Vendor Compliance Policies

Whisker Supplier Code of Conduct

At Whisker, we are committed to upholding the highest ethical standards across all our operations and within our supply chain. As a leading provider of innovative pet care products, including the Litter-Robot and Feeder-Robot, we expect our suppliers to share our commitment to ethical practices, sustainability, and the well-being of both workers and animals. These guidelines apply to all suppliers, subcontractors, and affiliates that provide products or services to Whisker.

1. Legal Compliance and International Laws

Whisker expects its suppliers to comply with all applicable local, national, and international laws and regulations. This includes:

• Labor Laws: Suppliers must comply with all labor laws regarding wages, working hours, and employee benefits, in line with International Labour Organization (ILO) standards.
• Anti-Corruption and Anti-Bribery Laws: Suppliers must adhere to all anti-corruption regulations, including the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), UK Bribery Act, and any other applicable international anti-corruption conventions. Bribery, extortion, or improper payments are strictly prohibited.
• Trade Compliance: Suppliers must comply with all applicable trade regulations, import/export laws, sanctions, and embargoes. They must ensure that goods supplied to Whisker do not violate international trade restrictions.

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• 2. Labor and Human Rights

  We believe that every worker within our supply chain deserves a fair, ethical, and respectful workplace. Suppliers must adhere to the following labor and human rights standards:

  • Prevention of Child Labor: Suppliers must employ workers who are at least 15 years old or the legal minimum age in the jurisdiction, whichever is higher. Suppliers must verify the age of workers through reliable documentation.
  • Elimination of Forced Labor: All labor must be voluntary. Suppliers must not use forced, bonded, indentured, or prison labor. Human trafficking and slavery are strictly prohibited. Workers must maintain control over their personal identification documents and have the freedom to terminate employment without penalty.
  • Fair Working Hours: Suppliers must comply with all local laws regarding working hours and ensure workers do not exceed 60 hours per week, except in exceptional circumstances. Workers must have at least one day off per seven-day period.
  • Fair Compensation: Workers must be compensated fairly, with wages meeting or exceeding the legal minimum or industry standard, whichever is higher. Overtime work must be voluntary and paid at a premium rate.
  • Non-Discrimination: Suppliers must not engage in discrimination based on race, gender, age, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected characteristic.
  • Freedom of Association: Suppliers must respect workers’ rights to freely associate, join trade unions, and engage in collective bargaining without fear of retaliation.

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• 3. Health and Safety

  Suppliers must provide a safe and healthy work environment for their employees:

  • Safe Workplace Conditions: Suppliers are required to identify and mitigate risks that could cause accidents or injury. Workers should be provided with appropriate safety equipment and training.
  • Emergency Preparedness: Emergency plans and procedures should be in place, including drills, to ensure worker safety during crises.
  • Occupational Health: Suppliers must ensure the workplace is free from harmful substances, and provide access to clean facilities and medical care as necessary.

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• 4. Environmental Responsibility

  Whisker is committed to sustainability, and we expect our suppliers to adopt environmentally responsible practices:

  • Legal Compliance: Suppliers must comply with all environmental laws and regulations in the regions where they operate.
  • Waste and Resource Management: Suppliers must strive to reduce waste, emissions, and energy consumption, using renewable resources where possible.
  • Sustainable Sourcing: Materials used in Whisker products must be responsibly sourced, and suppliers should avoid materials from high-risk, unsustainable sources.

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• 5. Product Quality Assurance

  Whisker is committed to delivering high-quality products to its customers, and we expect the same from our suppliers. This includes:

  • Compliance with Specifications: Suppliers must ensure that all products and materials supplied to Whisker meet the quality, safety, and regulatory standards set forth by Whisker and relevant global standards (e.g., ISO or GMP Certifications). Products must comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and safety standards in both the supplier's and Whisker's markets.
  • Product Testing: Suppliers must perform regular quality assurance checks and testing to ensure that the products meet the required specifications and standards, including durability and safety testing.
  • Traceability: Suppliers must maintain records to trace materials used in the products back to their original source, ensuring that they comply with ethical and environmental standards.

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• 6. Business Integrity

  Suppliers must conduct business ethically and with integrity, adhering to all applicable laws and regulations:

  • Anti-Corruption: Suppliers must not engage in any form of corruption, bribery, or fraud. This includes offering, giving, or receiving improper payments or incentives.
  • Fair Competition: Suppliers must compete fairly and comply with all applicable antitrust and competition laws.
  • Confidentiality: Suppliers must protect Whisker’s confidential information and proprietary data, and implement security measures to safeguard sensitive data from unauthorized access.

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• 7. Animal Welfare

  As a pet care company, Whisker is deeply committed to the humane treatment of animals. Suppliers must:

  • No Animal Cruelty: Ensure that animals are treated humanely, without suffering, distress, or cruelty. Products derived from animals must be ethically sourced.
  • Prohibition on Animal Testing: Suppliers must not conduct or commission any testing on animals unless legally required.

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• 8. Subcontractor and Supply Chain Management

  Whisker holds suppliers accountable not only for their own actions but also for the actions of their subcontractors and supply chain partners. Suppliers must:

  • Supplier Responsibility: Ensure that all subcontractors and business partners comply with Whisker’s Supplier Code of Conduct.
  • Pre-Approval of Subcontractors: Suppliers must obtain Whisker’s approval before outsourcing any production or services. Unauthorized subcontracting is prohibited.
  • Supply Chain Transparency: Suppliers must provide transparency regarding the sources of their materials and disclose any risks related to unethical practices, particularly in high-risk areas such as conflict minerals.
  • Subcontractor Audits: Suppliers must regularly audit their subcontractors to ensure compliance with labor, health, safety, environmental, and business ethics standards.

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• 9. Data Protection and Confidentiality

  Suppliers must protect Whisker’s confidential information and adhere to data protection laws:

  • Confidentiality: Suppliers must safeguard Whisker’s proprietary information and data. This includes implementing appropriate security measures to prevent unauthorized access or disclosure.
  • Data Protection: Suppliers must comply with all applicable data protection and privacy laws, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) where applicable, and take steps to protect sensitive data from breaches.

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• 10. Reporting and Compliance

  Whisker encourages suppliers to promptly report any violations or concerns regarding this Code of Conduct. Whisker reserves the right to take corrective action, including terminating the business relationship, if a supplier fails to meet the standards set forth in this Code of Conduct. By agreeing to supply products or services to Whisker, suppliers commit to uphold the principles outlined in this Supplier Code of Conduct.

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  Latest update: October 21, 2024.