Launch of the Maplecroft Global Risks Portfolio

Press release - 18 November 2008

Sedex and Maplecroft are pleased to announce the formal launch of our Global Risks Portfolio.

Products in the portfolio build on Maplecroft’s definitive risk indices and include a range of tools and
resources to help Sedex members assess and manage non-financial risks relevant to their core
business. This includes:

Country Risks – analysis of global risks by country using quantitative indices and qualitative analysis, GIS-derived maps, stakeholder viewpoints and more (updated quarterly).
Human Rights – country level assessment of human rights risks and labour standards. Includes the Human Rights Risk Report 2008 and 2009 for a global perspective on risk.
Maps (FREE for first six months) – selection from over 70 global maps displaying more than 100 risk indices on issues such as child labour, health and safety, corruption etc.
Policy Bank (FREE for first six months) – off-the-shelf best practice policies, guidance and tools to support your goal of becoming a leading sustainable business.
Ethical Insight (FREE) – definitive source of accurate and up-to-date corporate responsibility news and publications (updated fortnightly).

The Maplecroft Global Risks Portfolio is currently available to Sedex A and AB members by logging in to http://www.sedex.org.uk and selecting "Maplecroft Global Risks Portfolio" from either their company landing page or reports page. Further information available from info@maplecroft.com

About Sedex

Sedex is a not for profit membership organisation for businesses committed to continuous improvement of the ethical and responsible practices in their supply chains. Sedex was founded in 2004 and is based in London, United Kingdom with a full time resource in Shanghai, China. The core product of Sedex is a secure web-based database for sharing information on four key pillars: labour standards, health and safety, business integrity and the environment. As a membership organisation, which includes members such as Tesco, Mothercare, Marks & Spencer, Premier Foods, Nestle, PepsiCo, Kettle Foods Limited, JE Piccavers and Freixenet, all members have input into the development of Sedex products and services and can participate in Sedex working groups that facilitate the sharing of best practice. Sedex is committed to working with other like-minded organisations to drive convergence worldwide in the approach to, and management of, ethical and responsible business practices. There are now more than 20,000 registered sites of employment across 132 countries, and over 250 organisations using their accounts to analyse and report on their supply chain. Web: http://www.sedex.org.uk

About Maplecroft

Maplecroft is a successful specialist research and advisory company established in 2001. It helps major brands manage global risks and corporate responsibility, build reputation and harness leadership opportunities. Creative design and software engineering are combined with meticulous analysis of the political, economic, social and environmental landscape, to communicate risk and responsibility in visually compelling ways. Maplecroft is a trusted advisor to some of the world’s leading businesses. Its employees are among the world’s leading non-financial risk analysts and thought leaders. Specialist services include carbon foot-printing, human rights monitoring, ethical value chain management, stakeholder engagement as well as award-winning sustainability reporting and strategy consulting.