This Code of Conduct describes the principles and expectations regarding ethical, social and environmental behavior for all suppliers and their subcontractors doing business with Czarnowski GmbH.

We are committed to sustainability and strive to continuously optimize our business activities and our products and services in terms of sustainability. We ask our partners to participate in this in an appropriate manner.
 

Cologne, September 2024
Torsten Heinze, Geschäftsführung Czarnowski GmbH

1. Ethical business conduct

Compliance with laws
Suppliers must comply with all applicable laws, regulations and standards in the countries in which they operate.

Anti-corruption
Suppliers must conduct their business without engaging in any form of bribery, corruption, extortion or embezzlement. They must not offer, give or accept bribes or any other means of obtaining an unlawful or improper advantage.

Fair competition
Suppliers must conduct their business in accordance with the principles of fair competition and antitrust law. They may not participate in price fixing, market sharing, bid rigging or other unfair practices.

Protection of confidential information & intellectual property rights
We expect our suppliers to use Czarnowski's intellectual property and all confidential information, including personal data, in an appropriate and responsible manner within the framework of the applicable legal or contractual regulations and to take all necessary protective measures to prevent misuse, disclosure or unauthorized access. This also includes the unauthorized disclosure and publication of information. The transfer or use of technology or know-how must be carried out in such a way that the intellectual property rights and customer information are protected.

2. Human rights and working conditions

Human rights
Suppliers must support and respect internationally recognized human rights and ensure that they are not involved in human rights violations.

Forced labor and child labor
Suppliers shall not engage in or support the use of forced labor, including bonded labor, involuntary prison labor, slavery or human trafficking. Suppliers undertake to refrain from the use of child labor, which is strictly prohibited under the provisions of the ILO, the United Nations Convention or the respective national laws.

Occupational health and safety
We expect our suppliers to provide their employees with a safe and healthy working environment. All applicable laws on occupational health and safety must be complied with.

Discrimination
We expect our suppliers to treat all people, and in particular their employees, with respect and without prejudice or discrimination. Any form of discrimination or disadvantage, in particular due to national and ethnic origin, social background, disability, sexual orientation, age, gender, religion or ideology, must be avoided.

Working hours and remuneration
Our suppliers are obliged to provide remuneration and services in accordance with the applicable laws and, in particular, to pay the applicable statutory minimum wage or better. In addition, our suppliers are obliged to comply with the applicable statutory or official working time regulations.

3. Ecological sustainability

Climate and environmental protection
Suppliers must comply with all applicable laws and regulations on climate and environmental protection. They should actively work to reduce their environmental footprint and implement practices to conserve natural resources, reduce waste and minimize harmful emissions.

Sustainable use of resources
We expect our suppliers to use resources efficiently, including energy, water and raw materials, and to look for opportunities to use renewable resources whenever possible.

Hazardous substances
Suppliers must handle hazardous materials responsibly and in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. The labeling, safe storage, use and disposal of such materials must be ensured.

4. Social Commitment

Supporting the local community
Suppliers are encouraged to support the communities in which they operate. This may include participating in local community initiatives, supporting economic development and ensuring that their activities do not have a negative impact on local communities.

5. Commitment to sustainability

Sustainability management
We expect our suppliers to integrate sustainability into their business strategies and operations. They should identify risks along their value chain and supply chain and implement policies & practices that promote sustainable development and continuous improvement of their environmental and social performance.

6. Review and compliance

Compliance with the Code
We expect our suppliers to ensure in an appropriate manner that their employees, suppliers and subcontractors are required to comply with the contents of this Supplier Code of Conduct and are trained accordingly if necessary.

Audits and assessments
As Czarnowski GmbH, we reserve the right to carry out spot checks and audits of suppliers to verify compliance with this Supplier Code of Conduct.

Violations of the Supplier Code of Conduct and corrective measures
Any breach of the principles set out in this Supplier Code of Conduct shall be regarded by Czarnowski GmbH as a material impairment of the contractual relationship on the part of the supplier. In the event of indications of non-compliance with the principles of this Supplier Code 8 of Conduct, Czarnowski GmbH reserves the right, without prejudice to further rights, to demand information about the relevant facts.

Suppliers must take immediate corrective action to address any nonconformities identified during audits or assessments. Failure to comply with this Code of Conduct may result in termination of the business relationship.

7. Recognition and acceptance

By doing business with Czarnowski GmbH, suppliers acknowledge this Code of Conduct and agree to the principles and expectations described herein. Czarnowski GmbH will regularly review this Code and make changes where necessary and appropriate. Important changes will always be communicated to suppliers.