Supplier and Partner Code of Conduct

Dear Valued Partners & Suppliers,

We at BraunAbility are bound together by a common mission – “Devoted to Making Life a Moving Experience for All.”

Ralph Braun embodied this passion when he founded our Company in 1972 out of his desire to help others.  While he had originally created solutions for his own mobility needs, he was compelled to meet the needs of other persons with disabilities who came to him in hopes of achieving that same independence for themselves.  Ralph is no longer physically with us but he left us with the gift of a legacy, a passion, and a set of values that lives on today in everything we do.  These values are also embodied in our employee Code of Conduct.

It’s in this spirit that we introduce this Partner & Supplier Code of Conduct to ensure our beliefs and expectations are shared with those whom we do business. Quite simply, we do what’s right, as exhibited in our commitment to The Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact. We will not compromise on the values and expectations outlined herein, and neither should you.

We expect all partners and suppliers to operate in compliance with applicable local and international legislation, including but not limited to all U.S. and local standards and customs, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, and related international laws such as the U.K. Bribery Act. If a conflict exists between the Supplier Code of Conduct and national law, national law prevails. Where this Code of Conduct sets higher standards than what national law provides, suppliers are required to adhere to such standards. Suppliers are also expected to adhere to the 10 principles of the UN Global Compact. If national law stipulates a lower level of protection, the international standards of the UN Global Compact and its underlying conventions and declarations shall constitute a minimum level of protection.    

This Code is supplemental to any existing agreements or contracts with BraunAbility.  If you have any questions or feedback, please contact your BraunAbility Representative.

Staci Kroon

President & CEO

 

We believe in the golden rule of treating others the way we would want to be treated.

 

Human Rights & Labor Rights

We expect our partners and suppliers to comply with applicable safety and health laws and regulations. Policies and procedures must be in place to ensure a safe and healthy workplace.

To join our efforts to respect the rights of all persons, we expect our partners and suppliers to ensure that child labor is not used in the performance of work on their products or the products obtained by the supplier.  “Child” refers to any person under the age of fifteen (15).  Furthermore, those with whom we do business must ensure all employees are paid a wage that meets the basic needs of employees to maintain a safe, decent standard of living, and that there are no human rights abuses, including no trafficking of persons or use of any forced, bonded, indentured or involuntary labor.

Discrimination against any worker on the basis of race, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by law in hiring and other employment practices is not tolerated.  Hiring practices must include verification of workers’ legal right to work in the country and ensure that all mandatory documents, including work permits, are timely obtained and available for inspection.

We expect the upholding of the freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining. 

We believe in leaving things better than we found them, and are committed to ensuring we respect the environment and how our business dealings may affect it.

 

Environment

It is critical that we understand and believe in the importance of a sustainable society and actively develop plans to take steps toward achieving it. Partners and suppliers must use resources wisely and prevent any negative impact to the environment. Additionally, they must comply with all applicable environmental laws, regulations, and standards that apply to their business. Partners and suppliers must actively manage environmental risks, conserve natural resources and protect the environment through a precautionary approach.

We expect steps to be taken to determine if products have conflict minerals (tantalum, tin, tungsten or gold). Suppliers shall have a policy to reasonably assure that any product they manufacture, that does contain a conflict mineral, will implement efforts to eradicate the use of any conflict mineral which directly or indirectly finances or benefits armed groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo or adjoining countries.

We share a commitment to fair business practices and transparency.

 

Anti-Corruption

Business must be conducted in a way that is open, transparent and with the highest integrity. BraunAbility strictly prohibits any form of extortion or bribery.   Partners and suppliers will not provide, offer, promise or grant any BraunAbility employee or contractor any gift, gratuity or service to gain influence or reward such person.  They also will not extend business courtesies such as meals, entertainment and gifts unless the item is of nominal value, not paid in cash, is consistent with customary business practices and is not susceptible to being construed as a bribe or kickback.   

Partners and suppliers shall disclose business gifts or hospitalities that are requested from employees, and employees shall disclose attempts from partners and suppliers that seek an unfair advantage.

Suppliers will not enter into a contract or agreement or assume an obligation that will interfere or represent a conflict of interest with the Supplier’s duties to BraunAbility. All BraunAbility partners and suppliers are responsible for safeguarding confidential information and intellectual assets. Care should be taken to protect all sensitive information, including confidential, proprietary, and personal information. Information should not be used for any purposes beyond the scope of the business arrangement with our company, without prior authorization.

Compliance Management & Whistleblowing

Each BraunAbility partner and supplier is responsible for ensuring that its employees and representatives understand and comply with the standards of this Code or comparable requirements. By doing business with BraunAbility, each partner and supplier agrees to cooperate in a transparent manner, including allowing on-site audits and completing assessments and questionnaires as may be requested by BraunAbility from time to time. This includes permission to conduct interviews with employees and to access or request any documentation to ensure compliance.

Importantly, each partner and supplier is responsible for evaluating and monitoring their own partners and suppliers and agree to allow BraunAbility to perform compliance management activities with these parties, if necessary.

Partners and suppliers are expected to report any suspected violations of any regulations, laws, and this Code.  We encourage any violations to be reported to the General Counsel at BraunAbility, or our compliance hotline at: www.lighthouse-services.com/braunability or by calling:

• English speaking, USA and Canada: 844-920-0077
• Spanish speaking, USA & Canada: 800-216-1288

Non-compliance with this Code will be considered grounds for termination of any contract or business relationship with BraunAbility.