Policies

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We will assign responsibility for the policy to named responsible individual(s) and provide the management team with oversight for implementation, with a focus on continuous improvement. We will measure and monitor its application, and review the policy annually. We will also conduct environmental, social and ethical assessment of our key suppliers and work with them to improve standards. We will ensure that all relevant employees are aware of the policy and that external staff working on our premises are treated with the same respect for diversity and workplace safety as our own staff.  

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We will base our supplier selection on objective and transparent criteria that include the consideration of environmental, social and ethical performance and cease trading with those showing persistent disregard for these elements . 

We expect all our suppliers to adhere to our principles.  

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We expect suppliers to have management systems in place for delivering compliance with all relevant legislation in the countries in which they operate and all relevant International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions. 

We expect suppliers to communicate their expectations for compliance to all relevant employees and suppliers.

Suppliers should provide evidence of the implementation of compliant principles and demonstrate continuous improvement in their approach to sustainable and responsible purchasing. 

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We seek to ensure that the working conditions at our suppliers meet the standards ofthe International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).  

We expect our suppliers to adopt and demonstrate the following standards of social compliance:  

1.     Child labour: organisations should ensure the effective long-term elimination of child labour, in a manner consistent with the interests of the children concerned. Children or young persons under 18 shall not be employed at night or in hazardous conditions.  

2.    Forced labour: there should be no forced, bonded or involuntary labour and no workers are required to lodge ‘deposits’ or identity papers with their employers and should be able to leave after giving reasonable notice.  

3.    Health, safety and hygiene: all employees should expect to work in an environment that is both safe and healthy. Adequate steps should be taken to prevent accidents occurring in the normal course of work. Workers should receive suitable health and safety training and have access to clean toilet facilities and clean drinking water as required.  

4.    Discipline: physical abuse or discipline, the threat of physical abuse, sexual or other harassment and verbal abuse or other forms of intimidation are not acceptable. Disciplinary and grievance procedures shall be clearly documented and communicated to all employees. All disciplinary measures of a serious nature must be recorded.  

5.    Freedom of  association and employee representation: all workers and employers have the right to form and join organisations of their own choosing without prior authorisation.  

6.    Working hours: working hours should not be excessive and shall comply with relevant national laws. Overtime should be voluntary.  

7.    Equality of  treatment: organisations will seek to eliminate discrimination in access to employment, training and working conditions on grounds of race, colour, sex, age, religion, political opinion, national extraction, sexual orientation, disability or social origin and promote equality of opportunity and treatment.  

8.    Remuneration: wages and benefits should meet national standards. Workers should be provided with clear written information on their pay and conditions. Excessive deductions on wages should not be permitted as a disciplinary measure.  

9.    Employment terms: all workers should be provided with simple, written contracts which must detail the terms and conditions of their employment. Contracts should be clearly understandable to each worker. Work performed should be based on recognised employment law and practice.  

10.  Community impact: organisations are encouraged to support the communities in which they operate through appropriate community initiatives.  

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We seek to ensure that appropriate attention is paid to environmental issues when we purchase products and services. In all cases suppliers should be able to demonstrate environmental policies and management systems which ensure continuous improvement.

Suppliers should beable to demonstrate:

1.     Documented policies on environmental management  

2.    The ability to monitor and review environmental performance  

3.    The awareness of potential environmental risks inherent in their production, service or sourcing activities  

4.    The implementation of mechanisms and processes in place to mitigate or minimise potential environmental risks  

5.    The degree to which products and services have been designed with environmental considerations in mind, seeking to minimise the use of energy, water and raw materials and maximise the use of recyclable and renewable materials, including energy where possible 

Suppliers should make practical efforts to minimise waste and dispose of it in a safe, efficient and environmentally responsible manner, avoiding contamination of the local environment and ensuring that emissions, air, noise and odour pollution are within nationally defined limits.  

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We expect suppliers to be able to demonstrate the existence of processes and procedures to implement appropriate staff guidelines and codes of conduct . 

Suppliers should have management systems and practices in place to ensure the prevention of  

1.    Money laundering  

2.    Insider trading  

3.    Conflicts of interest  

4.    Fraud, bribery and corruption and other improper payments or gifts

5.    Unauthorised access to personal and business information