Introduction
Boligbanken ASA ("Boligbanken") is committed to promoting an ethical and responsible business culture, and to ensuring that all its activities maintain the highest level of ethical standards.
Boligbanken seeks an open and transparent relationship with its suppliers and business partners, and strives to be the best associate for all suppliers and business partners. Boligbanken further strives to ensure that its ethical standards and commitment to business integrity are reflected in its supply and value chain.
Scope
This code of conduct for suppliers and business partners, sets forth the basic conduct and behaviour that Boligbanken expects from all its suppliers and business partners (hereinafter "the supplier code").
The supplier code is applicable to all of Boligbanken’s suppliers and other business partners (hereinafter collectively referred to as "suppliers"). This includes suppliers' employees at all levels, board members, hired personnel, consultants and others who act on behalf of or represent the supplier. Suppliers shall implement the requirements set forth herein in their respective business activities and operations, including having in place relevant policies, procedures and training.
In addition to the supplier code, all suppliers shall comply with all applicable local and international laws and regulations as well as all contractual obligations towards Boligbanken. The requirements set forth in the supplier code may be further specified in the agreement(s) between Boligbanken and the supplier. Where differences exist between applicable laws, regulations and the supplier code or contractual obligations, suppliers shall follow the strictest requirements.
Suppliers are expected to use their best efforts and influence towards ensuring that their own suppliers and business partners comply with the standards of the supplier code.
Human Rights and Working Conditions
Suppliers shall support and respect the protection of fundamental human rights and decent working conditions within their business operations and supply and value chain as set forth in the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGP), the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and obligations following from applicable national laws, such as the Norwegian Transparency Act. This means that suppliers shall avoid causing or contributing to adverse impacts on human rights and decent working conditions, and address impacts which they have caused, contributed towards or are directly linked to.
The above means that suppliers inter alia shall:
Not engage in or tolerate any form of forced labour, modern slavery or child labour.
Not engage in or tolerate any form of inhumane treatment, corporal punishment, use of violence, harassment or sexual harassment, and ensure the respect for personal dignity and personal freedoms.
Provide equal opportunities for all employees and not discriminate anyone on the basis of ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, disability, political affiliation, union membership, marital status, pregnancy, age, etc.
Ensure a safe and healthy working environment for their employees and strive to prevent work related accidents, injuries and illness. This includes ensuring proper safety equipment for personnel and machinery.
Respect the rights of employees to freely associate, join trade unions and bargain collectively.
Compensate employees fairly and timely at a rate equal or greater to the local minimum wage or industry standard, and follow local wage regulation, including when it comes to compensating overtime; and ensure that daily and weekly working hours do not exceed applicable legal requirements, including when it comes to overtime.
Have adequate guidelines, routines and training in place to ensure the fulfilment of human rights and decent working conditions.
Use its best efforts and influence towards ensuring that own suppliers respect human rights, and have routines for evaluating and managing human rights risks in its business operations and supply chain.
Environment
Suppliers shall be committed to protecting the environment and to promoting sustainable development, and shall strive to operate in an environmentally responsible manner, and strive to prevent and minimize any harmful effects on nature and the environment.
Anti-Corruption
Boligbanken has a zero tolerance for all forms of corruption. Suppliers shall refrain from and work against any form of embezzlement, extortion or corruption, including bribery, kickbacks and facilitation payments. This includes refraining from offering or accepting gifts, benefits, reimbursements or entertainment that would constitute a violation of applicable anti-corruption laws or regulations, or that could be perceived as an improper attempt to influence business decisions. Suppliers shall exercise increased caution when government officials are involved.
All accounting information shall be correct, registered, and recorded in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
Money Laundering
Suppliers shall not take part in any form of money laundering and shall ensure that financial transactions are not used to launder money.
Data Protection
Suppliers shall ensure that all uses of personal data, such as collection, registration, comparison, storage and deletion, take place in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, hereunder the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Confidentiality and Intellectual Property
Suppliers shall protect, keep confidential and not misuse any information of a confidential or proprietary nature relating to Boligbanken and its business partners, regardless of how and from whom such information have come to the knowledge of the supplier.
Disclosure of such information to employees of the supplier shall be restricted to what is strictly necessary and in accordance with applicable regulations and prevailing industry practices. Such information shall never be disclosed to any third party without prior written approval from Boligbanken.
Suppliers shall respect and protect the intellectual property (such as brands, patents, trademarks, know-how, trade secrets and copyrights) of Boligbanken and its business partners, regardless of the existence and effective application of local regulations.
Other Assets
Suppliers shall safeguard and ensure only lawful and responsible use of Boligbanken's assets or property if and while in their possession.
Fair Competition and Business Practices
Suppliers shall support the principles of fair competition and comply with applicable anti-trust and other competition laws and regulations. This includes that no supplier shall be part of any illegal price cooperation or market sharing.
Suppliers shall comply with all applicable laws and regulations concerning insider trading.
