Code of Conduct for Suppliers
Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne
Dear Suppliers,
The Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne (hereinafter ‘Bürgenstock’) is actively committed to promoting sustainable progress and making a positive impact in the communities in which we operate. In doing so, we are committed to conducting our procurement and operational activities responsibly, profitably and in accordance with the highest ethical and transparent standards. Bürgenstock regards a sustainable supply chain as an essential component of our holistic strategic sustainability approach. Our aim is to work with suppliers who share these values and objectives. Accordingly, we consistently take environmental, social and ethical criteria into account when selecting and evaluating our suppliers. We are also aware that this commitment is of central importance to our guests and contributes significantly to their trust in us. As a first step towards our shared understanding, we recommend and require our suppliers to take note of this Code of Conduct for Suppliers (the ‘Code’), to familiarise themselves with the best practices described below, and to comply with them.
Purpose
The Supplier Code of Conduct forms an integral part of Bürgenstock’s agreement with suppliers and covers the entire supply chain. It sets out fundamental requirements regarding ethical, environmental and social standards (‘minimum standards’) which suppliers must meet in order to conduct business with Bürgenstock. Suppliers who engage sub-suppliers or subcontractors are responsible for setting equivalent minimum standards for them and for ensuring that the requirements are met throughout the entire supply chain.
Bürgenstock complies with applicable national and international laws, regulations and standards, and expects suppliers to likewise comply with the applicable laws, regulations and standards relating to integrity, compliance and responsible business practices in their regions of operation, including cooperation with regulatory authorities.
Cooperation
Bürgenstock recognises that suppliers have different starting points and levels of development with regard to the requirements of this Code, and that implementation may therefore take time. At the same time, it is recognised that individual provisions may not be equally relevant to all suppliers. However, Bürgenstock expects its suppliers to adopt a cooperative attitude and a focus on continuous improvement. Suppliers must cooperate with Bürgenstock, particularly during audits and inspections.
Should suppliers intentionally or through repeated negligence breach the requirements set out in the Code, fail to fulfil their duties of care on a permanent basis, or show a lack of willingness to rectify identified shortcomings, Bürgenstock reserves the right to terminate
the working relationship.
Best practice
We expect our suppliers to
I. to be fully informed, in particular, about the following aspects:
• Technical developments in the fields of renewable and low-fossil-fuel energy and resources.
• Ongoing efforts to phase out persistent chemicals and rare metals.
• The responsible and sustainable extraction of natural resources.
• How you can systematically contribute to positive developments in the societies in which you operate and from which you source materials worldwide; and
II. To contribute to reducing harmful substances in the Earth’s crust and to eliminating waste generated by society.
III. comply with the following minimum standards: guidelines and checklist for suppliers.
Minimum Standards: Guidelines and Checklist for Suppliers
We are actively working to ensure that our operations have a positive impact on the communities in which we operate.
Anti-discrimination, Equal Opportunities and Diversity
We do not discriminate against employees in any way whatsoever. Taking into account the laws and customs of the countries and regions in which we operate, we offer equal opportunities, promote diversity and do not discriminate against anyone on the grounds of age, ethnicity, skin colour, race, religion, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, health status, trade union membership, political views or social background.
Working Conditions and Health & Safety at Work
We are committed to complying with regulations on health and safety at work, the prevention of money laundering and terrorist financing (AML), the avoidance of conflicts of interest, and working conditions – in particular working hours, rest periods, holidays and wages – as applicable to employees in Switzerland and in accordance with local regulations and industry practice. A safe and healthy working environment is a fundamental principle and right in the workplace. Suppliers must comply with all applicable health and safety legislation.
We ensure that working hours are not excessive and that all national laws on working hours are observed.
We therefore pay our employees at least the minimum wage (or, where no such wage exists, the industry-standard wage), as well as all other statutory benefits.
We undertake to pay the statutory social security contributions and compulsory insurance
contributions, as well as any other contributions, in accordance with any existing framework employment contracts. We ensure equal treatment of all persons, who, particularly in Switzerland, receive the same remuneration for services rendered. Where we engage a third party as a supplier for the purpose of fulfilling the contract, we ensure that they also adhere to the aforementioned principles.
Data protection and the right to privacy
We comply with the applicable data protection regulations and maintain high standards in the protection of personal data. We respect the privacy of our employees and handle personal data responsibly, particularly when personal data is collected or stored. We expect the same from all our business partners.
Foreign companies
Foreign companies, or Swiss companies that interact with foreign companies for the purpose of fulfilling a contract, undertake to comply fully with all regulations applicable in Switzerland regarding licences, insurance, social security contributions and all other provisions of public law that apply to the employment of foreign staff in Switzerland; this includes, in particular, those relating to the minimum wage, working hours, etc. They further undertake to indemnify the client and all relevant employees against any losses arising from a failure to comply with the aforementioned provisions.
Environment: Environmental requirements for products and services
We are committed to working actively and systematically to reduce our environmental footprint by operating sustainably and in accordance with local environmental laws and regulations We are particularly committed to the following:
• phasing out fossil fuels and rare minerals.
• reducing the use of non-natural, synthetic substances – such as non-biodegradable, persistent chemicals.
• Increasing the amount of natural resources sourced from responsibly and sustainably managed ecosystems.
• Using packaging materials that are considered environmentally friendly according to the relevant standards at the time of delivery.
• Ensuring, in a transparent manner, that all supply chains for raw material components and packaging are traceable at all times and that no conflict minerals are present throughout the entire supply chain.
As a minimum, we naturally ensure full compliance with all national and applicable environmental laws. The supplier must meet these requirements insofar as they are relevant to deliveries to Bürgenstock.
Business Ethics
We adhere to the applicable standards of business integrity and do not accept any goods, favours or services offered that could influence our decisions regarding supply management. We act honestly, responsibly and appropriately. We also comply with all national and international laws, customs and procedures. Furthermore, we take responsibility for ensuring that the supply does not infringe any third-party legal rights (in particular copyright, patents, trade marks and utility models). In addition, we take measures
to eliminate and prevent unethical behaviour.
Respect for human rights, prohibition of child labour and forced labour
We do not participate in or support the use of child labour (where ‘child’ is defined as a person under the age of 15), and no persons under the age of 18 are assigned to work that is likely to have a negative (exploitative) impact on their physical or mental health, safety or morals. When employing young workers, the supplier must act in accordance with the standards of the International Labour Organisation.
We guarantee the traceability of the labour supply chain and ensure that there are no instances of child labour or exploitative forms of child labour throughout the entire supply chain.
We ensure that employment relationships are entered into voluntarily and that, at , workers can leave their employer at any time, subject to a reasonable notice period, and retain control over their own identity documents
Freedom of association
We ensure that all employees have the right to freedom of association; to organise and to negotiate collective agreements Where independent trade unions are hindered or restricted, the supplier shall enable employees to meet independently to discuss workrelated matters.
Amendments to the Code and Order of Precedence
Bürgenstock reserves the right to update or amend the requirements of the Code.
Should there be a conflict between this Code and applicable law, the supplier and its subcontractors or business partners, or Bürgenstock, must comply with applicable law. Where the requirements of this Code go beyond the applicable law, the supplier and its subcontractors or business partners, or Bürgenstock, must fulfil these requirements within the framework of applicable law.
Compliance, Breaches and Termination
If a supplier fails to comply with the Supplier Code of Conduct, they must proactively inform Bürgenstock of this. Bürgenstock will then initiate a dialogue to clarify the circumstances and extent of the non-compliance. Together, the supplier and Bürgenstock will develop a plan for corrective measures to ensure compliance with the Supplier Code of Conduct.
Bürgenstock reserves the right to audit suppliers and sub-suppliers to verify compliance with the Supplier Code of Conduct and the accuracy of the information provided to Bürgenstock.
If a supplier has provided false information, is unable to rectify the breach, fails to implement the necessary improvements within the agreed timeframe, or if the measures taken do not result in the required improvement to ensure compliance, Bürgenstock Resort reserves the right to suspend or terminate the business relationship. In such a case, the supplier shall have no entitlement to compensation. The supplier bears sole responsibility
for all costs arising from compliance with the Code of Conduct. In the event of a breach of the law, Bürgenstock reserves the right to report the matter to the relevant authorities.
The supplier is obliged to report any potential breaches of the law and any deviation from this Code of Conduct to Bürgenstock Resort immediately and proactively. Email contact: procurement@burgenstockresort.com.