External Providers' Code of Conduct
Applicable to all Renascent's subcontractors, suppliers, and consultants.
Revision 01 · 2023
1 — Overview
This External Providers' Code of Conduct ("Code") outlines Renascent's expectations for businesses seeking to sell goods or services to us. It defines what it means to be a responsible External Provider and strengthens our commitment to supporting local businesses and the prosperity of Australia.
2 — Scope
In this Code, the term "workers" encompasses employees, contractors, agency personnel, and temporary staff engaged by the External Provider and its affiliated entities. Renascent retains the right to engage in business relationships with External Providers who demonstrate compliance with this Code. External Providers are expected to proactively evaluate their own adherence and take appropriate actions to rectify any deficiencies.
3 — Labour and Human Rights
External Providers must uphold and promote the protection of internationally recognised human rights. This includes respecting the rights of workers as well as individuals and communities affected by the External Provider's operations.
3.1 Labour Rights
We expect our External Providers to:
- Avoid any form of discrimination during the hiring and employment process, regardless of gender, age, religion, ethnicity, race, cultural background, disability, physical features, marital status, sexual orientation, pregnancy or potential pregnancy, family responsibilities, political beliefs, involvement in industrial activities, union membership, irrelevant criminal records, personal associations, or any other grounds specified in relevant legislation.
- Ensure that workers provide their services voluntarily and without coercion.
- Prohibit violence, threats, harassment, abuse, and inhumane treatment.
- Not engage any forced, bonded, or involuntary prison labour.
- Return workers' identity documents promptly after verification.
- Allow workers to cease work with reasonable notice.
- Promote open communication and issue resolution between workers and management.
- Ensure that workers can raise concerns without fear of reprisal, intimidation, or harassment.
3.2 Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining
- Respect workers' right to join or not join trade unions and engage in collective bargaining.
- Not discriminate against workers' representatives in the workplace.
3.3 Child Labour
Child labour is strictly prohibited in our supply chain. Minimum age requirements follow local laws and International Labour Organisation (ILO) standards. Children under 18 should not engage in hazardous work or work that hinders their development.
3.4 Working Hours, Wages and Benefits
External Providers must comply with laws regarding wages, overtime, compensation, and benefits. Deductions from wages for disciplinary purposes are prohibited.
3.5 Anti-Discrimination
External Providers must prevent discrimination in various aspects, including hiring, compensation, access to training, promotion, termination, or retirement, based on factors such as race, caste, national origin, religion, age, disability, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, union membership, or political affiliation.
3.6 Harsh or Inhumane Treatment
External Providers must maintain a workplace free from harassment, abuse, and mistreatment. This includes implementing policies to prevent bullying, harassment, and any form of mistreatment, including but not limited to sexual harassment, physical punishment, mental or physical coercion, verbal abuse, and any threats of such behaviour towards employees. These measures are essential to ensure the well-being and dignity of all individuals within the workplace.
4 — Modern Slavery
Renascent requires External Providers to address modern slavery risks in accordance with Australian laws. External Providers must establish policies and procedures to identify and mitigate these risks.
Renascent has zero tolerance for slavery, forced labour, debt bondage, child labour, and human trafficking in its supply chain. As an External Provider, we expect you to adhere to the following requirements:
- Ensure work is voluntary, without coercion.
- Not use forced, bonded, or obligated labour.
- Employ workers of legal working age.
- Engage only with compliant third-party recruitment agencies and take full responsibility for covering recruitment-related fees for foreign contract workers.
- Collaborate closely with Renascent to identify high-risk areas of modern slavery within your supply chains. Conduct thorough investigations and actively support corrective actions when required.
- Notify Renascent immediately of any instances of modern slavery detected within your supply chain or business operations.
- Provide assistance to Renascent in fulfilling our obligations under the Australian Modern Slavery Act.
Please be aware that failure to comply with these requirements will be taken into account during our procurement selection process and may result in the termination of your engagement.
The full Renascent Modern Slavery Policy is available on request. Our Modern Slavery Statement will be posted on the Department of Home Affairs website, as required by law.
5 — Occupational Health & Safety
At Renascent, we prioritise the health, safety, and well-being of our workers, customers, contractors, visitors, and External Providers. We expect our External Providers to share this commitment, follow the Health and Safety controls outlined in the PMP (Project Management Plan), and adhere to the following guidelines:
- Compliance: External Providers must comply with health and safety laws, regulations, standards, and relevant codes of practice in the country where their workers are engaged.
- Accident Prevention: External Providers should take reasonable measures to prevent accidents and injuries in the workplace.
- Safe and Hygienic Environment: External Providers must provide a safe and hygienic working environment, including access to clean toilet facilities and potable water. If accommodations are provided, they should be clean, safe, and able to meet basic needs.
- Supervision and Training: External Providers are responsible for providing necessary supervision, training, instruction, equipment, resources, and information to their workers.
- Personal Protective Equipment: If applicable, External Providers should provide personal protective equipment for workers to ensure their safety.
- Machinery Safeguards: External Providers must ensure that safeguards on machinery meet or exceed local laws and regulations.
- Senior Management Representative: External Providers are expected to assign a senior management representative who will be accountable for health and safety matters.
5.1 Incident and Emergency Management
External Providers must identify and address potential incidents and emergencies. They should establish response procedures, provide training to workers, and ensure the availability of emergency equipment. External Providers must also offer assistance and medical attention in case of incidents or emergencies.
6 — Environmental Considerations
External Providers are required to:
- Comply with all environmental laws and regulations, including those governing the handling, transportation, and management of dangerous goods, hazardous waste, and wastewater.
- Obtain necessary permits and maintain reporting on their environmental performance.
- Minimise the environmental impact of their operations, products, and services, and pursue continuous improvement.
- Adhere to the environmental controls detailed in the PMP (Project Management Plan).
6.1 Resource Efficiency
External Providers are encouraged to follow the waste hierarchy, prioritise waste avoidance, promote reuse and recycling, and use shared and recycled materials. Renascent prefers External Providers who use certified sustainable timber and paper products. If certified options are not available, External Providers should provide independently verifiable information on the origin and legality of their products.
6.2 Carbon & Energy Use
External Providers should aim to reduce carbon emissions by offering energy-efficient alternatives that reduce energy consumption and costs. Energy-intensive activities should be conducted in a manner that maximises efficiency and minimises emissions.
6.3 Pollution Prevention
External Providers must properly manage and treat potential pollutants, including wastewater, solid waste, and harmful air emissions such as Volatile Organic Compounds, chemicals with ozone, etc. The use of low-emission equipment and plant is encouraged. External Providers should optimise transportation efficiency and minimise distances travelled.
7 — Business Governance
At Renascent, we prioritise effective governance in our External Provider relationships. Our expectations for External Providers include:
- Compliance: Strict adherence to national and local laws and regulations.
- Business Continuity: Robust business continuity plan to minimise disruptions during major incidents.
- Record Keeping: Accurate and comprehensive records of their business activities, including financial transactions, labour practices, health and safety, and environmental measures, complying with applicable laws and policies.
- Risk Management: Integration of social, ethical, safety, and environmental risks into the External Provider's risk management process.
- Incident Management: Proactive identification and assessment of critical incidents and implementation of emergency plans to prioritise life, environment, and property preservation.
- Audits and Assessments: Regular evaluations of facilities and operations, addressing modern slavery risks, and cooperating with audits and assessments.
- Disclosure: Transparent reporting of significant legal, ethical, social, and environmental matters impacting Renascent.
8 — Business Integrity
At Renascent, we prioritise ethical procurement decisions for the benefit of our organisation and customers. External Providers must act with honesty, transparency, and trustworthiness in all their dealings.
8.1 Bribery and Corruption
Compliance with anti-bribery, anti-corruption, and anti-money laundering laws and regulations is essential. We strictly prohibit bribery, including facilitation payments, secret commissions, unjustified or inflated commissions, and kickbacks. External Providers are expected to uphold the highest ethical standards and prevent any form of improper influence.
8.2 Gifts, Benefits & Hospitality
External Providers must not offer, make, authorise, or accept payments or valuables to improperly influence the judgment or conduct of customers, External Providers, or competitors. External Providers must refrain from seeking improper advantages, inducing illegal or dishonest behaviour, or rewarding improper performance. These measures ensure ethical behaviour and maintain integrity throughout our External Provider relationships.
8.3 Ethical Sourcing and Materials
External Providers are expected to exercise due diligence with regards to the ethical sourcing and chain of custody of components and raw materials used in goods they supply.
8.4 Complaints
External Providers must provide a formal complaints management process for customers, External Providers, workers, and members of the community in which they operate or provide services. The process must seek to ensure confidentiality of complainants and prohibit retaliation against anyone who, in good faith, participates in the process.
9 — Enforcement Provisions
Renascent may request External Providers to complete a Self-Assessment Questionnaire to demonstrate compliance with this Code. If non-compliance is identified, the External Provider may be required to take necessary actions to ensure future compliance. Audits may also be conducted by Renascent to verify compliance, and External Providers are expected to cooperate by providing requested information and access to staff.