The Codecom Group places a high level of importance on social and ethical compliance. We are dedicated to ensuring products at all levels of the supply chain, including raw materials, are ethically sourced and/or manufactured in accordance with our international obligations and in compliance with all applicable laws.
We build and maintain long term manufacturing relationships with like-minded vendors who live up to the high standards that we set for ourselves. We closely monitor progress at every stage of the production life-cycle including announced or unannounced visits to factories by members of our senior management team and, where appropriate, internal or external auditors.
The Codecom Ethical Sourcing Code forms part of the supply contract with our suppliers. By signing up to this Code, a supplier undertakes to comply with Codecom’s minimum requirements and expectations as well as all applicable laws as a condition of doing business with The Codecom Group. In this regard, the supplier must establish effective management systems for such compliance in relation to each factory or facility involved in the sourcing and/or manufacture of products for The Codecom Group.
If applicable, the supplier must also comply with any additional minimum standards and expectations from the customers of The Codecom Group, as may be notified by The Codecom Group from time to time.
Labour & Human Rights
- Child labour must not be used.
- Employment must be freely chosen, and the use of forced, bonded or involuntary prison labour is prohibited.
- Working conditions and any sponsored accommodation must be safe and hygienic, free from any form of harassment.
- Workers must be paid wage and benefits which satisfy all applicable laws and not be required to work excessive working hours or overtime.
- Discrimination on the basis of personal characteristics, such as race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, maternity status, disability or political beliefs, is prohibited.
- Freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining are to be respected, to the extent permitted by applicable law.
- Unauthorised sub-contracting is not permitted.
- Bribery and corruption are prohibited.
Health & Safety
The Supplier shall provide its employees with a safe and healthy working environment, and where applicable, living environment, in accordance with applicable law and industry best practices. In particular, the supplier must comply with the following standards:
- Occupational Safety. Supplier shall control worker exposure to potential safety hazards through design engineering and administrative controls, preventative maintenance and safe work procedures, ongoing training, and protective equipment.
- Occupational Injury and Illness. Supplier shall implement procedures and systems to prevent, manage, track and report occupational injury and illness.
- Emergency Preparation. Supplier shall take steps to mitigate risk to life, the environment and property caused by emergency situations by identifying and assessing potential risks and implementing appropriate emergency plans and response procedures.
- Sanitary Conditions. Supplier’s workers shall have ready access to clean toilet facilities, potable water and sanitary food preparation, storage and eating facilities. If worker dormitories are provided, such facilities must be clean and safe, and provided with appropriate emergency egress, hot water for bathing and showering, adequate heat and ventilation, and reasonable personal space along with reasonable entry and exit privileges.
Environment
The Supplier shall minimize the adverse environmental impacts of their activities, including striving to reduce waste, energy, emissions and pollution to the air, ground and water. Supplier shall:
- Handle chemicals in an environmentally safe way.
- Handle hazardous waste in a safe manner.
- Contribute to the recycling and reuse of materials and products and implement environmental friendly technologies.
It is recommended that Supplier has an Environmental Management System in conformity with international standards such as ISO 14001.
Facility Security
The supplier shall maintain security at all production and warehousing facilities and will implement supply chain security procedures designed to prevent the introduction of non-manifested cargo into outbound shipments.
The Supplier’s policies and processes shall satisfy the requirements of the U.S. Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (“C-TPAT”) program or similar guidelines set forth by applicable foreign customs agencies.
This Code may be amended from time to time and suppliers may be requested to sign up to any revised version. By signing up to this Code, the supplier consents to their compliance commitment to this Code being made public. The minimum requirements and expectations under this Code are in addition to any minimum standards under applicable laws. In the event of inconsistency, the stricter requirement must be followed. Suppliers must communicate and make this Code available to workers in each relevant factory or facility.
Any breaches of this Code will be reported to the supplier for follow up and corrective action. Where a supplier does not reasonably demonstrate a willingness to comply with corrective actions, The Codecom Group reserves the right to discontinue business with the supplier.