We commit ourselves and our suppliers to…
1. environmental protection
1.1 Climate
Suppliers must take proactive measures to minimize their greenhouse gas emissions and improve energy efficiency in their operations.
1.2 Environmental pollution
Suppliers are expected to prevent and minimize environmental pollution in their business operations. Suppliers shall not produce, import or export banned mercury-containing products, use banned mercury or mercury compounds in the manufacturing process or treat mercury-containing waste unlawfully. Suppliers refrain from manufacturing or using banned chemicals and refrain from the illegal handling, collection, storage and disposal of waste. Suppliers do not import or export banned chemicals and refrain from the unlawful manufacture, consumption, import and export of controlled substances that deplete the ozone layer.
1.3 Water and marine resources
Suppliers ensure the sustainable use and protection of water and marine resources, including the prevention or minimization of adverse impacts on wetlands. Suppliers prevent, reduce and control pollution of the marine environment caused by dumping and prevent pollution from ships, including discharges of oil or oily mixtures, noxious liquid substances and sewage into the sea, illegal pollution from pollutants transported by sea in packaged form and illegal pollution from marine litter.
1.4 Biodiversity
Suppliers shall avoid or minimize adverse impacts on biodiversity and implement practices that support the conservation of biodiversity. When handling living modified organisms, suppliers shall ensure safe handling, transportation and use to avoid adverse impacts on biodiversity. Where genetic resources are involved, suppliers shall comply with applicable regulations. Suppliers comply with applicable regulations on trade in endangered species to ensure their survival and refrain from importing, exporting, re-exporting or introducing endangered and protected marine species. Suppliers avoid or minimize adverse impacts on areas designated as natural heritage sites.
1.5 Waste
Suppliers shall ensure that they handle and dispose of both hazardous and non-hazardous waste materials safely and comply with all applicable laws and regulations governing the management and disposal of such waste. This includes refraining from exporting hazardous or other waste.
2. respect for human and fundamental rights, health and safety of employees
2.1 Human rights
Suppliers must respect the values of the International Bill of Human Rights and the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work and recognize international frameworks such as the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct21. Suppliers undertake to comply with internationally agreed human rights standards and ensure that they do not cause or contribute to human rights abuses. Suppliers commit to remediate any adverse impacts directly caused or contributed to by their operations or business relationships.
2.2 Equal opportunities/non-discrimination
Suppliers shall ensure that all forms of discrimination based on race, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, ethnicity, disability, class, political opinion or trade union membership in recruitment and employment are prohibited26 . Suppliers are committed to ensuring an inclusive and diverse work environment.
2.3 Child labor
Suppliers shall refrain from employing children under the age of 15. If local law prescribes a higher minimum age for employment, the higher age shall apply. Suppliers shall ensure that there is no prohibited child labor.
2.4 Forced labor
Suppliers must not use any form of modern slavery or forced, bonded or contract labor, including human trafficking. All work must be voluntary and workers should be free to terminate their employment after reasonable notice. Suppliers must not retain employee documents (e.g. passports or work permits) or restrict freedom of movement. Suppliers or third parties may not directly or indirectly charge fees, recruitment costs or deductions for recruitment and employment.
2.5 Appropriate remuneration
Suppliers must pay their employees at least the statutory minimum wage. This wage should at least cover the basic needs of the employees as far as possible and enable a decent standard of living for the employees and their families (living wage). Suppliers must ensure that employees of different genders are paid equally for work of equal value.
2.6 Working hours
Suppliers shall comply with the legally agreed maximum working and rest periods, maximum consecutive working days and annual leave in the respective jurisdiction. All hours worked in excess of the normal and agreed working week must be voluntary, and suppliers are obliged to grant all their employees a rest period of at least 24 consecutive hours every seven days.
2.7 Freedom of association and collective bargaining
Suppliers shall ensure freedom of association and collective bargaining for all employees, including joining an association of their choice and communicating openly with management about working conditions without fear of harassment, intimidation, punishment, interference or retaliation.
2.8 Health and safety
Suppliers prioritize the health and safety of employees. Suppliers shall take appropriate measures to prevent accidents and occupational illnesses arising in, related to or occurring in the workplace and to minimize work-related hazards and risks to the health and safety of employees.
3. fair competition and taxation
3.1 Fair competition
Suppliers must conduct their activities in full compliance with all relevant competition laws and regulations. They shall avoid anti-competitive agreements with competitors, such as price fixing, bid rigging, imposing output restrictions or quotas and market sharing by dividing customers, suppliers, territories or lines of business. Suppliers are expected to cooperate with competition authorities during investigations, to provide timely and complete information when required and to make use of confidentiality exemptions where appropriate to facilitate cooperation. In addition, suppliers should regularly educate their employees on the importance of compliance with competition laws, with specific training for senior management on competition-related issues.
3.2 Taxation
Suppliers shall contribute to public finances in host countries by paying their taxes on time and in full compliance with local tax laws and regulations. Suppliers shall provide accurate and timely information to tax authorities to ensure proper tax assessments and comply with fair transfer pricing practices. Effective tax governance and compliance should be key aspects of supplier risk management and oversight. Company boards should implement strategies to identify and manage financial, regulatory and reputational risks related to taxation.