Ethical Sourcing Policy

Eckersley’s is committed to conducting business with the highest standards of integrity, in accordance with our international obligations and in compliance with all applicable laws.

Eckersley’s supports the principles of ethical and socially responsible business practices and is committed to integrating these principles into its business operations.

This Ethical Sourcing Policy reflects Eckersley’s commitment to the ethical manufacture and supply of merchandise and to working closely with suppliers to align their practices. The Policy is based on internationally accepted labour standards. Eckersley’s expects all suppliers, regardless of location, to demonstrate the same commitment.

Our Expectations

This Policy outlines the minimum ethical standards that all suppliers and their subcontractors must comply with when producing and supplying merchandise for Eckersley’s.

The Policy is based on Eckersley’s commitment to respecting core labour standards established by the International Labour Organization (ILO), protecting human rights as outlined in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and promoting environmental sustainability.

Suppliers are expected to implement and maintain systems that achieve compliance with this Policy and all applicable laws. Where local laws and this Policy address the same subject, whichever provides greater protection applies.

Eckersley’s expects suppliers to:

• Comply with the ethical standards outlined in this Policy.
• Implement monitoring systems to assess ethical sourcing compliance and support continual improvement.
• Fully cooperate with any external audit conducted by or on behalf of Eckersley’s.
• Take prompt corrective action to address any breach of this Policy.

Where suppliers are not fully compliant, Eckersley’s will work collaboratively with them to develop improvement plans and achieve compliance over time.

Ethical Standards

Suppliers are expected to comply with the following ethical standards together with all applicable laws and regulations in their country of operation. Where a conflict exists, the higher standard of protection applies.

1. Business Integrity

Suppliers must conduct business with honesty, transparency and professional ethics.

Suppliers must not engage in bribery, corruption or falsification of records and documents, including during audit processes conducted under this Policy.

2. Modern Slavery

Eckersley’s actively supports practices that comply with human rights and social justice standards.

• Labour Rights: Suppliers must not use forced, bonded or involuntary labour.
• Bondage: Workers must retain access to their identity and immigration documents.
• People Trafficking: Human trafficking is strictly prohibited.
• Recruitment: Misleading recruitment practices and recruitment fees are prohibited.
• Debt Bondage: Workers must never be forced to repay debts through labour.

3. Freedom of Association

Suppliers shall respect the rights of workers to join trade unions or worker organisations of their choice and to bargain collectively.

Where local laws restrict these rights, suppliers should support alternative means of free and independent worker representation.

4. Working Conditions

Suppliers must provide a safe and hygienic working environment and take all reasonable steps to prevent workplace injuries and health risks.

Buildings, equipment and accommodation must be safe, properly maintained and compliant with relevant safety requirements.

Workers must receive appropriate supervision, training and access to personal protective equipment.

Clean drinking water, toilet facilities and, where appropriate, food preparation and accommodation facilities must be provided.

5. Child Labour

Suppliers must not use child labour and must only employ workers who meet the minimum legal working age.

Suppliers must verify and maintain records confirming workers' ages.

Eckersley’s maintains a zero-tolerance approach to child labour.

6. Wages and Benefits

Wages and benefits for a standard working week must meet or exceed local legal requirements or industry benchmark standards, whichever is higher.

Workers must receive clear written information regarding employment conditions and wages before employment begins.

Unauthorised deductions from wages are prohibited.

7. Working Hours

Working hours must comply with local laws and industry standards.

Workers should not be required to work excessive hours and must be provided with reasonable rest periods.

Overtime must be voluntary, compensated appropriately and not excessive.

Workers must receive all entitlements regarding breaks, public holidays and annual leave.

8. Discrimination

Suppliers must not discriminate based on race, caste, social background, nationality, religion, age, disability, gender, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, union membership or political affiliation.

Employment decisions must be based solely on an individual’s ability to perform their role.

Suppliers must promote workplaces free from discrimination, harassment and inappropriate behaviour.

9. Regular Employment

Work should be performed on the basis of a recognised employment relationship established through applicable law and labour standards.

Employment obligations must not be avoided through inappropriate subcontracting, temporary arrangements, apprenticeship misuse or repeated fixed-term contracts.

10. Harsh or Inhumane Treatment

Workers must be treated with dignity and respect at all times.

Physical abuse, intimidation, threats, harassment, verbal abuse and other forms of inhumane treatment are prohibited.

Performance management processes should be documented appropriately.

11. Entitlement to Work and Immigration

Suppliers must only employ workers who are legally entitled to work in the country of employment.

Appropriate verification and record keeping processes must be maintained, including for subcontracted labour.

12. Subcontracting and Home Working

Subcontracting arrangements require prior approval from Eckersley’s.

Suppliers must ensure subcontractors and home workers operate ethically and provide safe and lawful working conditions.

13. Environment

Suppliers must comply with all applicable environmental laws and regulations.

Environmental impacts should be identified, monitored and managed appropriately to minimise harm.

Compliance

Suppliers are required to ensure compliance with this Policy and maintain sufficient records demonstrating ongoing compliance efforts.

Eckersley’s employees, agents or representatives may visit supplier facilities to assess compliance with this Policy.

Where non-compliance is identified, suppliers will be required to implement corrective actions. Depending on the seriousness of the breach, Eckersley’s reserves the right to terminate the business relationship.