Group Supplier COC 2025
Introduction
Purpose
Sustainability is part of Max Matthiessen’s core business and is important both from a risk and opportunity perspective. The sustainability agenda includes ensuring sustainable procurement practices.
The Supplier Code of Conduct (SCoC) establishes the basis for Max Matthiessen’s ambition for a sustainable supply chain. It also sets out the foundation for interaction with suppliers on material sustainability topics around business ethics, human rights, labour standards and the environment.
Commitments
The SCoC is based, among other things, on the principles of the following internationally recognised standards and conventions:
- The United Nations Global Compact
- The Core Conventions of the International Labour Organisation,
- The OECD Guidelines for multinational enterprises
- OECD Anti-Bribery Convention
General requirements
The SCoC serves as minimum requirements for the suppliers and in addition to other contractual provisions. Where mandatory national or international regulations take a more stringent position, that regulation applies.
The SCoC covers all suppliers of the Max Matthiessen group and their employees.
Business ethics
Suppliers are responsible for understanding and complying with the anti-corruption and anti-bribery laws applicable to their operations. Max Matthiessen expects suppliers to have zero tolerance for all kinds of corruption and bribery and to uphold the highest ethical standards and integrity.
Anti-bribery
The supplier refuses to accept or retain business through bribery. The supplier does not directly nor indirectly offer, promise, grant, or authorize the giving of money or anything of value to someone in order to unduly influence the recipient in the performance of professional duties or in order to obtain or retain an improper business advantage. The supplier neither ask for, nor accept, improper benefits from others for performance of duties to the supplier or Max Matthiessen.
Conflict of interests
The supplier will monitor situations in which personal interests, or the interests of family members, which may lead to the supplier making business decisions that are in conflict with the supplier's duties as a supplier and/or Max Matthiessen's interests, and will inform Max Matthiessen of any such situation.
Competition
The supplier follows applicable competition law. Employees of the supplier does not engage in discussions with competitors regarding market allocation, information exchange, production and sales quotas, or bid rigging.
Confidential information and data privacy
The supplier guarantees that confidential or otherwise sensitive information received from Max Matthiessen is handled in a secure and confidential manner according to applicable confidentiality undertakings and laws on market abuse.
The supplier complies with applicable laws and regulations and standards on the processing of personal data and any additional requirements as may be stipulated in a data processing agreement with Max Matthiessen.
Human rights
Max Matthiessen expects the supplier to respect fundamental and internationally recognised human rights in all areas of operation.
The supplier seeks to not cause or contribute to adverse human rights impacts through their own activities and address such impacts when they occur, and to prevent adverse human rights impacts linked to their operations.
The supplier is encouraged to have a process for human rights due diligence that includes assessing actual and potential human rights impacts and acting upon the findings, including action to remedy adverse human rights impacts.
Labour standards
Max Matthiessen expects the supplier to comply with all applicable labour laws and regulations and standards in all areas of operation.
Equal opportunity and anti-discrimination
The supplier guarantees that all employees are treated with dignity and respect. Discrimination or harassment based on race, ethnicity, gender, physical disability, sexual orientation, religion, political views or any other characteristic protected by applicable law is not tolerated by the supplier.
The supplier strives to make sure that employees with the same qualifications, training, and skill set receives equal pay for equal work.
The supplier respects and recognises, in accordance with applicable laws, the right to freedom of association and collective bargaining.
Working conditions
The supplier guarantees that a healthy and safe work environment is provided for its employees. Abuse (whether physical or verbal) and unlawful harassment is treated with zero tolerance.
Forced labour and child labour
The supplier does not, directly or indirectly, make use of any work or service which is extracted from any person under the threat of a penalty and for which the person has not offered himself or herself voluntarily.
The supplier upholds the effective abolition of child labour, i.e. no labour is performed by children or minors under the minimum age, in accordance with applicable laws.
Environmental sustainability and impact
Max Matthiessen expects the supplier to comply with all applicable environmental laws and regulations and standards in all areas of operation, recognizing that environmental sustainability is an important factor in long term business success.
The supplier is encouraged to systematically work to address any environmental issues and to use resources in an environmentally responsible way. The supplier constantly strives to conduct its business in an environmentally responsible and sustainable way.
Implementation
The supplier is expected to adhere to the requirements in this SCoC and to ensure that any sub-suppliers to the supplier equally adhere to this SCoC,
The supplier undertakes to keep relevant functions aware of the content of this SCoC and the expectations it entails for the supplier's operations. The supplier is encouraged to provide employees with regular training on relevant sustainability related topics.
Monitoring and enforcement
The supplier is expected to cooperate in initiatives where Max Matthiessen is collecting information on the supplier’s sustainability practices for assessment and reporting purposes.
Max Matthiessen may conduct surveys to confirm compliance with this SCoC, where the supplier is expected to demonstrate that internal policies or procedures meet the requirements.
If the supplier becomes aware of any material violations of this SCoC by itself or any sub-supplier, the supplier should inform Max Matthiessen without undue delay. Following a violation and depending on its nature, the supplier will be given the opportunity to remedy any such violation.
Reporting concerns
Any concerns regarding suspected violations of the SCoC should be reported to Max Matthiessen via its whistleblowing channel. The suppliers are encouraged to maintain a secure whistleblowing system of their own and should make sure not to use any form of retaliation against anyone reporting in good faith.