RCI Group Supplier Code of Conduct
The RCI Group, and its subsidiaries, are committed to protecting our people, the people we work with and the environment.
We recognise our responsibility to ensure fair, appropriate, and effective procurement of services and purchasing of goods, which are sustainable and support our wider social value commitments.
This supplier code of conduct explains the standards of behaviour expected when working for the RCI Group (and its subsidiaries).
We expect all of our suppliers to adhere to the same ethical principles as the RCI Group, comply with legislation, follow RCI Group policies and procedures, and speak up (see our Freedom to Speak Up -Whistleblowing Policy) if they witness any behaviour that falls outside of our expectations or if they are ever asked to do anything that is not in line with how we operate, ethically or otherwise.
Laws and Ethical Standards
The supplier shall comply with all laws applicable to its business.
In accordance with national and international law and practice the supplier should support the principles of:
• the Modern Slavery Act 2021
• the Human Rights Act 1998
• the Environment Act 2021
• the United Nations Global Compact
• the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and
• the International Labour Organisation Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work and its Follow-up 2022
General Expectations of Suppliers
At the RCI Group, we do not tolerate unsafe working practices, forced/child labour, discrimination, fraud, improper payments/bribery, tax evasion or corruption. If suppliers are ever asked to be involved in anything unethical or illegal, then they must do the right thing and let us know.
This especially applies to:
• Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking
Suppliers must comply with the requirements of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and support our goals and activities, aimed at eradicating modern slavery and human trafficking, as outlined in our Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement.
• Child labour
Suppliers must not employ children under the age of 15. If national laws or regulations allow children between the ages of 13 and 15 to perform light (part-time) work, such work is not permitted under any circumstances if it would hinder a minor from the completion of compulsory schooling or training, or if the employment would be harmful to their health or development.
• Forced labour
Suppliers must not make use of forced or compulsory labour.
• Compensation and working hours
Suppliers must comply with national laws and regulations regarding working hours, wages and benefits.
• Discrimination
Suppliers must not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, disability, age, sexuality, or gender.
• Health and safety
Suppliers are expected to strive to implement the best possible standards of occupational health and safety. The supplier must comply with applicable occupational health and safety regulations and provide a work environment that is safe and conducive to good health, in order to preserve the health of employees and prevent accidents, injuries and work-related illnesses.
• Business continuity planning
Suppliers must be prepared for any disruptions of its business (e.g., natural disasters, terrorism, cyber-related incidents, illness, pandemic, infectious diseases). This preparedness especially includes disaster plans to protect both employees and the environment as far as possible from the effects of possible disasters that arise within the domain of operations.
• Improper payments/bribery
Suppliers must comply with international anti-bribery standards as stated in the United Nations’ Global Compact and local anti-corruption and bribery laws including The Bribery Act 2010. In particular, the supplier may not offer services, gifts, or benefits in order to influence RCI Group (or subsidiary) employee conduct.
• Tax Evasion/Facilitating Tax Evasion
Suppliers must not be involved in tax evasion or in the facilitation of tax evasion, which are both a criminal offence and can be punishable with imprisonment and/or unlimited financial penalties depending on the seriousness of the offence.
• Environment
Suppliers must comply with all applicable environmental laws, regulations and standards. We expect our suppliers to support our Carbon Reduction Strategy through the goods and services they deliver, and through providing data to support carbon emissions calculations. We also expect our suppliers to take climate change into account in their own operations, and to be working towards achieving Net Zero.
• Social Value (excluding the environment)
Suppliers are also expected to support the RCI Group (and subsidiaries) in achieving their wider commitments to social value, ensuring that operations and provision of goods/services are mindful of the communities in which the suppliers work and that they make an active contribution to supporting (and, where possible, enhancing) society and their local communities.
• Contractual Elements
Suppliers must adhere to the Terms & Conditions, as outlined in the contracts they hold with the RCI Group (or subsidiaries). Suppliers are expected to keep sensitive information confidential and comply with all contractual terms, non-disclosure, and confidentiality agreements. Suppliers should not share any confidential information or commercially sensitive information unless authorised to do so by RCI Group (or subsidiary) management.
• Compliance with this Supplier Code of Conduct
The RCI Group (and subsidiaries) reserve the right to check compliance with the requirements of this Supplier Code of Conduct.
The supplier encourages its suppliers to adhere to the ethical standards, human rights, health and safety standards and environmental standards upon which this Supplier Code of Conduct is based, as part of fulfilling their contractual obligations.
Any breach of the obligations stipulated in this document is considered a material breach of contract by the supplier.
Version 1.0
November 2023
