Code of Conduct

02  Child labour

RICHER shall strive for the global outlawing and abolition of child labour. Therefore, as a first step, the observance of the regulations of the United Nations on human rights and child rights is required as a minimum of the signing company. These include in particular the Convention on the minimum age for admission to employment and work (Convention 138 of the International Labour Organisation) and the Convention on the prohibition and immediate action for the elimination of the worst forms of child labour (Convention 182 of the International Labour Organisation). As a result, the employment of people younger than 14 years old is strictly prohibited. Employment which is also likely to be harmful to the life, health or morals of young people due to its nature or the conditions in which it is carried out is subject to the stricter provisions of the agreement mentioned above. If a national regulation concerning child labour provides for stricter measures, these shall have precedence.

01  Guiding principle 

All local and national laws, regulations and other provisions must be upheld. Business partners and employees shall be treated fairly and contracts shall be upheld. Moreover, international conventions on safety and social working conditions, child labour and environmental protection shall be observed. This includes in particular observing human rights and treating the workforce in a fair and respectful manner.

03  Involuntary labour

Suppliers undertake to not engage any person against their will. No involuntary or forced labour may take place. This shall also apply to prisoners and persons obligated under a security (e.g. submission of identification papers).

In order to form production conditions that have a certain impact and promote social acceptance, BSCI members formulate this code of conduct. All suppliers of BSCI members around the world are also obliged to comply with this code of conduct.

04  Salaries and working hours

Suppliers undertake to lay down binding employment conditions by means of written contracts with the employees. In addition to the legal requirements of the respective country, the contracts must take into account the spirit of fairness and respect and the requirements to protect human dignity. This shall concern both the arrangement of working hours and the specification of wages and salaries. Provisions that structurally exclude or considerably impair the dignity and freedom or physical integrity of an employee are not permitted (e.g. wage levels below the subsistence level, level of working hours above medical load limits)

05  Duress and harassment

All employees must be treated with dignity and respect. Suppliers shall avoid all forms of physical violence or threat of violence and the use or support of other forms of physical, sexual or verbal harassment or abuse.

06  Discrimination

Suppliers undertake to not base decisions regarding hiring, wages, promotion, termination of employment or pension payments on race, religion, age, nationality, social orethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender, political opinion or disability. Only the knowledge and abilities of the person shall be the basis for these decisions.

07  Freedom of association

Suppliers shall respect the employees’ right to freedom of association. Employees may regularly and peacefully come together and organise and implement collective negotiations without being punished as a result.

08  Health and safety

Suppliers shall guarantee a working environment for all those employed on its behalf which in no way harms the health and safety of employees to an extent greater than that which cannot be avoided due to the circumstances and the operational state of the art. This shall apply to regular operation as well as to emergencies. This includes the air quality (e.g. vapours, particulates, ventilation), noise level and temperature in the working areas and relevant safety equipment on machinery, necessary protective clothing and fire protection equipment if required which at least meet the legal requirements and which in any case must ensure the highest possible protection of employees. Regular explanation of dangers and safety provisions, as well as instruction upon hiring an employee, are essential. If employees are also provided with a place to sleep or live, this must also be obtained such that the health and safety of the user is ensured without restriction both in regular operation and in emergencies.

09  Environmental protection

In terms of the business strategy for sustainability, suppliers undertake to do business such that it uses as few natural resources in all its business activities as possible according to the respective operational state of the art. Similarly, emissions of any kind must be limited to the minimum as far as possible. On the whole, efforts should be made to progressively and continually reduce absolute resource consumption as well as air, water and soil pollution.

10  Imparting the Code of Conduct

Suppliers undertake to provide all employees access to the present code of conduct at all times by means of a clearly visible display in the respective national language. Any illiterate employees should be told about the code of conduct verbally.

11 Subcontracting of jobs and homework

Suppliers must name all subcontractors to RICHER. They must be informed of the Code of Conduct by the manufacturer. Obligations under the Code of Conduct shall not be rendered ineffective by temporary contract work, training programmes, subcontracting or homework.

12 Corruption

Suppliers undertake to strictly separate the interests of the company and the private interests of employees on both sides when dealing with business partners (clients, suppliers) and public institutions. Acts and (purchasing) decisions shall take place free from irrelevant considerations and personal interests. The applicable criminal law on corruption shall be observed. RICHER shall also strive to fully proscribe all forms of accepting and granting advantage and bribery.

13 Conduct towards competitors (antitrust law)

Suppliers undertake to not carry out any consultations or other activities whatsoever which influence prices or conditions, which allocate sales territories or clients, or which prevent free and open competition in an inadmissible way. In view of the fact that the boundary between illegal cartels and legal cooperation may be problematic, suppliers shall provide a contact for its employees who may be contacted in cases of doubt.

14 Code of Conduct inspection

Suppliers must ensure access to complete and accurate information at all times (even unannounced) and permit personal discussion with employees. RICHER supports its suppliers in improving their factories with a view to maintaining long-term business relations. Depending on the severity of the violation, improvements may be made using a plan of measures within a reasonable period of time. However, repeated violations shall lead to termination of the business relationship.

WENZHOU RICHER PACKAGING CO., LTD shall perform random checks to monitor whether there are violations against the principles laid down here. Continued violations against the principles listed shall result in the termination of business relations.