Supplier Code of Conduct

INTRODUCTION 

The Dodson & Horrell Group is committed to contributing to a positive development to society wherever we operate and to making sure that we conduct our business in a responsible manner.  We are committed to being a good corporate citizen and to treating all those who come into contact with us in a fair and ethical manner. We take into account how we deal with our suppliers and how we manage our ethical and environmental responsibilities. 

We support the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights which means that we aim to support the principles within four important areas: human rights, labour rights, environment and anti-corruption.  We also comply with the Modern Slavery Act 2015. Our Supplier Code of Conduct highlights the steps we expect our suppliers to undertake in these regards.

SCOPE

This code applies to all suppliers to Dodson & Horrell Group Companies (‘Supplier' or 'Suppliers').  Observance of the code will be deemed to be part of any agreement or contract between the Dodson & Horrell Group and our Suppliers.  

The provisions of the code extend to all workers including workers who are engaged informally, on short-term contracts, or on a part-time basis. It shall be the responsibility of Suppliers to ensure that their sub-suppliers do not violate the standards of this Code, which includes responsibility of communicating the content, and ensuring that all measures are implemented accordingly. The Supplier is furthermore responsible for ensuring that sub-suppliers classified as home-based workers or small farmers observe the basic principles of the Code, as appropriate to the nature and scale of their operations.

COMPLIANCE

Suppliers must, in addition to meeting the provisions of this Code, comply with all national laws and regulations as well as other applicable standards. Should there be differences between the content of this Code and national laws or other applicable standards, Suppliers shall adhere to the higher or more stringent requirements. Conflicts between the provisions of this Code and national laws or other applicable standards shall be evaluated by the Dodson & Horrell Group in cooperation with the Supplier. Suppliers must be able to evidence their compliance, and if any conflicts are detected, the Supplier must inform the Dodson & Horrell Group immediately. 

Dodson & Horrell Group believes that building long term relationships with our Suppliers is crucial for our business. The Dodson & Horrell Group is willing to work with Suppliers to achieve compliance with the provisions of this Code, while reserving the right to terminate any agreements with the Supplier; should the Supplier decide that compliance with the requirements of the Code is impossible to obtain, or the Supplier displays repeated disregard of the Code. The Dodson & Horrell Group shall periodically review the adequacy and continuing effectiveness of this Code of Conduct.

HUMAN RIGHTS

  • Equal opportunities

Suppliers shall not discriminate with regard to employees based on race, colour, gender, language, religion, political or other opinion, caste, national or social origin, property, birth, union affiliation, sexual orientation, health status, age, and disability or other distinguishing characteristics.

Furthermore, hiring, remuneration, benefits, training, advancement, discipline, termination, retirement or any other employment related decisions shall be based on relevant and objective criteria.

LABOUR STANDARDS 

  • Forced Labour and Freedom of Movement

Suppliers must not participate in, or benefit from, any form of forced labour, including bonded labour, slavery or human trafficking. Workers must have the freedom of movement during the course of their employment.

  • Child Labour

Suppliers shall not engage in, or benefit from, the use of child labour.

The minimum age for full-time employment shall not be less than 15 years. If the local minimum working age is set at fourteen years of age in accordance with exceptions for developing countries, the lower age will apply.

Where permitted by national laws, Suppliers may permit the employment or work of persons 13 to 15 14 years of age to perform a few hours of light work per day. The work must be simple tasks of a limited nature and not interfere with the children's educational responsibilities. Furthermore, the work must not be harmful to their health or development. Apprenticeship programmes for children below the minimum age of employment must be remunerated and clearly aimed at training.

Suppliers shall refrain from hiring young workers (below 18 years of age) to perform any type of work, which is likely to jeopardise their health, safety or morals.

  • Anti-Harassment and Abuse

Suppliers shall commit to a workplace free of harassment and abuse. Suppliers shall not threaten workers with, or subject them to, harsh or inhumane treatment, including but not limited to verbal abuse and harassment, psychological harassment, mental and physical coercion, and sexual harassment.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Suppliers shall ensure that workers are offered a safe and healthy working environment and integrate sound health and safety management practices into its business. Workers shall have the right to refuse unsafe work and to report unhealthy working conditions.

It is expected that Suppliers shall progressively identify and eliminate or control hazards which present a risk to workers & other persons present on our sites, and to the environment.

  • Systems, Documentation and Accidents

Suppliers shall develop and maintain effective systems that inform and consult workers on relevant health and safety matters. Through these systems Suppliers shall keep and maintain accurate records of accidents, injuries and known exposure to health and safety risks at work according to local legislation.

  • Training and Personal Protective Equipment

Suppliers shall provide workers with the protective equipment and training necessary to perform their tasks safely.

  • Sanitary Infrastructure

Suppliers must provide suitable, clean and sanitary infrastructure, including access to toilets and potable water, which conforms to the needs of its workers and is adequate to its numbers. Accommodation, if provided, shall conform to the same requirements, including the general provisions on health and safety listed above.

  • Accidents and Health Emergencies

Suppliers shall establish and maintain emergency procedures to effectively prevent and address all health emergencies and industrial accidents affecting the surrounding community.

  • Worker Health and Safety Committees

Suppliers are encouraged to initiate and support worker health and safety committees to enhance ongoing health and safety education and to encourage worker input on, and participation in, health and safety issues in the workplace 

ENVIRONMENT

Suppliers must comply with all relevant national environmental legislation. Suppliers must maintain awareness of current environmental legislative requirements, relevant to the environmental impacts of its activities, products and services and ensure legal compliance through training, awareness, operational control and monitoring.

  • Management of Environmental Issues

Suppliers must work systematically to prevent, minimise and remedy adverse environmental impacts of its activities, products and services through a proactive approach and responsible management of its environmental aspects.

  • Air, Noise and Water Pollution

Suppliers must ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulation in connection with emissions to the air, noise pollution and discharges to ground and water.

  • Waste

Suppliers shall establish and maintain a list of hazardous and non-hazardous waste, in order to monitor the type and amount which is generated by Suppliers.  Suppliers shall also establish a procedure on safe handling, transportation and disposal of the waste. Hazardous waste shall not be land-filled or incinerated on-site unless authorised and approved by the local authorities. If non-hazardous waste is land-filled or incinerated on site all relevant legal requirements must be fulfilled.

  • Chemicals

Suppliers shall have a written procedure for the procurement, storage, handling and use of chemical substances. The procedure shall include guidelines on safe handling and use of chemicals, with specific emphasis on hazardous materials.

BUSINESS ETHICS

Dodson & Horrell Group expects the highest standards of ethical conduct. Suppliers shall always be ethical in every aspect of its business, including relationships, practices, sourcing and operations

  • Corruption and Bribery

Suppliers shall not engage in any form of bribery, corruption, extortion or embezzlement or any other method, to obtain an unfair or improper advantage. Suppliers shall abide by all applicable anti-corruption laws.

  • Disclosure of Information

Suppliers shall accurately record information regarding its business activities, labour, health and safety, and environmental practices and shall disclose such information, without falsification or misrepresentation, to all appropriate parties.

  • Protection of Intellectual Property

Suppliers shall respect intellectual property rights and safeguard customer information.  Suppliers shall manage technology and know-how in a manner that protects intellectual property rights

  • Community Engagement

Suppliers are encouraged to help foster social and economic development and contribute to the sustainability of the communities in which it operates.