Supplier Code of Conduct

The CWS Supplier Code of Conduct applies to all CWS suppliers and their subsidiaries, affiliates, and subcontractors providing goods of services to CWS, Inc. It sets out legal and socially responsible criteria. The requirements below are in addition to any specific requirements included in a Contract.

CWS encourages all if its supplies, subcontractors, affiliates, and all subsidiaries to actively participate in the Global Compact: The Global Compact is a voluntary international corporate citizenship network initiated to support the participation of both the private sector and other social actors to advance responsible corporate citizenship and universal social and environmental principles to meet the challenge of globalization. The Global Compact has been adopted from the UN Global Compact.

I. Scope
All suppliers are required to conform to the laws, rules, and regulations of the country within which it operates and adhere to the requirements of the CWS Supplier Code of Conduct. CWS Procurement practices and ethics maintain a zero-tolerance policy on corruption and will avoid any conflicts of interest and will receive an honest representation of the suppliers’ capabilities. CWS suppliers are required to familiarize themselves with the Supplier Code of Conduct.

II. General
CWS expects respect for fundamental human rights, social justice and human dignity, and respect for the equal rights of men and women to serve as overarching values to which suppliers of goods and services to CWS are expected to adhere.
All Vendors, prospective Vendors, parties to subcontracts, or any other person or entity that receives, or may receive a Contract award from CWS shall declare whether they have a conflict of interest involving any CWS staff as per Section 10 a) and 10 b).

CWS will not enter business relationships with any entity whose practices are in breach of CWS’s Supplier Code of Conduct and Child Safeguarding Policy.

III. Policy on Corruption and CWS Position on Conflict of Interest
CWS has the expectation that Contracted suppliers and organizations looking to sell goods and services conduct their businesses with the highest ethical standards. Suppliers are expected to adhere to the following:

Shall not directly or indirectly offer to any CWS Staff money, goods or a service is a consideration of or an expectation of the awarding of a Contract, agreement, or purchase.
To immediately inform CWS if any staff member has requested any money, goods, or a service as part of the negotiation process.
To immediately make CWS aware of any familial relationships between staff, officers, etc. of the two companies. Failure to make CWS aware of a conflict of interest may result in the exclusion of the supplier from current and future Procurement activities.

IV. Social Responsibility Standards
Overview
CWS social responsibility standards are taken from standard industry codes of conduct and the UN Supplier Code of Conduct. These require that all suppliers ensure that working conditions in their operations and supply chains are safe, operations are environmentally responsible and that all workers are treated with respect and dignity and all dealings are done ethically.

CWS expects that the supplier will comply with all applicable wages and benefit laws under the applicable law in the country or countries in which the performance in whole or part is taking place. Wages will be paid in legal tender and at regular intervals no longer than one month in full and directly to the worker. All suppliers are required to keep records of such payments. Suppliers will comply with applicable work hours and overtime laws set by the country or countries in which the performance in whole or part in taking place.

Supplier will work to reduce and eliminate wastes of all types – including water and energy. Suppliers’ practices will include modifying production maintenance and facility processes, material substitutions, conservation, recycling, and reuse. Air emissions of volatile chemicals, aerosols, corrosives, ozone depleting chemicals and combustibles generated from operations will be classified, monitored, controlled, and treated as required by law.

V. Ethics Requirements
Suppliers will uphold the highest standards of ethics in the business practices.

We encourage CWS suppliers to improve their business practices in accordance with the principles set out in the CWS Code of Conduct.

Contacts: Any supplier questions related to this Code of Conduct can be addressed to CWS at email: procurement@cwsglobal.org