Paper Tube Co. (PTC) is committed to ensuring that working conditions in PTC’s supply chain are safe, that workers are treated with respect and dignity, and that manufacturing practices are environmentally and ethically responsible. PTC’s suppliers are obligated, in all of their activities, to operate in full compliance with the laws, rules and regulations of the countries in which they operate.
This Supplier Code of Conduct goes further, drawing upon internationally recognized standards, in order to advance social and environmental responsibility. PTC requires that its first tier suppliers implement this Code using the management systems described below.
Labor and Human Rights
PTC suppliers must uphold the human rights of workers, to treat them with dignity and respect as understood by the international community.
Discrimination
Suppliers may not discriminate against any worker based on race, color, age, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, disability, religion, political affiliation, union membership, or marital status in hiring and employment practices such as promotions, rewards, access to training, job assignments, wages, benefits, discipline, termination and retirement.
Harsh Treatment and Harassment
Suppliers must be committed to a workplace free of harassment. Suppliers may not threaten workers with or subject them to harsh or inhumane treatment, including sexual harassment, sexual abuse, corporal punishment, mental coercion, physical coercion, or verbal abuse.
Involuntary Labor
Suppliers may not use any form of forced, bonded, indentured, or prison labor. All work must be voluntary and workers should be free to leave with reasonable notice. Workers must not be required to hand over any government-issued identification, passports, or work permits as a condition of employment.
Child Labor
Suppliers may not use child labor at any stage of manufacturing. Workers must be at least the minimum age for employment in that country or the age for completing compulsory education in that country, whichever is higher. In no event may a worker be less than 16 years old (except as permitted by ILO Minimum Age Convention No. 138). Workers under 18 years of age may not perform work likely to jeopardize the health, safety or morals of young persons, consistent with ILO Minimum Age Convention No. 138. This Code does not prohibit participation in legitimate workplace apprenticeship programs that are consistent with Article 6 of ILO Minimum Age Convention No. 138. Working Hours Except in emergency or unusual situations, a work week should be restricted to 60 hours, including overtime, and workers should be allowed at least one day off per seven-day week. Under no circumstances may working hours exceed the maximum set by applicable laws. Suppliers must offer vacation time, leave periods and holidays consistent with applicable laws.
Remuneration
Suppliers must pay wages, benefits, and overtime to workers in accordance with applicable laws, including those related to minimum wages, overtime, hours, and legally mandated benefits. Suppliers may not discriminate based on race, color, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, political affiliation, or marital status. The basis on which workers are being paid must be clearly conveyed to them in a timely manner.
Freedom of Association
Suppliers must respect the right of workers to associate freely, join workers’ organizations, seek representation, and bargain collectively, as permitted by and in accordance with local laws. Suppliers may not discriminate with respect to employment based on union membership and, in particular, may not make employment subject to the condition that the workers relinquish union membership or agree not to join a union or cause the dismissal of or otherwise prejudice a worker by reason of union membership or participation in union activities outside working hours (or within working hours if the supplier has consented to such activities). Suppliers must protect against acts of interference with the establishment, functioning, or administration of workers’ organizations in accordance with local laws.
Health and Safety
PTC recognizes that integrating sound health and safety management practices into all aspects of business is essential to maintain high morale and produce innovative products. Suppliers must be committed to creating safe working conditions and a healthy work environment for all of their workers.
Protective Measures
Suppliers must provide appropriate controls, safe work procedures, preventative maintenance, and protective measures (such as physical guards, interlocks, and barriers) to mitigate health and safety risks in the workplace. When hazards cannot be adequately controlled by these means, suppliers must provide workers appropriate personal protective equipment. Workers must have the right to refuse unsafe working conditions without fear of reprisal until management adequately addresses their concerns.
Industrial Hygiene
Suppliers must identify, evaluate, and control worker exposure to hazardous chemical, biological, and physical agents. When hazards cannot be adequately controlled by engineering and administrative means, suppliers must provide workers appropriate personal protective equipment.
Emergency Prevention, Preparedness and Response
Suppliers must anticipate, identify, and assess emergency situations and events and minimize their impact by implementing emergency plans and response procedures, including emergency reporting, worker notification and evacuation procedures, worker training and drills, appropriate first-aid supplies, appropriate fire detection and suppression equipment, adequate exit facilities, and recovery plans.
Occupational Injury and Illness
Suppliers must establish procedures and systems to manage, track, and report occupational injury and illness, including provisions to encourage worker reporting, classify and record injury and illness cases, provide necessary medical treatment, investigate cases and implement corrective actions to eliminate their causes, and facilitate return of workers to work.
Physically Demanding Work
Suppliers must identify, evaluate, and control worker exposure to physically demanding tasks, including manual material handling, heavy lifting, prolonged standing, and highly repetitive or forceful assembly tasks.
Dormitory and Canteen
Suppliers must provide workers with clean toilet facilities, access to potable water, and sanitary food preparation and storage facilities. Worker dormitories provided by the supplier or a labor agent must be clean and safe and provide emergency egress, adequate heat and ventilation, and reasonable personal space.
Communication
In order to foster a safe work environment, suppliers should ensure that workers receive appropriate workplace health and safety information and training, including written health and safety information and warnings in the primary language of its workers.
Worker Heath and Safety Committees
Suppliers are encouraged to permit worker Health and Safety committees to enhance ongoing health and safety education and to encourage worker input regarding health and safety issues in the workplace.
The Environment
At PTC, environmental considerations are an integral part of our business practices. Suppliers must be committed to reducing the environmental impact of their designs, manufacturing processes, and waste emissions. Suppliers are encouraged to use natural, renewable, biodegradable, and compostable materials whenever possible.
Hazardous Substance Management and Restrictions
Suppliers must comply with any applicable laws and regulations prohibiting or restricting specific substances. To ensure safe handling, movement, storage, recycling, reuse, and disposal, suppliers must identify and manage substances that pose a hazard if released to the environment and comply with applicable labelling laws and regulations for recycling and disposal. Suppliers must post Material Safety Data Sheets for any hazardous or toxic substances used in the workplace and train workers who will come into contact with such substances in the workplace.
Waste Water and Solid Waste Emissions
Waste water and solid waste generated from operations, industrial processes, and sanitation facilities must be monitored, controlled, and treated as required by applicable laws and regulations before discharge or disposal.
Air Emissions
Air emissions of volatile organic chemicals, aerosols, corrosives, particulates, ozone depleting chemicals, and combustion by-products generated from operations must be characterized, monitored, controlled, and treated as required by applicable laws and regulations before discharge.
Environmental Permits and Reporting
Suppliers must obtain, maintain, and keep current all required environmental permits (e.g. discharge monitoring) and registrations and follow the operational and reporting requirements of such permits.
Pollution Prevention and Resource Reduction
Suppliers must endeavor to reduce or eliminate waste of all types, including water and energy, by implementing appropriate conservation measures in its facilities, in its maintenance and production processes, and by recycling, re-using, or substituting materials.
Ethics
PTC suppliers must be committed to the highest standards of ethical conduct when dealing with workers, suppliers, and customers.
Corruption, Extortion, or Embezzlement
Corruption, extortion, and embezzlement, in any form, are strictly prohibited and may result in immediate termination as a PTC supplier and in legal action.
Disclosure of Information
Suppliers must disclose information regarding its business activities, structure, financial situation, and performance in accordance with applicable regulations and prevailing industry practices.
No Improper Advantage
Suppliers may not offer or accept bribes or other means of obtaining undue or improper advantage.
Fair Business, Advertising and Competition
Suppliers must uphold fair business standards in advertising, sales and competition. Suppliers must offer means to safeguard customer information.
Whistleblowers
Suppliers must create programs to ensure the protection of supplier and worker whistle blower confidentiality.
Community Engagement
Suppliers are encouraged to engage the community to help foster social and economic development and to contribute to the sustainability of the communities in which they operate.
Protection of Intellectual Property
Suppliers must respect intellectual property rights; transfer of technology and know-how must be done in a manner that protects intellectual property rights.
Competition
Suppliers may not take advantage of a business opportunity that is intended for PTC which arises in the course of the engagement. Suppliers may not act as a competitor by providing or attempting to provide similar products or services directly to PTC customers.
Representation
Suppliers may not speak to the public or release documents on behalf of PTC. Suppliers may not use the PTC name, official logo, PTC or PTC’s customers’ branded assets (artwork, photography, physical samples), or any intellectual property in marketing, advertising, or other outside communications without prior approval of PTC. We expect our suppliers to protect the privacy, confidentiality, and interest of PTC, our current, past, and future customers, our products and services, and our quality and manufacturing standards and expectations.
Management Systems
PTC suppliers are encouraged to adopt or establish a management system designed to ensure compliance with this Code and applicable laws and regulations, identify and mitigate related operational risks, and facilitate continuous improvement. ISO 9001, ISO 14001, FSSC 22000, BRC, Eco Management and Audit System (EMAS) may be useful resources. The management system should contain the following elements:
Company Commitment
A corporate social and environmental responsibility statement affirming the supplier’s commitment to compliance and continual improvement.
Management Accountability and Responsibility
Clearly identified company representatives responsible for ensuring implementation and periodic review of the status of the supplier’s management systems.
Legal and Customer Requirements
A process to identify, monitor and understand applicable laws and regulations and the additional requirements imposed by this Code.
Risk Assessment and Management
A process to identify environmental, health and safety, and labor practice risks associated with their operations, determine the relative significance of each risk, and implement appropriate procedures and physical controls to ensure regulatory compliance to control the identified risks. Risk assessments for health and safety must include warehouse and storage facilities, plant and facility support equipment, laboratories and test areas, bathrooms, kitchens, cafeterias, and worker housing.
Performance Objectives with Implementation Plans and Measures
Written standards, performance objectives, targets, and implementation plans, including a periodic assessment of the supplier’s performance against those objectives.
Training
Appropriate training programs for managers and workers.
Communication
A process for communicating clear and accurate information about the supplier’s performance, practices, and expectations to its workers, suppliers, and customers, and a clear complaint mechanism.
Worker Feedback and Participation
An ongoing process to obtain feedback on processes and practices related to this Code and to foster continuous improvement.
Audits and Assessments
Periodic self-evaluations to ensure that the supplier and its subcontractors are complying with this Code and with applicable laws and regulations. PTC may audit periodically on terms and conditions set forth in its agreement with Supplier.
Corrective Action Process
A process for timely correction of any deficiencies identified by an internal or external audit, assessment, inspection, investigation, or review.
Documentation and Records
Creation of documents and records to ensure regulatory compliance and conformity to this Code, with appropriate confidentiality measures to protect privacy.
