Booster Socially Responsible Balanced Fund

Companies of concern

• Human Rights Violations

  • Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc 0.53%
    Human Rights Abuses

    Where the actions of companies have violated global standards on human rights and freedoms including customary rights of indigenous people.

    THERMO FISHER SCIENTIFIC INC Human Rights Abuses

    Thermo Fisher Scientific sells scientific instruments and laboratory equipment, diagnostics consumables, and life science reagents. Thermo Fisher DNA testing kits have been linked to surveillance and discriminatory purposes by the legal authorities in Xinjiang (a region of China) for monitoring and tracking the Muslim Uyghur ethnic group and other minorities. Evidence shows Thermo Fisher Scientific continues to supply DNA sequencing products to the Xinjiang region, despite the company announcing it would halt sales to the region in 2019.

  • Meta Platforms Inc-Class A 0.41%
    Public Safety

    Where companies are involved in significant harm to individuals or communities, through the unsafe nature of their products or delivery of services and inadequate response to evidence of harm.

    META PLATFORMS INC-CLASS A Public Safety

    Meta is the world’s largest online social network consisting of the Facebook app, Instagram, Messenger, WhatsApp, and many features surrounding these products. The company has faced several investigations and legal action linked to privacy-related allegations, including its handling of user data, and breaches of user privacy. Meta has also been criticised for its poor governance model, as well as allowing its platform in non-English speaking countries to be used to incite ethnic violence.

  • Johnson & Johnson 0.21%
    Public Safety

    Where companies are involved in significant harm to individuals or communities, through the unsafe nature of their products or delivery of services and inadequate response to evidence of harm.

    JOHNSON & JOHNSON Public Safety

    Johnson & Johnson is the world's largest and most diverse healthcare firm. The company has been involved in repeated incidents related to the quality and safety of several of its products across all three of the company’s business segments — drugs, devices, and consumer products. Several products have been associated with allegations of severe or even fatal adverse impacts on patients.

  • Uber Technologies Inc 0.07%
    Labour Rights Violations

    Where the actions of companies have violated global standards on labour rights and freedoms; including poor treatment of workers, child and forced labour, and modern slavery.

    UBER TECHNOLOGIES INC Labour Rights Violations

    Uber is a ride and food delivery service provider. Evidence shows the company has been prioritising revenue growth over driver welfare and user safety. As Uber considers its drivers to be contractors, this limits their employee rights to the minimum wage and other benefits, meaning drivers and vehicles are not subject to the labour standards expected from traditional taxi companies.

  • Wells Fargo & Co 0.06%
    Business Ethics

    Where low standards of ethics create harm because of poor culture and inappropriate incentives, inadequate governance and oversight, and incidents of bribery and corruption.

  • Caterpillar Inc 0.02%
    War & Conflict

    Where a company is complicit in its products or services enabling violations of the Geneva Convention and infringement of the rights of individuals in war or conflict situations.

    CATERPILLAR INC War & Conflict

    Caterpillar, a manufacturer of heavy equipment, power solutions, and locomotives, has a history of supplying the Israeli military. In 2004, Human Rights Watch reported the use of Caterpillar D9 bulldozers in demolishing over 250 Palestinian homes in Gaza, resulting in Palestinian casualties. Subsequently, in 2017, the Israeli military acquired numerous Caterpillar heavy engineering vehicles through a significant deal. The sale was financed by the United States Government, but the deal itself was between the Israeli military and Caterpillar. Incidents involving Caterpillar equipment causing harm to Palestinians have persisted, with recent instances reported as of 2023.
    These occurrences include the use of Caterpillar equipment in demolishing Palestinian homes in illegally occupied territories, constructing illegal settlements and their infrastructure on occupied land, as well as building the Separation Wall in the West Bank and the Gaza border wall. Evidence also suggests Caterpillar’s products have been used by third parties in other conflict-affected areas, including Myanmar and the Western Sahara. Caterpillar's continued supply to these conflict areas raises concerns about its complicity in the misuse of its products.

• Environmental Harm

  • Freeport-Mcmoran Inc 0.07%
    Environmental Damage

    Where companies, through their products or operations, are involved in environmental degradation e.g., pollution, chemical spills.

  • 3M Co 0.05%
    Animal Testing

    Where companies are involved in testing products on animals for cosmetic, personal care, household product, chemical and other uses. We do not include companies which conduct animal testing for pharmaceutical products, medical devices, biotechnology, human food, or pet food.

    Environmental Damage

    Where companies, through their products or operations, are involved in environmental degradation e.g., pollution, chemical spills.

    3M CO Animal Testing Environmental Damage

    3M Co is a diversified technology company that has been fined in recent years for environmental non-compliance, regarding the pollution of rivers, waterways and groundwater with toxic chemicals, broadly referred to as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). 3M Co also states it uses laboratory animals in the research and development of some products and is therefore considered to be involved in animal testing.

  • Barrick Gold Corp 0.03%
    Environmental Damage

    Where companies, through their products or operations, are involved in environmental degradation e.g., pollution, chemical spills.

  • Bayer US Finance Ii Llc 0.01%
    Animal Testing

    Where companies are involved in testing products on animals for cosmetic, personal care, household product, chemical and other uses. We do not include companies which conduct animal testing for pharmaceutical products, medical devices, biotechnology, human food, or pet food.

    GMOs

    Where companies are involved in the development or release of GMO plants and seeds.

    Highly Hazardous Pesticides

    Where companies are involved in the production or distribution of highly hazardous pesticides, according to the PAN International List of Highly Hazardous Pesticides.

    BAYER US FINANCE II LLC Animal Testing GMOs Highly Hazardous Pesticides

    Bayer CropScience is a chemicals company engaged in the development, manufacture and sale of insecticides, rodenticides, fungicides and herbicides. Based on the revenue data from fiscal year 2022, Bayer CropScience derived an estimated 75% of its revenue from the production and/or distribution of pesticides, particularly those classified as highly hazardous. The company is also active in plant biotechnology and the development of genetically modified seeds, and states that it tests some of its products on animals.

• Animal Cruelty

  • Hermes International 0.26%
    Animal Welfare Issues

    Where companies, through their products or operations, cause harm to animals e.g., animal entertainment (such as marine parks and rodeos), livestock exports, whale meat etc.

    Fur & Speciality Leather

    Where companies are involved in the production or retail of fur & speciality leather products (where animals are raised purely for skins).

  • Shin-Etsu Chemical Co Ltd 0.17%
    Animal Testing

    Where companies are involved in testing products on animals for cosmetic, personal care, household product, chemical and other uses. We do not include companies which conduct animal testing for pharmaceutical products, medical devices, biotechnology, human food, or pet food.

  • Unilever PLC 0.14%
    Animal Testing

    Where companies are involved in testing products on animals for cosmetic, personal care, household product, chemical and other uses. We do not include companies which conduct animal testing for pharmaceutical products, medical devices, biotechnology, human food, or pet food.

  • L'Oreal 0.12%
    Animal Testing

    Where companies are involved in testing products on animals for cosmetic, personal care, household product, chemical and other uses. We do not include companies which conduct animal testing for pharmaceutical products, medical devices, biotechnology, human food, or pet food.

    L'OREAL Animal Testing

    L'Oréal is a personal care company and cosmetics company concentrating on hair colour, skin care, sun protection, make-up, perfume, and hair care. The company states that its products are sold in countries where animal testing of cosmetic products is required by law.

  • Sherwin-Williams Co/The 0.07%
    Animal Testing

    Where companies are involved in testing products on animals for cosmetic, personal care, household product, chemical and other uses. We do not include companies which conduct animal testing for pharmaceutical products, medical devices, biotechnology, human food, or pet food.

  • 3M Co 0.05%
    Animal Testing

    Where companies are involved in testing products on animals for cosmetic, personal care, household product, chemical and other uses. We do not include companies which conduct animal testing for pharmaceutical products, medical devices, biotechnology, human food, or pet food.

    Environmental Damage

    Where companies, through their products or operations, are involved in environmental degradation e.g., pollution, chemical spills.

    3M CO Animal Testing Environmental Damage

    3M Co is a diversified technology company that has been fined in recent years for environmental non-compliance, regarding the pollution of rivers, waterways and groundwater with toxic chemicals, broadly referred to as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). 3M Co also states it uses laboratory animals in the research and development of some products and is therefore considered to be involved in animal testing.

  • Air Liquide SA 0.04%
    Animal Testing

    Where companies are involved in testing products on animals for cosmetic, personal care, household product, chemical and other uses. We do not include companies which conduct animal testing for pharmaceutical products, medical devices, biotechnology, human food, or pet food.

  • Church & Dwight Co Inc 0.04%
    Animal Testing

    Where companies are involved in testing products on animals for cosmetic, personal care, household product, chemical and other uses. We do not include companies which conduct animal testing for pharmaceutical products, medical devices, biotechnology, human food, or pet food.

  • Dow Inc 0.03%
    Animal Testing

    Where companies are involved in testing products on animals for cosmetic, personal care, household product, chemical and other uses. We do not include companies which conduct animal testing for pharmaceutical products, medical devices, biotechnology, human food, or pet food.

  • Bayer US Finance Ii Llc 0.01%
    Animal Testing

    Where companies are involved in testing products on animals for cosmetic, personal care, household product, chemical and other uses. We do not include companies which conduct animal testing for pharmaceutical products, medical devices, biotechnology, human food, or pet food.

    GMOs

    Where companies are involved in the development or release of GMO plants and seeds.

    Highly Hazardous Pesticides

    Where companies are involved in the production or distribution of highly hazardous pesticides, according to the PAN International List of Highly Hazardous Pesticides.

    BAYER US FINANCE II LLC Animal Testing GMOs Highly Hazardous Pesticides

    Bayer CropScience is a chemicals company engaged in the development, manufacture and sale of insecticides, rodenticides, fungicides and herbicides. Based on the revenue data from fiscal year 2022, Bayer CropScience derived an estimated 75% of its revenue from the production and/or distribution of pesticides, particularly those classified as highly hazardous. The company is also active in plant biotechnology and the development of genetically modified seeds, and states that it tests some of its products on animals.

  • Koninklijke Dsm Nv 0.01%
    Animal Testing

    Where companies are involved in testing products on animals for cosmetic, personal care, household product, chemical and other uses. We do not include companies which conduct animal testing for pharmaceutical products, medical devices, biotechnology, human food, or pet food.

  • Richemont International 0.01%
    Firearms

    Where companies are involved in the manufacturing or retail of firearms, including guns, rifles, pistols, or components or services thereof.

    Fur & Speciality Leather

    Where companies are involved in the production or retail of fur & speciality leather products (where animals are raised purely for skins).

• Fossil Fuels

  • Weir Group PLC/The 0.11%
    Fossil Fuel Production

    Where companies are involved in the production of fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal, shale oil) including exploration, production (including core services), storage, transport (except by rail) and refining.

  • Compagnie De Saint Gobain 0.03%
    Fossil Fuel Production

    Where companies are involved in the production of fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal, shale oil) including exploration, production (including core services), storage, transport (except by rail) and refining.