The ConnectDER Supplier Code of Conduct (“Code”) sets forth the basic principles and expectations that apply to all suppliers, vendors, contractors, and business partners (“Suppliers”) who wish to conduct business with ConnectDER. ConnectDER strongly encourages Suppliers to exceed the requirements of this Code and promote best practices and continuous improvement throughout their operations and those of their suppliers, service providers, and extended networks. This Code applies internationally, regardless of a Supplier’s location and local business practices, and serves as a baseline for maintaining business relationship with our organization.
I. LABOR & HUMAN RIGHTS
Suppliers are required to observe the human rights of their workers and to treat them with dignity and respect as understood by the international community and proscribed by international norms. This applies to all workers, including temporary, migrant, student, contract, direct employees, and any other type of worker.
Voluntary Employment: Suppliers shall not use forced labor, human trafficking, debt bonded or involuntary labor practices. Suppliers must ensure entities they obtain product components, raw materials, or labor services from do not use forced/incarcerated labor or contribute to human trafficking. All work will be voluntary, and workers will be free to leave work at any time or terminate their employment. Workers will not be required to surrender any government issued identification, passports, or work permits as a condition of employment.
Child Labor: Suppliers must comply with minimum age requirements as set by local laws and international standards. ConnectDER defines child labor as utilizing the labor of an individual younger than the minimum working age in the supplier’s jurisdiction, or any individual under the age of 15, whichever is greater. ConnectDER requires suppliers to comply with local regulations on child labor as well as the International Labor Organization's standards relating to age-appropriate work. Suppliers must comply with all legal requirements for the work of authorized young workers, particularly those pertaining to hours of work, wages, safety, working conditions, and the handling of certain materials.
Fair Treatment: Suppliers shall provide a workplace free from discrimination, harassment, and abuse, ensuring respect for the dignity of all workers.
- Hours of Work: Suppliers must ensure that on a regularly scheduled basis, except in extraordinary business circumstances, workers are not required to work more than (a) 60 hours a week, including overtime, or (b) the limits on regular and overtime hours allowed by the laws of the country of manufacture. In addition, except in extraordinary business circumstances, all workers are entitled to at least one day off in every seven-day period.
- Harassment: Supplier will respect the dignity, privacy, and personal rights of your employees. There will be no cruel, harsh or inhumane treatment including any sexual harassment, sexual abuse, corporal punishment, mental or physical coercion or verbal abuse of workers; nor will there be the threat of any such treatment.
- Non-Discrimination: Supplier will be committed to a workplace free of harassment and unlawful discrimination. Supplier will not engage in discrimination based on race, color, age, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, nationality, disability, pregnancy, religion, political affiliation, union membership or marital status in hiring and employment practices, including, without limitation, promotions, compensation, rewards, and access to training.
- Freedom of Association: Company requires suppliers to recognize and respect the rights of employees to choose to lawfully create, organize, and participate in lawful workers’ associations and trade unions of their own choosing and to lawfully bargain or negotiate collectively, without penalty, discrimination, or harassment.
- Non-Retaliation: Supplier will have a well-defined process for its personnel to enable them to raise any concerns without fear of retaliation.
Wages and Benefits: Supplier must pay workers at least the minimum compensation required by local law and provide all legally mandated benefits. In addition to payment for regular hours of work, workers must be paid for overtime hours at such premium rate as is legally required or, in those countries where such laws do not exist, at least equal to their regular hourly payment rate.
II. HEALTH & SAFETY
ConnectDER requires suppliers to provide workers with safe, clean and healthy working environmental conditions in compliance with local standards and standard industry practices. This includes any residential facilities a Supplier provides to its workers.
Occupational Health and Safety: Worker exposure to potential safety hazards (e.g., electrical and other energy sources, fire, vehicles, physical and medically hazardous materials, and fall hazards) will be controlled through proper design, engineering and administrative controls, preventative maintenance and safe work procedures, and ongoing safety training. Where hazards cannot be adequately controlled by these means, workers will be trained and provided with appropriate, well-maintained, personal protective equipment.
III. ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY
Suppliers must comply with all local environmental laws applicable to the workplace, the products produced, and the methods of manufacture. ConnectDER expects its Suppliers to minimize adverse (and potentially adverse) effects on the community, environment and natural resources while safeguarding the health and safety of the public and sustaining the environment. This includes:
- Complying with all environmental regulations and laws
- Striving to minimize waste. Emissions, and resource consumption
- Encouraging sustainable practices in operations and supply chains
IV. BUSINESS ETHICS
ConnectDER has zero tolerance for bribery and corruption of any kind and in any form.
Business Integrity and Anti-Corruption: Suppliers must act with utmost integrity, honesty and transparency, and comply with all applicable anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws. Even the appearance of impropriety should be avoided at all times and under all circumstances. Offering or granting, directly or indirectly, anything of value, including, but not limited to cash, bribes, or kickbacks, to any ConnectDER employee, representative, or customer of ConnectDER, or a Public Official in connection with or related to any ConnectDER procurement activity is strictly prohibited.
Fair Competition: Supplier will uphold standards of fair business, advertising and competition. Sharing or exchanging any price, cost or other competitive information or undertaking of any other collusive conduct with any other third-party supplier or bidder to ConnectDER with respect to any proposed, pending, or current ConnectDER procurement activity is prohibited.
Conflicts of Interest: Suppliers must disclose any potential conflicts of interest that could influence their business relationship with ConnectDER.
V. COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS & REGULATIONS
Suppliers are expected to comply with all applicable international, national, and local laws, regulations, and standards in the jurisdictions where they operate. This includes, but is not limited to, trade, labor, environmental, health, and safety regulations.
Global Trade and Compliance: Suppliers will comply with all applicable import/export laws in its dealing with ConnectDER. Suppliers will comply with applicable international trade control and customs laws and regulations, including those relating to licensing, shipping and import documentation and reporting, and record retention requirements, comply with national and international sanctions and embargoes; and make sure that all duties, levies and tax obligations are duly satisfied.
Responsible Sourcing of Minerals: ConnectDER expects all its Suppliers to fully comply with the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act's provisions and the corresponding enabling regulations regarding conflict minerals. Supplier shall exercise due diligence and demonstrate compliance with the Dodd-Frank Act with respect to the source and chain of custody of conflict minerals.
VI. CONFIDENTIALITY & DATA PROTECTION
Suppliers must safeguard the confidential information and intellectual property of ConnectDER ConnectDER's customers, your business partners, and any other third party. Supplier will handle proprietary information or intellectual property of ConnectDER in a reasonable and responsible manner in strict compliance with the terms and conditions of the relevant agreements between Supplier, ConnectDER and other partners. Information provided for business purposes should not be shared, disclosed, or misused without explicit authorization in writing.
VII. CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT & ACCOUNTABILITY
Suppliers are encouraged to maintain processes that ensure ongoing compliance with this Code. Suppliers must be prepared to demonstrate adherence through documentation, self-assessments, and audits as requested.
VIII. ENFORCEMENT & CONSEQUENCES
ConnectDER reserves the right to take action if a Supplier violates this Code, which may include corrective measures, suspension of business activities, or termination of the relationship. Compliance with this Code is a condition for entering and maintaining a business relationship with ConnectDER.