Code of Conduct
Global Compact: The Global Compact is a voluntary international corporate citizenship network initiated to support the participation of both the private sector and other social actors to advance responsible corporate citizenship and universal social and environmental principles to meet the challenges of globalization. The IHRPP strongly encourages all suppliers to actively participate in the Global Compact. And to that end, this Code of Conduct has been developed with recognition of the importance of the ten principles of the UN Global Compact. The Code of Conduct addresses the issues included in the Compact in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption and interpretation of the Code should be undertaken in a manner consistent with the Global Compact. Suppliers interested in supporting the Global Compact and obtaining more information on the ten principles, can visit the Global Compact website at http://www.unglobalcompact.org.
International Labour Conventions and Recommendations: The International Labour Standards (i.e., Conventions and Recommendations) as established by the tripartite UN specialized agency, the International Labour Organization (ILO), have served as the foundation on which much of this Code of Conduct is based. It is the IHRPP’s expectation that any supplier providing products or services on this platform will adhere to the principles concerning International Labour Standards summarized below in paragraphs 4 – 9.
1. Scope of Application:
The provisions of this Code of Conduct set forth the IHRPP’s expectations for all suppliers that are registered or advertise products on this platform. The IHRPP expects that these principles apply to suppliers and their employees, parent, subsidiary or affiliate entities, and subcontractors. The IHRPP expects suppliers to ensure that this Code of Conduct is communicated to their employees, parent, subsidiary and affiliated entities as well as any subcontractors, and that it is done in the local language and in a manner that is understood by all.
2. Continuous Improvement:
The provisions as set forth in this Code of Conduct provide the minimum standards expected of suppliers that are registered or advertise products on this platform. The IHRPP expects suppliers to strive to exceed both international and industry best practices. The IHRPP also expects that its suppliers encourage and work with their own suppliers and subcontractors to ensure that they also strive to meet the principles of this Code of Conduct. The IHRPP recognizes that reaching some of the standards established in this Code of Conduct is a dynamic rather than static process and encourages suppliers to continually improve their workplace conditions accordingly.
3. Management, Monitoring and Evaluation:
It is the expectation of the IHRPP that suppliers, at a minimum, have established clear goals toward meeting the standards set forth in this Code of Conduct. The IHRPP expects that its suppliers will establish and maintain appropriate management systems related to the content of this Code of Conduct, and that they actively review, monitor and modify their management processes and business operations to ensure they align with the principles set forth in this Code of Conduct. Supplier participants in the Global Compact are strongly encouraged to operationalize its principles and to communicate their progress annually to stakeholders. The IHRPP may monitor that milestones have been set and management systems have been put in place to ensure that the principles set out in this Code of Conduct have been met and failure to do so may impact the future ability of a supplier to advertise products on this platform. To review the progress of suppliers and subcontractors in implementing the Code of Conduct, the IHRPP may take various supporting initiatives, including requesting suppliers to commit to the Global Compact, to self-certify that they comply with the Code of Conduct and, in some cases, to conduct on site evaluations and inspections of supplier facilities and those of their subcontractors.
Labour:
4. Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining: The IHRPP expects suppliers listing products on this platform to recognize the freely-exercised right of workers, without distinction, to organize, further and defend their interests and to bargain collectively, as well as to protect those workers from any action or other form of discrimination related to the exercise of their right to organize, to carry out trade union activities and to bargain collectively.
5. Forced or Compulsory Labour: The IHRPP expects suppliers listing products on this platform to prohibit forced or compulsory labour in all its forms.
6. Child Labour: The IHRPP expects suppliers listing products on this platform not to employ: (a) children below 14 years of age or, if higher than that age, the minimum age of employment permitted by the law of the country or countries where the performance, in whole or in part, of manufacturing of products takes place, or the age of the end of compulsory schooling in that country or countries, whichever is higher; and (b) persons under the age of 18 for work that, by its nature or the circumstances in which it is carried out, is likely to harm the health, safety or morals of such persons.
7. Discrimination: The IHRPP expects suppliers listing products on this platform to ensure equality of opportunity and treatment in respect of employment and occupation without discrimination on grounds of race, colour, sex, religion, political opinion, national extraction or social origin and such other ground as may be recognized under the national law of the country or countries where the performance, in whole or in part, of manufacturing of products takes place.
8. Wages, Working Hours and Other Conditions of Work: The IHRPP expects suppliers listing products on this platform to ensure the payment of wages in legal tender, at regular intervals no longer than one month, in full and directly to the workers concerned. Suppliers should keep an appropriate record of such payments. Deductions from wages are permitted only under conditions and to the extent prescribed by the applicable law, regulations or collective agreement, and suppliers should inform the workers concerned of such deductions at the time of each payment. The wages, hours of work and other conditions of work provided by suppliers should be not less favourable than the best conditions prevailing locally (i.e., as contained in: (i) collective agreements covering a substantial proportion of employers and workers; (ii) arbitration awards; or (iii) applicable laws or regulations), for work of the same character performed in the trade or industry concerned in the area where work is carried out.
9. Health and Safety: The IHRPP expects suppliers listing products on this platform to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that: (a) the workplaces, machinery, equipment and processes under their control are safe and without risk to health; (b) the chemical, physical and biological substances and agents under their control are without risk to health when the appropriate measures of protection are taken; and (c) where necessary, adequate protective clothing and protective equipment are provided to prevent, so far as is reasonably practicable, risk of accidents or of adverse effects to health.
Human Rights:
10. Human Rights: The IHRPP expects suppliers listing products on this platform to support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights and to ensure that they are not complicit in human rights abuses.
11. Harassment, Harsh or Inhumane Treatment: The IHRPP expects suppliers listing products on this platform to create and maintain an environment that treats all employees with dignity and respect and will not use any threats of violence, sexual exploitation or abuse, verbal or psychological harassment or abuse. No harsh or inhumane treatment coercion or corporal punishment of any kind is tolerated, nor is there to be the threat of any such treatment.
12. Mines: The IHRPP expects suppliers listing products on this platform not to engage in the sale or manufacture of anti-personnel mines or components utilized in the manufacture of anti-personnel mines.
Environment:
13. Environmental: The IHRPP expects suppliers listing products on this platform to have an effective environmental policy and to comply with existing legislation and regulations regarding the protection of the environment. Suppliers should wherever possible support a precautionary approach to environmental matters, undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility and encourage the diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies implementing sound life-cycle practices.
14. Chemical and Hazardous Materials: Chemical and other materials posing a hazard if released to the environment are to be identified and managed to ensure their safe handling, movement, storage, recycling or reuse and disposal.
15. Wastewater and Solid Waste: Wastewater and solid waste generated from operations, industrial processes and sanitation facilities are to be monitored, controlled and treated as required prior to discharge or disposal.
16. Air Emissions: Air emissions of volatile organic chemicals, aerosols, corrosives, particulates, ozone depleting chemicals and combustion by-products generated from operations are to be characterized, monitored, controlled and treated as required prior to discharge or disposal.
17. Minimize Waste, Maximize Recycling: Waste of all types, including water and energy, are to be reduced or eliminated at the source or by practices such as modifying production, maintenance and facility processes, materials substitution, conservation, recycling and re-using materials.
Ethical conduct:
18. Corruption: The IHRPP expects suppliers listing products on this platform to adhere to the highest standards of moral and ethical conduct, to respect local laws and not engage in any form of corrupt practices, including but not limited to extortion, fraud, or bribery.
Non-adherence to these principles will be a factor in considering whether a supplier is deemed eligible to list products on this platform.
We encourage suppliers listing products on this platform to improve their business practices in accordance with the principles set out in this Code of Conduct.
Contacts:
Any questions related to this Code of Conduct can be addressed to the following email address: support@ihrpp.com
