Preamble
Taking lawful and responsible decisions have always been a key factor for the Capri Sun Group in building and maintaining trust and confidence that consumers and customers have in our brand, the quality of our products and in our company. We act conscientiously within the framework of our “Policy Statement Human Rights and Environmental Protection” and in accordance with our internal Code of Conduct for our employees.
As reflected in our internal Code of Conduct for our employees, we, the Capri Sun Group, are committed to high standards of integrity, sustainability and ethical conduct. We have a ‘zero tolerance’ policy when it comes to unethical business behavior, such as bribery, corruption and forced labor. We attach the greatest value to ensure that all of our business partners commit themselves to similar standards and conduct their business ethically and are in full compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
This external Code of Conduct is addressed to our business partners and defines a set of clear principles based on several commonly acknowledged ethical and legal standards in order to serve as a common framework for our daily business decisions and actions and to ensure that we are all doing the right thing every day.
1. Fundamental Principles
1.1.ETHICS
Capri Sun Group expects its business partners to always be ethical and compliant, and act with integrity in every aspect of their business and to adhere to the following principles and to demand this from their upstream suppliers:
Business Integrity
Business partners do not engage, encourage, practice or tolerate any form of corruption, extortion or embezzlement. Further, business partners are prohibited from offering or giving any gifts, favors or other items or services of value to Capri Sun Group employees that could inappropriately influence Capri Sun Group employees´ business decisions or gain an unfair advantage.
Fair Competition
Business partners must conduct their business in line with fair competition and in accordance with all applicable competition and anti-trust laws. We expect our business partners not to conclude agreements with competitors infringing anti-trust laws or abusing their potential dominant market position.
Data Protection, Confidential Information and Proprietary Information
Business partners must comply with all applicable laws concerning data protection. Further, business partners are expected to take appropriate steps to safeguard and maintain confidential and proprietary information and only use such information for purposes authorized by us.
1.2. LABOR CONDITIONS AND HUMAN RIGHTS
Our core belief is that people should be treated fairly, respectful and with dignity. Therefore, our business partners are expected to protect the human rights of their employees and to treat them with dignity and respect. This includes inter alia the following aspects:
Equality and Fair Treatment
Equal treatment of all employees is a fundamental principle of the Capri Sun Group’s corporate policy and is therefore also expected from our business partners. They must ensure that their employees are not harassed by typical discriminatory treatment referring to irrelevant characteristics of an employee such as race, national origin, gender, age, physical characteristics, social origin, disability, union membership, religion, family status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or any unlawful criterion under applicable law. Business partners are expected to provide their employees with a workplace free of harsh and inhumane treatment, without any sexual harassment, sexual abuse, mental or physical coercion or verbal abuse of employees, or the threat of any such treatment.
Prohibition of Child Labor
Capri Sun Group does not use or tolerate any kind of child labor, especially in the supply chain. We expect our business partners to avoid and prohibit any sort of child labor in their business operations, to adhere to the minimum employment age limit defined by national laws and regulations and to be compliant with the relevant ILO’s (International Labour Organization) standards.
Working Hours and Overtime, Wages
Working hours for business partners’ employees will not exceed the maximum set by the applicable national laws. Further, our business partners are expected to provide a fair remuneration to their employees, which is in line with applicable national laws.
Prohibition of Forced Labor
Business partners are expected to treat their employees with respect and dignity and to promote a work environment free of any form of forced labor, corporal punishment or other forms of physical coercion (e.g. bonded labor, forced prison labor, slavery and human trafficking).
Freedom of Association
Business partners must respect the right of their employees to freedom of association and organization in accordance with applicable laws. Further, business partners are expected to be committed to an open and constructive dialogue with their employees and workers’ representatives.
1.3. HEALTH, SAFETY AND QUALITY
Workplace safety is fundamental to the success of Capri Sun Group. We use internal and external expertise to provide a safe and healthy workplace for our employees. Even one accident or injury is one too many. Therefore, our business partners are expected to establish a safe working environment for their employees as well. Business partners will integrate quality into their business processes. This comprises the following aspects:
Health and Safety
Business partners must comply with all applicable health and safety regulations. All required permits, licenses and registrations must be obtained, maintained and kept up-to-date. Business partners are expected to provide appropriate controls, safe work procedures, preventative maintenance and necessary technical protective measures to mitigate or even avoid health and safety risks in the workplace. A safe and healthy working environment also includes as a minimum potable drinking water, adequate lighting, temperature, ventilation and sanitation, fire protection measures, designation and securing of escape and rescue routes.
Quality Requirements and Product Safety
Business partners must meet all applicable, generally recognized or contractually agreed quality requirements in order to provide goods and services that consistently meet the needs of the Capri Sun Group, perform as guaranteed and are safe for their intended use. Further, business partners must provide us with high-quality products, ingredients, materials and services that meet all applicable quality and food safety standards. We expect our business partners to immediately report to us any concerns about product safety.
1.4. ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY
We work to continuously improve our environmental performance by setting and working toward measurable goals that reduce the environmental impact of our activities. Therefore, our business partners are expected to operate in an environmentally responsible and resource-saving manner. This includes the following:
Waste and Emissions
Business partners must have systems in place to ensure the safe handling, movement, storage, recycling, reuse and management of waste, air emissions and wastewater discharges. Any of these activities that have the potential to adversely impact human or environmental health will be appropriately managed, measured, controlled and handled prior to release of any substance into the environment. We expect from our Business partners an environmentally sound handling and disposal of waste. The export and import of hazardous waste (as defined in the Basel Convention) is not acceptable. We also expect our Business partners to refrain from harmful soil changes, water or air pollution or excessive water consumption.
Resource Conservation and Climate Protection
Business partners are expected to use natural resources (e.g. water, sources of energy, raw materials) in an economical way. Business partners must strive to minimize or eliminate the adverse environmental impacts of their activities, products and services through a proactive approach and responsible management. Furthermore, we do not tolerate the forced eviction or expropriation of land, forests or waters. The same applies to the production of mercury-added products and persistent organic pollutants.
2. IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPLIANCE SYSTEMS
As we are committed to high standards of integrity, sustainability and ethical conduct, our business partners are expected to implement and maintain systems to facilitate compliance with all applicable laws and to promote continuous improvement with respect to the expectations set forth in this external Code of Conduct for business partners. This comprises the following aspect:
2.1. MEANS TO REPORT CONCERNS
Business partners are expected to provide means for their employees to report concerns or potentially unlawful activities in the workplace. Any report should be treated confidentially. Business partners will investigate such reports and take corrective action if needed.
2.2 COMMITMENT AND ACCOUNTABILITY
Business partners are encouraged to fulfill the expectations set forth in this Business Code of Conduct by allocating appropriate resources and to communicate the principles set forth in this Business Code of Conduct to their supply chain. Business partners will continuously improve their sustainability performance by implementing appropriate measures.
2.3 RISK MANAGEMENT
Our business partners are expected to implement or maintain mechanisms to identify, determine and manage risks in all areas addressed by this Business Code of Conduct and with respect to all applicable legal requirements.
2.4 AUDITS AND TERMINATION OF BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP
In order to ensure and prove compliance with this external Code of Conduct for business partners, business partners are obliged to keep record of all relevant documentation, and provide to us supporting documents upon request. To verify business partners´ compliance, we reserve the right to audit and inspect business partners´ operations and facilities, upon reasonable notice, with or without support of a third party. If the results of such an audit or inspection lead us to the conclusion that a business partner does not comply with this external Code of Conduct, business partner must take necessary corrective actions in a timely manner, as directed by us. Further, we maintain the right to suspend or even to terminate any agreement respectively the business relationship with the business partner.
3. Report of Potential Misconduct
Our business partners have a duty to report any actual, potential or suspected misconduct that involves or impacts the Capri Sun Group. This applies if this external Code of Conduct for business partners or applicable laws are violated by our business partners or our own employees. Reporting such types of concerns helps us to proactively address issues and maintains the integrity of the business relationship between the Capri Sun Group and our business partners. In addition to business partners´ own internal reporting resources, business partners and their employees have the possibility to report concerns via [email protected].