CODE OF CONDUCT
CODE OF CONDUCT FOR SUPPLIERS AND BUSINESS PARTNERS OF PRIVATMOLKEREI BAUER GMBH & CO.KG (SUPPLIER CODE OF CONDUCT)
As a globally operating company, Privatmolkerei Bauer GmbH & Co. KG (hereinafter referred to as "PM") avows itself to keeping laws in force, to observing social and ethical standards, as well as to sustainable activities. This is part of our corporate culture which is based on common values such as adhering to human rights and equal opportunity, taking a clear position in the fight against discrimination, bribery and corruption, as well as on the pledge of fair treatment of business partners and competitors. It is our responsibility to take care that our performance is delivered as part of a value chain which is compliant with international standards and principles of entrepreneurial activity. For this reason, we have summarized our expectations with regard to working conditions, health, safety and security, the environment and business ethics, in this Supplier Code of Conduct. We expect from all companies across our supply chain that they and their activities comply with the respectively valid national laws as well as the principles of the BSCI Code and this Supplier Code of Conduct. Moreover, please make sure that also your own suppliers and the companies affiliated with you fulfil this Supplier Code of Conduct.
Treatment of Employees
PM expects its suppliers to comply with the basic employee rights of the respectively valid national laws. Moreover, PM expects the acceptance of the core labour standards of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) while taking into account the respectively valid laws and legal forms at the various countries and locations.
Child Labour
PM condemns child labour and expects its suppliers to also prohibit and refrain from any kind of child labour in their companies.
Forced Labour
PM also condemns forced labour and expects from all of its suppliers that no forced labour be permitted in their companies.
Freedom of Association
PM respects, in accordance with national laws, employees' rights to form an employee representative body and to conduct collective bargaining negotiations. This is also expected of suppliers.
Free Competition
PM expects its suppliers to behave fairly in competition and to observe all valid anti-trust laws. Suppliers will not partake in any collusion with competitors contravening anti-trust laws nor will they misuse any potentially dominant market position.
Money Laundering
PM expects its suppliers to comply with the relevant statutory obligations concerning the prevention of money laundering and not to partake in any money laundering activities.
Supplier Relationships
PM expects its suppliers to obligate their own sub-contractors and suppliers to a reasonable extent to comply with all principles and requirements laid out here.
Prohibition of Corruption and Bribery
PM expects its suppliers to not tolerate any corruption and to ensure in their companies the compliance with the Conventions of the United Nations (UN) and the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) for fighting corruption, as well as adhering to the relevant anti-corruption laws.
In particular, it is to be ensured that employees, sub-contractors, or representatives will not offer, promise, or grant any benefits to any employees or third parties close to them with the aim of receiving an order or some other form of preference or privilege in business dealings.
Invitations and Gifts
PM expects its suppliers not to abuse invitations or gifts with the purpose of exerting influence. Invitations and gifts to PM employees or any person close to them are only to be granted if occasion and scope are appropriate, i.e. if they are of low value and can be regarded as an expression of generally accepted local business practice. Similarly, suppliers will not demand any inappropriate advantages from PM employees.
PM expects its suppliers to take their decisions with regard to their business dealings with PM exclusively based on factual criteria. Conflicts of interest with private matters or other business or other activities, also by relatives or otherwise close persons or organisations, are to be avoided right from the very start.
The protection of PM-internal information and business secrets is of great importance for Bauer. Just as important is the protection of confidential third party information which PM receives in the course of its business relationships with customers, suppliers, and other business partners. With regard to such information, the principle of secrecy thus applies. This obligation to secrecy will continue over and beyond the termination of any employment relationship. This refers in particular to the divulging of business secrets, regardless of when this takes place and if this may hurt PM, its employees, or its customers.
Data Protection and Privacy
Personal data will only be collected, processed, or used by PM insofar as this is necessary to achieve defined, unequivocal, and lawful purposes. Moreover, personal data will be stored safely and will only be transferred using the necessary security precautions. In terms of data quality and technological safeguarding, a high standard is being ensured. The use of data is transparent for the data subjects, and their rights of information and potentially of objection, restriction, or erasure are safeguarded.
PM expects the same of all its suppliers.
PM expects its suppliers to promote equal opportunity and equal treatment, and to eliminate discrimination in hiring employees as well as in promotion or granting measures for vocational training or further education. No employee must be discriminated against on the basis of their gender, age, skin colour, culture, ethnic background, sexual identity, handicap, religion, or ideology.
Environmental Protection
PM expects its suppliers to comply with the respectively valid national environmental laws, regulations, and standards. PM moreover expects its suppliers to establish and employ an appropriate Environmental Management System (e.g. in compliance with ISO 14001) in order to minimize environmental impact and dangers and to improve environmental protection in their daily business operations.
Health Protection and Occupational Safety
PM expects its suppliers to comply with the respectively valid national legislation concerning health protection and occupational safety. PM moreover expects its suppliers to establish and employ an appropriate Occupational Safety Management System. This comprises curbing real and potential occupational safety risks as well as training employees in order to optimally prevent accidents and occupational diseases.
The supplier's compliance with these principles and requirements arising from this Supplier Code of Conduct may be checked by PM after consulting with the supplier by means of on-site audits by a third party commissioned by PM.
Each breach of any principle or requirement cited in the Supplier Code of Conduct shall be regarded as a significant impairment of the contractual relationship on the part of the supplier.
In case any non-compliance with the principles and requirements described in this Supplier Code of Conduct is suspected (e.g. following negative reports in the media), PM reserves the right to demand information about the respective issue.
In addition, PM has the right to extraordinarily terminate without notice individual or all contractual relationships with suppliers who demonstrably do not fulfil the PM Supplier Code of Conduct or who do not strive for or implement any improvement measures after PM will have set a reasonable time limit to this effect.
