Avallain Supplier Code of Conduct

We firmly believe that suppliers are integral to Avallain’s goals, which is why we uphold the same standards and expectations concerning legal compliance, integrity, respect for human rights, fair working conditions, and sustainability.

1. Human Rights and Labor Standards

The requirements of the core labour standards of the International Labor Organisation (ILO) and the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights must be complied with:

• Commitment to Human Rights: Suppliers shall promote and respect human rights as well as ensure fair treatment of all employees, contractors, and partners.
• Prohibition of Forced and Child Labor: Suppliers must not engage in or tolerate any form of forced, bonded, involuntary, or child labour. Employees must have the freedom to terminate their employment under reasonable notice.
• Workplace Safety: Suppliers shall provide a safe and healthy work environment, ensuring access to protective equipment and safety training to mitigate known risks and hazards.
• Equality and Diversity: Suppliers must promote equality and diversity in the workplace, avoiding any form of discrimination, harassment, or victimisation based on race, religion, colour, sex, pregnancy (including breastfeeding and related medical conditions), national origin, citizenship status, uniform service member status, age, genetic information, disability, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, marital status, protected medical condition, or any other protected status in accordance with all applicable national, federal, state, and local laws.
• Compliance with Labor Laws: Suppliers must comply with all applicable national and international labour laws, including those related to wages, benefits, working hours, and conditions.

2. Corporate Integrity

• Anti-Corruption and Bribery: Suppliers must conduct business ethically, avoiding any form of corruption, bribery, or fraudulent activity. Fair competition must be maintained in all dealings.
• Transparency and Integrity: Suppliers are expected to operate with transparency and integrity, maintain accurate records of business activities, and adhere to all applicable laws and regulations.

3. Environmental Responsibility

• Sustainability Commitment: Suppliers are required to prioritise sustainability in their operations. This includes implementing energy-efficient practices, reducing emissions, and utilising renewable energy sources where possible.
• Sustainable Materials and Practices: Suppliers must promote the use of sustainable materials and processes in the production and delivery of goods and services. Recycling, reuse, and responsible sourcing should be integral to operations.
• Carbon Footprint Reduction: Suppliers must actively work to reduce their carbon footprint, adopt environmentally responsible practices, and demonstrate a commitment to mitigating climate change.
• Lifecycle Management: Suppliers are expected to consider the entire lifecycle of their products and services, from design to disposal, ensuring minimal environmental impact at every stage.

4. Supply Chain Management

• Risk Assessment: Suppliers must assess and manage risks within their supply chains, including evaluating new suppliers’ ethical, legal, and sustainability practices.
• Supply Chain Audits: Suppliers are required to regularly audit their supply chains and share the results with Avallain if requested to ensure that all aspects of the supply chain align with ethical, legal, and sustainability standards.

5. Social Impact

• Community Engagement: Suppliers are encouraged to engage with local communities and support initiatives that align with Avallain’s social impact goals, particularly those focused on education, diversity, and social equality.
• Promotion of Education: Suppliers should collaborate to promote access to education and development opportunities, particularly in underserved communities, which aligns with Avallain’s broader mission.

6. Compliance and Reporting

• Legal Compliance: Suppliers must comply with all relevant laws, regulations, and sanctions in the countries where they operate.

7. Zero Tolerance for Violations

• Reporting of Violations: Our business partners are obliged to inform us immediately of any violations of the requirements in this Code of Conduct reporting – anonymously if desired – via email to our contact address provided.
• Termination of Contract: Any violation of this Code of Conduct may result in the termination of the supplier contract. Avallain reserves the right to conduct audits and reviews to ensure compliance.

8. Communication and Continuous Improvement

• Commitment to Improvement: Suppliers are expected to continuously improve their practices to align with evolving environmental, social, and ethical standards. This includes adopting new technologies and innovations that enhance sustainability.
• Feedback and Collaboration: Suppliers are encouraged to provide feedback and engage in open dialogue with Avallain to foster collaboration and continuous improvement in meeting social responsibility and sustainability goals. Compliance with these standards is a condition for maintaining a business relationship with Avallain AG.
• Regular Reporting: Suppliers could be required to provide transparent and accurate reports on their social, environmental, and sustainability performance, demonstrating their adherence to Avallain’s Code of Conduct.
• Corrective Actions: In cases of non-compliance, suppliers must work with Avallain to implement corrective actions within an agreed timeframe to meet the required standards.

9. Protection of intellectual property and confidential information:

• Intellectual property rights must be honored and safeguarded. This includes copyrights, patents, designs, trademarks, and proprietary knowledge. Confidential information should be protected from unauthorised access by outside parties.

10. Data protection and information security:

• Our business partners comply with relevant data protection regulations. They safeguard personal data and only process it when there is a legal basis. Appropriate technical and organisational measures must be in place to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of personal data and sensitive information. ensured by appropriate technical and organisational measures.

By signing any collaboration agreement with Avallain as a vendor,  the supplier agrees to uphold the principles and standards outlined in this Code of Conduct. 

Compliance with these standards is a condition for maintaining a business relationship with Avallain AG.

Avallain AG appreciates its business partners for their collaboration and is always available to answer any questions.