Compliance with Laws and Regulations
We expect our suppliers to:
- comply with all applicable laws, regulations and ethical standards of the country where they are doing business.
Human Rights and Labour Standards
We expect our suppliers to:
- respect the rights of all their employees and provide fair working conditions, including:
- no forced, bonded, or child labour.
- fair wages, working hours, and benefits in compliance with local laws.
- the right to freely choose to join or not join labour unions and to engage in collective bargaining.
- a safe, healthy, and harassment-free workplace.
- non-discrimination in hiring, promotion, or other employment practices based on race, gender, age, religion, disability, or other protected characteristics.
- ensure their employees are free to choose their employment and must be free to leave their jobs after reasonable notice. Employment contracts should be clear, and employees must understand their terms before acceptance.
- promote diversity and inclusion in their workforce.
- provide resolution and grievance mechanisms to their employees.
Environmental Management
We expect our suppliers to:
- comply with all environmental laws and regulations.
- actively work to minimize their environmental impact, including reducing waste, conserving resources, and minimising emissions.
- implement measures for the responsible disposal of hazardous materials and ensure proper waste management practices.
- adopt environmentally and socially responsible practices throughout their supply chain. This includes sourcing materials responsibly, promoting fair trade practices, and encouraging suppliers further down the chain to adhere to similar standards.
Health and Safety, and Security
We expect our suppliers to:
- provide a safe working environment for all employees, including:
- operations that comply with all applicable health and safety legislation.
- regular safety training and the use of proper protective equipment.
- safe working conditions free from hazards.
- immediate reporting and rectification of any workplace accidents or safety violations.
Ethical Business & Corporate Social Responsibility
We expect our suppliers to:
- conduct their business with honesty and integrity, avoiding conflicts of interest and ensuring transparency in all dealings.
- protect confidential information, and respect intellectual property rights.
- adhere to all applicable data protection laws, such as GDPR, where applicable.
- adhere to anti-corruption laws and refrain from engaging in any form of corruption, including bribery, facilitation payments, extortion, money laundering, or other illegal or unethical gratuities.
- pay their suppliers promptly.
- consider including local, Maori, Pasifika or Social Enterprise businesses in their supply chain.
- submit any feedback or complaints about our working relationship to their company contact at Wilderness or to feedback@wilderness.co.nz should escalation be required.
Quality Standards
We expect our suppliers to:
- be committed to providing products and services that meet or exceed agreed quality standards and specifications.
- engage in continuous improvement practices to enhance product quality and operational efficiency.
- pursue best practices and innovate to improve their performance in sustainability, quality, and ethical business practices.
- provide training and development opportunities to employees to enhance their skills and knowledge.
Auditing and Enforcement
Wilderness values open, long-term partnerships with its suppliers. If we become aware of a potential breach of this Code of Conduct, our approach will be to:
- Notify and discuss - Promptly inform the supplier of the concern and invite a good-faith discussion to understand the circumstances.
- Agree on corrective measures – Jointly develop a practical corrective-action plan.
- Review progress together – Request proportionate evidence (e.g., written updates, photos, certificates) and hold follow-up conversations to confirm that the agreed-upon improvements are on track.
Only if a supplier fails to engage in good faith or does not remedy serious or repeated breaches within an agreed timeframe will Wilderness consider additional measures, up to, and only if necessary, suspension or termination of the commercial relationship, taking into account contractual and legal obligations.
