Code of Conduct

1 Introduction

Hela is an internationally oriented family business that operates in various market segments of the food industry. Hela is determined to act worldwide as an ethical and responsible representative of the industry. Hela is therefore committed to acting fairly and responsibly toward our customers, our employees, and our suppliers, as well as toward our society and the environment.
An important element of our vision and mission is our commitment to sustainable action in the areas of the environment, social responsibility, and the economy.
Our actions are in line with generally recognized values and principles such as integrity and lawfulness. We respect human rights and labor standards and are committed to environmentally and socially responsible corporate governance, as set out in this Code of Conduct (“Code”). In this Code, we have formulated our core values and defined the non-negotiable minimum standards that our suppliers must observe and comply with in their business dealings.
The rules set out in this Code are intended to become an integral part of the contracts concluded between the supplier and us.
The supplier must comply at all times with all applicable laws, contractual agreements, and generally recognized standards.

2. Human Rights and Labor Standards
We always strive neither to cause nor to support human rights violations. We expect the same from our suppliers. Where necessary and possible, we support our suppliers in this regard. In particular, Hela expects all suppliers to comply with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly at its third session on December 10, 1948, as Resolution 217, and with the standards of the International Labour Organization (ILO).

2.1 Fair Employment Relationships
All employees must be informed of the essential terms of employment (e.g., remuneration, working hours, vacation entitlement, termination). Applicable national labor law must be observed.
The use of corporal punishment or any other form of physical, mental, or sexual violence or abuse is strictly prohibited, as is the threat of such treatment. The basis of the relationship between all parties is mutual respect.

2.2 Prohibition of Forced Labor and Slavery
Forced and compulsory labor (including, but not limited to, any form of debt bondage, slavery or slavery-like practices, serfdom, or human trafficking) is prohibited. Employees must be able to terminate their employment contract subject to the statutory notice periods.

2.3 Prohibition of Child Labor
Child labor is never acceptable. The supplier must comply with the recommendation of ILO Convention 138 concerning the minimum age for the employment of children. Under no circumstances may an employee be younger than 15 years of age.
We expect our suppliers to have appropriate means of age verification in order to prevent child labor. If the use of child labor is identified, the supplier must take, without undue delay, all necessary measures aimed at the well-being, protection, and development of the child.
Likewise, the rights of young workers under 18 years of age must be protected by not assigning them work that, by its nature or the circumstances in which it is carried out, may be harmful to the health, safety, or mental and moral development of children. The supplier must ensure that the tasks of young workers do not conflict with their school attendance.

2.4 Remuneration and Working Hours
The supplier must comply with the applicable national laws on working hours (including overtime, rest breaks, and annual leave) and on remuneration.
In countries or regions where there is no statutory or collectively agreed wage framework, the supplier must pay particular attention to ensuring that the wages paid for regular full-time employment are sufficient to meet the basic needs of employees. Wage deductions that are not legally permitted, including wage deductions as a disciplinary measure, are not acceptable.

2.5 Occupational Health and Safety
All employees must be provided with safe and healthy working conditions, a safe working environment, and safe equipment. Facilities must be built and maintained in accordance with applicable laws. Where required, adequate sanitary facilities, emergency exits, and personal protective equipment must be provided, and their use must be monitored.
In addition, the supplier must ensure that occupational accidents are recorded and investigated and that employees are adequately trained and instructed.

2.6 Freedom of Association
The supplier must respect the right of employees to freedom of association, freedom of assembly, and strikes, as well as the right to collective bargaining and wage negotiations.
In cases where freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining are restricted by law, the supplier must provide alternative means for the independent and free association of employees for the purpose of collective bargaining.

2.7 Non-Discrimination
Any form of discrimination against employees must be avoided. In particular, no one may be discriminated against on the basis of their skin color, gender, age, religion or belief, nationality, ethnic origin, social origin, political opinion, or sexual identity.
This applies in particular to the hiring of employees and with regard to their further training, promotion, and remuneration.
Inclusion and diversity should be given high priority. The principle of equal pay for employees of all genders for work of equal value should be observed.

3 Environment and Sustainability
The supplier must comply with all environmental laws and regulations in its operations.

3.1 Use of Resources, Avoidance of Environmental Pollution
Suppliers are expected to use natural resources sparingly and to reduce negative impacts on the environment to a minimum or avoid them entirely. Suppliers are encouraged to participate in the development of climate-friendly products and processes.
Suppliers will pursue agricultural practices and other business activities that lead to a reduction in energy and water consumption, minimal use of fertilizers, and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Suppliers are expected to continuously improve their sustainability performance by implementing appropriate measures and by training employees and their supply chains.

3.2 Climate Protection
Hela expects its suppliers to take appropriate measures to reduce the ecological footprint. All suppliers are called upon to find economical solutions for improving energy efficiency and minimizing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
All suppliers must ensure that no primary forests or other areas particularly worthy of protection are cleared for the production of raw materials and that, in the event of legal deforestation, compensation is provided through reforestation. The relevant provisions of the EU Deforestation Regulation must be observed where they are applicable.

3.3 Animal Welfare and Species Protection
We expect suppliers to respect the principles of animal welfare and biodiversity and to align their business activities with them. The keeping and use of animals must comply with applicable law and be appropriate to the species. The Washington Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora must be complied with.

3.4 Waste and Packaging
Waste contaminated with hazardous substances must be disposed of properly and in an environmentally sound manner. The environmental impact of packaging must be minimized, e.g., by avoiding or reducing packaging.

4 Product Safety and Quality
Suppliers will at all times comply with the quality, health, and food safety laws and regulations applicable in their home countries and in the countries to which Hela plants deliver.
In addition, they must meet generally recognized or contractually agreed quality requirements in order to deliver goods that are not adulterated and are safe for their intended use.

5 Integrity in Business Operations
The supplier will at all times comply with all applicable laws, contractual agreements, and generally recognized standards. We pursue only legitimate business objectives and practices and establish and maintain business relationships only with reputable partners.

5.1 Fair Competition
We support free and fair competition. We do not tolerate anti-competitive agreements and ensure that we act in accordance with applicable antitrust laws.
We reject gaining competitive advantages through unfair business practices. We expect the same from our suppliers.

5.2 Corruption, Trade Control, Money Laundering
Suppliers must ensure compliance with the UN and OECD anti-corruption conventions and the relevant laws on combating bribery. They will monitor and enforce compliance with them.
Suppliers must pursue a zero-tolerance policy prohibiting all forms of bribery, corruption, extortion, and embezzlement. They will comply with the statutory provisions on the prevention of money laundering.

5.3 Protection of Personal Data
We expect suppliers to attach particular importance to the protection of personal data. When handling personal data, they must comply with the applicable data protection provisions.

5.4 Whistleblowing
Suppliers must introduce a whistleblowing system in accordance with the requirements of Directive (EU) 2019/1937 or the respective national legislation.

6 Implementation
The supplier must establish and maintain an effective and appropriate risk management system in order to identify and remedy human rights-related, environmental, and ethical risks. For this purpose, it must designate one or more contact persons to us.
The supplier will use its best efforts to ensure that its affiliated companies and contractual partners in its supply chain comply with all principles and requirements described herein. The supplier must train its employees on relevant topics as required.
In the event of a material violation of the principles and requirements of this Code, the supplier will inform us without undue delay of the identified violations and risks and of the measures taken.
We reserve the right to monitor our suppliers' compliance with our expectations, e.g., through audits. Should we identify serious violations, we reserve the right to take appropriate contractual consequences, including remedial measures, suspension of contract performance, or termination of the business relationship. In any case, we expect identified violations to be remedied through appropriate preventive or remedial measures.

As of May 2023

Download here: Hela Code of Conduct