Corporate Policies — Heleph Coffee | Ethics, Sourcing, Terms, Privacy and Sustainability

Effective Date: March 7, 2026

Corporate Policies for Heleph Coffee

The standards that guide how we work with employees, partners, suppliers, customers, and the environment.

Policy 01

Code of Ethics and Conduct

Effective Date: March 7, 2026

Heleph Coffee is dedicated to conducting business with the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and respect for all stakeholders. This Code of Ethics and Conduct applies to all employees, partners, suppliers, and representatives of Heleph Coffee.

Heleph Coffee team and partners at a cupping table beneath the Heleph Coffee logo

Key Principles

Integrity and Anti-Corruption
We prohibit all forms of bribery, corruption, extortion, or favoritism. Employees must report any suspected violations through our confidential whistleblower channel. We comply with Ethiopian anti-corruption laws and international standards such as the UN Convention Against Corruption.
Fair Trade and Sustainability
All coffee sourcing and exports prioritize fair compensation for farmers, environmental protection, and community development. We ensure no child labor, forced labor, or discrimination in our supply chain.
Compliance with Laws
We adhere to all applicable Ethiopian export regulations, including those from the Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Authority (ECTA), as well as international trade laws (e.g., EU and US import standards).
Confidentiality and Data Protection
Protect sensitive information about our farmers, customers, and operations.
Conflict of Interest
Employees must disclose any potential conflicts and avoid actions that could compromise the company’s interests.
Enforcement
Violations may result in disciplinary action, up to termination. Annual training is provided to all staff.

For questions or reports, contact: ethics@helephcoffee.com.

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Policy 02

Responsible Sourcing Policy

Effective Date: March 7, 2026

Heleph Coffee sources coffee beans responsibly to ensure quality, sustainability, and ethical practices throughout our supply chain. This policy applies to all suppliers and partners.

Coffee farmer in a traditional scarf beside raised beds of drying coffee cherries

Commitments

Supplier Selection
We select suppliers based on their adherence to fair labor practices, environmental standards, and quality controls. Suppliers must provide traceability from farm to export.
Environmental Responsibility
Promote sustainable farming practices, such as water conservation, biodiversity protection, and reduced chemical use. We aim to source 100% of our coffee from farms using eco-friendly methods by 2030.
Social Responsibility
Ensure fair wages, safe working conditions, and no exploitation. We support farmer cooperatives through training and fair pricing, as outlined in our company report.
Compliance
Suppliers must comply with Ethiopian labor laws, international human rights standards (e.g., ILO conventions), and export regulations. We conduct regular audits and require certifications like Fair Trade or Rainforest Alliance where applicable.
Risk Management
We map our supply chain to identify and mitigate risks, including climate change impacts on coffee production.
Continuous Improvement
We review this policy annually and report progress in our annual export report.

Suppliers failing to meet these standards may face contract termination. For supplier inquiries: sourcing@helephcoffee.com.

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Policy 03

Supplier Code of Conduct

Effective Date: March 7, 2026

This Code outlines expectations for all suppliers providing coffee beans, services, or materials to Heleph Coffee. Compliance is mandatory for all contracts.

Visiting buyers inspecting coffee beans and taking notes at a drying station

Requirements

Legal Compliance
Adhere to all local and international laws, including export/import controls, labeling, and testing requirements.
Human Rights
Prohibit child labor (under 15 years), forced labor, and discrimination based on gender, ethnicity, or religion. Provide fair wages and safe working environments.
Anti-Bribery
Implement anti-corruption policies and training. No gifts or favors that could influence business decisions.
Environmental Standards
Minimize waste, protect biodiversity, and use sustainable farming techniques. For coffee suppliers, commit to no deforestation and efficient water use.
Quality and Traceability
Ensure products meet our quality specifications and provide full traceability documentation.
Audits and Reporting
Allow Heleph Coffee to conduct audits. Report any violations immediately.
Consequences
Non-compliance may lead to suspension or termination of business relationships.

Policy 04

Terms and Conditions

Effective Date: March 7, 2026

These Terms and Conditions govern the use of the Heleph Coffee website (www.helephcoffee.com) and any purchases or interactions with our services.

Worker carrying a Heleph Coffee export sack past raised drying beds

Website Use

Acceptance
By accessing our site, you agree to these terms.
Intellectual Property
All content (images, text, logos) is owned by Heleph Coffee. Unauthorized use is prohibited.
User Conduct
Do not misuse the site for illegal purposes or transmit harmful content.
Links to Third Parties
We are not responsible for external sites linked from our website.

Purchases and Exports

Orders
All orders are subject to availability and confirmation. Prices are in USD excluding taxes and shipping.
Payment
Secure payments via bank transfer or approved methods. Full payment required before shipment.
Shipping and Delivery
We handle exports in compliance with international trade laws. Delivery times are estimates; delays due to customs are not our responsibility.
Returns and Refunds
Returns accepted within 14 days for defective products only. Refunds processed within 30 days.
Limitation of Liability
Heleph Coffee is not liable for indirect damages arising from use of our products or site.
Governing Law
These terms are governed by Ethiopian law.

Policy 05

Privacy Policy

Effective Date: March 7, 2026

Heleph Coffee respects your privacy and complies with Ethiopian data protection laws and international standards like GDPR where applicable.

Heleph Coffee staff member at his office desk

Information We Collect

  • Personal data (name, email, address) when you contact us, place orders, or subscribe to newsletters.
  • Usage data (IP address, browser type) via cookies for site analytics.

How We Use It

  • To process orders, provide customer service, and improve our website.
  • For marketing (with your consent) about our products and sustainability initiatives.

Sharing and Security

  • We share data only with trusted partners (e.g., shipping providers) and do not sell it.
  • We use secure servers and encryption to protect your information.

Your Rights

We update this policy as needed and notify users of changes.

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Policy 06

Sustainability and Environmental Policy

Effective Date: March 7, 2026

As an Ethiopian coffee exporter, Heleph Coffee is committed to sustainable practices that protect the environment and support communities.

Tall shade trees on the hillside around the Ayele Tulu drying station

Goals

Carbon Footprint
Reduce emissions through efficient logistics and renewable energy use in processing (target: 50% renewable by 2030).
Biodiversity
Partner with farmers to promote agroforestry and avoid deforestation.
Water Management
Encourage water-efficient farming and recycling in operations.
Community Impact
Invest profits in farmer training and infrastructure, as detailed in our annual report.
Reporting
Publish annual sustainability reports tracking progress against UN Sustainable Development Goals (e.g., SDG 5: Gender Equality, SDG 13: Climate Action).

We collaborate with organizations like Fair Trade to certify our efforts.

For more: sustainability@helephcoffee.com.

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Our Work 2020–2025

Dear Friends, Supporters, and Customers,

We proudly present our work from founding in 2020 to 2025. Heleph Coffee has exported over 976 million ETB in coffee, supporting farmers through fair trade and community projects. Thanks to your trust, we’ve built sustainable growth. We’re grateful and excited for the future.

Warm regards,Heleph and Team Heleph Coffee

The Heleph Coffee team together at a company event
Women coffee farmers laughing with a visitor at the drying beds

Our Vision

Connect Ethiopia and the world through quality coffee. Empower farmers for self-determined livelihoods, fostering independence, self-esteem, and societal strength.

Sunrise over the coffee farm and washing station

Ethiopia

A diverse nation rich in history and culture, yet facing poverty and challenges like food insecurity and gender inequality. Coffee is key to its economy. Heleph Coffee contributes to development by supporting rural farmers.

Talking with a coffee farmer under the roof of a drying station

Our Approach

Create perspectives for farmers via fair exports and trainings. Partner locally for trust and efficiency. Focus on rural areas to build independence with minimal admin costs.

Women coffee farmers smiling together at the drying beds

What We Do

Support farmers with fair trade exports, trainings in bookkeeping and business planning. Farmers form cooperatives (SACCOs) for mutual aid. Exports range 4,000–10,000 ETB initially, enabling sustainable growth.

A visiting customer embracing a coffee farmer

Our History

Founded in 2020 to counter lack of opportunities. Achieved exports supporting hundreds of farmers. Most rewarding: Personal visits to see growth. Future: Expand trainings and themes like sustainable farming.

Training participants with Heleph Coffee sacks in front of the Heleph Coffee mural

Our Project

Enabled trainings and exports for hundreds. In 2025: 50 groups formed, 150 new participants trained, 100 refreshers, first exports for 150 farmers.

Coffee cherries drying on raised beds across a highland hillside

Our Project Region

Coffee-growing areas in central highlands. Challenges: Poor soils, low yields. We partner with cooperatives for implementation.

Farmers and visitors gathered at the raised drying beds

Our Activities 2025

  • Formed 50 farmer groups.
  • Trained 150 new members.
  • Refresher for 100 leaders.
  • Provided export contracts to 150 farmers.

Despite market fluctuations, progress continued.