Ethical Guidelines for Suppliers
SYVERSEN AS' suppliers, business partners, and collaborators are crucial to our ability to conduct our business. SYVERSEN AS aims for our business relationships to be based on trust and transparency, and for our suppliers to share SYVERSEN AS' commitment to ethics and compliance.
SYVERSEN AS' Ethical Guidelines for Suppliers (hereinafter referred to as "Ethical Guidelines") express our expectations and establish our requirements for all suppliers, partners, and business associates (hereinafter referred to as "Suppliers"), including the Supplier's employees, board members, hired personnel, as well as consultants working on behalf of a Supplier for SYVERSEN AS.
SYVERSEN AS' Ethical Guidelines are based on applicable laws and regulations, key UN conventions, and ILO conventions. SYVERSEN AS expects our Suppliers to comply with applicable laws, respect internationally recognized human rights, and adhere to ethical standards that align with the substantive content of our Ethical Guidelines when working for or with SYVERSEN AS.
Suppliers are also expected to ensure that the same principles are passed on to subcontractors who contribute to work for SYVERSEN AS. SYVERSEN AS' ambition is to be a driving force in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals through sustainable development of our own business, industry, and society. SYVERSEN AS expects the Supplier to provide relevant information related to sustainability and contribute to SYVERSEN AS' ability to observe the Supplier's activities and work for sustainability.
Laws and regulations
SYVERSEN AS' Suppliers are expected to have policies that align with SYVERSEN AS' Ethical Guidelines, internationally recognized conventions, and relevant national legislation in the countries where the Supplier operates. The Supplier's operations shall be lawful.
In cases where national laws and standards do not align with the Ethical Guidelines, SYVERSEN AS' Suppliers shall always comply with the strictest requirements, provided that this does not contradict applicable legislation.
Environment and climate
SYVERSEN AS aims to be a socially responsible actor that takes responsibility for the environment and climate through measures such as environmental certification and sustainability efforts.
Suppliers shall comply with all mandatory environmental standards. Suppliers are expected to have a "precautionary principle" regarding pollution, environmental risks, and other environmental and climate challenges, and take initiatives that promote increased environmental responsibility. The Supplier is expected to take reasonable steps to monitor and work to minimize negative environmental impact from its operations.
Human and labor rights
SYVERSEN AS' Suppliers shall respect fundamental human rights and provide decent working conditions.
SYVERSEN AS' Suppliers shall ensure and acknowledge the right to freedom of association and collective bargaining. Suppliers shall respect workers' right to establish or join trade unions or employee organizations. Employees shall have the right to bargain collectively without fear of threats or reprisals. Suppliers shall not discriminate against employee representatives or union members, who should have access to perform their work as representatives in the workplace. In cases where freedom of association and collective bargaining are restricted by national legislation, Suppliers shall ensure that employees can freely choose their own representatives.
SYVERSEN AS' Suppliers shall not use any form of coercion in connection with employment or working conditions. Suppliers shall ensure that the employment relationship between the employee and the Supplier is based on voluntary participation and without any form of threat. Suppliers shall ensure that all employees are free to leave the workplace or terminate the employment relationship after notifying the Supplier in a reasonable manner. Employees should not be required to deposit money, identity papers, or similar items for the purpose of being hired or maintaining employment.
Suppliers shall not employ child labor. "Child" shall be understood as a person under 15 years of age, under the minimum age for the termination of compulsory schooling, or below the legal minimum age for employment in the relevant country. The highest of the aforementioned age alternatives shall apply. If Suppliers employ workers under the age of 18, the Supplier must be able to demonstrate that the worker does not perform harmful or dangerous work, including overtime and night shifts.
Suppliers shall promote equality in employment and have zero tolerance for direct and indirect discrimination and harassment, as well as preventing termination on unjustifiable grounds. Suppliers shall treat all employees fairly and strive for gender balance, diversity, and inclusion throughout the organization and at all levels of management. Suppliers shall take active action if deviations from this are observed.
Suppliers shall remunerate their employees in accordance with any national legal minimum wage standard. The wage shall be agreed upon in writing and transferred to the employees at the agreed-upon time. Suppliers shall ensure that all employees have written employment contracts that describe the terms of employment in a language the employee understands. The agreement shall include information required by national legislation and, at a minimum, contain information about position, workplace, salary, working hours, weekly rest days, and legal vacation.
Suppliers shall ensure compliance with mandatory working time regulations, and working hours shall be in accordance with national laws or collective agreements. Required overtime work shall be limited, and Suppliers shall ensure that employees consent to any overtime work. Suppliers shall respect and comply with applicable legislation, international conventions, and collective agreements, if applicable, regarding working hours and breaks, including overtime work, as well as holidays, sick leave, parental leave, and other applicable absence regulations. Suppliers shall respect employees' need for recovery and ensure that all employees have the right to satisfactory leave with pay, at a minimum corresponding to national/international legislation.
Health, Environment, and Safety
Health, environment, and safety are highly important to SYVERSEN AS. Suppliers should ensure and maintain a safe working environment in accordance with applicable legislation and encourage good practices in health and safety. Suppliers are expected to establish appropriate measures to prevent accidents and occupational diseases, including obtaining all required insurances. Work-related accidents should be reported to relevant authorities, investigated, and preventive measures should be implemented. Suppliers are expected to have a written policy, employee handbook, statement, or similar document that covers health and safety, which is communicated and made accessible to all employees and relevant stakeholders.
Ethical Business Conduct
SYVERSEN AS' Suppliers are expected to always act ethically, responsibly, fairly, and professionally. Suppliers should respect the laws that regulate their business and avoid harming people, the environment, and the reputation of SYVERSEN AS. This is also expected when using any subcontractors in the Supplier's delivery to SYVERSEN AS.
SYVERSEN AS has zero tolerance for corruption and bribery, and no bribes should occur between us and our business partners. SYVERSEN AS' suppliers should actively distance themselves from all forms of corruption and comply with laws and regulations related to bribery, corruption, anti-money laundering, fraud, and other illegal business activities. Suppliers should not offer, request, promise, receive, or provide any form of undue advantage, service, or incentives to anyone with the intention of gaining personal or business benefits. This applies regardless of whether this advantage is offered directly or indirectly through others. Suppliers are expected to develop and implement anti-corruption policies, internal control measures, and training proportionate to their business.
SYVERSEN AS' Suppliers should reject all forms of money laundering and establish reasonable measures to prevent and manage the use of their business for money laundering and terrorist financing. Suppliers should comply with applicable tax rules and not contribute to tax evasion or inappropriately obtain public funds.
SYVERSEN AS' Suppliers should comply with competition laws and should not cause or be involved in violations of competition laws, such as illegal price fixing, illegal market cooperation, or any other behavior that breaches competition laws.
Suppliers' business decisions should not be motivated or influenced by personal matters or interests. SYVERSEN AS' Suppliers should promptly inform SYVERSEN AS of any issues that may create problems for the Supplier's independence.
Suppliers should comply with the applicable privacy and information security legislation regarding the collection, storage, transmission, sharing, or other processing of personal data. Suppliers should have proportional procedures and systems in place to prevent unauthorized acquisition, use, or sharing of data, information, or materials. Suppliers should implement necessary technical and organizational measures to protect personal data and confidential information.
SYVERSEN AS' Suppliers are expected to have a whistleblowing process known to employees, where employees can report their concerns without fear of retaliation. Suppliers should ensure protection for whistleblowers and conduct appropriate investigations, handling, and resolution of reported cases. If SYVERSEN AS' Suppliers discover violations of these guidelines within their company or among subcontractors, Suppliers should promptly notify SYVERSEN AS.
Inspections and Reports
As part of SYVERSEN AS' follow-up on Suppliers, SYVERSEN AS reserves the right to verify Suppliers' and subcontractors' compliance with these guidelines throughout the contract period through audits or inspections at the Supplier's or subcontractor's premises, either directly or through a third party. SYVERSEN AS may request documentation in the form of:
• Self-declaration from Suppliers
• Self or independent third-party audits.
Violation of Ethical Guidelines
In the event of non-compliance or violation of the material requirements in the Ethical Guidelines by Suppliers, SYVERSEN AS will preferably request the Supplier to rectify the situation and provide documentation within a specified deadline. In case of failure to rectify or in case of serious violations, SYVERSEN AS reserves the right to enforce all available contractual remedies, such as cessation of delivery, termination of the contract, and claims for compensation, etc.