Sustainability at Polar

Supply chain

Whenever we work with suppliers, we expect all our partners to act responsibly and comply with the regulatory requirements in the areas of occupational health and safety, environment, labour, and human rights. Our Supplier Code of Conduct sets the sustainability requirements for our suppliers.

It’s our responsibility to monitor our supply chain for human rights violations and compliance with regulations and standards. We do so by conducting frequent third-party audits.

Read Polar’s Supplier Code of Conduct

Human rights

We’re committed to conduct our business with high integrity. In everything we do, we strive not to infringe on human rights, nor to contribute to such infringements by others through our business relationships. Our approach to human rights is based on the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

We also observe current both national and international regulations. For example, we’re committed to comply with the European Union’s Conflict Minerals Regulation to prevent mine workers from being abused and support the development of local communities.

Our commitment to respecting human rights is more described in many policies, including our Supplier Code of Conduct. It includes strict principles against impacting human rights negatively and describes due diligence to identify, prevent, and mitigate adverse human rights impacts associated with our business activities.

These commitments apply to our employees and ambassadors as well as the partners and suppliers we work with in our supply chains.

A fair workplace for all

At Polar, we provide an inspiring, responsible and caring workplace for all. Our priorities include promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion at all levels of the company.

We are a global company with huge aspirations, rewarding and exciting work, plus a strong team spirit. We offer an environment where our employees can thrive, develop a unique set of skills, grow as a professional, and as a person.
We have specific guidelines in place in relation to well-being at work, performance and development, occupational health and safety, and more.

Fostering future talent is as important as hiring top talent. That’s why we’ve established several trainee programs to help young people gain experience for their future, long-term job.

We support Polar Ambassadors in their efforts to adopt more responsible sports practices, and make an impact on local communities.

Our whistleblowing channel provides a safe, confidential channel to ensure anyone at Polar can raise any concerns and report any matter that might be inconsistent with Polar’s policies.

Research

Since 1977, we’re at the forefront of research in the fields of wearable technology, sports sciences, physical activity and sleep. Our research team is actively involved in research collaborations globally and publishes dozens of innovative studies each year. Sharing our knowledge and expertise is one of our ways to give back to society.

Learn more about Polar Science

Timeless design

Our design philosophy is to create products that will stand the test of time. For that, we carefully select proportions, forms, and colours that will look stylish for a long time.

We also consider the use of standard sizes to facilitate combinability across seasons, situations, and lifestyles. The majority of our watches are compatible with standard wristband sizes, so everyone can easily swap and replace wristbands.

Responsible sourcing

One of our focus is selecting and using high-quality materials that are better for the environment and safe to use. The components and materials used in Polar products comply with both global and local regulations and standards of each country where our products are sold.

Our research team in Kempele, Finland is constantly exploring the use of new, more sustainable materials. Our collection of #tide wristbands, made from upcycled plastic waste, is one example.

As part of our supply chain due diligence, we require that suppliers are compliant with regulations, standards, and Polar’s material requirements. For example, suppliers must keep themselves up to date about banned chemicals in different markets, including the European Union’s list of substances restricted under REACH. We regularly monitor that our suppliers comply with this list and other requirements.

Long-lasting products

In addition to timeless aesthetics, we’re also committed to prolonging the product lifetime by utilizing the finest materials, offering software updates for years, and providing a comprehensive support library.

Inside our Kempele headquarters in Finland, there’s a usability test centre where our experts determine the long-term durability and environmental resistance of different materials. These complex tests help us select the finest materials to build the most durable products possible.

On top of physical longevity, we offer a minimum of five years of product support from the moment when the product was first distributed for sale. We keep product software updated with bug fixes and security patches for critical vulnerabilities as required.

All Polar watches and heart rate sensors come with a 2-year limited international guarantee. During this period, the product will be either repaired or replaced by an authorized Polar Central Service.

Learn more about Polar’s Limited International Guarantee

Recycling

Every Polar product contains materials that can be used to build something new. When a product reaches the end of its life, we all need to make sure these materials get recovered, helping preserve our planet’s natural resources. From packaging to batteries, the correct disposal of materials is fundamental to avoid waste from ending up in landfills.

Polar fulfils the national recycling requirements in all countries where the company operates. In most cases, we have contracts with local recycling companies for disposal of packaging and waste from electrical and electronic equipment.

The recycling process starts with the correct separation and sorting of different types of waste and recyclable materials. Learn how it’s done.

Learn how to recycle Polar products

Manufacturing

We own two factories in Asia (in China and in Malaysia). This allows us to hold ourselves to the highest standards for environmental practices in our manufacturing process.

Sometimes, we excel. In 2020, our facilities in China received the Guangzhou Excellent Level Clean Production Corporation status, honoured by Guangzhou Industry & Information Bureau and Guangzhou Ecology & Environment Bureau. More recently, our factory in Guangzhou was included in the 2022 Hong Kong-Guangdong Cleaner Production Partners awardees list.

Our factories are ISO 14001 certified which means that we have an environmental management system in place that meets the internationally agreed requirements. This standard requires that we assess the environmental risks and impact of our operations, including air pollution, water and sewage issues, waste management, soil contamination, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and resource use and efficiency.

Every year, a third-party auditing company examines that Polar continues to meet the evolving ISO 14001 standard.

Whistleblowing channel

Complying with both domestic and international legislation, and internal rules is a priority at Polar. To ensure this, we’re committed to continuously monitor and effectively react to any arising issues or behaviour that is unlawful, or which goes against our ethical principles and regulations. For that, we offer an opportunity for anonymous reporting and communication. We encourage employees, suppliers, external parties, or anyone with a current or past relationship with Polar to report any incidents of such a nature. We treat all reports seriously and will investigate promptly.

Go to Polar Speak Up channel (Whistleblowing)

Privacy and data security

Polar’s Privacy Notice is easily available on our website and describes how we handle personal information when you use our products and services. Our Privacy Notice explains in detail the types of information we collect when you use our products and services, and how we handle this data. It also tells your privacy rights and how to exercise them.

We never disclose, give, or sell your data to anyone unless we are required to do so pursuant to a mandatory provision of law.

Read Polar’s Privacy Notice

Anticorruption practices

Polar takes a zero tolerance approach towards corruption in all its forms. All employees must abstain from any acts of bribery or corruption, whether direct or indirect via the means of any intermediaries.

We encourage employees and suppliers to report any potential concerns through our whistleblowing channel.