Code of Conduct

GS7 Co.

GS7 Code of Conduct is directed to our co-workers, suppliers and subcontractors. We require that this Code of Conduct is read, signed and meet upon starting any form of cooperation with GS7.

Every cooperation with GS7 must meet the basic requirements of our Code of Conduct, considering the cultural differences that may occur working with different countries, we are aware that some points are negotiable if the general settings are fulfilling.

GS7 believes in transparency though out every part of the supply chain and requires that any kind of difficulties regarding following our Code of Conduct, will be discussed and negotiated until a reasonable solution is found.

GS7 bears the responsibility of handing our Code of Conduct to our co-workers and suppliers. Our co-workers and suppliers are responsible for introducing the Code of Conduct to all employees, posting a copy in the local language and lacing the Code of Conduct where it is accessible for all employees.

The UN ”Protect, Respect and Remedy” Framework for Business and Human Rights, forms the basis of our Code of Conduct and will be specified in details inspired by the 10 principles of the United Nations Global Compacts

http://business-humanrights.org/en/un-secretary-generals-special-representative-on-business-human-rights/unprotect-respect-and-remedy-framework-and-guiding-principles
https://www.unglobalcompact.org/AboutTheGC/TheTenPrinciples/humanRights.html

Global Compact Principle 1

“Businesses should support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights.”

GS7 is based in Bulgaria, which is reflected in GS7 view of human rights.

All GS7 employees is to be treated with respect and dignity. We expect all of our co-workers, suppliers and subcontractors also to treat their fellow people with respect and dignity.

All suppliers working with GS7 are declared to follow the United Nations Global Compact and to follow the legislation of their respective countries.

GS7 wants all co-workers and suppliers to work proactively to minimize work related risks and hazards.

GS7 wants all co-workers and suppliers to be informed and educated when working with any form of hazardous work.

Global Compact Principle 2

“Businesses should make sure they are not complicit in human rights abuses.”

Human rights and nondiscrimination should be supported, respected and complied when working with GS7

GS7 demands that all suppliers working with us is responsible for providing a safe and good working environment for all employees. By a safe and good working environment, we mean:

• Indoor working areas should be fitted with windows.
• Adequate air circulations must be provided.
• Air condition and/or radiators must be available.
• Free access to drinking water and toilet facilities.
• Sanitary conditions all around the working place.
• Sufficient light in the working areas.
• Machines used shall be equipped with safety devices and inspected and maintained regularly.
• The health of all employees must comply with current law and the suppliers must also protect employees against risks involved in preforming their work.
• All employees should be protected against dangerous working practice, noise and air pollution etc. Protective equipment must be available free of charge, and the employees must be educated in using protective equipment.
• The occurrence of work related accidents is to be registered and the employees must be offered first aid at the workplace.
• First aid kits must be placed in each work area and employees must be educated to handle accidents.
• Procedures for serious accidents that requires treatment outside the premises of the suppliers must be available.
• Fire services must be available in each work area and employees must be educated in using the fire services.
• Main exits and safety exits may not be locked during working hours and escape routes must be clear for all.
• Safety exits may not be obstructed and fire services must be checked on a regular basis.

Global Compact Principle 3

“Businesses should uphold the freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining.”

All employees and suppliers working with GS7 has the freedom of association and is free to establish and join organizations of their own choice. This does, however, not mean that organization is mandatory.

GS7 encourages the suppliers to engage the workers to collective bargaining, working on the “principles of good faith”. GS7 means that this gives the best possibilities for a decent work cycle.

Suppliers working with GS7 shall comply with current law concerning wages, compensation for overtime and payment procedures. Employees are entitled to at least a statutory living wage or the standard wage of the industry.

Employees should have a pay check containing all relevant information such as basic pay, overtime pay deductions etc., in an understandable language, so that he is able to explain his earnings to a third part.

Global Compact Principle Four

“Businesses should uphold the elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labour.”

GS7 shall not use work or services extracted from any form of forced or compulsory labour. Employees must have the freedom to leave in any way customary in the respective country.

GS7 shall not use workers whom has not voluntarily offered themselves to the work.

Suppliers working with GS7 must guarantee that working hours should be in accordance with current law. This applies to both daily and weekly working hours. If there is no current law in the field, GS7 stipulates the maximum working hours per week to be 48 hours.

Overtime work shall not be used in a regular basis. Employees is entitled to refuse overtime work without being exposed to threats, disciplinary measures or dismissal. Working hours must be organized in such way that employees can plan their own leisure time.

GS7 will ensure that all company officials have a full understanding of what forced labour is and not be complicit in, or benefit from forced labor.

Global Compact Principle Five

“Businesses should uphold the effective abolition of child labour.”

Gs7 is aware that national law and culture differs from country to country, but we have some standard that we want all our suppliers to follow. GS7 does not approve of child labor, however we understand that life conditions may vary and we support suppliers making an effort to help children. We accept no less than what national law requires.

GS7 has the long-term goal to abolish child labour within our sphere of influence and to urge all parts of the supply chain to follow our example.

GS7 strives to develop the awareness to and understanding of the causes and consequences of child labor.

All suppliers must, at any time be able to verify the age of an employee.

GS7 demands that any one working with us has to work according to the International Labour Organization (ILO) recommendations regarding the minimum age for workers. References made to ILO Convention No. 182 on the worst forms of child labour, 1999 and the ILO Convention No. 138 on the minimum age for admission to employment and work

http://www.ilo.org/ipec/facts/ILOconventionsonchildlabour/lang–en/index.htmFactories must be able to prove that work does not interfere with the child´s education and that the work is limited to a few hours per day.

If a child is found working under other circumstances than mentioned above, GS7 will require that measurements be takes in the child´s best interest. We will, in cooperation with the factory, seek to find a satisfactory solution, taking in consideration the child´s age, family situation, education etc.

GS7 will, in such a serious situation, not regard it as a solution to dismiss the child, or immediately stop the cooperation with the supplier. Any measure taken should always aim to improve, not worsen, each individual child´s situation.

Global Compact Principle 6

“Businesses should uphold the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.”

GS7 is against any form of discrimination against race, color, gender, age, sexuality, religion, political opinion, national extraction, social origin, disability, trade union membership, HIV/AIDS status or maternity status.

GS7 urges our suppliers, to hire employees selected based on their ability to do the job and that there is no distinction, exclusion or preference made on other grounds.

Suppliers working with GS7 shall comply with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights art: 19 on freedom of opinion and expression.

http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/

Global Compact Principle 7

“Businesses should support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges.”

GS7 presupposes that our suppliers and subcontractors treat the environment with respect and consideration. It is our goal to work towards environmental responsibility and sustainable development throughout all parts of the supply chain.

GS7 and our suppliers must continuously work towards a more environmentally friendly production process in order to minimize the negative consequences for the environment.

Each supplier is responsible for taking care of the environment and the employees working with dangerous and toxic substances, by this responsibility we mean:

• Dangerous and toxic substances is to be stores in adequately ventilated locations and they must be handled in a safe way.
• Workers must be educated in handling dangerous and toxic substances and about the consequences, both to the environment and to themselves, of working with dangerous and toxic substances.
• Waste from the use of dangerous and toxic substances must be handled according to local legislation.
• Supplier is held responsible for giving account for the chemical composition of chemicals, dyes etc. used in production.
• Supplier is held responsible for recovering and handling all documents regarding dangerous and toxic substances, chemicals, dyes etc.

Global Compact Principle 8

“Businesses should undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility.”

GS7 strives to work with suppliers to improve environmental performance, extending responsibility up the product chain and down the supply chain.

GS7 wishes to increase the awareness of our environmental responsibility through better information to the consumers

Global Compact Principle 9

“Businesses should encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies.”

GS7 strives to use all resources in a more sustainable manner, recycle more of our waste and products and encourage our suppliers to do the same.

GS7 will, to the extent possible and reasonable, support the development and use of cleaner technologies and procedures upon request from the suppliers.

Global Compact Principle 10

“Businesses should work against corruption in all its forms, including extortion and bribery.”

GS7 is against ant form of corruption, extortion and bribery and do not want to engage in any form nether corruption or bribery.

GS7 does not want to put any suppliers, workers or our reputation at risk by engaging in any form of corruption.

Finally GS7 believes that transparency, respect and communication is the right way to secure a dedicated and rewarding and equal cooperation for all parts of the supply chain. We want this to be a common goal for all suppliers and other working with GS7.

I declare, on behalf of (name of company :))

To have read this Code of Conduct and made sure that the principles and demands are being met though out the workplace. This document is GS7 guarantee that our co-workers have acceptable working standards.