protecting the land that supports us.

We have no secrets, we take no shortcuts. Our oils are the best you will find because they are a product of a

blanket policy for full natural integrity.

No animals have been hurt, no land has been spoiled. No over-sized industrial companies will ever be involved, no

petrochemicals, parabens or pesticides used. No workers will be undervalued, no trading will be unfair.

At every possible opportunity we will promote the natural health and wellbeing of our planet and its people.

Philosophy
We are a proudly New Zealand company and embrace the bounty of Aotearoa spirit.

We believe that people and planet are dynamic beings with a natural capacity for perfect balanced health; that

everything in the natural world is connected; and that it is not possible to nurture authentic health in one living

being with a process that is damaging to another.

The more we strive to protect our environment and produce oils from harmonious organic processes, the greater

the medicinal effect through natural integration with the body.

Absolute Essential has nurtured sustainable business practice since its inception 26 years ago.

We are committed to exemplary environmental, ethical and fair standards at all stages.

We source organic or wild-grown ingredients originating in 56 countries worldwide and deal direct to
support small-hold, eco-friendly businesses, making conscious choices to benefit future generations.

The final crafting of the raw materials takes place at our in-house certified organic factory.

We plant trees for air miles. Practice a 'zero-waste' recycling policy. Employ all on-site workers locally.
And practice conscious consumption from eco-lights to low-volume printing.

We do not use petrochemicals, parabens, cleaning chemicals or pesticides. We do not work with large
industrial companies. We do not use materials that have been tested on animals.

Our holistic healthcare practice gives us invaluable insight to the needs of the people we serve.
On Site

Absolute Essential Distilleries Even when it is nothing more than a tin roof over a distiller seemingly in the
middle of nowhere, each distillery that serves the Absolute Essential factory practices an artisan level of essential

oil production. All over the world we support small organic farms and cooperatives that produce organic or

sustainable-wild harvests for a hand-crafted distillation process. In some cases, entire villages are supported by our

collective purchases. We pay fairly and receive unique quality oil to our specifications.

Most of our producers have been supplying us for at least 20 years.

Absolute Essential Headquarters We are a small dedicated team with a collaborative work ethic and a healthy,
supportive, work environment. The Absolute Essential offices, clinic and in-house certified organic factory are

situated on a rural, 16 acre site. When the premises were first converted from a barn and an original cobbles

factory, back in 2002, we took pains to create a healthy, eco-friendly space. We made a deliberate move from

Auckland city centre because we wanted to achieve a greater degree of sustainable green business practice. We

strive to attract and protect wildlife through our non-spray/ non-poison policy for the entire property and have

planted thousands of trees to enrich the natural environment (plenty of natives such as Flax and Kowhai).

Our in-house organic factory was certified organic by Assure Quality in 2008.

The Absolute Essential Holistic Healthcare Clinic has been an integral part of our operational development for
over 15 years. All Absolute Essential therapeutic blends have been created through direct experience in this

registered medicinal practice. Founding director Bo Hendgen D.O.N.D is a qualified naturopath, osteopath and

aromatic medicine practitioner, with over 17 years of hands on experience. She is currently available for personal

online consultancy, click here.

Absolute Essential also has a specialty product line called Organic Equine Health. Designed for professional horse

care based on the same exceptional standards of organic natural ingredients.

About Us
ABSOLUTE ESSENTIAL IS COMMITTED TO SUSTAINABILITY

Absolute Essential, is a NZ company creating specialised natural healthcare products utilising pure, therapeutic

plant oils. We have maintained an enduring commitment to upholding positive environmental and sustainable

choices in our business operations

since our inception 26 years ago. Our products are 100% natural and have been developed through direct contact

with our suppliers to ensure the best ecological growing, harvesting, extraction and production processes possible.

We have always worked from the strength of a dedicated, professional natural healthcare practice based in the

community, and thus have grown our business from the insight of genuine relationship with both suppliers and

customers.

A sustainable business considers the whole journey

Not just the end product that the consumer enjoys but the entire process: from the fields in a small village in

Somalia to the plan, the research, the processes and the design... to our Muriwai organic factory in New

Zealand to the bathroom shelves in Ponsonby, Hong Kong, London and beyond. Our eyes are not only on profit,

but also on effects and consequences - for local environment, people, and the wider global story.

Therein Lies Our Challenge

The main principles of sustainability that define our choices as a sustainable business are:

a) Quality of life

b) Economic vitality (health and diversity)

c) Social equality and mutual benefit

d) Consensus and participation

e) Quality of the environment

Absolute Essential's policy for sustainable practice has evolved with a three-fold focus on: our product, our

people and our environment, in the following ways

A commitment to providing products that are 100% natural and pure, with organic and wild credentials
to offer the highest therapeutic value to the end customer

Integral policies and exemplary practice to promote the 'green' ethic wherever possible
 Commitment to product development, natural health education and broadening market potential

Quality of work environment, consensual management and commitment to employee care

Commitment to supporting local economies and local employment in New Zealand

A commitment to social sustainability and responsible, mutual alliance with our suppliers

Direct sourcing to support small-hold, eco-friendly businesses, and conscious decisions to benefit future
generations, globally

Commitment to conscious consumption and renewable resources, including active environmental

measures, especially to benefit local ecologies.

Commitment to innovation and investment in sustainable solutions.

Our ongoing endeavors in these areas can be illustrated by the following achievements and practices:

PRODUCT

Local:

1. Our raw materials are manufactured in our certified organic, onsite factory (certification granted in 2009

through Asure Quality).

2. In 2014 all product packaging was upgraded to 100% recycled (Cocoon post consumer paper stock).

3. We have digitalized our order forms, catalogues and newsletters to encourage less printed materials.

4. Our company premises, factory and clinic, demonstrate 'green' principles in action.

5. We are proactive in establishing new markets and developing product lines for diversified economic

vitality. We expanded our product offering into four distinct consumer catalogues: Health & Wellbeing,

Home & Living, Mother & Child, Skin & Body.

6. In 2014 our sustainable efforts were recognised by New Zealand Natural Products as 'exemplary among
businesses'. We were awarded the NPNZ Sustainable Business prize.

Global:

1. We source direct from small-hold farmers and distillers, to ensure quality organic and wild materials,

and exceptional purity standards for extraction and processing.

2. In 2004 we were awarded a small business' grant for investment to marketing and brand identity in Asian

and North American Markets.

3. We are actively growing our market and promoting pure Therapeutic Plant Oils through select

distributors in Australia and Asia.

4. In 2015 we contracted a small artisan co-operative in Nepal to supply handmade eco paper for our
presentation storage boxes.

PEOPLE
Local:

1. All full-time employees are local and live typically within a 10-15 minute (walk or drive) radius.

2. We are a small and dedicated team. Opinions are valued and suggestions welcomed. We review and

discuss all new products among staff without hierarchy in an informal and relaxed way. Marketing ideas

are often reshaped based on staff input, or more recently

3. The working environment was deliberately chosen to be pleasant and healthy for our employees. A

converted, natural wood barn set in 16 acres of natural woodland and bush. Wooden, sprung floors, good

air flow and natural light, natural insulation, ergonomic work stations and a no smoking policy.

4. We enjoy a healthy work ethic of regular breaks in the surrounding natural environment, fresh fruit

available from the local organic orchard, and an enhanced work environment using therapeutic plant oils.

5. All employees receive free natural healthcare products and benefits.

6. We make regular product donations to 'Woman's Refugee', as well as providing product and training to

Hospice and Aids Foundation. We also offer support and product donations to local schools and child

care services, as well as local groups like volunteer fire services, environmental groups and general

fundraisers.

7. We have now run two annual seminar series at various national and international venues to provide

professional natural healthcare training to a wider audience. Webinars and You Tube educationals are
coming soon.

Global:

1. We support small-hold farmers and producers with organic certification, (eg Eco Cert, Bio Grow), or

sustainable wild production, in 56 countries worldwide.

2. Through regular visits and personal contact we assure hands on quality control of the medicinal grade oil

we require. Equally important are the mutually rewarding, long-term relationships we have established.

For example, our Frankincense and Myrrh are sourced in collaboration with a French cooperative from

Somalia. The plants grow wild in the desert for more than 30 years. An entire village is supported by

our collective purchase. We pay them fairly; they produce unique quality oil to our specifications. Most

of our producers have been supplying us directly for at least 20 years.

3. Our company charitable donations support 12 children in 7 different countries through Child Fund and

World Vision, since 1992.

4. We have an on-going relief fund for our supplier villages in Nepal and have made direct emergency

relief deliveries (Blog) as well as specific rebuild contributions (Blog) to ensure continued trade and

employment for hard hit areas.

5. In 2015 Absolute Essential was represented by company founder and natural health expert Bo Hendgen
at a national volunteer health camp for pilgrims in the Hymalayas, Nepal (Blog).

ENVIRONMENT
Local:

1. In 2002, we relocated from our central Auckland premises to a rural, 16 acre site. All full-time

employees are local and live typically with a 10-15 minute (walk or drive) radius, cutting down our

carbon footprint.

2. Our bamboo retail display units significantly reduce our environmental impact in comparison to the

plastic, disposable display standards of almost all retail displays. They are made on demand for cost

effective ordering, flat-packed for economic shipping, supported by a free-return shipping or pick up as a

re-usable resource.

3. Our factory and main building have been restored and renovated from original cobbles factory and barn

constructions. We enjoy the shade of mature deciduous trees and are set into the property 50 meters

away from the nearest road. We have chosen to install no air-conditioning but have instead insulated

using efficient natural materials, with an open design to ensure natural air circulation and plenty of

natural light.

4. We use no chemicals, either for cleaning or insect or rodent control.

5. We promote energy efficiency with a strict 'switch off when not in need' ethic, lots of natural light and

energy efficient light bulbs. Rain water is collected and stored in concrete tanks and filtered for use. We

recycle: paper, plastic, metal, glass, and make our own compost. We have a 'zero waste' policy with an

onsite septic tank and wetlands planted, and no actual raw materials/products disposed of, everything is

recycled or utilized, donated etc.

6. We strive to attract and protect wildlife through our non-spray or poison policy for the entire property

and have planted thousands of trees to enrich the natural environment (plenty of natives such as Flax and
Kowhai).

Global:

1. International sourcing is an unavoidable part of our business so we are always looking to improve

efficiency and minimise environmental impact. In 1999, we moved to amalgamate freight in strategic

central locations, eg. France, Australia, Northern Africa and India.

2. Since 2002 we have been planting one tree for every 100 air-miles clocked up in business travel.

(Directly onto our surrounding 16 acres, including 6 acres converted bush.)

3. We refuse products which are animal tested, and are a member of SAFE .