At QS we have the opportunity to work with thousands of Suppliers across the globe. We rely on these Suppliers every day to support our mission of empowering people to realise their full potential. QS requires Suppliers to adhere to the following standards, and reserves the right to terminate its business relationship with Suppliers that do not adhere to this Code.
Ethics and Integrity
Anti-Bribery
The Supplier must not violate any applicable Anti-Bribery Law. The Supplier has and must at all times implement adequate procedures
designed to prevent it or any associated person from engaging in any activity which would constitute an offence under the Bribery Act if it were carried out in the UK, or any applicable anti-bribery laws and regulations of the countries in which they operate.
Gifts and Entertainment
QS does not believe that it is appropriate for employees to accept anything of greater value than small tokens of appreciation from suppliers or contractors with which the Company has, or might have, business connections.
Confidential Assets and Information
Suppliers must protect QS and its clients’ confidential assets and information. Suppliers must put in place processes to provide appropriate protection for this information
Conflicts of Interest
Suppliers are not permitted to engage in transactions which may present a conflict of interest with the services that it provides to QS. All decision making and transactions must be handled and managed independently. Suppliers should have strategies in place to identify and manage potential issues. Suppliers shall disclose any situation that appears to conflict, or could potentially conflict, in any way with the interests of QS.
Personal Information
Personal Information and Privacy
QS requires Suppliers to protect personal information in compliance with all applicable local laws and QS policies. Personal information provided by or on behalf of QS should only be used, accessed, and disclosed as permitted by this Supplier Code of Conduct.
Data Protection
Suppliers must (i) comply with the applicable Processor and Sub-Processor obligations and only process personal data in accordance with our written instructions; (ii) tell us immediately if they become aware of anything which could affect our ability to keep the personal data of our customers, clients and personnel safe and secure; and (iii) ensure that any cross-border transfers are subject to a valid and effective transfer mechanism in line with data protection law.
Employment and Working Conditions
Modern Slavery / Human Trafficking
QS are committed to ensuring that the risk of modern slavery and human trafficking occurring within our supply chains, or any part of our business, is minimised. You must not engage in modern slavery or human trafficking or knowingly permit such conduct to be carried out in any of your supply chains.
Child Labour
You shall not be involved with recruitment of child labour: that is recruitment any person less than 15 years of age unless local minimum age law stipulates a higher age for work or mandatory schooling, in which case the higher age shall apply. If however, local minimum age law is set at 14 years of age in accordance with developing country exceptions under ILO
Convention No. 138, the lower will apply. All policies and procedures shall conform to the provisions of the relevant International Labour Organization (ILO) standards.
Human Rights
Suppliers must respect and protect the rights and dignity of everyone involved in their work, like employees, contractors, subcontractors, and communities. This means ensuring fair pay, reasonable hours, and good benefits, while strictly banning child labour, forced labour, human trafficking, and discrimination.
Employment Laws
Suppliers must comply with all applicable local wage and labour laws.
Wellbeing, Health and Safety
Health and Safety
QS expects Suppliers to put into practice robust health and safety practices across business operations. Suppliers must comply with all applicable health and safety laws and regulations. QS expects Suppliers to ensure a safe workplace for all workers and implement practices to minimise health and safety risks.
Discrimination
The supplier must not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, disability, age, sexual orientation or gender.
Sustainability
Suppliers shall operate in an environmentally responsible and efficient manner. Suppliers are expected to carry out activities that reuse and recycle and are encouraged to source materials sustainably where applicable.
Reports of Concern
You can report any concerns in relation to this Code to your QS contact person, or by contacting Accounts Payable