Supplier Code of Conduct
This Supplier Code of Conduct (this “Code”) establishes standards to ensure that our supplier and supply chains are safe, that workers within that supply chain are treated with respect and dignity, and that business operations surrounding that supply chain are environmentally responsible and conducted ethically. We believe that how products are made and brought to market is just as important as their quality. We also believe that the production of products should be consistent with the Labour Standards promulgated by the International Labour Organization.
This Code sets out the minimum standards we require for those that supply products and services to us or under our brands (each, a “Supplier”). We expect Suppliers and all those under Suppliers’ control and/or direction to follow this Code and conduct their operations in an ethical manner that treats workers as valuable and demonstrates careful stewardship of the environment. Failure to do so not only violates our standards, but presents a serious risk to our reputation with consumers and others that we work hard to uphold.
By doing business with us, Supplier agrees to comply with this Code, and to cause all of its agents and others acting under its control to comply with this Code. All references to a “Code of Conduct,” “Supplier Code of Conduct” or words of similar import in purchase orders, intellectual property licenses and/or other contracts with us will refer to this Code, as it may be revised at our sole discretion from time-to-time. We reserve the right to change this Code at any time, with or without notice, effective immediately upon posting here. Continuing to do business with us following the posting of changes to this Code constitutes Supplier’s acceptance to such changes. We strongly encourage Suppliers to periodically review this Code.
1. We treat our workforce with dignity.
Supplier recognizes that the human rights of workers, and that treating workers with dignity and respect as understood by the international community, enhances the quality of products and services, consistency of production and worker retention and morale. This applies to all workers, including temporary, migrant, student, intern, apprentice, contract, employee, and any other type of worker.
The labor standards are:
- •Not use forced, bonded (including debt bondage) or indentured labor, involuntary or exploitative prison labor, slave labor or trafficked labor, including transporting, harboring, recruiting, transferring or receiving persons for labor by means of threat, force, coercion, abduction or fraud
- •Not place any unreasonable restrictions on workers’ freedom of movement in entering, exiting or moving about inside any Supplier facility
- •Provide workers with a written document in the language of the worker or in a language the worker can understand that contains a description of terms and conditions of employment prior to the worker departing from their country of origin, and not make any substitution or change in the employment agreement upon the arrival by any worker in the receiving country unless the substitution or change is made to meet applicable law and provide equal or better terms
- •Neither require involuntary work (including overtime) nor prohibit any worker from leaving work or terminating their employment at any time (including for refusing to work overtime or leaving work at their scheduled time);
- •Not hold or otherwise destroy, conceal, confiscate or deny access by workers to their identity or immigration documents, such as government-issued identification, passports or work permits, unless such holding, destruction, concealment, confiscation or denial is required by applicable law
- •Not require workers to pay employers’ or agents’ recruitment fees or other related fees for their employment, and if Supplier learns that any such fees have been paid by workers, repay such fees to the worker.
- •Not use child labor in any stage of supplying products and/or services to us or under our brands; the term “child” referring to any person under the age of 15, or under the age for completing compulsory education, or under the minimum age for employment in the applicable territory, whichever is greatest
- •Not allow workers under the age of 18 to perform work that is likely to jeopardize their health or safety, including night shifts and overtime
- •Manage student workers through proper maintenance of student records, rigorous due diligence of educational partners, and protection of students’ rights in accordance with applicable law
- •Implement and continuously and properly update and keep current appropriate support and training to all student workers
- •Pay a wage rate for student workers in accordance with applicable law, or, in the absence of applicable law, pay a wage rate for student workers that is at least the same wage rate as Supplier pays to other entry-level workers performing equal or similar tasks.
- •Not allow working hours to exceed the maximum set by applicable law.
- •Neither require involuntary overtime nor punish workers for refusing overtime.
- •Not make deductions from wages as a disciplinary measure
- •Provide workers with a timely and understandable wage statement that includes sufficient information to verify accurate compensation for work performed for each pay period
- •Pay workers on a timely basis in accordance with applicable law
- •Not use temporary, dispatch or outsourced labor outside the limits of applicable law
- •Neither utilize nor threaten to utilize any harsh or inhumane treatment including sexual harassment, sexual abuse, corporal punishment, or mental or physical coercion or verbal abuse of workers
- •Clearly define and communicate to workers all disciplinary policies and procedures in support of these requirements
- •Not require workers to live in dormitories or Supplier-owned housing
- •Not restrict the movements of workers when they are not working.
- •Be committed to a workforce free of harassment and unlawful discrimination
- •Not engage in discrimination based on race, color, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, ethnicity or national origin, disability, pregnancy, religion, political affiliation, union membership, covered veteran status, protected genetic information or marital status in any hiring and/or employment practices
- •Provide workers with reasonable accommodation for religious practices
- •Not subject any worker or potential worker to medical tests or physical exams that could be used in a discriminatory way
- •Provide migrant workers with exactly the same entitlements as local workers
- •Pay workers of all genders equal compensation for work of equal value
2. We believe in a healthy and safe workplace.
Supplier recognizes that in addition to minimizing the incidence of work-related injury and illness, a safe and healthy work environment enhances the quality of products and services, consistency of production and worker retention and morale. Supplier also recognizes that ongoing worker input and education is essential to identifying, assessing, understanding, monitoring, controlling, and minimizing the potential effects of health and safety issues in the workplace.
The health and safety standards are:
- •Implement and continuously and properly maintain, update, keep current and provide to workers appropriate workplace health-and-safety information and training in the language(s) of the workers or in a language the workers can understand for all identified safety hazards to which any worker may be exposed, including chemical, electrical and other energy, fall, fire, mechanical, vehicle and other hazards
- •Conspicuously post health-and-safety-related information in the language(s) of the workers or in a language the workers can understand in the facility or a location identifiable and accessible by workers
- •Provide training to all workers prior to the beginning of work and regularly thereafter
- •Encourage workers to raise safety concerns
3. We care about the environment.
Supplier recognizes that environmental responsibility is integral to bringing world-class products to market, and that avoiding or minimizing adverse effects on the community, environment and natural resources in manufacturing operations is important to the health and safety of the public.
The environmental standards are:
4. We ascribe to a high ethical standard.
Supplier recognizes upholding the highest standards of ethics is not only an important aspect of social responsibility, but also helps to achieve success in the marketplace.
The ethics standards are:
- •Conduct business in a manner that reflects favorably at all times on our good name, goodwill and reputation
- •Not employ deceptive, misleading or unethical practices that are or might be detrimental to us and/or the public, including, without limitation, disparagement of us
- •Not make any false or misleading representations with regard to us
- •Not publish or employ, or cooperate in the publication or employment, of any misleading or deceptive advertising material
- •Not make any representations, warranties or guaranties to anyone with respect to the specifications, features or capabilities of any of our services and/or products that are inconsistent with the literature distributed by us
- •Not engage in illegal or deceptive trade practices, such as bait and switch techniques
5. We are committed to making a difference.
Supplier recognizes having an effective management system in place and continually improved helps to ensure: (i) compliance with applicable law and customer requirements related to operations, products and services; (ii) conformance with this Code; and (iii) identification and mitigation of operational risks related to this Code.
The standards are that Supplier’s management systems will contain at least the following elements:
6. We operate with transparency and flexibility.
During the relationship between Supplier and us, and until four (4) years after the termination or expiration of such relationship, Supplier will: (i) create and continuously and properly update and keep complete and accurate records relating to its compliance with this Code; and; (ii) allow us to audit and analyze such records, remotely and/or at the business premises of Supplier (at our option) to verify compliance by Supplier with this Code, permitting any such audit during business hours within ten (10) days of receipt of written request therefor from us.
During the relationship between Supplier and us, Supplier will allow us access to the premises of each Supplier facility to: (i) verify compliance by Supplier with this Code and/or any contract with us; and (ii) inspect or conduct an inventory of finished goods, work-in-process or raw-material relating to the relationship between Supplier and us. Supplier will permit any such audit whether announced, semi-announced or unannounced, and including private interviews with workers, and will not condition, withhold or delay such access. We will use reasonable efforts to cause such access to not interfere with the normal business operations of Supplier.
With regard to any audit as specified herein, Supplier will: (i) cooperate fully with us in connection therewith; (ii) promptly reimburse to us the out-of-pocket cost to us therefor if such audit reveals any material non-compliance with this Code and/or any contract with us; and (iii) promptly implement appropriate corrective actions requested by us, and provide us with documentary evidence thereof, upon request from us.
Supplier will promptly inform us if Supplier cannot or believes it will not meet any of the standards set forth in this Code. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Vendor acknowledges and agrees that any deviation from the terms of this Code will: (i) require the prior, express and unambiguous written approval from us; and (ii) not release Supplier from ensuring that our supplier and supply chains are safe, that workers within that supply chain are treated with respect and dignity, and that business operations surrounding that supply chain are environmentally responsible and conducted ethically.