Ethical Trading & Responsible Sourcing Policy
Our Commitment to Integrity, Sustainability & Wildlife Protection
At Alchemy Wares, we believe that spiritual wellbeing must never come at the cost of environmental harm, human exploitation, or criminal activity. Every incense stick, crystal, oil and ritual item we sell is part of a wider ecosystem — economically, environmentally and ethically.
We recognise that the spiritual goods industry is not immune to unethical sourcing practices. Around the world, the illegal wildlife trade, forced labour, unsustainable harvesting and environmental degradation continue to threaten biodiversity, communities and cultural heritage.
For this reason, ethical trading is not a marketing slogan for us — it is a foundational operating principle.
This page outlines:
- Our ethical sourcing philosophy
- Our supplier due diligence framework
- Our zero-tolerance approach to illegal wildlife trade
- Our compliance standards
- Our environmental commitments
- Our ongoing monitoring process
We are committed to transparency, accountability and continuous improvement.
1. Our Ethical Trading Philosophy
Alchemy Wares was built on the belief that products intended for spiritual alignment and inner harmony should reflect those same values in their creation.
We operate according to five core principles:
1. Integrity Over Margin
We will not source from suppliers who engage in harmful, illegal or unethical practices — even if it reduces short-term profit.
2. Protection of Wildlife & Biodiversity
We categorically refuse to sell products connected directly or indirectly to:
- The illegal wildlife trade
- Endangered species exploitation
- Unlawful timber harvesting
- Trafficked plant species
- Wildlife-derived ritual items
3. Fair & Transparent Supply Chains
We seek suppliers who:
- Pay fair wages
- Avoid forced or child labour
- Operate within their country’s legal framework
- Demonstrate traceability in sourcing
4. Environmental Responsibility
We prioritise products that:
- Use sustainable harvesting methods
- Avoid endangered flora
- Use recyclable or minimal packaging
- Reduce environmental impact wherever possible
5. Continuous Risk Assessment
As global trade evolves, so do risks. We continually assess emerging threats such as:
- Illegal agarwood harvesting
- Sandalwood smuggling
- Rosewood trafficking
- Wildlife-derived incense substitutes
2. Zero Tolerance for Illegal Wildlife Trade
The illegal wildlife trade is one of the largest transnational criminal industries in the world. It threatens:
- Elephants (ivory)
- Rhinos (horn)
- Pangolins
- Rare timber species
- Exotic birds
- Reptiles
- Endangered plant species
While incense and spiritual products may seem harmless, certain raw materials historically have been connected to:
- Illegal agarwood extraction
- Smuggled sandalwood
- Endangered plant resins
- Wildlife musk substitutes
- Animal-derived ritual products
Alchemy Wares operates a strict non-engagement policy:
We do not sell and will never sell:
- Animal-derived incense materials
- Wildlife musk
- Endangered wood species not legally certified
- Products requiring wildlife exploitation
- Ivory, bone, horn, shell, or wildlife ornamentation
- Products sourced from suppliers unable to demonstrate legal compliance
3. Due Diligence & Supplier Screening
Before onboarding any supplier, we assess:
3.1 Legal Compliance
Suppliers must confirm:
- Lawful operation in their jurisdiction
- Export compliance
- Ethical sourcing of raw materials
3.2 Wildlife Trade Risk Assessment
We evaluate:
- Whether raw materials include protected species
- Whether sourcing countries have known wildlife trafficking risks
- Whether CITES-listed species are involved
We will not engage with any supplier where documentation is unclear.
3.3 Material Traceability
We seek transparency in:
- Country of origin
- Source plantations or farms (where applicable)
- Manufacturing facilities
- Supply chain intermediaries
3.4 Ethical Declarations
Where appropriate, suppliers must confirm that:
- No wildlife trafficking is involved
- No illegal timber is used
- No endangered species materials are present
- No forced labour is used
4. Specific Product Categories & Risk Controls
4.1 Incense
Potential risks:
- Illegal agarwood (oud) harvesting
- Smuggled sandalwood
- Endangered tree resins
Our controls:
- We source incense brands with established manufacturing reputations.
- We avoid raw agarwood products unless sustainably cultivated.
- We do not sell endangered hardwood incense.
- We prioritise plant-based, non-animal ingredients.
4.2 Essential Oils
Potential risks:
- Unsustainable harvesting
- Wild plant depletion
Our approach:
- Preference for farmed botanicals.
- Avoid oils derived from endangered species.
- Seek suppliers who provide botanical origin transparency.
4.3 Crystals & Minerals
Mining can present ethical challenges including:
- Unsafe labour conditions
- Conflict financing
- Environmental degradation
Our standards:
- We work with established wholesalers with traceable import documentation.
- We avoid conflict-region sourcing where risk cannot be assessed.
- We support responsible mineral sourcing practices.
4.4 Wood & Ritual Items
Certain woods (e.g. rosewood, sandalwood species) are protected.
Our position:
- We do not sell protected hardwood species.
- We avoid wildlife-based ritual artefacts.
- We prioritise sustainably harvested alternatives.
5. Alignment with Global Standards
Our ethical framework aligns with:
- CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species)
- UK Wildlife and Countryside legislation
- UK Modern Slavery Act 2015 principles
- International anti-money laundering best practices
- Environmental sustainability standards
We recognise that illegal wildlife trade is often linked to:
- Organised crime
- Money laundering
- Corruption
- Human trafficking
We therefore consider wildlife protection part of broader financial and ethical integrity.
6. Anti-Money Laundering Awareness
Illegal wildlife trafficking generates billions annually and is often laundered through legitimate trade channels.
We are aware of:
- Trade-based money laundering risks
- Over/under-invoicing schemes
- Shell suppliers
- False origin declarations
Where applicable, we apply commercial prudence and documentation checks before engaging in new supply relationships.
7. Our Commitment to Transparency
We are committed to:
- Publishing our ethical stance publicly
- Reviewing supplier compliance regularly
- Removing products if ethical concerns arise
- Responding to legitimate sourcing enquiries
If any customer has concerns regarding sourcing, we welcome responsible dialogue.
8. Sustainability & Environmental Responsibility
Spiritual practice and environmental respect are inseparable.
We aim to:
- Reduce plastic packaging
- Use recyclable materials
- Minimise excess branding waste
- Avoid single-use unnecessary plastics
- Prioritise bulk shipping efficiency
Where possible, we work with suppliers who:
- Support replanting initiatives
- Operate managed plantations
- Avoid deforestation-linked sourcing
9. Continuous Monitoring & Review
Ethical trading is not static.
We:
- Review supplier relationships periodically
- Monitor changes in wildlife protection listings
- Stay aware of emerging trafficking risks
- Remove products if red flags emerge
As global regulations evolve, we adapt accordingly.
10. Why This Matters to Our Customers
When you purchase from Alchemy Wares, you are not only buying incense, oils or crystals.
You are supporting:
- Wildlife protection
- Responsible sourcing
- Ethical commerce
- Environmental stewardship
- Transparent business practices
We believe spiritual alignment should never be built on ecological harm.
11. Our Ongoing Commitment
We acknowledge that no supply chain is risk-free.
However:
- We operate in good faith.
- We conduct reasonable due diligence.
- We maintain a zero-tolerance stance on wildlife exploitation.
- We commit to continuous improvement.
If credible evidence ever suggests a product breaches our ethical standards, we will act.
12. Professional Integrity
Our commitment to ethical trade is reinforced by professional awareness of financial crime risks and illicit trade typologies. Ethical commerce requires vigilance.
We believe businesses — even small independent retailers — play a role in reducing global criminal markets.
Conclusion
Alchemy Wares exists to support spiritual wellbeing in a way that honours the natural world.
We do not sell products connected to illegal wildlife trade.
We do not knowingly engage with unethical suppliers.
We do not compromise integrity for profit.
Ethical sourcing is not optional. It is foundational.