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CODE OF CONDUCT

This Code of Conduct for Business Relationships (CoC) sets out our requirements for our business relationships, including suppliers and partners. We strive to manage the risk of sustainability impacts in accordance with the global minimum standard defined in the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises (OECD), which we also expect our business relationships to follow.

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Strong Collaboration

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It is only possible to work together and benefit from one another if both parties carefully consider where our respective businesses may challenge sustainable development. As companies, we are committed to addressing these challenges.

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The Minimum Standard

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To meet the minimum standard, the business relationship must:

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  • Commit through a policy statement.

  • Conduct regular impact assessments of actual and potential adverse impacts.

  • Take action to prevent or mitigate potential adverse impacts and remedy actual impacts that are identified.

  • Communicate these efforts by reporting on identified impacts, actions taken, and ongoing status updates to affected individuals and other relevant stakeholders.

  • Require its own business relationships to comply with the minimum standard for responsible business conduct (UNGPs/OECD).

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Documentation

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If the business relationship is a larger company, it must be able to document compliance with the requirements set out in this CoC. The business relationship must be able to provide documentation for:

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  • Policy statement(s) within the first year.

  • Initial impact assessments within two years.

  • Evidence that the business relationship imposes similar requirements on its own business relationships.

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A smaller company is expected to have a policy and a CoC and must be able to verbally explain how it manages its risks.

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The Value Chain

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If either party becomes aware of significant adverse impacts within the company or its value chains, the other party must be notified immediately. The information provided must include the planned actions to address and manage these impacts.

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