The purpose of this Code of Conduct is to make sure that all Axel Johnson International products and services are manufactured and provided in a way that characterizes a company that acts in a responsible way in relation to all stakeholders. We aim to establish long lasting relationships with our suppliers to our mutual benefit. It is the intention to encourage commitment to responsibility in the providing of products and services.
Axel Johnson International is committed to ensuring that working conditions in its supply chain are safe, that workers are treated with respect and dignity, and that manufacturing processes live up to a high environmental standard.
Axel Johnson International expects all its suppliers to respect this Code of Conduct and to actively do their outmost to achieve our standards.
Legal requirements
All suppliers must as a minimum comply with local laws and regulations in their countries of operation. Should any of the specific provisions of this Code of Conduct legally conflict with national or local laws, the applicable laws should always prevail: in these cases the Axel Johnson International company should be notified.
Labour and Human Rights
Suppliers to Axel Johnson International companies must uphold the human rights of workers, to treat them with dignity and respect as understood by the international community.
Discrimination
No worker should be discriminated against because of race, gender, religion, ethnicity or political views. All workers with the same experience and qualifications should receive equal pay for equal work.
Harsh Treatment and Harassment
The workplace shall be free of harassment. Suppliers may not threaten workers with or subject them to harsh or inhumane treatment, including sexual harassment, sexual abuse, corporal punishment or any form of mental or physical correction.
Involuntary Labour
Suppliers may not use any form of forced or bonded prison labour. All work must be voluntary and workers should be free to leave with reasonable notice.
Child Labour
Suppliers may not use child labour at any stage of manufacturing. Workers must be at least the minimum age for employment in that country or the age for completing compulsory education in that country, whichever is higher. In no event may a worker be less than 15 years old, or as an exception , 14 years in countries covered by ILO convention No. 138, article 2.4. Workers under 18 years of age may not perform work that could jeopardize the health or safety of young persons. Legitimate workplace apprenticeship programs in accordance with Article 6 of ILO Minimum Age Convention no. 138, are allowed.
Working Hours
Except in emergency situations, working hours should be restricted to 60 hours per week, including overtime. Workers should be allowed at least one day off per seven-day week. Under no circumstances may working hours exceed the maximum set by applicable laws. Vacation time, leaves periods and holidays must be offered according to applicable laws.
Remuneration
Suppliers must pay wages, benefits and overtime to workers directly in accordance with applicable laws. The basis on which workers are being paid must be clearly conveyed to them in a timely manner.
Freedom of Association
Suppliers must respect the right of workers to join associations of their own choice, and to bargain collectively. Any form of disciplinary actions from the company against workers by reason of union membership is not accepted.
Health and Safety
Suppliers must be committed to creating safe working conditions and a healthy work environment for all of their workers.
Protective Measures
Suppliers must provide appropriate controls, safe work procedures, preventative maintenance and protective measures to prevent health and safety risks in the workplace. Personal protective equipment must be provided when above measures are not sufficient to control the hazards. Workers must have the right to refuse unsafe working conditions without fear of reprisal until management adequately addresses their concerns.
Industrial Hygiene
Suppliers must identify, evaluate and control worker exposure to hazardous chemical, biological and physical agents. When hazards cannot be adequately controlled by other means, suppliers must provide workers appropriate personal protective equipment.
Emergency Prevention, Preparedness and Response
Suppliers must anticipate, identify and assess emergency situations and events and minimize their impact by implementing emergency plans and response procedures, including emergency reporting, worker notification and evacuation procedures, worker training and drills, appropriate first-aid supplies, appropriate fire detection and suppression equipment, adequate exit facilities and recovery plans.
Occupational Injury and Illness
Suppliers must establish procedures and systems to manage track and report occupational injury and illness, including provisions to encourage worker reporting, classify and record injury and illness cases, provide necessary medical treatment, investigate cases and implement corrective actions to eliminate their causes and facilitate return of workers to work.
Physically Demanding Work
Suppliers must identify, evaluate and control worker exposure to physically demanding tasks, including manual material handling, heavy lifting, prolonged standing and highly repetitive or forceful assembly tasks.
Dormitory and Canteen
Suppliers must provide workers with clean toilet facilities, access to potable water and sanitary food preparation and storage facilities. Workers dormitories provided by the supplier or a labour agent must be clean and safe and provide emergency exits, adequate heat and ventilation and reasonable personal space.
Communication
In order to foster a safe work environment, suppliers should ensure that workers receive appropriate workplace health and safety information and training, including written health and safety information and warnings in the primary language of its workers.
Worker Health and Safety Committees
Suppliers are encouraged to permit worker Health and safety committees to enhance ongoing health and safety education and to encourage worker input regarding health and safety issues in the workplace.
Environment
At AxInter environmental considerations are an integral part of our business practices. Suppliers must be committed to reducing the environmental impact of their designs, manufacturing processes, and waste emissions.
Hazardous Substance Management and Restrictions
Suppliers must comply with any applicable laws and regulations prohibiting or restricting specific substances. To ensure safe handling, movement, storage, recycling, reuse and disposal, suppliers must identify and manage substances that pose a hazard if released to the environment and comply with applicable labelling laws and regulations for recycling and disposal. Suppliers must post Material Safety sheets for any hazardous or toxic substances used in the workplace and train workers who will come into contact with such substances in the workplace.
Wastewater and Solid Waste Emissions
Wastewater and solid waste generated from operations, industrial processes and sanitation facilities must be monitored, controlled and treated as required by applicable laws and regulations before discharge and disposal.
Air Emissions
Air emissions of volatile organic chemicals, aerosols, corrosives, particles, ozone depleting chemicals and combustion by-products generated from operations must be characterized, monitored, controlled and treated as required by applicable laws and regulations before discharge.
Environmental Permits and Reporting
Suppliers must obtain, maintain and keep current all required environmental permits and registrations and follow the operational and reporting requirements of such permits.
Pollution Prevention and Resource Reduction
Suppliers must endeavour to reduce or eliminate waste of all types, including water and energy, by implementing appropriate conservation measures in its facilities, in its maintenance and production processes and by recycling, re-using or substituting materials.
Ethics
AxInter suppliers must be committed to the highest standards of ethical conduct when dealing with workers, suppliers and customers.
Corruption, Extortion, or Embezzlement
Corruption, extortion, and embezzlement, in any form, are not acceptable.
Disclosure of Information
Suppliers must disclose information regarding its business activities, structure, financial situation and performance in accordance with applicable regulations.
No Improper Advantage
Suppliers may not offer or accept bribes or other means of obtaining undue or improper advantage.
Protection of Intellectual Property
Suppliers must respect intellectual property rights. Transfer of technology and know-how must be done in a manner that protects intellectual property rights.