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SUPPLIER CODE OF CONDUCT

INTRODUCTION.

Corporate Couture is committed to providing value to our clients. Business integrity, responsible product sourcing, and the safety and wellbeing of workers across the global supply chain are of paramount importance to Corporate Couture. Our commitment to operating with high ethical standards and making a positive difference in everything we do is what makes Corporate Couture special.

These principles apply to all aspects of Corporate Couture's business, and encompass all manufacturers, subcontractors, vendors, and other suppliers (each a "Supplier" and collectively "Suppliers") that supply the products that Corporate Couture provides to it's clients.

These principles are reflected in this Code of Conduct ("Code of Conduct"), which establishes the minimum standards that must be met by any Supplier that sells goods to or does business with Corporate Couture, regarding:

  1. Supplier's treatment of workers
    1. workplace safety;
    2. Supplier's activities on the environment; and
    3. Supplier's ethical business practices.

WHO MUST COMPLY?

This Code of Conduct applies to all Suppliers that provide goods or services to Corporate Couture. Supplier is responsible for compliance with the standards set out in this Code of Conduct ("Standards") throughout its operations and throughout its entire supply chain.

Without limiting Supplier's obligations hereunder, Supplier shall comply with the Standards in:

  1. all of its Facilities; and
  2. all of its operations, including with respect to manufacturing, distribution, packaging, sales, marketing, product safety and certification, intellectual property, labor, immigration, health, worker safety, and the environment.

Without limiting Supplier's obligations hereunder, Supplier is responsible for compliance with the Standards by all of its suppliers, vendors, agents, and subcontractors and their respective Facilities ("Partner(s)").

STANDARDS.

  1. COMPLIANCE WITH LAW. In the conduct of its activities, Corporate Couture is committed to complying with all applicable laws, regulations and national and international conventions, as well as with the best practices, in particular with regards to ethics, social responsibility, and protection of the environment. As such, Corporate Couture expects its Suppliers to apply the same respect for applicable laws and ethics principles. Supplier shall comply with all applicable national and local laws and regulations (including laws and regulations relating to all the Standards), and with the principles stipulated in the Conventions of the International Labor Organization, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the United Nations Global Compact, the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and the United Nations Women's Empowerment Principles. Where law or other applicable regulations address the same issue as this Code of Conduct, the highest standards shall apply. Where this Code of Conduct is in contradiction with applicable law, the applicable law shall apply.
  2. LABOR STANDARDS AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES.
    1. Prohibition of Forced Labor. All labor must be voluntary. Supplier shall not support or engage in slavery or human trafficking in any part of its supply chain. Without limiting Supplier's obligations hereunder, Supplier shall not, and shall ensure that its Partners do not, support or engage in, or require any compelled, involuntary, or forced labor; bonded labor; indentured labor; and prison labor. Withholding identity papers or work permits or requiring workers to deposit a bond or the use of any other constraint is strictly prohibited. Supplier may not require workers to work to repay a debt owed to Supplier or any third-party. All workers are entitled to accept or leave their employment freely.
    2. Prohibition of Child Labor. Work by children under the age of sixteen (16) is strictly prohibited. In countries where local laws set a higher age than 16, the highest age is applicable. Without limiting Supplier's obligations hereunder, Supplier shall not, and shall ensure that its Partners do not, support or engage in, or require any labor which is likely to jeopardize a person's physical or mental health, safety, or morals, to be performed by any person under the age of eighteen (18).
    3. Prohibition of Illegal, Clandestine, and Undeclared Employment. Supplier is required to comply with all applicable regulations to prevent illegal, clandestine, and undeclared employment.
    4. Prohibition of Discrimination. Corporate Couture requires that Supplier treat all workers equally and fairly. Suppliers may not engage in any kind of discrimination. In particular, Supplier shall not discriminate in regards to hiring, compensation, training, advancement or promotion, termination, retirement, or any other employment practice based on race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, military status, religion, age, marital or pregnancy status, disability, or any other characteristic other than the worker's ability to perform the job.
    5. Prohibition of Harassment and Abuse. Corporate Couture requires that Supplier treat workers with respect and dignity. Supplier shall not subject workers to corporal punishment, or physical, verbal, sexual, or psychological abuse or harassment. Supplier must not condone or tolerate such behavior by its Partners.
    6. Wages and Benefits. Supplier must compensate all workers with wages, including overtime premiums, and benefits that, at a minimum, meet the higher of: the minimum wage and benefits established by applicable law; collective agreements; industry standards; and an amount sufficient to cover basic living requirements. Supplier shall make wage payments at least monthly and provide benefits on a timely basis. Supplier's obligation to compensate and provide benefits applies to all workers at all times, including during periods of training, apprenticeship, and probation.
  3. ENSURING HEALTH AND SAFETY. Corporate Couture expects Suppliers to provide a safe, healthy, and sanitary working environment to their workers. Supplier shall implement procedures and safeguards to prevent workplace hazards, and work-related accidents and injuries which may be caused by, related to, or result from their work, including during the operation of equipment or during work-related travel. Supplier is required to comply with all applicable local and international regulations and laws in this regard. Supplier shall provide workers adequate and appropriate personal protective equipment to protect workers against hazards typically encountered in the scope of work.
  4. ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS AND PROTECTION.
    1. Operation of Supplier's Facilities. Supplier shall operate its Facilities in compliance with all environmental laws, including laws and international treaties relating to waste disposal; emissions; discharges; and hazardous and toxic material handling.
    2. Inputs and Components. Supplier must ensure that the goods that it manufactures (including the inputs and components that it incorporates into its goods) comply with all environmental laws and treaties. Supplier must ensure that it will only use packaging materials that comply with all environmental laws and treaties.
    3. Resource Efficiency and Waste Minimization. Supplier shall seek to improve resource efficiency and reduce resource consumption including raw materials, energy, water, and fuel. Supplier is expected to make reasonable efforts to eliminate or reduce levels of waste (both solid and wastewater) generated and to increase landfill diversion, reuse, and recycling. Supplier is encouraged to develop and use environmentally friendly innovations and practices that reduce negative environmental impacts.
  5. BUSINESS INTEGRITY REQUIREMENTS. Corporate Couture requires exemplary integrity from Suppliers in the conduct of their business activities.
    1. Supplier shall abide by its obligations relating to protection, collection, and proper handling of confidential information.
    2. Protection of Personal Data. Corporate Couture requires Suppliers to comply with all applicable federal, state, and foreign laws, directives, and regulations relating to the processing and protection of personally identifiable information (P11) or personal data (Personal Data). This includes, but is not limited to, the EU General Data Protection Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2016/679) (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) (Cal. Civ. Code §§1798.100 to 1789.199).
    3. Customs and Security Authorities. Supplier shall comply with applicable customs laws, including those relating to imports and the ban on transshipment of merchandise to the importing country.
    4. Trade Restrictions and International Sanctions. Supplier shall respect international trade restrictions and sanctions, taking into account any changes in these measures, as well as all laws and regulations concerning export controls.
    5. Prohibition of All Forms of Corruption. Corporate Couture expects Supplier to respect all applicable laws concerning corruption and to take appropriate measures to prevent, detect and sanction any corruption or trading in influence, directly or indirectly, across the scope of Supplier's activities.
    6. Prevention of Conflicts of Interest. Supplier must comply with all applicable laws concerning conflicts of interest and to make every effort to prevent the occurrence of situations that create a conflict of interest within the scope of their business relationship with Corporate Couture.
    7. Respect for Competition. Supplier must be committed to compliance with competition law applicable in their host countries. 
    8. Gifts and Invitations. Gifts or invitations may be considered acceptable expressions of courtesy within the context of good business relations if limited in scope and value, given openly and transparently, permitted under applicable local law, customary in the location in which they would be given, provided to reflect gratitude or esteem, and not offered with an expectation that something will be offered in return. In some cases, these practices might be subject to anti-bribery or anti-corruption regulations or other legal requirements. Therefore, it is important to be aware of such rules and fully comply with them.
    9. Public Statements. Supplier is expected to be extremely attentive to their public statements, particularly on the Internet and in social media, and to ensure that any statements are not attributed to Corporate Couture or Corporate Couture's clients, and are consistent with Supplier's commitment to both confidentiality and professional secrecy.
    10. Information Transparency.Corporate Couture requires Suppliers to provide clear and accurate information regarding the methods and resources used, production sites and characteristics of the products or services supplied, and to refrain from making any misleading claims.

TERMINATION.

Supplier has a responsibility to act ethically and to comply with applicable law, this Code of Conduct, and Corporate Couture policies and procedures at all times. Violations break trust with Corporate Couture and our clients. In the event of any violation of this Code of Conduct or any failure to meet the Standards herein, Corporate Couture reserves the right to review the business relationship and may immediately terminate its business relationship (including any purchase order(s) and purchase contracts) with Supplier, without prejudice to other rights of Corporate Couture or remedies it might seek.

INSPECTION AND AUDIT.

  1. Supplier acknowledges that these Standards set out audit standards that Corporate Couture may use to determine whether Supplier is meeting the requirements set out in this Code of Conduct. Supplier acknowledges that Corporate Couture may in its discretion conduct inspections of the Facilities to confirm Supplier's compliance with this Code of Conduct. Corporate Couture has no obligation to conduct inspections.
  2. Accurate Records and Access to Information. Supplier is required to keep proper records to demonstrate compliance with this Code of Supplier must provide Corporate Couture with access to complete, original and accurate records.