In the early 2000s, we chose to be certified under Svensk Miljöbas (a Swedish environmental certification framework) as a way to structure and clarify our environmental work. What initially focused on our own operations has since evolved into a comprehensive system covering the entire value chain, including social responsibility in our supplier network. We work with clear goals for areas such as purchasing, transport, recycling, and waste management, and we review progress annually through internal checks and numerous external audits.

A low price also has a price

Already in 2004, we published our first sustainability report. We were early pioneers in CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility), actively addressing issues that were far from standard in many production countries at the time—such as safe fire exits, reasonable working hours, and correct overtime compensation.
As part of this work, we developed our own CSR handbook based on our Code of Conduct and shared a clear message: “A low price also has a price.” To ensure it truly reached its audience, we translated the handbook into Chinese. For many years, we worked intensively with internal inspections, cultural awareness, and long-term improvement efforts.

In 2011, we carried out our first third party external social responsibility audit, and since then we have reviewed our factories annually—both through internal follow-ups and independent external controls. In recent years, this work has been further strengthened through our membership in BSCI/amfori, where our suppliers are evaluated according to international guidelines for working conditions and ethical responsibility.

When testing chemical content we even anticipate future regulations

Nästa stora steg tog vi 2014 då vi genomförde en fullständig inventering av vårt produktlager utifrån kemiskt innehåll. I samarbete med vår kemikaliekonsult har vi sedan dess aktivt testat våra produkter i professionella laboratorier – inte enbart enligt standardkrav, utan med anpassade baserade på varje produkts unika material och riskprofil. Vi arbetar med ett djupgående och förebyggande tillvägagångssätt som inte bara tar hänsyn till dagens regelverk, utan även morgondagens.

Vårt långsiktiga arbete började också få externt erkännande. År 2015 utsågs vi till Årets leverantör av reklamproduktbranschen.

In 2017, we received the “Initiative of the Year” award from the Municipality of Jönköping, Sweden. Part of the motivation stated: “AD Company is a company of our time that clearly demonstrates that it is possible to build commercial success on sustainability and social responsibility.”

Vi fortsatte i samma riktning och fördjupade vårt arbete med spårbarhet. De flesta av våra leverantörer har samarbetat med oss ​​i årtionden, vilket gör det enklare att möta de ökande kraven på transparens. I slutet av 2022 utökade vi vårt ansvarstagande till att omfatta inte bara våra huvudproducenter, utan även aktörerna bakom råvaror och komponenter. Detta ger oss bättre insikt, starkare kontroll och större möjlighet att påverka varje steg – från råvara till färdig produkt.

We monitor our complete carbon footprint

In 2023, we began a complete carbon footprint calculation for our entire business using the GHG method (Greenhouse Gas Protocol). We now track the climate impact of each individual product annually across scopes 1, 2 and 3 of the GHG Protocol.

Under 2024 började vi att fasa ut standardmaterial och i stället välja återvunna material vid alla nya inköp – en konkret satsning som minskar vårt klimatavtryck och tar vårt ansvarstagande ett steg längre.

In 2025, we took another important step: we became the first importer in Sweden—and likely in Europe—to stock a wide range of PFAS-free products made from recycled materials. Research leaves no doubt: PFAS poses documented risks to both human health and the environment—and we take that extremely seriously.

In January 2026, we were awarded the ”Sustainability Award of the Year” with the following motivation:

“The Sustainability Award of the Year is presented to an organisation that consistently leads the way in environmental and sustainability work. As a team, you take responsibility for the environment we all share, with truly ambitious goals. You work continuously with a genuine focus on a long-term strategy to improve the products brought to market – most recently with the objective of becoming PFAS-free.”