Our
responsibility
Code of Conduct
Elapuls is committed to socially, ecologically, and ethically responsible corporate management. In order to be able to supply our customers with innovative products in a sustainable and reliable manner, we source raw materials, goods, and services from around the world.
To ensure responsible and sustainable corporate management, we also expect our business partners to act responsibly in order to uphold social, environmental, and ethical due diligence obligations.
We have clearly formulated our obligations in this Code of Conduct. It is based on the principles of the United Nations Global Compact and the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Laws and regulations
Compliance with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations in the countries in which the business partner operates or is based, as well as appropriate measures to ensure compliance with these laws, rules, and regulations.Human and labor rights
Compliance with the United Nations International Bill of Human Rights, taking into account the laws and legal forms applicable in the various countries and locations, the fundamental employee rights under the applicable national legislation, and recognition of the core labor standards of the International Labor Organization (ILO). Respect for the rights of third parties; any adverse effects must be kept to a minimum in accordance with all international standards.Child labor
Compliance with all applicable laws and regulations Compliance with ILO core labor standards; any form of child labor that violates these standards must be prohibited and refrained from within the company.Forced labor
Prohibition of the employment of persons in forced or compulsory labor or human trafficking in the company, as well as participation therein. All activities must be carried out on a voluntary basis. Employees must be free to leave their employer of their own accord, subject to the statutory notice periods. Forced labor refers to all forms of debt bondage, slavery, slave-like practices, serfdom, or other forms of oppression. Prohibition of surveillance measures, such as the retention of identification documents, passports, educational certificates, work permits, or deposits as a condition of employment.Occupational health and safety
Compliance with applicable national occupational health and safety regulations and ensuring humane working conditions. Implementation of appropriate occupational health and safety management (e.g., in accordance with ISO 45001) to prevent accidents and work-related illnesses as effectively as possible. This includes identifying, assessing, and reducing actual and potential accident and health risks, recording and investigating incidents, training and instructing employees in a way they can understand, providing suitable work equipment and protective gear, and taking appropriate measures for emergency preparedness and response.Freedom of association
The rights of employees to form employee representatives, conduct collective bargaining, form trade unions, or join them must be respected, as must the right of trade unions at the place of employment to operate in accordance with national legislation.Discrimination
Any form of discrimination must be prevented. No employee of the business partner may be disadvantaged, favored, or harassed on the basis of characteristics such as gender, skin color, religion, nationality, political or other beliefs, ethnic origin, disability, age, sexual orientation and identity, or other characteristics.Working hours and compensation
The applicable national law on working hours must be observed. If there is no national legal regulation, the international standards of the ILO apply.The compensation paid to employees must comply with applicable national laws and guarantee the legally valid minimum income and social benefits.
Protection of freedom of expression, personal rights, and privacy
The right to freedom of expression and the protection of employees' personal rights and privacy must be respected.Fair use of external personnel
The applicable national law and human and labor rights must also be observed when using external personnel, regardless of the type of contract, such as a contract for work or temporary employment.Environmental protection
Compliance with applicable national energy and environmental laws, regulations, and standards. Responsible use of resources such as energy, water, and raw materials. An appropriate environmental and energy management system must be established and implemented to minimize environmental impact, particularly in the following areas:Greenhouse gas emissions, circularity, chemicals and hazardous substances, waste, other emissions to air, water, and soil, energy consumption, and water consumption.
Waste
Environmentally sound handling, collection, storage, and disposal of waste. Compliance with the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal and the prohibitions contained in the Basel Convention.Conflict minerals and high-risk raw materials
Compliance with due diligence requirements to promote responsible raw material supply chains and all applicable legal regulations on conflict minerals. Minerals such as tin, tantalum, tungsten, gold (3TG) or cobalt-containing components and the corresponding ores and metals must be sourced conflict-free. Depending on the position in the supply chain, compliance with the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas and corresponding reporting. Ensuring the traceability of all deliveries in your 3TG and cobalt supply chain down to the smelter or refinery level. Compliance with the prohibitions regulated in the Minemata Convention on the manufacture of mercury-containing products, the use of mercury and mercury compounds, and the treatment of mercury waste. Compliance with the ban on the production and use of chemicals under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants.
Prohibition of corruption and bribery
Ensure compliance with the conventions of the United Nations (UN) and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) on combating corruption and the relevant anti-corruption laws, including those relating to foreign bribery. Reject any form of corruption, bribery, theft, embezzlement, fraud, or extortion, illegal payments, or granting of other benefits to an individual, company, or public official with the aim of influencing decision-making processes. Do not grant or accept, either yourself or through third parties, bribes, kickbacks, or other illegal payments, favors, or other benefits or gifts of value for the realization of business opportunities, to expedite or facilitate an official act (bribes or facilitation payments), or in any connection with Elapuls' business activities.Invitations and gifts
Invitations and gifts must not be misused to influence business contacts, customers, or public officials. Invitations and gifts to Elapuls employees or persons close to them are only granted if the occasion and scope are appropriate, i.e., they are of low value and can be considered an expression of locally accepted business practice. Similarly, Elapuls employees' business partners do not demand any inappropriate advantages.Fair competition / Compliance with applicable antitrust and competition law
No participation in anti-competitive agreements with competitors or abuse of a dominant market position or other anti-competitive business practices.Data protection and information security
Protection of personal data and compliance with all applicable data protection laws. Personal data may not be processed without legal permission. This includes appropriate management and technical protection against unauthorized access.Prevention of money laundering and terrorist financing
Compliance with all applicable legal obligations regarding the prevention of money laundering and terrorist financing; no involvement, either directly or indirectly, in money laundering activities or terrorist financing.Foreign trade law
Consistent compliance with applicable international and national foreign trade regulations, in particular export control and embargo regulations; no legally impermissible business activities with sanctioned persons, companies, or organizations.Requirements for supply chains and due diligence obligations
The applicable national regulations for supply chains and due diligence obligations must be complied with. Appropriate measures must be taken to ensure that all principles and requirements described here are complied with and recognized within the company and its affiliated companies. Furthermore, appropriate efforts must be made in the supply chain to ensure that upstream suppliers comply with the basic principles of this Supplier Code of Conduct.For the purposes of this declaration, “affiliated companies” are defined as companies in which the business partner holds, directly or indirectly, at least fifty percent (50%) of the economic ownership or over which he exercises, directly or indirectly, at least fifty percent (50%) of the voting rights.
An appropriate risk management system must be established within the company and its affiliated companies, with measures in place to identify and minimize human rights and environmental risks and to prevent, end, or minimize the extent of human rights or environmental violations if the company has caused or contributed to these risks or violations within the supply chain.