Charter Next Generation
Supplier Code of Conduct

 

Intorduction

Charter Next Generation, Inc. (CNG) is a leading provider of specialty films and material science solutions in North America, serving essential markets including food, consumer goods, industrial, and healthcare.  CNG is committed to being the Sustainability Leader in the Flexible Films Industry by creating and cultivating an environmentally conscious mindset.

This Supplier Code of Conduct sets forth CNG’s standards and expectations regarding key areas of corporate responsibility. We expect that the Suppliers who provide products and services to us will conduct their business in a manner consistent with our company’s values and spirit.

By implementing this Code, we believe that our products will be made in environments that protect workers’ rights, ensure workers’ health and safety, and respect workers’ dignity.

Supplier contracts may contain more specific provisions addressing some of these same issues. Nothing in this Code is meant to supersede any more specific provision in a particular contract, and to the extent there is any inconsistency between this Code and any other provision of a particular contract, the other provision will control.

 

COmpliance with Supplier Code of Conduct

CNG is committed to:

  • A standard of excellence in every aspect of our business and in every jurisdiction in which we operate;
  • Legal, ethical, and responsible conduct in all our operations;
  • The protection of our intellectual property, confidential and proprietary information;
  • Respect for the rights of all individuals including:
    • Protection of human rights
    • Fair and non-discriminatory labor practices; and
  • Prompt reporting and resolution of violations and potential violations of the Code.

We expect Suppliers to make these same commitments. Suppliers should, in all their activities, operate in full compliance with the laws, rules and regulations of the jurisdictions in which they operate. By doing business with CNG, Suppliers are agreeing to meet the expectations of this Code of Conduct and to ensure compliance throughout their operations.

 

Work Environment

CNG expects Suppliers to meet the following standards in employing their workforce:

Voluntary Labor: All labor must be voluntary. Suppliers must not use slave, child, underage, forced, bonded, indentured, or any other form of involuntary labor. Suppliers should adopt procedures to ensure they comply with laws against slavery and human trafficking.

Workplace Health & Safety: Suppliers are required to provide employees with a safe, hygienic, and healthy workplace in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, ensuring, at a minimum, reasonable access to potable water and sanitary facilities, fire safety, and adequate ventilation. Suppliers must provide appropriate safety equipment and training.

Equal Employment Opportunity: CNG makes all decisions of employment with consideration to appropriate principles of Equal Employment Opportunity. Suppliers are likewise obligated to provide a workplace that is free from discrimination due to, and make decisions regarding hiring, developing, promoting and providing other terms and conditions of employment without regard to, a person’s sex, race, color, age, national origin, religion, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship, pregnancy, or veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.

Alcohol & Drugs: Suppliers must not possess or be under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs, or controlled substances while on CNG premises or while conducting business with or for CNG. This prohibition does not include legally obtained medications used as directed by a licensed medical practitioner.

Fair Treatment: Suppliers must provide a workplace free of harsh and inhumane treatment, including fair working hours and working days, and including protection from any sexual, physical, psychological or verbal harassment, corporal punishment, mental or physical coercion and no threats of any such treatment.

Wages, Benefits, & Working Hours: Suppliers must comply with and pay workers according to applicable wage and hour laws, including minimum wages, overtime hours, and mandated benefits.

Retaliation: All workers should be encouraged to report in good faith concerns or illegal activities in the workplace, without the threat of reprisal, intimidation or harassment.

Freedom of Association: Suppliers must protect their workers’ rights to 1.) form and join worker organizations, 2.) bargain collectively with management through chosen representatives, and 3.) be protected from interference, discrimination, or harassment related to their exercise of these rights.

 

Protection of the Environment

CNG recognizes that environmental responsibility is essential to providing first-in-class products and services. Suppliers must comply with all applicable environmental laws and regulations (i.e., permits, licenses, information registration, and operational, and reporting requirements) in the jurisdictions in which they operate. Suppliers must operate in an environmentally responsible and efficient manner and minimize adverse environmental impacts.  Suppliers should strive to conduct their operations in a way that conserves natural resources and implements plans for waste reduction, recycling, energy conservation, and greenhouse gas mitigation.

 

Legal and Regulatory Compliance Practice

Anti-Corruption: Supplier must not tolerate, permit or engage in bribery, embezzlement, extortion, kickbacks or other forms of corruption in dealings with any government official or employee or any individual in the private sector. Suppliers and their officers, directors, employees and agents must engage only in legitimate business and ethical practices in commercial operations; must not directly or indirectly pay, offer, give, promise or authorize payment of anything of value to another party for the purpose or intent to induce that party to use his/her authority to help the Supplier or another party; and must not accept any payment or other benefit as an inducement or reward for any act or forbearance or in connection with any matter or business transacted by or on behalf of CNG.

 

Business Practices & Ethics

Business Records: Suppliers must accurately record and report all business information and comply with all applicable laws regarding their completion and accuracy. Business records shall be retained and disposed of in full compliance with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

Intellectual Property & Confidentiality: CNG respects the intellectual property of others therefore Supplier shall not at any time disclose to CNG nor use in the performance of the services for CNG any trade secrets, confidential information, know-how, system and application data, or any other information reasonably considered confidential or proprietary to others. Suppliers shall warrant that no product sold to CNG infringes the intellectual property of any third party. Suppliers are reminded that at all times during and after their relationship with CNG hold in trust and keep strictly confidential all confidential information of CNG. Suppliers must comply with the intellectual property ownership rights of CNG and others including but not limited to copyrights, patents, trademarks, and trade secrets; and manage the transfer of technology and know-how in a manner that protects intellectual property rights.

Information Security Practices: Suppliers must protect and responsibly use the physical and intellectual assets of CNG, including intellectual property, tangible property, supplies, consumables and equipment, when authorized by CNG to use such assets, and in accordance with all contractually agreed terms with CNG. Suppliers must use CNG provided information technology and systems (including email) only to the extent authorized by CNG, and then only for authorized CNG business related purposes. Suppliers must comply with all CNG requirements and procedures for maintaining and accessing CNG data and information assets including passwords, confidentiality, security and privacy as a condition of providing CNG with goods or services or receiving access to the CNG internal corporate network, systems and buildings. Additionally, Suppliers must comply with all CNG requirements and procedures for safeguarding the confidentiality, integrity and availability of CNG data and information assets hosted or managed at the Supplier. All data stored or transmitted on CNG owned or leased equipment is to be considered private and is the property of CNG. CNG may monitor all use of the CNG network and all systems (including email) and may access all data stored or transmitted using the CNG network.

Security of Company & Personal Data: Suppliers must handle and process data on behalf of CNG or its customers only for the purposes for which it was collected, received or otherwise made available, in accordance with the directions provided by CNG, and subject to technical and organizational security measures necessary to safeguard it against loss, alteration, unauthorized disclosure, access or other unlawful forms of processing.