A Safe Tomorrow is our strategic plan to help secure a safer future by being more sustainable in how we develop and deliver products and services and how we work with customers and partners.
Arco continues to drive positive change with market-leading approach to sustainability
The 2025 Sustainability Report highlights further progress that enhances our sustainability proposition for customers.
Following a year of robust financial results and strategic investment, the publication of the Annual Sustainability Report highlights the incredible progress we've made. It showcases our bold actions on environmental and social responsibility, that ensure customers benefit from both market-leading safety solutions and ethical sourcing practices.
A recognised high performer
By embedding sustainability into everything we do, and ensuring all impacts are measurable and validated, the achievements in the report reflect our ongoing commitment to ESG leadership and long-term value creation.
The approach saw us awarded EcoVadis 'Gold' status earlier in 2025, highlighting the high quality of Arco's sustainability management system. 'Gold' status ranks us in the industry's top 5% for sustainability performance and a single percentage point from achieving Platinum status, the highest possible grading.
Climate commitments that go further
In February 2025, the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) officially validated our carbon reduction targets. The SBTi is a global body that enables businesses to set ambitious emission targets, Arco's validated carbon reduction targets will cut emissions by 4.2% annually, meaning we reach Net Zero by 2045.
Ethical supply chain
To guarantee customers peace of mind, we trace products from raw materials to finished goods, to ensure that the supply chain operates safely, ethically, and free from child or forced labour. We were the first UK safety-based company to join the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) – and we've proudly maintained membership for 17 years.
An extended Responsible Choice range
To give our customers more support to reach their own sustainability goals, 15% of Arco's total range is now part of its Responsible Choice collection. This includes weather-wear, PPE, cleaning products, footwear and hand protection.
Circularity
Nearly 15% of all textile garments that we offer are made from certified 'better' sources such as recycled polyester. Through our partnership with Stuff4Life, we are giving high-quality garments a second life. This is helping Arco customers keep products in use for longer, delivering a stronger return on investment, a lower lifecycle cost and reduced environmental impacts.
Ensuring zero waste to landfill
Having worked tirelessly to remove waste heading to landfill, we have now reduced this figure to zero. In addition, 75% of the waste we do generate is recycled into new products, with food waste being converted into biogas energy (c. 20 MWh).
Social value
Our employees contributed 2,200 volunteer hours throughout the year, supporting projects and community initiatives dedicated to boosting employability. Plus 60 charities were also supported through donations, grants and matched funding.
Continuing to push the sustainability agenda
The 2025 EcoVadis Gold score improved by more than 14% compared to 2024 but we continue to strive further and have Platinum status firmly in our sights.
Guy Bruce, Chief Executive Officer, said: "Sustainability is strategically central to everything we do, and with the publication of Arco's annual report, we're able to showcase our commitment to pushing the agenda internally and externally.
We continue to lead this field, and we have clear evidence that by choosing to partner with Arco, our customers are making a better choice when it comes to accessing a world-class approach to both sustainability and safety."
Download the Arco Sustainability Report 2025 below and read more about sustainability at Arco.
Our inclusive PPE gains recognition with prestigious award
We're proud to have won the Inclusive PPE Award at the 2025 Professional Clothing Industry Association Worldwide (PCIAW) Awards, recognising our commitment to designing innovative, equitable solutions for every worker.
The PCIAW is a global, not-for-profit organisation representing the professional clothing, workwear and PPE supply chains, giving a collective voice to the industry and promoting best practice worldwide.
The award-winning project was led by Product and Procurement Manager, Dalvir Sarkaria, and Clothing Technologist and Designer, Donna Ellison, in collaboration with our customer Openreach and trusted partner GORE-TEX®. Together, they successfully designed, developed and launched an inclusive waterproof jacket specifically created for female engineers – delivering the same protection, performance and professional appearance as the male version.
Ongoing commitment to inclusion and equity
This recognition highlights our ongoing commitment to inclusion and equity within PPE design – values that are also reflected in our strategic sustainability plan. The collaboration demonstrates how innovation, customer focus and social responsibility can come together to make a real difference in the workplace.
We'd like to extend our congratulations to Dalvir and Donna for their outstanding work and contribution to advancing inclusivity in PPE.
Inclusive workwear and PPE at Arco
This award-winning jacket (pictured below) will soon be available to all Arco customers, as part of our ever-growing inclusive product range. So, make sure you keep an eye out for its launch! In the meantime, why not check out our comprehensive selection of women's PPE and workwear?
Arco supports Breast Cancer Awareness Month through sale of pink gloves
Arco is launching a one-off range of pink ATG Maxiflex® Active™ nitrile gloves in support of October's Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The initiative sees Arco collaborating with longstanding partner, Openreach, which will be providing 1,000 pairs of gloves to its engineers.
For every pair of pink gloves sold, Arco will donate 80p to its chosen charity: Breast Cancer Now, dedicated to supporting breast cancer awareness and research.
A visible symbol of support
Niall Robinson, Product & Procurement Manager – Gloves, at Arco said: "Breast Cancer Awareness Month is an incredibly important cause, and we wanted to contribute in a meaningful yet distinctive way.
"These pink gloves offer a practical product for our customers while serving as a visible symbol of support for a truly great charity. We are delighted to partner with Openreach on this initiative and hope our customers will join us in making a difference this year."
With £1,000 cash and new TROJAN workwear up for grabs, do you think you've got what it takes to be crowned Britain's Toughest Tradie 2025?
This isn’t your regular tough-mudder competition. It’s a day of challenges designed to show every tradie's true skill set, from raw strength to tasks that will test your mental power. Each challenge is built to test what really matters on every trade job: strength, skill and smarts. And don't worry; you won't be asked to do the splits!
Our recent survey revealed that scaffolders are thought to be the UK’s toughest trade, according to their fellow tradies in the heated debate. However, the public has thrown a spanner in the works by handing the title to roofers.
All will be revealed in the battle of the blue-collars this month.
Arco's Carbon Targets Receive Validation From Science Based Targets Initiative
Arco, the UK and Ireland's leading safety company, has become the safety industry's first UK specialist to set carbon targets which have been validated by the Science Based Target initiative (SBTi) - paving the way for setting the standard in net zero aims.
To do this, Arco has committed to reducing its absolute scope 1, 2 and 3 greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from purchased goods and services 42 per cent by FY2030 from a FY2021 base year. (The target boundary includes land-related emissions from commodities such as cotton and rubber used in Arco products and removals from bioenergy feedstocks).
The SBTi is a global body enabling businesses to set ambitious emissions reduction targets, in line with the latest climate science and a 1.5 degree of global warming. Arco revealed its approach towards Net Zero (and the short term target which has been validated) will be achieved through its transition to certified ‘better’ textiles – made from recycled materials with certified standards and helping its customers apply ‘circular’ techniques to their management and end of life recycling.
Jim Harbidge, Head of Sustainability at Arco said:
"We are pleased to have our ambitious near-term targets approved by the SBTi. Publicly committing to these targets enhances our accountability and authenticates the work we've been doing over the past few years to reduce our carbon emissions.
"Last year we hit a significant milestone, reducing our Scope 2 carbon emissions by 21.2 per cent in a single year. It's therefore critical that we continue to accelerate the delivery of sustainability across the business as we look ahead at our long-term 2045 net zero targets."
Learn more on how we are taking responsibility for our own impacts through action to mitigate climate change.
Trojan to Make InstallerSHOW Debut with New Advanced Workwear Range
TROJAN, the trusted name in quality workwear, is set to make its InstallerSHOW debut this year 24th to 26th June at the NEC, Birmingham, in Hall 3a, Stand 3D52.
TROJAN's latest collection launched in April is its most advanced to date, a high-performance, multifunctional range of trousers, jackets, gilets, fleeces, and footwear, all engineered to perform. Drawing on decades of experience manufacturing workwear for tradespeople, contractors, and professionals, TROJAN workwear by Arco has created a range that is both functional and stylish, designed to meet the demands of modern working life.
Throughout the three-day event TROJAN will be running product demos and exhibiting on catwalks for visitors to attend. Visitors to Stand 3D52 can also sign up for Arco Trade Direct via QR code and enter an exclusive competition, with prizes including holiday vouchers, BBQ's, retail vouchers and experience days.
The new range features sustainable options made from durable fabrics and reinforced features to increase longevity, even in the toughest working conditions. Extended washability ensures garments retain colour stability and resist shrinking, while every item from lightweight layers to weatherproof outerwear and rugged footwear has been expertly engineered for durability, comfort, and performance.
Highlights of the collection include:
Performance Trousers: Designed for durability, flexibility, and all-day comfort, with reinforced stitching and movement enhancing panels.
Jackets & Gilets: Weatherproof insulation and breathable linings for year-round protection.
Fleeces: Lightweight and warm, crafted to layer effortlessly without restricting movement.
Footwear: Built tough with comfort-first technologies, including advanced sole grip, shock absorption, and GORE-TEX® options.
All TROJAN products are rigorously tested and combine fabric technology with clever design features to ensure high performance with no compromise on comfort or style.
Simon Allan-Brooks, Chief Commercial Officer at Arco, commented:
"We're excited to bring the TROJAN range to InstallerSHOW for the very first time. With around 30,000 visitors from across the trades industry InstallerSHOW is the perfect platform for us to connect with professionals who value quality, durability, and innovation in their workwear.
"We're looking forward to speaking directly with the people who rely on their kit every day to demonstrate how TROJAN has been designed to set the standard for performance and comfort in the trades."
Arco Achieves Highest Rating in NHS Labour Standards Assurance System (LSAS) Audit
Arco, the UK and Ireland's leading safety experts, has successfully completed the NHS LSAS audit, achieving the highest-possible rating of Level 4.
Created to uphold fair and ethical labour standards, the LSAS audit is crucial in promoting social responsibility across NHS suppliers. As such, the Level 4 award reflects Arco's commitment to ethical sourcing and responsible supply chain management.
Outstanding auditor feedback
Reporting on Arco's performance, the auditor's feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Across all 15 assessment areas, Arco was commended for its meticulous approach: "Arco in general is significantly advanced in ethical sourcing practices and has very high standards around LSAS and supply chain management.
"Supplier audits are organised and conducted, and well documented, and this is reflected in the highest score that has been achieved during the audit."
Upholding high supply chain standards
Arco's Technical Quality Director, Christian Halford, was delighted with the recognition: "The Level 4 award underscores the diligence of our teams and our commitment to ensuring high standards throughout our supply chain.
"It also gives our customers confidence and peace of mind, seeing Arco's value-driven approach to doing business. Overall, the results from the LSAS audit reinforce Arco's position as a leader in ethical supply chain management, setting a benchmark for others to follow."
As the UK and Ireland's leading safety experts, we're delighted to have been awarded "Gold" status for sustainability by EcoVadis, positioning us as the highest UK performer in our industry.
Having been evaluated in four key areas, Arco was deemed to be in the 98th percentile of companies assessed. This is only one point away from a "Platinum" rating and an excellent 14% increase on Arco's previous EcoVadis rating.
Arco among world's top 5% in sustainability
EcoVadis is one of the world's most trusted providers of business sustainability ratings. They assessed Arco's activities across:
Environment
Labour & Human Rights
Ethics
Sustainable Procurement
Out of the 150,000 businesses assessed by EcoVadis, a result of 'Gold' puts Arco among the top 5% of performers globally. This outcome was helped by Arco's continued progress in sustainable performance, for example, reducing its carbon emissions by more than 20% over the past year.
Industry leaders for sustainability
EcoVadis commended Arco's positive action in several areas, commenting that its "...overall score has increased thanks to the publication of additional sustainability reporting" and that it had an "...advanced sustainability management system that covers all four themes under review".
In addition to company-wide efforts, individual staff contributions played a big part for EcoVadis. Whether this was as simple as cycling to work or the commitment and study needed to become one of Arco's team of accredited Mental Health First Aiders.
Arco's Head of Sustainability, Jim Harbidge, said:
"We're delighted to have been recognised for the excellent progress we continue to make. Sustainability is fundamental to our business, and it'll remain at the heart of our activities.
"We're also authentic in what we do - it's not just a box-ticking exercise. Arco genuinely cares about this topic and that translates into our products and how we treat our people, suppliers and customers. But with a review system that gets tougher each year, we'll work harder than ever to stay industry leaders in this field."
We are committed to sourcing better materials and supporting more sustainable production processes, to this end we work with specialist partners who offer help, guidance and expertise across the different technical and social fields.
