ETHICAL FUNDS SCREENING SERVICE - DEFINITIONS

If you are unsure about the meaning of each criterion please refer to the helpful list of definitions.

Alcohol Production
Those funds which have a written policy to exclude from investment companies involved in the manufacture of alcoholic beverages

Alcohol Retail
Those funds which have a written policy to exclude from investment companies involved in the retail of alcoholic beverages

Animal Issues Intensive Farming
Those funds which have a written policy to exclude from investment companies involved in intensive farming. Individual fund definitions of intensive farming vary, but generally include production and/or processing of meat and dairy products, particularly poultry and pig farms

Animal Issues Meat
Those funds which have a written policy to exclude from investment companies involved in retailing of meat products (and possibly dairy products).

Animal Issues Other
Those funds which have a written policy to exclude from investment companies involved in other animal issues. A number of funds exclude involvement in the sale or manufacture of fur products, whilst more specific issues are also avoided in some cases, such as sale of whale meat.

Animal Testing Medical
Those funds which have a written policy to exclude from investment companies involved in animal testing for medical purposes or human health benefit.

If the fund criterion specifies animal tested products, but not ingredients, it is marked as "with exceptions".

Animal Testing Non-Medical
Those funds which have a written policy to exclude from investment companies involved in animal testing for non-medical purposes, such as cosmetics, toiletries and household products (such as cleaners).

If the fund criterion specifies one area (such as cosmetics), but not another (such as household cleaners), it is marked as "with exceptions". If the criterion specifies animal tested products, but not ingredients, it is marked as "with exceptions".

Animal Welfare
Those funds which have a positive screening approach favouring companies improving animal welfare. This approach may apply to animal testing, use of animals for food or alternative non-animal-products, so the exact text should be referred to below.

Armaments Non-Strategic
Those funds which have a written policy to exclude from investment companies involved in military or defence related products and services that are not of strategic design. This is a more strict armaments category covering areas such as unspecified contracts with the Ministry of Defence.

Armaments Strategic
Those funds which have a written policy to exclude from investment companies involved in the development, manufacture or supply of weapons, components of weapons and other strategic military equipment. Funds excluding nuclear military activity only will also be found under this criterion.

Education and Knowledge
Those funds which have a positive screening approach favouring companies involved in education or that provide educational products.

Employees
Those funds which have a positive screening approach favouring companies with good employment practices. Stated policies are variable and may include health & safety, equal opportunities, the disabled, flexible working and assistance with parental care.

Engagement Approach
Those funds which operate an engagement approach, either solely or in addition to negative and positive screening criteria

Environment Balanced Approach
Funds that exclude companies involved in environmentally damaging activities, only if each company does not demonstrate a positive response to that activity. An assessment of each company's positive and negative attributes is implied, such as environmental management and performance versus environmental impact.

Environment Negative Impacts
Those funds which exclude from investment companies that have generated particular negative impacts, such as pollution incidents, or that are involved in certain environmentally damaging activities. These exclusions are made regardless of positive steps the company may be taking to offset the negative impacts

Environmental Management
Those funds which have a positive screening approach favouring companies improving their environmental management, or with management that reaches a defined standard. Relevant issues include environmental policies, certification to international management standards, reporting and improvement targets.

Environmental Technology
Those funds which have a positive screening approach favouring companies that produce products with inherent environmental benefit. Common areas include renewable energy, water services, public transport, pollution control and waste management

Gambling Issues
Those funds which have a written policy to exclude from investment companies involved in gambling activities. Such activities vary widely in scope, for example casino operations at one end of the scale to retailing national lottery tickets at the other.

General Positive Approach
Those funds which make a general statement of intent to favour companies operating in positive ways, or with positive products & services. This criterion is only used on the database where the statement made by the fund is very general in nature such that it is difficult to define in other categories. Such statements generally refer to positive environmental practice, quality of life, human health or contribution to society.

GM Development
Those funds which have a written policy to exclude from investment companies involved in the development of genetically engineered materials, for example animals, crops and non-food products.

GM Use
Those funds which have a written policy to exclude from investment companies involved in the use of genetically modified ingredients in food production.

Health
Those funds which have a positive screening approach favouring companies that operate in the health sector, or that provide products with direct benefits to human health and/or quality of life.

Human Rights Countries Based
Those funds which exclude companies operating in countries deemed to have problems with human rights. Companies are excluded based on the risks involved in operating in the countries of concern, rather than solely on evidence of involvement in human rights violations

Human Rights Evidence Based
Those funds which exclude companies where there is evidence of involvement in violations of human rights

Human Rights Positive
Those funds which have a positive screening approach favouring companies with a positive approach to human rights related issues, based on policies, practices or other initiatives undertaken by that company

Nuclear Power
Those funds which have a written policy to exclude from investment companies involved in nuclear power generation. This category is limited to those covering direct involvement in power station operation or the uranium cycle

Nuclear Services
Those funds which have a written policy to exclude from investment companies involved in the provision of products and services to the nuclear industry.

Other Negative Criteria
Those funds which have a written policy to exclude from investment companies involved in other activities that may be of concern to investors. Such activities vary widely, but may include: general negative business behaviour; corporate governance issues; corporate banking; irresponsible marketing and advertising.

Other Positive Criteria
Those funds which have a screening approach that favour investment in companies with other positive attributes, often corporate governance, but also covering areas such as housing, pro-life issues and labelling for GM products.

Pornography Production
Those funds which have a written policy to exclude from investment companies involved in the production of pornography. Funds having a policy that excludes distribution of pornography are also shown in this category.

Pornography Retail
Those funds which have a written policy to exclude from investment companies involved in retailing of material that is judged to be pornographic.

Social and Community
Those funds which have a positive screening approach favouring companies with policies and practices directed at the community or other social causes. Common activities are charitable donations and involvement with underprivileged groups. Some statements refer to general community involvement or social return.

Tobacco Production
Those funds which have a written policy to exclude from investment companies involved in the production of tobacco products.

Tobacco Retail
Those funds which have a written policy to exclude from investment companies involved in the retailing of tobacco products.

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