Ethical Sourcing Policy

VERSION: 2.1
DOCUMENT DATE: January 2022
REVIEW DATE: January 2025

Tite-Fix Ltd supply a wide and valued customer base from a variety of industry sectors, with quality screws and fixings, supported by leading service levels at a competitive price point. To achieve our objectives, we source our products from a small number of key national and international suppliers, the majority with which we have built long relationships. From time to time we will look to expand our supply partners to ensure continuity, quality, competitivity and for product expansion.

We see our suppliers, existing and new, as an extension of our own team and as such expect them to maintain the same high standards of integrity and ethical responsibility.

The purpose of this policy to offer clear guidance to suppliers, employees and customers of what we expect and to emphasise our commitment to sourcing products in a responsible manner. We are dedicated to upholding the key principles of human rights, fair and safe working conditions, environmental protection and anti-corruption.

To help suppliers comply or improve, we are a member of Sedex, the ethical trade membership organisation and insist our suppliers are also members. For further information, please contact your Tite-Fix supply chain contact.

OUR EXPECTATIONS:

1. HUMAN RIGHTS

✓ EMPLOYEES ARE TREAT WITH DIGNITY & RESPECT

Suppliers create a safe working environment where employees are always treated with dignity and respect.

✓ NO HARASSMENT, HARSH OR INHUMANE TREATMENT

Harsh or inhumane treatment will not be tolerated including the threat of physical abuse, verbal or psychological harassment or abuse, sexual harassment or abuse or any other forms of intimidation.

2. FAIR & SAFE WORKING CONDITIONS

✓ EMPLOYMENT IS FREELY CHOSEN

There is no forced, bonded or compulsory labour.

✓ FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION & COLLECTIVE BARGAINING

Suppliers recognise employees right to join or form trade unions of their own choosing and to bargain collectively.
Employees are not discriminated against or have acti on taken against them for exercising this right.

✓ CHILD LABOUR

Tite-Fix will not work with any supplier that uses child labour.
Suppliers must hold accurate records of the age of all employees, who must meet or exceed the legal minimum age.

✓ DISCRIMINATION

All workers receive equal treatment and opportunities in respect of employment, recruitment, training or promotion regardless of age, disability, gender, marital status, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation and political opinion.

✓ WORKING CONDITIONS

Suppliers employ a Health & Safety Manager or assign responsibility for health & safety to a Senior Manager who ensures a safe and hygienic working environment.
Risk of injury or exposure to accidents during the course of work will be identified and reasonable steps taken to prevent such occurrences.
Both existing and new employees will receive regular and recorded health & safety training.
All working conditions will be clean hygienic and meet the legal standard and employees have access to clean toilet facilities and drinking water.

✓ WAGES

All wages and benefits, paid for a standard working week, must meet or exceed legal minimum levels.
Any deductions must be reasonable, agreed and understood by the employee and not performed as a disciplinary measure.
Employees are provided with a written and understandable contract of employment.

✓ HOURS OF WORK

Suppliers keep accurate records of the working hours of all employees.
Working hours must not be excessive, employees must not exceed the legal maximum and must receive the appropriate number of breaks, days off and holidays.

3. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

✓ SUPPLIERS ARE COMMITTED TO REDUCING THEIR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

Suppliers comply with all national and local environmental legislation and ensure the necessary permits are in place.
Proactively work to reduce consumption of natural resources, energy, water and material goods through improved efficiencies.
Suppliers educate and encourage their employees in the importance of these environmental responsibilities.

✓ RESPONSIBLE WASTE MANAGEMENT

Suppliers work to reduce the creation of waste by the adoption of improved operating practices, recycling waste materials where practical.
Ensure all necessary permits are in place and all waste is disposed of in a safe and responsible manner and following local legislation.
Waste, waste water and emissions generated from operations are monitored and measured to comply with local legislation.

✓ DEVELOP MORE SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING CONCEPTS

Suppliers investigate and promote the development of new sustainable packaging concepts and the implementation of improved operational processes in relation to their impact on the environment.

✓ WORK TO CONTINUOUSLY IMPROVE & REVIEW THESE PROCESSES

4. ANTI-CORRUPTION

✓ SUPPLIERS ADHERE TO THE HIGHEST STANDARDS OF MORAL & ETHICAL CONDUCT

Suppliers comply with all local legislation, do not engage in acts of bribery and corruption or in any form of corrupt practices.

SUPPLIER COMPLIANCE:

We expect all suppliers to comply with this policy and the standards set out within. Our supply chain team, an engaged agent or Sedex may, as required, carry out audits to ensure compliance for which we expect your co-operation.

We will work with existing suppliers who show a commitment to environmental protection principles and help them as best we can to meet these standards where improvement may be necessary. For all other standards, we insist on full compliance without the need for improvement.

We will be unable to work with suppliers who are unwilling to comply with this policy or are unable to demonstrate a commitment to compliance.

Please address any questions or queries to you supply chain contact.