1: Introduction

1.1 Policy Overview
Redcone Recruitment Limited is committed to conducting its business with the highest ethical standards, which includes ensuring that all goods and services purchased by the company are sourced responsibly and ethically. This Ethical Purchasing Policy outlines Redcone Recruitment Limited’s commitment to promoting fair, sustainable, and ethical practices in its supply chain. The company recognises that its purchasing decisions can have a significant impact on environmental, social, and economic factors both locally and globally. By implementing this policy, Redcone Recruitment Limited aims to ensure that its procurement activities align with its values of integrity, fairness, sustainability, and social responsibility.

1.2 Purpose of the Policy
The purpose of this policy is to:

• Ensure that all procurement activities are conducted ethically and in compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
• Promote the use of suppliers who demonstrate responsible labour practices, environmental stewardship, and respect for human rights.
• Reduce the environmental impact of the company’s purchasing decisions by prioritising sustainable and environmentally friendly products.
• Support fair and ethical labour practices within the supply chain, including fair wages, safe working conditions, and the prevention of child labour, forced labour, and discrimination.
• Align purchasing practices with Redcone Recruitment Limited’s broader commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR).

1.3 Legal and Ethical Framework
This policy complies with relevant UK legislation and international standards, including:

• Modern Slavery Act 2015: To prevent slavery, forced labour, and human trafficking in the supply chain.
• Equality Act 2010: To ensure equal treatment and non-discrimination in supplier relationships.
• Environmental Protection Act 1990: To promote environmentally sustainable purchasing practices.
• ILO (International Labour Organization) Conventions: To uphold fundamental labour standards, including the abolition of child labour and forced labour.
• ISO 20400:2017: Sustainable Procurement – Guidance on integrating sustainability into the procurement process.

2: Scope

2.1 Applicability
This policy applies to all employees, departments, and contractors of Redcone Recruitment Limited involved in procurement activities. It covers all goods, services, and works procured by the company, including office supplies, traffic management equipment, personal protective equipment (PPE), contracted labour, and other operational purchases.

2.2 Supplier Engagement
Redcone Recruitment Limited is committed to working with suppliers who share its ethical values and meet the company’s ethical standards. Suppliers are expected to adhere to this policy and to comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and industry standards, particularly in relation to labour rights, environmental management, and ethical business conduct.

3: Policy Details

3.1 Labour Standards
Redcone Recruitment Limited expects its suppliers to uphold high labour standards in line with the International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions and relevant UK laws. This includes:

• Fair Wages: Suppliers must pay fair wages to their employees, which meet or exceed national legal standards or industry benchmark standards.
• Safe Working Conditions: Suppliers must provide safe and healthy working environments, ensuring compliance with local health and safety regulations and ISO 45001 (Occupational Health and Safety Management).
• No Child Labour: Suppliers must not engage in or support the use of child labour, in accordance with ILO Conventions 138 (Minimum Age) and 182 (Worst Forms of Child Labour).
• No Forced or Bonded Labour: Suppliers must not use forced, bonded, or involuntary prison labour. Workers must be free to leave employment after reasonable notice.
• Non-Discrimination: Suppliers must not discriminate against employees based on race, gender, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic, in compliance with the Equality Act 2010.
• Freedom of Association: Suppliers must respect the rights of workers to form and join trade unions and to bargain collectively.

3.2 Environmental Responsibility
Redcone Recruitment Limited is committed to reducing its environmental impact and expects its suppliers to share this commitment. The company will prioritise working with suppliers who demonstrate sound environmental practices, including:

• Sustainable Sourcing: Suppliers should ensure that raw materials are sourced responsibly, prioritising renewable resources, recycled materials, and sustainably certified products (e.g., FSC-certified wood or fair-trade certified products).
• Reduction of Environmental Impact: Suppliers must comply with all relevant environmental regulations and strive to minimise their environmental footprint by reducing energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, water usage, and waste generation.
• Packaging and Transportation: Suppliers are encouraged to use minimal and recyclable packaging and to explore environmentally friendly transportation options to reduce the carbon footprint associated with delivery.
• ISO 14001 Compliance: Preference will be given to suppliers with ISO 14001 (Environmental Management) certification or equivalent standards, demonstrating a commitment to environmental management and sustainability.

3.3 Ethical Business Practices
Redcone Recruitment Limited requires its suppliers to adhere to ethical business practices in all dealings. This includes:

• Anti-Corruption and Bribery: Suppliers must not engage in any form of corruption, bribery, extortion, or embezzlement. Suppliers are expected to comply with the UK Bribery Act 2010 and any other applicable anti-corruption laws.
• Transparency and Accountability: Suppliers must conduct business transparently and be accountable for their business practices. This includes maintaining accurate records and being open to audits by Redcone Recruitment Limited to ensure compliance with this policy.
• Fair Competition: Suppliers must engage in fair competition and must not engage in anti-competitive practices such as price fixing, bid rigging, or market manipulation.

3.4 Local Sourcing and Community Support
Wherever possible, Redcone Recruitment Limited will prioritise purchasing from local suppliers and small to medium enterprises (SMEs) to support the local economy and minimise the environmental impact of transportation. The company will also encourage its suppliers to invest in and support the communities in which they operate, particularly in relation to creating job opportunities and fostering economic development.

4: Supplier Selection and Monitoring

4.1 Supplier Selection Criteria
When selecting suppliers, Redcone Recruitment Limited will consider:

• The supplier’s compliance with ethical standards as outlined in this policy.
• The supplier’s ability to demonstrate good labour practices, environmental responsibility, and ethical business conduct.
• The supplier’s certifications, including ISO 14001 (Environmental Management), ISO 45001 (Health and Safety Management), or any fair trade or sustainability certifications.
• The supplier’s commitment to transparency and willingness to undergo ethical audits or assessments.

4.2 Supplier Code of Conduct
All suppliers will be required to sign and adhere to Redcone Recruitment Limited’s Supplier Code of Conduct, which sets out the ethical standards expected of all suppliers. The company reserves the right to terminate relationships with suppliers who fail to meet the requirements outlined in this policy or the Supplier Code of Conduct.

4.3 Monitoring and Auditing
Redcone Recruitment Limited will periodically assess suppliers to ensure compliance with the Ethical Purchasing Policy. This may include:

• Self-Assessment: Suppliers may be required to complete self-assessment questionnaires on their labour practices, environmental impact, and ethical business conduct.
• Site Audits: Redcone Recruitment Limited reserves the right to conduct audits of suppliers’ facilities, particularly in high-risk sectors, to ensure compliance with ethical standards.
• Continuous Improvement: Suppliers are expected to work towards continuous improvement in ethical, environmental, and social practices, and Redcone Recruitment Limited will collaborate with suppliers to achieve these goals.

5: Responsibilities

5.1 Employee Responsibilities
All employees involved in procurement or purchasing decisions are responsible for adhering to this policy. Employees must:

• Ensure that ethical considerations are factored into all purchasing decisions.
• Avoid entering into agreements with suppliers who do not meet the ethical standards outlined in this policy.
• Report any potential breaches of this policy to their line manager or the procurement department.

5.2 Management Responsibilities
Management is responsible for:

• Ensuring that all procurement activities are carried out in accordance with this policy.
• Providing training to employees on ethical procurement practices.
• Monitoring supplier compliance with this policy and taking action if a supplier fails to meet the required ethical standards.

6: Consequences of Non-Compliance

6.1 Supplier Non-Compliance
Redcone Recruitment Limited will not tolerate any breaches of this policy by its suppliers. In cases where a supplier is found to be non-compliant:

• The company will engage with the supplier to address and rectify the issue within a specified timeframe.
• If the supplier fails to make the necessary improvements or breaches are severe (e.g., human rights violations), Redcone Recruitment Limited reserves the right to terminate the business relationship with immediate effect.

6.2 Employee Non-Compliance
Employees who fail to adhere to the Ethical Purchasing Policy may face disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment, depending on the severity of the breach.

7: Continuous Improvement and Review

7.1 Ongoing Evaluation
Redcone Recruitment Limited is committed to the continuous improvement of its ethical procurement practices. The company will regularly review its supply chain to identify opportunities for improvement, innovation, and greater sustainability.

7.2 Policy Review
This policy will be reviewed annually to ensure it remains relevant, effective, and aligned with current legal, environmental, and ethical standards. Any updates or changes to the policy will be communicated to all employees and suppliers.

8: Conclusion

Redcone Recruitment Limited recognises its responsibility to promote ethical practices within its supply chain and ensure that all goods and services purchased by the company are sourced in a manner that respects human rights, protects the environment, and supports sustainable development. By adhering to this Ethical Purchasing Policy, the company demonstrates its commitment to ethical business conduct and the continuous improvement of social, environmental, and economic standards within the procurement process.