Environmental & Ethical Policy
Environmental & Ethical Policy
We are fully committed to meeting customer needs in an ethical and environmentally friendly manner.
This commitment also includes much wider responsibilities and embraces the need for high ethical and environmental standards that affect customers and staff, whilst contributing to a sustainable future for everyone.
Ethical Policy
Vernacare operates to high ethical standards. To demonstrate this, our company is independently audited in compliance with the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) Base Code. This is a 9 point, internationally recognised code of labour practice. The audit also encompasses raw material suppliers, requiring compliance with the code in the context of local employment legislation. Vernacare personnel visit raw material suppliers at defined intervals to carry out audits and ensure continued compliance with the code, and our own additional requirements. The scores of our supply chain are reviewed annually and are presented below for your information.
Aims & Objectives
- We aim to continue auditing our Tier 2 supplier chain partners as part of our continuous improvement and ethical trading policy
- We aim to maintain our LSAS Level 4 grade attained at our last independent audit in Worksop. Our Worksop facility is the only single use instruments supplier to attain this level. We aim to bring our other sites to the same level
- We aim to increase the ethical compliance of our supply chain through continuous improvement, third party auditing and unannounced visits
Labour Standards Assurance System
We are very proud of our supply chain ethics and environmental standards, however there is always room for improvement. If you have any ideas on how we can progress our ethics further, please get in touch confidentially via the contact details below:
- Calling the LSAS Hotline: +44(0)1204 555976
- E-Mail: [email protected]
Suppliers must work and direct employees in accordance with Vernacare’s Whistleblowing Policy.
All instances of unethical behaviour will be investigated.
ETI Base Code
- Employment is freely chosen
- Freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining are respected
- Working conditions are safe and hygienic
- Child labour shall not be used
- Living wages are paid
- Working hours are not excessive
- No discrimination is practiced
- Regular employment is provided
- No harsh or inhumane treatment is allowed
