Supplier Code of Conduct

Freber AS strives to conduct business in a responsible manner, based on respect for human rights, labor rights, health, safety, and the environment, prevent corruption and in general through good business practices.

Freber AS expects our suppliers and partners (hereby referred to as “the supplier”) to conduct their businesses on an ethical basis and in compliance with our Code of Conduct principles as described below. When this Code of Conduct has been communicated to a specific supplier, it shall be regarded as a contract document and as a part of any contract between Freber AS and the supplier in question. Freber AS also expects our suppliers to ensure that all subcontractors involved in the production of products sold to Freber AS comply with the principles of our Code of Conduct. If non-compliances occur, we expect corrective actions to be taken within a reasonable time frame agreed upon between the supplier and Freber AS.

As a rule, the supplier and their subcontractors must follow their respective national laws. Should the provisions of national laws and the requirements of our Code of Conduct differ, the highest standard shall apply.

The principles below are based on the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact as well as The UN's Guiding principles on business and human rights and OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct and ILO Conventions and recommendations.

HUMAN RIGHTS

The supplier shall support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights and make sure that they are not complicit in human rights abuse.

There shall be no harsh or inhumane treatment.
Physical abuses or punishment or the threat of physical abuse shall be prohibited. The same applies to sexual or other abuse, and to other types of humiliation.
The supplier shall carry out and document a risk assessment for human right impacts throughout the supply chain.

CONDITIONS AT THE WORKPLACE

There shall be no forced, bonded or involuntary labor.

Employees shall not be required to pay a deposit or surrender their identity papers to an employer, and they shall be free to terminate a work contract after a reasonable period of notice.
Employees shall be free to leave the workplace premises at the end of the day.

All workers shall have the freedom to join or form trade unions/associations of their own

choosing and to bargain collectively.

There shall not be discrimination against trade union representatives or attempts to prevent them from doing trade union work.

Child labor shall be prohibited.

The supplier shall take the appropriate measures to ensure that no child labor occurs at their own place of production or operations or at their sub-contractors’ sites of production or operations.
The supplier shall ensure that workers under the minimum age for work or mandatory schooling as specified by the local law, are not employed. When young workers are employed, they must not do work that is mentally, physically, socially or morally dangerous or harmful. The work shall not interfere with their opportunity to attend school and develop.

The supplier shall actively work to eliminate discrimination.

There shall be no discrimination in working life based on ethnicity, religion, age, disability, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, trade union membership or political affiliation.
Measures shall be established to protect employees from sexually intrusive, threatening, insulting or exploitative behavior, and from discrimination or termination of employment on unjustifiable grounds, e.g., marriage, pregnancy, parenthood, or HIV status.

ENVIRONMENT

The supplier shall actively work to reduce negative impact on the environment both locally and globally and take a precautionary approach to environmental challenges.

The supplier shall take measures to minimize adverse impacts on human health and the environment throughout the value chain. This includes minimizing pollution, promoting an efficient and sustainable use of resources, including energy and water, and minimizing greenhouse gas emissions in production and transport. The local environment at the production site shall not be exploited or degraded.
National and international environmental legislation and regulations shall be respected, and relevant discharge permits obtained.

BUSINESS INTEGRITY & ANTI-CORRUPTION

The supplier shall follow all local and national business laws.

The supplier shall work against corruption in all its forms, including extortion and bribery.

The supplier shall comply with applicable laws concerning bribery, corruption, fraud, and any other prohibited business practices. The supplier shall not offer, promise, or give any improper benefit, favor or incentive to any public official, international organization or other third party.

The supplier shall under no circumstance cause or be part of any breach of general or special competition regulations and laws, such as illegal cooperation on pricing or illegal market sharing.

LABOUR STANDARDS & REGULAR EMPLOYMENT

Wages and social benefits shall meet, at a minimum, national legal standards or industry standards, whichever is higher and shall always be sufficient to cover fundamental needs.

It shall be prohibited to use wage deductions as a disciplinary measure.

All workers shall be provided with a written contract of employment in a language they understand outlining their wage conditions and method of payments before entering employment. Working hours and breaks shall comply with national laws and industry standards, whichever affords greater protection.

Workers shall be granted annual leave and sick leave, to which they are entitled according to national legislation.
Workers shall be provided with at least one day off for every week/7 day period.
Overtime shall be voluntary and limited. Recommended maximum overtime is 12 hours per week.
Workers shall receive overtime pay. The pay shall, as a minimum, be in accordance with requirements in applicable law.

Obligations to employees under international conventions, national law and regulations concerning regular employment shall not be avoided using short-term contracting (such as contract labor, casual labor, or day labor), sub-contractors or other labor relationships.

The supplier shall take measures to ensure that part-time workers receive the same protection as that accorded to comparable full-time workers in aspects of the right to organize, occupational health and safety and discrimination.

The supplier shall take measures to ensure that homeworkers receive equal treatment as other wage earners, especially in relation to the right to organize, occupational health and safety, discrimination, renumeration, access to training, minimum age for employment and maternity protection.

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY

The working environment shall be safe and hygienic, bearing in mind the prevailing knowledge of the industry and of any specific hazards. Necessary measures shall be implemented to prevent and minimize accidents, injuries, and damage to health related to conditions at the workplace.

Workers shall receive relevant and documented health and safety training.
Employees shall have access to clean sanitary facilities and clean drinking water. If necessary, the employer shall also ensure access to facilities for safe food storage.
If the employer provides accommodation, it shall be clean, safe, and adequately ventilated, and have access to clean sanitary facilities and clean drinking water.