KONE’s success as a global business is based on reliability, innovation, dedication, and responsibility. KONE wants to be an attractive business partner and seeks reliable, fair relations for the mutual benefit of KONE and its suppliers. For this purpose KONE strives to uphold the ethical and business standards described herein and expects the same from its suppliers, service providers, and other partners. KONE expects from its suppliers and service providers competence in quality, cost control, innovation and reliability.
This KONE Supplier Code of Ethics illustrates the values according to which KONE operates globally. KONE expects all of its suppliers to conform to the policies defined below in their dealings with KONE, their own employees and suppliers, as well as third parties such as other companies, government officials and individuals.
As a supplier of KONE, we expect you to read and conform to the principles defined below.
1. General Requirements
KONE requires its suppliers to be committed to ethical conduct, full compliance with all applicable national laws and international treaties and to respecting human rights in the spirit of internationally recognized standards.
2. Compliance with Laws and Rules of Society
KONE is committed to full compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. These guidelines are not a substitute for, nor should they be considered to override local laws and regulations. They represent supplementary principles and standards of behavior of a non-legal character.
3. Non-discrimination
KONE expects its suppliers to treat their employees in a fair and equal manner. KONE is committed to a policy of equal opportunity that prohibits discrimination of any type. Diversity is accepted and valued by KONE and the same is expected from KONE suppliers. KONE strongly believes non-discrimination is both an ethical standard and a fundamental human right. KONE will not tolerate discrimination, whether due to sex, age, religion, political opinion, national or ethnic origin, or any other such basis.
4. Child or Forced Labor
KONE will not accept child or forced labor under any circumstances, or contract with suppliers or subcontractors using such labor.
5. The Working Environment
KONE strongly believes all employees are entitled to a safe and healthy working environment and have the right to be free from violations of personal integrity. KONE suppliers shall maintain an adequate administrative policy on health and safety. Any type of harassment, regardless of the intent, whether direct or indirect, physical or verbal, is prohibited. KONE expects its suppliers to ensure all its employees are allowed to work in a harassment-free environment.
6. Environment
KONE seeks to preserve natural resources and protect the environment. KONE conducts its business operations in such a way as to avoid or minimize any adverse impact on the environment and continuously strives to improve its products and services with the environment in mind. KONE expects its suppliers to conform to the same principles.
7. Intellectual Property and Publicity
KONE expects its suppliers to conform to all applicable national laws and international treaties on intellectual property, and to refrain from infringing on either KONE or third party intellectual property rights.
KONE expects its suppliers to comply with all applicable agreements on confidentiality or non-disclosure. Furthermore, suppliers are entitled to publicize their cooperation with KONE or utilize KONE trademarks only if and to the extent this has been explicitly agreed upon with KONE in writing. In the event that such explicit authorization exists, suppliers are expected to comply with all instructions and guidelines that KONE may from time to time issue concerning the same.
8. Improper payments or benefits
No direct or indirect payments or hospitalities such as excessive entertainment or gifts shall be made by KONE’s suppliers for the benefit of KONE’s employees or any governmental representative or employee, labour union, or current or prospective customer or supplier for the purpose of improperly obtaining benefits of any kind, nor shall any supplier accept any improper benefit from any source.