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Supplier Code of Conduct

Last Updated: 2023, May 1st
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Dear Valued Suppliers,

As the founder of The Folclore Company, I am proud to say that our commitment to people, products, and the planet is the foundation of our success. Our rich Brazilian heritage is deeply intertwined with the natural beauty and resources that surround us, and it is our responsibility to preserve and nurture them for future generations. This is why I have always said, "Nature gives life to our products and to our rich Brazilian lore. Without it, we are nothing. It is therefore our obligation not just to protect it, but to nurture it."

We recognize that our suppliers play a crucial role in achieving our sustainability goals. To that end, we have developed this Code of Conduct to outline the minimum standards we expect from all our suppliers in the areas of people, products, and the planet. By adhering to these guidelines, you will not only help us meet our environmental and social commitments, but also contribute to a greener, more equitable, and prosperous world.

The Code is inspired by the Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) Code of Conduct and embraces internationally recognized standards such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, ILO International Labor Standards, OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, and ISO and SA standards.


Thank you for your support, Nick Walker - Cofounder & CEO of The Folclore Company. 

Introduction


The Folclore Company, (“Folclore”, “we” or the “Company”) views its responsible business commitments through the framework of: People, our employees and guests, the core of our business. Products, the things our people create and apply their dedicated workmanship towards. And Planet, the environment and what gives life to our products.

We places great importance on conducting business in an environmentally responsible and sustainable manner. We expect our Suppliers to share this commitment by adopting resource-efficient practices for energy, water, and other natural resources, minimizing waste, diverting materials from landfills, and reducing the use of harmful chemicals. At a minimum, Suppliers should comply with all local, state, and national environmental laws and regulations. Suppliers should obtain and maintain all required environmental permits, approvals, and registrations, and adhere to all of their relevant operational and reporting requirements.

The Folclore Company reserves the right to contractually agree to annual audits and assessments of Supplier facilities to ensure that reasonable efforts are being taken by Suppliers to operate in a manner consistent with the fundamental principles of the Code. We may also hire or work with independent third parties to perform any such assessments, audits and inspections. Violations of the Code will be brought to the attention of the Supplier, and may lead to disciplinary action and escalation, including termination of the supplier relationship or entering into a mutually agreeable remediation plan.

The company would also like to emphasize that supplier code of conduct isn’t a “one and done” document – it must be continuously monitored for improvement to adhere to current social and environmental standards. Specific topics that may be included in below section cover staff training, communication between employers and employees, and various methods of reporting to be completed.


Management Systems and Supplier Responsibility


We expect our suppliers to have proper management systems in place and to commit to transparency concerning their policies and practices. Suppliers should educate their employees on the Code and ensure their own suppliers and sub-suppliers adhere to standards equivalent to or stricter than our Code.

Our company reserves the right to conduct annual audits and assessments of supplier facilities. We may also collaborate with independent third parties to perform these evaluations. Violations of the Code may result in disciplinary action, including termination of the supplier relationship or the development of a mutually agreeable remediation plan.

Core Governance Principles


  1. Legal Compliance: Our company and its suppliers are expected to understand and comply with all applicable laws in the countries where they operate.
  2. Purchasing Practices: We prioritize fair and impartial relationships with our suppliers. Decisions should be based on legitimate criteria such as quality, service levels, and price.
  3. Fair Dealing: We require fair dealing between our employees, suppliers, and third parties. Unfair practices such as manipulation, concealment, and misrepresentation are not tolerated.
  4. Protecting & Using Information: Suppliers must safeguard third-party information in accordance with applicable laws, policies, and contractual obligations. Intellectual property rights must be respected, and customer and supplier information must be protected.
  5. Bribery & Other Corrupt Practices: Our company and its suppliers must comply with laws prohibiting bribery and corruption, including the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and the U.K. Bribery Act. We maintain a strict "no bribery" policy.
  6. Anti-Money Laundering: We prohibit engagement in or facilitation of transactions involving funds derived from illegal activities and expect the same from our suppliers. Compliance with all applicable anti-money laundering laws is required.

Core Social Principles


  1. Human Rights: Our company and its suppliers must adhere to employment and labor laws in every country where they operate.
  2. Prohibition of Child Labor: The employment of children is strictly prohibited.
  3. Clear and Fair Terms of Employment: Workers should receive written information about their employment conditions, including wages and working hours. Overtime must be voluntary and compliant with local laws.
  4. Employment is Freely Chosen: We have a zero-tolerance policy towards modern slavery, human trafficking, and forced labor.
  5. Freedom of Association and Right to Collectively Bargain: We respect workers' rights to join or form associations and to participate in collective bargaining without fear of reprisal or interference.
  6. Non-Discrimination & Harassment: We do not tolerate any form of discrimination or harassment based on legally protected characteristics.
  7. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: We encourage diverse suppliers to participate in our contracting and subcontracting activities and expect our suppliers to do the same.
  8. Safe & Healthy Work Environment: Suppliers must comply with all applicable safety and health laws and guidelines, and provide necessary training and information to workers.
  9. Communities: We support various issues and organizations important to our business and encourage our suppliers to contribute to the economic and social development of their local communities.

Core Environmental Principles


  1. Environmental Compliance: Adhere to all local, state, and national environmental laws, regulations, and standards, ensuring the proper maintenance of permits, approvals, and registrations.
  2. Resource Efficiency: Implement resource-efficient practices to optimize the use of energy, water, and other natural resources, and continuously seek opportunities for improvement.
  3. Waste Reduction and Diversion: Minimize waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling, and recovery, actively diverting materials from landfills to promote a circular economy.
  4. Chemical Management: Prioritize the use of safer chemicals, minimize the use of harmful substances, and responsibly handle, store, and dispose of chemicals in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
  5. Climate Action: Monitor, minimize, and report greenhouse gas emissions, support the transition to a low-carbon economy, and adapt operations to the impacts of climate change.
  6. Biodiversity Conservation: Preserve and protect natural habitats, ecosystems, and biodiversity by implementing responsible sourcing practices and minimizing negative impacts on the environment.
  7. Sustainable Procurement: Commit to ethical and sustainable procurement practices, ensuring that materials and components are legally sourced, and not associated with human rights abuses, environmental degradation, or corruption.
  8. Collaboration and Engagement: Foster open communication and collaboration with stakeholders, including employees, customers, communities, and regulators, to enhance environmental performance and address shared challenges.
  9. Continuous Improvement: Regularly assess and monitor environmental performance, set targets for improvement, and implement best practices to drive progress toward sustainability goals.
  10. Transparency and Accountability: Demonstrate commitment to environmental stewardship through transparent reporting of environmental performance, and maintain accountability for implementing the necessary changes to meet sustainability objectives.

Violations, Tips & Whistleblowing


Suppliers, the Suppliers Employees, the Suppliers consultants, the Suppliers officers, and the Suppliers directors are required to promptly report all actual or potential conflicts of interest, violations of any government or regulatory law, rule or regulation or violations of the Folclore Company’s policies and procedures by any affiliate of the company.

Tips can be done anonymously to the CEO, Nick Walker, either by text or email. If the wrongful conduct concerns the CEO, an individual can anonymously reach out to directors@folclore.com which will immediately notify the entire board of directors.


Review, Updates, and Amendments


This Policy will be reviewed periodically and updated as necessary to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations and alignment with the Company's values and ethical standards.

Disclosure


The company will furnish clients, vendors, partners, journalists or any others with a copy of this code upon request.