Supplier Code of Conduct
Main principles for suppliers
YHN is fully aware of the responsibility we bear towards our customers, employees and the communities in which we work. We are committed to ensuring the working conditions in our supply chain are safe, that workers are treated with dignity and respect and that manufacturing processes are environmentally responsible. For this purpose we have drawn up this Supplier Code of Conduct, which sets the standards for doing business with us.
Laws & ethical standards
A supplier will comply with all laws applicable to its business. This especially applies, but is not limited to:
Child labour – The supplier employs no children under the age of 15. If national laws or regulations allow children between the age of 13 and 15 to perform light work, such work is not permitted under any circumstances if it would hinder a minor from the completion of compulsory schooling or training, or the employment would be harmful to their health or development.
Modern Slavery – suppliers will not be involved in any activity which could constitute slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour or human trafficking in whatever form. The YHN Modern Slavery Policy and YHN Modern Slavery Supplier Guidance is available here.
Compensation & working hours – all suppliers shall comply with the respective national laws and regulations relating to working hours, wages and benefits.
Equality Duty – All suppliers are expected to be committed to the eliminating discrimination, promoting equality of opportunity and fostering good relations between persons with protected characteristics and those who don’t within their own and their supply chains working and employment practices.
Health & safety – suppliers should provide a safe and hygienic working environment that minimises health and safety risks and supports accident prevention for all of their employees. YHN is committed to providing a positive and proactive working environment which supports health and safety of our customers, clients, colleagues and third parties. We expect all suppliers to work with us to comply with health and safety legislation requirements and to reduce risks to the health and wellbeing for the people we come in to contact with.
Business continuity planning – where appropriate, suppliers should be prepared for any disruptions to their business (e.g. natural disasters, terrorism, software viruses, illness, infectious diseases) with disaster plans in place to protect their employees and the environment, as far as possible, and to ensure a continuity plan is in place to minimise disruption to ongoing trading and delivery of goods or services to YHN.
Business Integrity – YHN is committed to operating with honesty and integrity in all of its business activities and promotes a culture of anti-bribery and anticorruption across the organisation. We expect our suppliers to operate with honesty, integrity and transparency in all business activities, and comply with bribery laws including The Bribery Act 2010. In particular, the supplier and its supply chain may not offer services, gifts or benefits to YHN employees in order to influence any part of YHN’s business. Suppliers and their supply chain must also declare any interest that compromises the impartial delivery of the services to YHN.
Environment – all suppliers will comply with applicable environmental laws, regulations and standards. Suppliers must endeavour to reduce the environmental impact of their activities (e.g. resource consumption, air pollution, water consumption, recycling and waste production and the management of hazardous materials).
Whistleblowing – Suppliers shall have a whistleblowing policy to allow complaints to be raised outside of the usual management structure. Suppliers will be expected to ensure the protection of confidentiality of workers who whistleblow and prohibit retaliation against workers who participate in such programs in good faith. Suppliers shall provide an anonymous complaint mechanism for workers to report workplace grievances in accordance with local laws and regulations.
Subcontractor Dialogue – The supplier shall communicate the principles stated in this Supplier Code of Conduct to all its subcontractors and other business partners who are involved in supplying the goods, works and services described in the main contract. The supplier shall ensure such parties adhere to these standards.
Compliance with the Supplier Code of Conduct – YHN reserves the right, upon reasonable notice, to check compliance with the requirements of this Code. Violations of this code may result in immediate termination as a supplier to YHN and in legal action, where appropriate.