Code of Conduct for Business Partners of the Bionorica Group

Transcription

1 Code of Conduct for Business Partners of the Bionorica Group

2 Code of Conduct for Business Partners of the Bionorica Group We, the Bionorica Group of enterprises, believe in social responsibility, protecting the environment and fair business practices as our primary corporate values. The chief objectives of the Bionorica Group are to sustainably unite business, environmental and social responsibility and realize the concept of phytoneering. In pursuit of these goals, we, the Bionorica Group, commit ourselves to the following goals: To bring about broad understanding of the value and efficicacy of herbal pharmaceuticals. To make modern medicine for human health a little more natural. To uncover the secrets of nature to develop highly efficient herbal medicines. To improve quality of life. To realize the concept of phytoneering by setting standards in all areas of internal and external relations. To achieve these goals we have implemented a detailed Code of Conduct in which we define and describe the ethical dimensions of our activities. To ensure strict adherence to the Bionorica Group s corporate social responsibility (CSR) standards in procurement, external business partners must comply likewise with this Code of Conduct. The basic expectations of the Bionorica Group towards suppliers, service providers and other business partners are governed by this Code of Conduct for Business Partners. The basic Code principles conform with the Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI), the conventions of the International Labor Organisation (ILO), the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights, the United Nations Conventions on the Rights of the Child and on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, the principles of the United Nations Global Compact as well as the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. The principles set out in this Code of Conduct are not to be considered as maximum expectations of our business partners, but rather as expectations to be exceeded to the extent possible. 1/8

3 1. Scope of Application This Code of Conduct forms the basis for all business relations of the Bionorica Group. It applies worldwide to all direct business partners of the Bionorica Group and to all Bionorica Group service providers and suppliers of direct business partners (hereinafter Agents direct business partners and Agents hereinafter being designated Business Partners ). The Business Partners of the Bionorica Group warrant and guarantee their compliance with the principles set out in this Code of Conduct. 2. Compliance with Applicable Law In the respective places of business the applicable national and international laws and regulations, minimum industry standards, ILO and UN conventions and all other relevant regulations (hereinafter Regulations ) are to be respected. Such Regulations shall apply which ensure the strictest standards. Compliance with this Code of Conduct or any other mentioned Regulations may under no circumstances be circumvented by employment contracts or similar arrangements (e.g. faked educational programs). We point out that the strict compliance with prevailing laws, particularly the German minimum wage law (MiLoG), is the basis for collaboration with the Bionorica group. 3. Child / Juvenile Labor Child labor and any form of exploitation of children and adolescents will not be tolerated by the Bionorica Group. The minimum age for employment may not be below the applicable age at which compulsory school attendance ends. Under no circumstances may persons under the age of 15 be employed. Provisions of national law for the protection of children and adolescents at work must be respected. The ILO exceptions apply. Adherence to the prohibition on child labor and to the restrictions applicable to juvenile labor must be ensured. In particular, adolescents may not be employed under conditions which are dangerous, unsafe or endangering to health. In case of violations of any prohibition the respective Business Partner must immediately take remedial measures, which must be properly documented. In addition, the Business Partner must implement measures and processes for rehabilitating and socially integrating the children affected so as to enable them to graduate school under applicable national laws. This passage follows ILO conventions 79, 138, 142, 182 as well as ILO recommendation /8

4 4. Discrimination Any form of discrimination in hiring and employing is prohibited. In particular, any distinction, exclusion or privilege on the basis of race, caste, skin colour, sex, age, religion, political opinion, membership in a labor organization, physical or mental disability, ethnicity, ethnic extraction or social origin, nationality, sexual orientation or other personal traits is prohibited. This applies no matter whether or not distinction, exclusion or privilege has been established by the Business Partner. This passage follows ILO conventions 100, 111, 143, 158 and F reedom of Association and Right of Collective Bargaining Employees shall be protected against any singling out in connection with their employment due to or in connection with freedom of association. Employees right to associate, form, join, leave or be active in organizations in support and protection of their labor interests must be respected. The exercising of employment responsibilities may not however be impaired by such actions. If national laws restrict freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining, at a minimum a free and independent association of employees for the purposes of negotiations must be enabled and supported. This passage follows ILO conventions 87, 98, 135 and 154 as well as ILO recommendation Forced Labor No form of forced or mandatory labor, debt bondage, serfdom, slavery or any similar form of slave labor is tolerated by the Bionorica Group. Any form of prison labor is prohibited. No person employed may be directly or indirectly forced to work through violence or intimidation. Employees may only be engaged on a voluntary basis for the employment position in question. This passage follows ILO conventions 29 and /8

5 7. Disciplinary Measures All employees must be treated with respect and dignity. Sanctions, fines, penalties and other disciplinary measures may only be levied in compliance with applicable national and international laws and internationally accepted human rights principles. No employee may be subjected to verbal, psychological, physical and/or sexual abuse, nor intimidation or harassment. 8. Work Hours Work hours must comply with applicable laws, industry standards or relevant ILO conventions, under the understanding that the strictest standards apply. The maximum weekly number of work hours time under national laws applies. Weekly work hours may not however regularly exceed the standard of 48 hours, or 60 hours including overtime. Additionally, specific national and international law norms applicable to businesses, employment arrangements and to severe disturbances of routine operations apply. In particular, the exceptions set out per the ILO apply. At a minimum, employees have the right to one day s rest after six consecutive working days. Overtime must be separately compensated according to applicable national law provisions. Overtime is strictly voluntary. This passage follows ILO conventions 1 and Documentation of Employment Our Business Partners guarantee proper written documentation of employment conditions (e.g. beginning and duration of employment, working hours, pay and extra pay) of their employees with respect to employment phases. The name, date and place of birth, and whenever possible the home address of the employee must be documented. Our direct Business Partners guarantee adherence to bind their Agents to such documentation requirements accordingly. It is prohibited to evade applicable provisions of national labor and social security law. 4/8

6 10. Wages Our Business Partners guarantee that the wages of their employees will at a minimum conform to the minimum wage provisions set forth under law or custom/bargaining agreements in the respective industry, under the understanding that the higher of the two standards applies. Paid wages must be sufficient to cover basic employee needs. Illegal and unjust wage deductions, in particular deductions as direct or indirect disciplinary measures are prohibited. Payout must be convenient for the employee (e.g. in cash or in the form of a pay check). Employees must be informed in an easily comprehensible and detailed manner, and on a regular basis, of the elements of their pay. This passage follows ILO conventions 26 and Health & Security Our Business Partners are responsible for ensuring a secure and healthy working environment. They shall take measures necessary for preventing work accidents and health damage related to employment. As part of these efforts our Business Partners must have systems in place for identifying and avoiding potential hazards to the health and safety of their employees, and for taking adequate countermeasures. Our Business Partners furthermore warrant that their employees shall undergo regular training on applicable workplace health and safety rules. This must be properly documented by our Business Partners. Our Business Partners shall provide their employees access to clean toilet facilities and to drinking water in sufficient quantities. If sleeping accommodations are made available, these must be clean, secure and meet basic standards. This passage follows ILO convention Environmental Protection Conservation of nature and the environment is an integral and central aspect of Bionorica Group business practices. Our Business Partners must comply with applicable environmental regulations. They are expected to work steadily to avoid or reduce pollution. Applicable processes and standards on emissions, waste water treatment, treatment of wastes, chemicals and other dangerous substances as well as their disposal must be complied with. Protection and preservation of natural resources are a particular priority. Environmental and socially responsible production is to be supported. 5/8

7 13. Notification / Communications This Code of Conduct will be made freely available to all Bionorica Business Partners in their national language. For those who cannot read, this Code of Conduct will be explained verbally. 14. Bribery and Corruption No forms of bribery and corruption are tolerated by the Bionorica Group. All Business Partners and their employees must act so as to avoid any personal dependence, obligation or influence. In the first place, business conduct based on fairness and respect for applicable national and international laws is demanded. Furthermore, Business Partners shall establish antibribery and anticorruption policies to be adhered in conducting business activities. Even if gifts are customary and a form of politeness in a given culture, it is nevertheless necessary to avoid dependence and respect applicable national laws. Information on potential corrupt activities shall be communicated to the Bionorica Group. The relevant contact person is the Compliance Officer (see point 19). 15. Management Systems To ensure the implementation, compliance with and monitoring of the principles set forth in this Code of Conduct, our Business Partners shall implement a suitable management system. This management system must clearly outline competences and processes, and provide appropriate documentation. Documentation, implementation, compliance with and continuous improvement of the principles set forth in this Code of Conduct shall be reviewed on a regular basis. These reviews shall be documented. Direct Business Partners must ensure that their agents act accordingly. 16. Planning for Business Interruptions Business Partners should be prepared for business interruptions of any kind (natural disasters, terrorism, computer viruses, pandemics etc.). In particular, Business Partners must have contingency plans prepared to protect their employees, the environment and their business organization in the event of a crisis situation. 6/8

8 17. Compliance with this Code of Conduct The Bionorica Group agrees to ensure compliance with this Code of Conduct. All Business Partners must upon request by Bionorica allow CSR audits at their offices / facilities. Direct Business Partners agree that Bionorica Group or a third party designated by Bionorica shall be entitled to review compliance with this Code of Conduct on the part of the direct Business Partner or the Business Partner s agents; the direct Business Partner shall identify the relevant places of business. 18. Sanctions and Responses The Bionorica Group may monitor compliance with this Code. If a violation is identified or deemed likely, the respective Business Partner must immediately take reasonable response measures. Bionorica Group shall grant an appropriate time period for such and provide support accordingly. The Bionorica Group s right to terminate the business relationship with the Business Partner is not limited by the above mentioned paragraph. This applies no matter if a violation has been committed by a direct Business Partner or an agent of the Business Partner. 19. Complaints Complaints and notifications regarding violations of this Code of Conduct can be communicated to the Bionorica Group at any time. This applies as well to anonymous notifications. The designated contact individual is: Bionorica SE Dr. Josef Harrer Compliance Officer Kerschensteinerstr Neumarkt Tel.: / Fax: / josef.harrer@bionorica.de The senders of complaints, notifications or messages (hereinafter whistleblowers ) are expected to communicate data with good faith with respect to accuracy. Business Partners guarantee that no retaliatory or disciplinary measures will be taken against whistleblowers. 7/8

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