Sustainability guideline for suppliers

 

• Preamble
• Art. 1 Social and ethical responsibility
• Art. 2 Business conduct
• Art. 3 Environmental responsibility
• Art. 4 Compliance with the Code of Conduct

Preamble

Sustainability is a long-term strategic success factor not only for PROFIROLL TECHNOLOGIES GmbH (in future referred to as PROFIROLL), but also for its suppliers. The sustainability guideline for suppliers of PROFIROLL actively demands sustainable management. At the same time, it is the basis of PROFIROLL's economic, ecological and social responsibility.

This document summarises PROFIROLL's basic principles and standards for its suppliers of production-related and non-production-related goods and services, based on globally recognised guidelines and principles.

The basis for a long-term successful partnership between PROFIROLL and its suppliers is a common understanding of the sustainability guideline listed below.

Art. 1 Social and ethical responsibility

Compliance with employee rights

PROFIROLL requires compliance with the basic employee rights of the respective applicable national legislation.

Compliance with human rights

Our suppliers observe internationally recognised human rights and ensure that these are upheld.

Prohibition of child labour

Our suppliers only employ employees who have reached the minimum age required to perform work in accordance with the applicable national legislation. The special rights of children are observed and respected.

Prohibition of forced labour

Our suppliers reject any form of forced labour and respect the principle of freely chosen employment.

Fairness in wages, working hours and social benefits

Our suppliers pay compensation and benefits that are at least in line with national and local legal standards, regulations or agreements. If these do not exist, fair and living wages must be paid. The applicable regulations on working hours and holidays are complied with.

Non-discrimination and equal opportunities

Our suppliers are obliged to maintain equal opportunities in employment and to refrain from any discrimination. Discrimination against employees, for example on the basis of descent, origin, skin colour, nationality, religion, gender, sexual orientation, world view, political and trade union activity, age, disability, illness or pregnancy, must not take place.

Ethical recruitment

Our suppliers ensure that their recruitment, promotion and training processes are ethically fair, sustainable, transparent, respectful and based on equality.

Freedom of association

Our suppliers respect the freedom of association and the right to form interest groups. They grant their employees the right to defend their interests on the basis of national legislation.

Occupational health and safety

Our suppliers shall, as a minimum, comply with the respective national standards for a safe and hygienic working environment and, within this framework, shall take appropriate measures to ensure health and safety at the workplace so as to guarantee employment conditions that are conducive to health.

Rights of minorities

Our suppliers guarantee members of minorities their privileged right to maintain and exercise their cultural characteristics - such as traditions, language, education, religion.

Land, forest and water rights and eviction

Our suppliers shall not engage in any unlawful eviction or deprivation of land, forests and waters in the acquisition, development or other use of land, forests and waters the use of which secures the livelihood of any person.

Use of private and public security forces

Our suppliers do not hire or use private or public security forces to protect a business project if, due to a lack of instruction or control, the use of the security forces violates the prohibition of torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, injures life or limb, or interferes with freedom of association and union.

 

Art. 2 Business conduct

Compliance with laws

Our suppliers are required to refrain from any form of fraud or embezzlement, insolvency offences, corruption, granting of advantages, bribery or venality. We expect the highest level of integrity in all business activities and relationships. The supplier is obliged to comply with all regulations and laws applicable to him and the business relationship with PROFIROLL.

Prohibition of corruption, extortion and bribery

Corruption, extortion and bribery are strictly prohibited. To ensure this, we expect consistent and transparent behaviour from our suppliers.

Fair competition, antitrust law

Our suppliers will compete fairly and comply with applicable laws and regulations that protect free competition. Any laws and regulations that promote and protect competition, in particular antitrust laws, must be complied with. Businesses must respect fair competition and comply with the prohibition of price fixing with competitors and other actions that impede the free market.

Trade secrets

Our suppliers are obliged to treat as trade secrets all commercial and technical details which are not in the public domain and which become known to them through the business relationship.

Protection against retaliation

We expect our suppliers to protect workers who file a grievance within the supplier company from threats, harassment or other adverse action. In addition, care must be taken to protect the personal information of whistleblowers and reporters. Whistleblowers are expected to maintain the confidentiality of their identity during all stages of the process by the supplier company.

Avoiding conflicts of interest

Our suppliers make decisions based on factual considerations and are not improperly guided by personal interests. Situations that could lead to conflicts of interest should be avoided. Private or personal concerns are to be disregarded and are not to be taken into account in any business decisions.

Confidentiality and data protection

Our suppliers are committed to meeting the reasonable expectations of its principal, suppliers, customers, consumers and employees with respect to the protection of private information. The applicable data protection laws must be strictly adhered to.

Money laundering

Our suppliers shall comply with the relevant legal provisions for the prevention of money laundering.

Intellectual property and counterfeiting

Our suppliers shall respect intellectual property rights; technology and know-how transfers shall be made in a manner that protects intellectual property rights and customer information. Theft of intellectual property (plagiarism) is strictly prohibited.

Export controls and economic sanctions

Our suppliers operate in compliance with export control criteria and economic sanctions in place to ensure safe trade.

Financial responsibility

Our suppliers are aware of their financial responsibility towards relevant parties such as employees, customers, business partners as well as towards all governmental authorities and are committed to correct accounting and truthful reporting. Accordingly, the respective laws, standards, practices and regulations must be followed.

Disclosure of information 

Our suppliers are required to openly disclose critical information on any topic immediately in order to avoid jeopardising our economic, ecological and social responsibility.

Art. 3 Ecological responsibility

Careful use of resources

Our suppliers reduce the consumption of raw materials to a minimum in every business activity. In particular, they shall ensure that energy and water are used sparingly. Preference shall be given to the use of renewable resources where possible.

Avoidance and reduction of environmental pollution

Our suppliers reduce any emissions, such as greenhouse gas and noise emissions, to a minimum in accordance with the state of the art. They shall control polluting emissions and treat them before they are released into the environment. The supplier should avoid or recycle waste as far as possible. Materials used should be reused when the possibility exists. The supplier shall develop procedures that regulate the transport, storage and safe and environmentally friendly treatment and disposal of waste.

Avoidance of hazardous substances

Substances that pose a risk to people and the environment through release shall be avoided wherever possible. The supplier shall also implement a hazardous substance management system that ensures safe use and transport as well as safe storage, reprocessing, reuse and disposal.

Environmentally compatible products and processes

When developing products and processes, our suppliers ensure that their use is economical in terms of energy and natural resources. Products should also be suitable for reuse, recycling or safe disposal.

Biodiversity, species diversity, animal welfare, land use and deforestation.

Wherever possible, our suppliers support the promotion and conservation of biodiversity and associated ecosystems. This includes, in particular, the responsible use of near-natural company land in terms of land use and deforestation, the preservation of soil quality, and the conservation and protection of biodiversity and animals.

Art. 4 Compliance with the Code of Conduct

Management systems

Our suppliers shall implement management systems that ensure compliance with the principles set forth herein and certify them in accordance with recognised standards. PROFIROLL will give preference to suppliers who actively operate a quality management system in accordance with ISO 9001 and an environmental management system in accordance with ISO 14001.

Reporting

Where possible, our suppliers carry out appropriate reporting on applicable human rights and environmental critical issues. Particular attention should be paid to reporting on greenhouse gas emissions and, where applicable, other critical issues in the respective industry. Suppliers who have not yet developed a reporting system are open to this topic and promote the development of appropriate reporting internally.

Communication

Our suppliers will communicate this Code of Conduct to third parties used to fulfil the contractual relationship with PROFIROLL, will take the Code of Conduct into account when selecting them and will endeavour to oblige them to comply with it, and will check this regularly.