Supplier Code of Conduct

Purpose

We value the business relationships we have with our suppliers and seek to build lasting relationships, treating them fairly and paying promptly. We want to work with suppliers that share our values and help us deliver our purpose, to create better outcomes. Our aim is to work together to achieve the highest standards in our supply chain, whilst achieving wider social, economic and environmental benefits.

As part of this commitment, we have developed a Supplier Code of Conduct to ensure that our suppliers are aware of these expectations and the minimum standards that we, as an organisation, expect of our suppliers.  

The Supplier Code of Conduct outlines our minimum expectations for our suppliers in areas such as anti-bribery & anti-corruption, labour and human rights, health and safety, environmental practices and general ethical business practices. All of our suppliers must comply with these requirements, and with any applicable laws and regulations.

By enforcing our Supplier Code of Conduct, we aim to build a strong, ethical supply chain that benefits our business and stakeholders.

We will monitor and evaluate our suppliers’ compliance with the Supplier Code of Conduct, and we may take corrective action if necessary – up to, and including, termination of our contract with you in the most serious instances. We also encourage our suppliers to report any concerns or issues they may encounter, so that we can work together to address them.

Our Supplier Code of Conduct reflects our commitment to responsible business practices and our expectation that our suppliers share this commitment.

That commitment is split into 4 key areas:

• Anti-bribery & anti-corruption
• Labour & human rights
• Environmental
• Community

Should you have any questions about this, please forward them to [email protected].

Anti-Bribery & Anti-Corruption

Man Bites Dog are committed to conducting business with integrity, transparency, and in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. We maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards bribery and corruption, and we expect our suppliers to share this commitment. Man Bites Dog will not enter into, or maintain, relationships with suppliers involved in bribery.

Our Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption Standard, which is set out below, details how we operate transparently and with vigilance, to deter bribery and corruption and to support its detection. This supports in us protecting our business, our people and our clients from being victims of financial crime.

ANTI-BRIBERY AND ANTI-CORRUPTION STANDARD

Man Bites Dog’s commitment

• Provide a clear and fair procurement process and seek to build lasting relationships with our suppliers.
• Not tolerate bribery of any kind.
• Maintain the highest level of ethical standards in the conduct of our business affairs.
• Never offer or accept a gift, payment or hospitality to encourage or reward a business decision.
• Identify and manage situations where there could be potential conflicts of interest.
• Carry out appropriate audits of our suppliers as is necessary to verify compliance.

Expectation of our suppliers

• Respond to any due diligence requests from us in a timely manner.
• Will not offer, give, or accept anything of value that may be viewed as, or has the effect of, improperly influencing business decisions.
• Make Man Bites Dog aware of any potential conflicts of interest as soon as they are known.

Principles

It is a criminal offence to offer, promise, give, request, or accept a bribe. Individuals found guilty can be punished by imprisonment and/or a fine.

We therefore take this area very seriously.

What are bribery and corruption?

"Bribery" is offering, promising, giving or accepting of any financial or other advantage, to induce the recipient or any other person to act improperly in the performance of their functions, or to reward them for acting improperly, or where the recipient would act improperly by accepting the advantage.

An "advantage" includes money, gifts, loans, fees, hospitality, services, discounts, the award of a contract or anything else of value.

A person acts "improperly" where they act illegally, unethically, or contrary to an expectation of good faith or impartiality, or where they abuse a position of trust. The improper acts may be in relation to any business or professional activities, public functions, acts in the course of employment, or other activities by or on behalf of any organisation of any kind.

"Corruption" is the abuse of entrusted power or position for private gain.

What suppliers must not do

It is not acceptable for you (or someone on your behalf) to:

• give, promise to give, or offer a payment, gift or hospitality with the expectation or hope that a business advantage will be received, or to reward a business advantage already given;
• give or accept a gift, payment or hospitality during any commercial negotiations or tender process, if this could be perceived as intended or likely to influence the outcome;
• accept from a third party hospitality that is unduly lavish or extravagant in the circumstances;
• accept a payment, gift or hospitality from a third party that you know, or suspect, is offered with the expectation of a business advantage in return;
• offer a gift to, or accept a gift from, government officials or representatives, or politicians or political parties;
• threaten or retaliate against any person who has refused to commit a bribery offence; or
• engage in any activity that might lead to a breach of this policy.

Facilitation payments and kickbacks

Suppliers must not make or accept facilitation payments or "kickbacks" of any kind.

"Facilitation payments" are unofficial payments made to secure or expedite a routine or necessary action (for example by a government official).

"Kickbacks" are typically payments made in return for a business advantage.

Labour and human rights

Our company recognises the importance of ensuring fair labour practices and promoting worker rights in our supply chain. As such, we expect all our suppliers to adhere to the ETI Base Code, further details of which can be found here.

The principal areas in which we expect compliance are:

• Employment is freely chosen - Workers must be employed on a voluntary basis and have the right to leave their employment, without penalty or threat of reprisal.
• Working conditions are safe and hygienic - Suppliers must provide workers with a safe and healthy working environment, free from recognised hazards that may cause injury or illness.
• Child labour shall not be used - Suppliers must not employ workers under the age of 15, or under the minimum age for employment set by the local law, whichever is higher. Suppliers must also comply with all applicable laws and regulations relating to child labour.
• Living wage is paid – Man Bites Dog is a living wage employer. Suppliers must pay workers at least the living wage as determined by the Living Wage Foundation (a link to their website is here), or the equivalent in the relevant jurisdiction for non-UK suppliers.
• Working hours are not excessive - Suppliers must comply with all applicable laws and regulations relating to working hours, including any relating to overtime in the supplier’s jurisdiction. Workers must not be required to work excessive hours (both overall and in single shifts), and they must be given no less than the legal minimum of rest breaks and holidays.
• No unlawful discrimination is practised - Suppliers must not discriminate in hiring, compensation, access to training, promotion, termination, or retirement based on race, colour, gender, religion, age, disability, nationality, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected characteristic.
• Written contract is provided - Suppliers must provide employees with employment contracts that clearly specify the terms and conditions of their employment, including wages, working hours, and benefits. Non-employees (such as consultants) must also be given written contracts setting out the key terms.

We expect our suppliers to have implemented these labour standards throughout their operations and to take steps to ensure that their subcontractors and suppliers also comply with these standards. We will monitor and evaluate our suppliers’ compliance with these labour standards and take corrective action if necessary (up to and including termination of our contract with the supplier). By working together to promote fair labour practices and worker rights, we can create a more sustainable and responsible supply chain.

Environmental

Man Bites Dog is committed to reducing our environmental impact and promoting sustainable practices throughout our operations. We expect our suppliers to adhere to our environmental policy.

The following summarises the key commitments that we expect from our suppliers:

• Pollution prevention - Suppliers must take steps to prevent pollution and minimise the environmental impact of their operations, including the use of hazardous substances, waste disposal, and emissions to air, water, and land.
• Resource conservation - Suppliers must take measures to conserve natural resources, including energy, water, and raw materials, and minimise waste through recycling and other practices.
• Climate change - Suppliers must take steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change, including the reduction of energy consumption and the adoption of low-carbon technologies. These steps include, but are not limited to:
  • Measuring and reporting your greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 1, 2 & 3).
  • An emission reduction target in place that is at least as ambitious as the national climate goals, and a credible plan to achieve these.
  • Timeline to achieve net-zero emissions.
• Product stewardship - Suppliers must take responsibility and actively work to reduce the environmental impact of their products or services throughout their lifecycle, from raw material sourcing to end-of-life disposal or recycling.
• Supply chain sustainability - Suppliers must promote sustainability throughout their supply chain by encouraging their own suppliers and subcontractors to comply with environmental laws and regulations and adopt sustainable practices.

We expect our suppliers to have these environmental standards throughout their operations and to take steps to ensure that their subcontractors and suppliers also comply with these standards. We will monitor and evaluate our suppliers’ compliance with these environmental standards and take corrective action if necessary (up to and including termination of our contract with the supplier). We can reduce our collective environmental impact by working together to promote sustainability and ensure a more sustainable future.

Community

In line with our commitment to sustainability, Man Bites Dog is committed to being a responsible corporate citizen and contributing to the development and well-being of the communities in which we operate. We expect our suppliers to share this commitment and to respect the rights and interests of the local community.

Underlying this, we have a commitment to support the local economy with our purchasing decisions.