1) Purpose & Scope
This policy sets out how Chaskah Ltd meets its legal, regulatory, and ethical obligations across product safety (including pressurised gas), data protection, anti-bribery, modern slavery, transport and storage of dangerous goods, and general health & safety. It applies to all UK operations and to third parties acting on our behalf.
2) Roles & Responsibilities
- Board/Directors: Own overall compliance and risk oversight.
- Managers: Implement controls day-to-day and ensure teams comply.
- All staff & contractors: Read, understand, and follow this policy; report concerns immediately.
3) Legal & Regulatory Framework
- UK GDPR & Data Protection Act 2018 (personal data, rights, security). ICO
- Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (employer and employee duties). HSE
- Pressure Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 (placing pressure equipment on the GB market). GOV.UK
- Carriage of Dangerous Goods & Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2009 (CDG 2009) + ADR (transport/storage of pressurised goods). HSe
- Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 & Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 — as of 8 November 2023, nitrous oxide is classified as a Class C controlled drug and placed in Schedule 5, with legitimate-use exemptions for lawful catering and commercial use only.
- Bribery Act 2010 (adequate procedures to prevent bribery). GOV.UK
- Modern Slavery Act 2015 (zero tolerance of forced labour; proportionate due diligence).
4) Controlled & Age-Restricted Products (Nitrous Oxide & Pressurised Gas)
4.1 Legitimate-use only
We sell pressurised gas (e.g., cream/nitro chargers) only for lawful catering, hospitality, or other legitimate uses. Sale or supply for recreational inhalation or other unlawful purposes is prohibited. Staff must refuse suspicious orders. GOV.UK
4.2 Due diligence & verification4.3 Storage, handling & transport
As of 8 November 2023, nitrous oxide (N₂O) is classified as a Class C controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and placed in Schedule 5 of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001. This means that, although nitrous oxide continues to be available for legitimate, commercial, and catering uses, both suppliers and purchasers must ensure that its use is lawful and not intended for recreational inhalation (for “getting high”).
Risks and Penalties for Misuse
- Possession with intent for recreational use may result in up to 2 years in prison or an unlimited fine.
- Production or supply intended for psychoactive misuse, such as knowingly selling for recreational inhalation, can carry up to 14 years in prison.
No Licensing Required for Legitimate Use (Current Framework)
At present, no special licence is required for food-related use of nitrous oxide. Legitimate catering or food-service applications remain legal, provided the purpose is clear.
Avoid High-Risk Transactions
Retailers and distributors must be cautious about shipping large quantities to addresses that raise suspicion — such as student dormitories, festival sites, or residential locations without clear business context.
4.3 Due Diligence & Verification
- Conduct business checks (company details, VAT/GEO validation) for trade customers.
- Perform KYC and age verification; maintain a minimum 18+ policy.
- Maintain a “Know Your Customer” red-flag list (e.g., unusual quantities, plain-label requests, pressure for cash).
- Record the outcomes of all checks against the order ID for audit purposes.
4.4 Storage, Handling & Transport
- Store cylinders upright, cool, dry, and in well-ventilated areas.
- Keep away from heat, ignition sources, and direct sunlight.
- Handle cylinders per manufacturer guidance.
- Follow CDG 2009/ADR requirements for classification, packaging, labelling, and transport documentation.
- Use trained and authorised carriers only.
4.5 EcoBlossom’s Commitment
Chaskah Ltd, through its EcoBlossom brand, is fully committed to legal compliance and ethical business practices. When you order from us, you can be confident that:
- We only supply N₂O intended for legitimate culinary and catering use.
- Packaging, labelling, and customer screening practices align with UK laws and guidelines.
- We continually monitor UK legislation and best practices to ensure safe, lawful distribution.
What You Should Do:
- Use N₂O only for approved food and catering purposes.
- Keep documentation or records that clarify legitimate use if needed.
- Contact us if you have any doubts about compliance or require assistance.
5) Product Safety & Quality
- Source from approved suppliers with conformity evidence (e.g., declarations to PE(S)R) 2016 where applicable). GOV.UK
- Maintain lot/batch traceability (supplier → customer).
- Issue safety/data sheets and user guidance where required.
- Non-conforming product process: quarantine, investigate root cause, notify affected customers if needed, and document corrective actions.
6) Health & Safety (H&S)
- Conduct and record suitable risk assessments, method statements, and workplace inspections.
- Provide training/briefings on manual handling, cylinder handling, PPE, and emergency response.
- Report and investigate near-misses, incidents, and RIDDOR-reportable events; implement corrective actions.
- Duties follow the HSWA 1974 general principles.
7) Data Protection & Privacy
- Process personal data lawfully, fairly, and transparently; follow data-minimisation and security principles.
- Honour rights requests (access, rectification, erasure, objection, portability) within statutory timelines.
- Use processors under written contracts with appropriate security; complete DPIAs for higher-risk processing.
- For personal-data breaches likely to risk individuals’ rights/freedoms, assess promptly and notify the ICO within 72 hours where required; inform affected individuals when legally required. See our Privacy Policy for details.
8) Anti-Bribery & Corruption (ABC)
- Zero tolerance of bribery, facilitation payments, kickbacks, or improper gifts/hospitality.
- Follow the six principles (proportionate procedures, top-level commitment, risk assessment, due diligence, communication/training, monitoring & review).
- Record gifts/hospitality in the register; pre-approval for anything above
[£X]. - Third parties (agents/distributors) must pass due-diligence checks and contractually agree to ABC clauses.
9) Modern Slavery & Ethical Sourcing
- We prohibit forced, bonded, or child labour and human trafficking across our operations and supply chain.
- Risk-based supplier due diligence (country, sector, product risk), contractual undertakings, and remediation expectations.
- A whistleblowing channel is available to raise concerns safely and confidentially (see Section 11).
10) Environment (Packaging & Waste)
- Minimise waste; use recyclable packaging where feasible.
- Work with carriers and customers to manage returns/recycling safely for used cylinders where applicable.
- Keep records to meet any applicable producer/packaging obligations.
11) Training & Awareness
- Induction: compliance essentials for all starters.
- Annual refreshers: H&S, product safety/transport, data protection, and ABC.
- Role-specific: warehouse/courier handling of pressurised goods; sales due-diligence.
12) Monitoring, Audits & Record Keeping
- Periodic internal audits of orders, due-diligence files, transport logs, incident reports, and training completion.
- Supplier audits based on risk tier.
- Keep records for statutory periods (e.g., financial 6 years; due-diligence aligned to product lifecycle and legal needs).
13) Incident & Breach Response
- Safety/product incidents: isolate stock, investigate, and notify customers/regulators where required.
- Data incidents: follow Section 7 breach protocol and ICO notification rules where applicable. ICO
- Compliance breaches: record, correct, and—where material—escalate to Directors.
14) Supplier & Partner Expectations
Suppliers must:
- Comply with all laws cited in Section 3 (or equivalent in their jurisdiction).
- Maintain safe workplaces, fair pay/hours, and no forced/child labour.
- Provide product conformity evidence and cooperate with audits.
- Report serious incidents or regulatory actions affecting supplied products within 48 hours.
1) Purpose & Scope
This policy sets out how Chaskah Ltd meets its legal, regulatory, and ethicalobligations across product safety (including pressurised gas), data protection, anti-bribery, modernslavery, transport and storage of dangerous goods, and general health & safety. It applies to all UK operations and to third parties acting on our behalf.
2) Roles & Responsibilities
- Board/Directors: Responsible for overall compliance and risk oversight.
- Managers: Implement controls day-to-day and ensure their teams follow this policy.
- All staff and contractors: Must read, understand, and follow this policy, and report any concerns immediately.
3) Legal & Regulatory Framework
- UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018
ICO guidance on personal data, individual rights, and security - Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
Duties for employers and employees - Pressure Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016
Requirements for placing pressure equipment on the GB market - Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2009 (CDG 2009) and ADR
Rules for transport and storage of pressurised goods - Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 (amended 2023)
Nitrous oxide classified as Class C, Schedule 5; lawful catering and commercial use exemptions apply - Bribery Act 2010
Procedures to prevent bribery and corrupt practices - Modern Slavery Act 2015
Zero tolerance of forced labour and human trafficking
4) Controlled & Age-Restricted Products (Nitrous Oxide & Pressurised Gas)
4.1 Legitimate-Use Only
Pressurised gas is sold only for lawful catering, hospitality, or other legitimate commercial uses. The sale or supply of these products for recreational inhalation or any unlawful purpose is strictly prohibited. Staff are required to refuse any suspicious orders and record all relevant details, including any concerns or red flags.
4.2 Legal Status & Risks
Nitrous oxide is classified as a Class C controlled substance (Schedule 5) under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. Misuse for recreational purposes can lead to serious legal penalties. No licence is required for legitimate catering or commercial use. However, trade customers must exercise due diligence when fulfilling orders, particularly when shipping to high-risk or suspicious addresses.
4.3 Due Diligence & Verification
Conduct business checks for trade customers, including verification of company details and VAT or GEO information. Perform KYC and age verification to ensure all customers meet the minimum age requirement of 18+. Maintain a red-flag list that includes unusual order quantities, requests for plain-label packaging, and pressure to pay in cash. Record the outcome of all checks securely against the order ID, and retain these records for a minimum of 6 years for audit and compliance purposes.
4.4 Storage, Handling & Transport
Store cylinders upright in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated area, away from heat or ignition sources. Handle all cylinders in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidance. Ensure compliance with CDG 2009 and ADR transport requirements. Only trained and authorised staff and carriers may handle or transport cylinders.
4.5 Chaskah's Commitment
N₂O must only be used for approved catering purposes. Keep clear documentation to demonstrate legitimate use. If any uncertainty arises, contact the compliance team for guidance or support. Chaskah Ltd is committed to legal compliance and ethical practices.
5) Product Safety & Quality
Source all products from approved suppliers who provide appropriate conformity evidence. Maintain full lot and batch traceability for every shipment. Provide safety data sheets and user guidance, reviewing these documents annually or whenever a batch changes. Quarantine and investigate any non-conforming products, notify affected customers where necessary, and document all corrective actions taken.
6) Health & Safety (H&S)
Conduct and record all required risk assessments, method statements, and routine inspections. Provide training on safe handling, appropriate PPE, and emergency response procedures. Report and investigate any incidents promptly and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
7) Data Protection & Privacy
Process all personal data lawfully, fairly, and securely. Honour data subject rights within the required statutory timelines. Ensure any data processors are engaged under secure written agreements. Conduct Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) where processing poses a high risk. In the event of a data breach, notify the ICO within 72 hours; the compliance lead is responsible for managing and reporting such incidents.
8) Anti-Bribery & Corruption (ABC)
There is zero tolerance for bribery, facilitation payments, or improper gifts. All activity must follow the six core principles: proportionate procedures, top-level commitment, risk assessment, due diligence, training, and monitoring. Record all gifts and hospitality in the register, and obtain pre-approval for anything above the defined threshold. All third parties must undergo due diligence and agree to anti-bribery and corruption (ABC) clauses before engagement.
9) Modern Slavery & Ethical Sourcing
Forced, bonded, or child labour and any form of trafficking are strictly prohibited. Conduct supplier due diligence and review it at least annually. Require contractual commitments to ethical labour standards and implement remediation where necessary. Ensure safe and confidential whistleblowing channels are available for reporting concerns.
10) Environment (Packaging & Waste)
Minimise waste wherever possible and prioritise the use of recyclable or reusable materials. Ensure the safe return and recycling of cylinders in line with regulatory requirements. Maintain accurate records to demonstrate compliance.
11) Training & Awareness
All new staff must receive a compliance induction when they join. Provide annual refresher training on key compliance topics. Ensure role-specific training is delivered to warehouse staff, couriers, and sales teams based on their operational responsibilities.
12) Monitoring, Audits & Record Keeping
Conduct internal audits covering orders, due diligence checks, logs, and any reported incidents. Carry out supplier audits based on risk tier and review these at least annually. Retain all trade and audit documentation for the required statutory periods, with a minimum retention period of 6 years.
13) Incident & Breach Response
For safety incidents, isolate affected stock, conduct a full investigation, and notify customers or regulators where necessary. For data incidents, follow the established breach protocol and notify the ICO if required. Record and correct any compliance breaches, and escalate to Directors if the issue is material. A clear escalation hierarchy must be followed for all incident types.
14) Supplier & Partner Expectations
Suppliers and partners must comply with all relevant laws referenced in Section 3, or applicable equivalents in their jurisdiction. They must maintain safe working conditions, provide fair pay, and strictly prohibit forced or child labour. Suppliers are required to provide conformity evidence and cooperate fully with audits. Any incidents or regulatory actions must be reported within 48 hours of discovery.