Our ethical policy
This Code of Supplier Conduct applies to all factories that produce goods for Pex Kids Ltd.
While Pex Kids Ltd recognises that there are different legal and cultural environments in which factories operate throughout the world; this Code sets forth the basic requirements that all factories must meet in order to do business with Pex Kids Ltd. The Code also provides the foundation for Pex Kids Ltd�s ongoing evaluation of a factory�s employment practises and environmental compliance.
As a condition of doing business with Pex Kids Ltd each and every factory must comply with this Code of Vendor Conduct. If Pex Kids Ltd determines that any factory has violated this code; Pex Kids Ltd may either terminate its business relationship or require the factory to implement a corrective action plan.
1. General Principle
Factories that produce goods for Pex Kids Ltd shall operate in full compliance with the laws of their respective countries and with all other applicable laws, rules and regulations.
A.The factory operates in full compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations, including those relating to labour, worker health and safety and the environment.
B.The factory allows Pex Kids Ltd and/or any of its representatives or agents unrestricted access to its facilities and to all relevant records at all times, whether or not provided in advance.
2. Environment
Factories must comply with all applicable environmental laws and regulations.
A.The factory has an environmental system or plan
B.The factory has procedures for notifying community authorities in case of accidental discharge or release or any other environmental emergency.
3. Discrimination
There must be no discrimination in hiring, compensation, access to training, promotion, termination or retirement based on race, caste, national origin, religion, age, disability, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, union membership or political affiliation.
4. Forced Labour
Factories shall not use any prison, indentured forced labour
A.The factory does not use involuntary labour of any kind, including prison labour, debt bondage or forced labour by governments.
B.If the factory recruits foreign contract workers, the factory pays agency recruitment commissions and does not require the worker to remain in employment for any period of time against his or her will.
C.Workers are not required to lodge "deposits� or their identity papers with their employer and are free to leave their employer after a reasonable period of notice.
5. Child Labour
Factories shall employ only workers who meet the applicable minimum legal age requirements, or are at least 16 years of age, whichever is the greater. Factories must also comply with all other applicable child labour laws. Factories are encouraged to develop lawful apprenticeship programmes for the educational benefit of their workers, provided that the participants meet the minimum age requirements as above.
A.Every worker employed by the factory is at least 16 years of age and meets the applicable minimum legal age requirement.
B.The factory complies with all applicable child labour laws, including those related to hiring, wages, hours worked, overtime and working conditions.
C.The factory maintains official documentation for every worker that verifies the workers date of birth. In those countries where official documents are not available to confirm the exact date of birth, the factory confirms age using an appropriate and reliable assessment method.
D.Children and young persons under 18 shall not be employed at night or in hazardous conditions.
6. Wages and Hours
Factories shall set working hours and overtime pay in accordance with all applicable laws. Workers shall be paid at least the minimum legal wage or a wage that meets local industry standards, whichever is greater. Whilst it is understood that overtime is often required in garment production, factories shall carry out operations in ways that limit overtime to a level that ensures humane and productive working conditions.
A.Workers are paid at least the minimum legal wage or the local industry standard, whichever is greater.
B.The factory pays overtime and any incentive (or piece) rates that meet all legal requirements or the local industry standard, whichever is greater. Hourly wage rates for overtime must be higher than the rates for regular shift work.
C.The factory does not require, on a regular scheduled basis, a work week in excess of 48 hours. Overtime shall be voluntary, shall not exceed 12 hours per week, shall not be demanded on a regular basis and shall always be compensated at a premium rate.
D.Workers may refuse overtime without any threat of penalty, punishment or dismissal.
E.Workers have at least one day off in seven.
F.The factory provides paid annual leave and holidays as required by law or which meet the local industry standard, whichever is greater.
G.For each pay period, the factory provides workers an understandable wage statement which includes days worked, wage or piece rate earned per day, hours of overtime at each specified rate, bonuses, allowances and legal or contractual deductions.
H.Deductions from wages as a disciplinary measure shall not be permitted nor shall any deductions from wages not provided for by national law be permitted without the expressed permission of the worker concerned. All disciplinary measures should be recorded.
7. Working Conditions
Factories must treat all workers with respect and dignity and provide them with a safe and healthy environment. Factories shall comply with all applicable laws and regulations regarding working conditions. Factories shall not use corporal punishment or any other form of physical or psychological coercion. Factories must be sufficiently lighted and ventilated, aisles accessible, machinery maintained and hazardous materials sensibly stored and disposed of. Factories providing housing for workers must keep these facilities safe and clean.
Factory
A.The factory does not engage in or permit physical acts to punish or coerce workers
B.The factory does not engage in or permit psychological coercion or any other form of non-physical abuse, including threats of violence, sexual harassment, screaming or other verbal abuse.
C.The factory complies with all applicable laws regarding working conditions, including worker health and safety, sanitation, fire safety, risk protection, and electrical, mechanical and structural safety.
D.Work surface lighting in production areas � such as sewing, knitting, pressing and cutting � is sufficient for the safe performance of production activities.
E.The factory is well ventilated. There are windows, fans, air conditioners or heaters in all work areas for adequate circulation, ventilation and temperature control.
F.There are sufficient clearly marked exits allowing for the orderly evacuation of all workers in case of fire or other emergencies. Emergency exit routes are posted and clearly marked in all sections of the factory.
G.Aisles, exits and stairwells are kept clear at all times of work in progress, finished garments, bolts of fabric, boxes and all other objects that could obstruct the orderly evacuation or workers in case of fire or other emergencies. The factory indicates with a "yellow box" or other markings that the areas in front of exits, fire fighting equipment, control panels and potential fire sources are to be kept clear.
H.Doors and other exits are kept accessible and unlocked during all working hours for orderly evacuation. All main exit doors open to the outside.
I.Fire extinguishers are appropriate to the types of possible fires in the various areas of the factory. They should be regularly maintained and charged, display the date of their last inspection, and are mounted on wall and columns throughout the factory so they are clearly visible and accessible to workers in all areas.
J.Fire alarms are on each floor and emergency lights are placed above exits and stairwells.
K.Evacuation drills are conducted at least annually.
L.Machinery is equipped with operational safety devices and is inspected and serviced on a regular basis.
M.Appropriate personal protective equipment � such as masks, gloves, earplugs and rubber boots � is mage available at no cost to all workers and instruction in its use provided.
N.The factory provides potable water for all workers and allows reasonable access to it throughout the day.
O.The factory places at least one well-stocked first aid kit on every factory floor and trains specific staff in basic first aid. The factory has procedures for dealing with serious injuries that require medical treatment outside the factory.
P.Workers shall receive regular recorded health and safety training and such training shall be repeated for new or reassigned workers.
Q.The factory maintains throughout working hours, clean sanitary toilet areas and places no unreasonable restrictions on their use.
R.The factory stores hazardous and combustible materials in secure and ventilated areas and disposes of them in a safe and legal manner.
S.The company observing the code shall assign responsibility for health and safety to a senior management representative.
Housing
A.Dormitory facilities meet applicable laws and regulations related to health and safety, including fire safety, sanitation, risk protection and electrical, mechanical and structural safety.
B.Sleeping quarters are segregated by sex.
C.The living space per worker in the sleeping quarters meets both the minimum legal requirement and the local industry standard.
D.Workers are provided with their own individual beds or mats.
E.Dormitory facilities are well ventilated. There are windows to the outside or fans and/or air conditioning and/or heaters in all sleeping areas for adequate circulation/ventilation and temperature control.
F.Workers are provided with their own storage space for their clothes and personal possessions.
G.There are at least two clearly marked exits on each floor and emergency lighting is installed in halls, stairwells and above each exit.
H.Halls and exits are kept clear of obstructions for safe and rapid evacuation in case of fire or other emergencies.
I.Directions for evacuation in case of fire or other emergencies are posted in all sleeping quarters.
J.Fire extinguishers are placed in, or accessible to, all sleeping quarters.
K.Hazardous or combustible materials used in production processes are not stored in the dormitory or in the buildings connected to sleeping quarters.
L.Fire drills are conducted at least every six months.
M.Sufficient toilets and showers are segregated by sex and provided in safe, sanitary, accessible and private areas.
N.Potable water or facilities to boil water are available to dormitory residents.
O.Sleeping quarters have adequate lighting.
P.Dormitory residents are free to come and go during their hours off under reasonable limitations imposed for their safety and comfort.
Freedom of Association
Workers are free to join associations of their own choosing. Factories must not interfere with workers who wish to lawfully and peacefully associate, organise or bargain collectively. The decision whether or not to do so should be solely by the workers.
A.The employer adopts an open attitude towards the activities of trade unions and their organisational activities.
B.Workers representatives are not discriminated against and have access to carry out their representative functions in the workplace.
C.Where the right to freedom of association and collective bargaining is restricted under law, the employer facilitates, and does not hinder the development of parallel means for independent and free association and bargaining.