Hela is an internationally oriented family business operating in various market segments of the food industry. Hela is determined to act as an ethical and responsible representative of the industry worldwide. Hela is therefore committed to acting fairly and responsibly towards our customers, our employees and our suppliers, as well as towards our society and the environment.
An important element of our vision and mission is our commitment to sustainable action in the areas of the environment, social responsibility and the economy.
Our actions are in line with generally recognized values and principles such as integrity and legality. We comply with human rights and labor standards and are committed to environmentally and socially responsible corporate governance as set out in this Code of Conduct ("Code"). In this Code, we have formulated our core values and defined the non-negotiable minimum standards that our suppliers must observe and comply with in their business dealings.
The rules set out in this Code shall become an integral part of the contracts concluded between the supplier and us.
The Supplier shall at all times comply with all applicable laws, contractual agreements and generally recognized standards.

2. human rights and labor standards
We always strive to neither cause nor support human rights violations. We expect the same from our suppliers. Where necessary and possible, we support our suppliers in this respect. In particular, Hela expects all suppliers to comply with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly at its third session on December 10, 1948 as Resolution 217, and the standards of the International Labor Organization (ILO).

2.1 Fair working conditions
All employees must be informed of the main terms and conditions of employment (e.g. remuneration, working hours, vacation entitlement, termination). The applicable national labor law must be observed.
The use of corporal punishment or any other form of physical, mental or sexual violence or abuse is strictly prohibited, as is the threat of such treatment. The basis of the relationship between all parties is mutual respect.

2.2 Prohibition of forced labor and slavery
Forced and compulsory labor (including, but not limited to, any form of debt bondage, slavery or practices similar to slavery, servitude or human trafficking) is prohibited. Employees must be able to terminate the employment contract in compliance with the statutory notice periods.

2.3 Prohibition of child labor
Child labor is never acceptable. The supplier must comply with the recommendation of ILO Convention 138 on the minimum age for the employment of children. Under no circumstances may the age of an employee be less than 15 years.
We expect our suppliers to have adequate means of age verification to prevent child labor. If the use of child labor is detected, the supplier must immediately take all necessary measures aimed at the welfare, protection and development of the child.
Similarly, the rights of young workers under the age of 18 must be protected by not entrusting them with work which, due to its nature or circumstances, may be harmful to the health, safety or mental and moral development of children. The supplier must ensure that the tasks of young workers do not conflict with their school attendance.

2.4 Remuneration and working hours
The supplier must comply with the applicable national laws on working hours (including overtime, rest breaks and annual leave) and remuneration.
In countries or regions where there is no legal or collectively agreed wage framework, the supplier must take special care to ensure that the wages paid are sufficient for regular full-time employment to meet the basic needs of workers. Deductions from wages that are not permitted by law, including deductions from wages as a disciplinary measure, are not acceptable.

2.5 Occupational safety
All employees must be provided with safe and healthy working conditions, a safe working environment and safe equipment. Facilities shall be constructed and maintained in accordance with applicable laws. Adequate sanitary facilities, emergency exits and personal protective equipment shall be provided as required and their use shall be monitored.
In addition, the supplier must ensure that occupational accidents are recorded and investigated and that employees are appropriately trained and instructed.

2.6 Freedom of association
The supplier must respect the right of employees to freedom of association, freedom of assembly, strikes and the right to collective bargaining and wage negotiations.
In cases where freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining are restricted by law, the supplier must provide alternative means for the independent and free association of workers for the purpose of collective bargaining.

2.7 No discrimination
Any form of discrimination against employees must be avoided. In particular, no one may be discriminated against on the basis of their skin color, gender, age, religion or ideology, nationality, ethnic origin, social background, political opinion or sexual identity.
This applies in particular to the recruitment of employees and in relation to their further training, promotion and remuneration.
Inclusion and diversity should have a high priority. The principle of equal pay for employees of all genders for work of equal value should be observed.

3 Environment and sustainability
The supplier must comply with all environmental laws and regulations in its operations.

3.1 Use of resources, avoidance of environmental pollution
Suppliers are expected to use natural resources sparingly and to minimize or completely avoid negative impacts on the environment. Suppliers are encouraged to participate in the development of climate-friendly products and processes.
Suppliers will pursue agricultural practices and other business activities that lead to a reduction in energy and water consumption, minimal use of fertilizers and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Suppliers are expected to continuously improve their sustainability performance by implementing appropriate measures and by training employees and their supply chains.

3.2 Climate protection
Hela expects its suppliers to take appropriate measures to reduce their environmental footprint. All suppliers are required to find economical solutions to improve energy efficiency and minimize energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
All suppliers must ensure that no primary forests and other areas particularly worthy of protection are cleared for the production of raw materials and that, in the event of legal deforestation, compensation is provided through reforestation. The relevant provisions of the EU regulation on deforestation must be observed where applicable.

3.3 Animal and species protection
We expect suppliers to respect the principles of animal welfare and biodiversity and to base their business activities on these principles. The keeping and use of animals must comply with applicable law and be species-appropriate. The Washington Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora must be complied with.

3.4 Waste and packaging
Waste contaminated with hazardous substances must be disposed of properly and in an environmentally friendly manner. The impact of packaging on the environment must be minimized, e.g. by avoiding or reducing packaging.

4 Product safety and quality
Suppliers will always comply with quality, health and food safety laws and regulations applicable in their home countries and in the countries to which Hela-Werke supplies.
They must also meet generally recognized or contractually agreed quality requirements in order to deliver goods that are not adulterated and are safe for their intended use.

5 Integrity in business operations
The supplier shall at all times comply with all applicable laws, contractual agreements and generally recognized standards. We only pursue legitimate business objectives and practices and only establish and maintain business relationships with reputable partners.

5.1 Fair competition
We support free and fair competition. We do not tolerate any anti-competitive agreements and ensure that we act in accordance with the applicable antitrust laws.
We refuse to gain competitive advantages through unfair business practices. We expect the same from our suppliers.

5.2 Corruption, trade control, money laundering
Suppliers must ensure compliance with the UN and OECD anti-corruption conventions and the relevant anti-bribery laws. They will monitor and enforce compliance.
Suppliers shall pursue a zero-tolerance policy in prohibiting all forms of bribery, corruption, extortion and embezzlement. They shall comply with the statutory provisions for the prevention of money laundering.

5.3 Protection of personal data
We expect suppliers to attach particular importance to the protection of personal data. They must comply with the applicable data protection regulations when handling personal data.

5.4 Whistleblowing
Suppliers must implement a whistleblowing system in accordance with the requirements of Directive (EU) 2019/1937 or the respective national legislation.

6 Implementation
The supplier must establish and maintain an effective and appropriate risk management system to identify and address human rights, environmental and ethical risks. For this purpose, the supplier must designate one or more contact persons to us.
The Supplier shall use its best efforts to ensure that its affiliated companies and contractual partners in its supply chain comply with all the principles and requirements described herein. The Supplier shall train its employees on relevant topics as required.
In the event of a material breach of the principles and requirements of this Code, the supplier shall inform us immediately of the breaches and risks identified and the measures taken.
We reserve the right to monitor our suppliers' compliance with our expectations, e.g. through audits. Should we identify serious violations, we reserve the right to take appropriate contractual consequences, including remedial action, suspension of contract performance or termination of the business relationship. In any case, we expect that identified violations will be remedied by appropriate preventive or remedial measures.

Status: May 2023 

Download here: Hela Code of Conduct