Purpose and Scope

At Royist, we believe acting ethically and responsibly is not only the right thing to do, but also the right thing to do for our business. Royist has developed a global Preferred Partner Programme Code of Conduct (“Partner Code”) to clarify our global expectations in the areas of business integrity, labor practices, associate health and safety, and environmental management. Royist’s Partner Code is intended to complement the company’s other policies and standards referenced therein.

Suppliers, vendors, contractors, consultants, agents and other providers of goods and services who do business with Royist entities worldwide are expected to follow this Code.

Business Conduct Principles

Royist expects its Preferred Partners to conduct business responsibly, with integrity, honesty, and transparency, and to adhere to the following principles:

1. Maintain awareness and comply with all applicable laws and regulations of the countries of their operation.

2. Compete fairly for Royist’s business, without paying bribes, kickbacks or giving anything of value to secure an improper advantage.
Royist is committed to conducting business legally and ethically within the framework of a free enterprise system. Corrupt arrangements with customers, suppliers, government officials, or other third parties are strictly prohibited. “Corruption” generally refers to obtaining, or attempting to obtain, a personal benefit or business advantage through improper or illegal means.

3. Encourage a diverse workforce and provide a workplace free from discrimination, harassment or any other form of abuse.
Royist Preferred Partners shall create a work environment in which employees and business partners feel valued and respected for their contributions. Harassment, including unwelcome verbal, visual, physical, or other conduct of any kind that creates an intimidating, offensive or hostile work environment will not be tolerated. Employment decisions must be based on qualifications, skills, performance, and experience.

4. Treat employees fairly, including with respect to wages, working hours and benefits.
Royist Preferred Partners shall comply with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements and will generally apply sound employee relations practices. Working hours, wages, benefits will be consistent with laws and industry standards, including those pertaining to minimum wages, overtime, other elements of compensation, and legally mandated benefits.

5. Prohibit all forms of forced or compulsory labor.
Royist Preferred Partners shall maintain and promote fundamental human rights. Employment decisions will be based on free choice and there may be no coerced or prison labor, and no use of physical punishment or threats of violence or other forms of physical, sexual, psychological or verbal abuse as a method of discipline or control.

6. Prohibit use of child labor.
Preferred Partners shall adhere to the minimum employment age limit defined by national law or regulation, and comply with relevant International Labor Organization (ILO) standards. In no instance shall a Preferred Partner permit children to perform work that exposes them to undue physical risks that can harm physical, mental, or emotional development or improperly interfere with their schooling needs.

7. Respect employees’ right to freedom of association and collective bargaining, consistent with local laws.
Consistent with applicable law, Royist Preferred Partners shall respect employees’ rights to join or refrain from joining associations and worker organizations.

8. Provide safe and healthy working conditions.
Royist Preferred Partners shall proactively manage health and safety risks to provide an incident-free environment where occupational injuries and illnesses are prevented. Preferred Partners must implement management systems and controls that identify hazards and assess and control risk related to their specific industry. Also, Preferred Partners shall provide potable drinking water and adequate restrooms; fire exits and essential fire safety equipment; emergency aid kits and access to emergency response including environmental, fire and medical.

9. Carry out operations with care for the environment and comply with all applicable environmental laws and regulations.
The potential environmental impacts of daily business decision-making processes should be considered along with opportunities for conservation of natural resources, recycling, source reduction and pollution control to ensure cleaner air and water and to reduce landfill wastes.

10. Maintain accurate financial books and business records in accordance with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements and accepted accounting practices.

11. Deliver products and services meeting applicable quality and food safety standards.

12. Support compliance with the Partner Code by establishing appropriate management processes and cooperating with reasonable assessment processes requested by Royist.

13. Observe Royist’s policies regarding gifts and entertainment and conflicts of interest when dealing with Royist employees.
Royist Preferred Partners are prohibited from providing or offering gifts to Royist employees that could inappropriately influence Royist’s business decisions or gain an unfair advantage.

14. Report suspected violations of the Partner Code.
Preferred Partners’s employees or contractors may report suspected violations of this Code to the Royist management team at privacy@royist.com.

All such reports are treated as confidential, whether provided through our telephone or e-mail, and you may remain anonymous where permitted by law.

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