Code of Conduct for ultraMEDIC Suppliers
(Version: March 2025)
General Information
This Code of Conduct for ultraMEDIC Suppliers is based primarily on the 10 principles of the UN Global Compact and defines ultraMEDIC's principles and requirements for its suppliers of goods and services with regard to human rights, labor standards, environmental protection, and anti-corruption.
The Code of Conduct for ultraMEDIC Suppliers is a mandatory part of all ultraMEDIC purchasing contracts. If a supplier wishes to commit to a different code of conduct, ultraMEDIC will review this request. If the code of conduct to which the supplier wishes to commit is equivalent to the code of conduct for ultraMEDIC suppliers, the supplier's alternative code of conduct will be accepted by ultraMEDIC and the supplier will commit to this code of conduct vis-à-vis ultraMEDIC.
In addition, the Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (LkSG), which came into force on January 1, 2023, obliges ultraMEDIC to identify, assess, and minimize human rights and environmental risks in the supply chain. ultraMEDIC expects its suppliers to comply with all of the principles and requirements described below, to pass them on to their subcontractors and sub-contractors, and to work to ensure that their subcontractors and sub-contractors also comply with these principles and requirements.
Human rights
ultraMEDIC expects its suppliers to respect the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, promote compliance with it, and ensure that they are not complicit in human rights violations.
As part of its commitment to responsible procurement, ultraMEDIC wants to ensure that the products you supply comply with the requirements of the EU Conflict Minerals Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2017/821). This regulation aims to regulate trade in conflict minerals from conflict-affected and high-risk areas in order to prevent human rights violations and the financing of conflicts.
Labor standards
ultraMEDIC expects its suppliers to comply with the core labor standards of the International Labor Organization (ILO), taking into account the laws and regulations applicable to the suppliers:
ultraMEDIC expects its suppliers to uphold freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining.
ultraMEDIC expects its suppliers not to permit forced or compulsory labor or any form of comparable labor in their companies. All work must be voluntary and carried out without threat of punishment. Employees must be able to terminate their employment or working relationship at any time. Furthermore, there must be no unacceptable treatment of workers, such as psychological abuse, sexual harassment, or humiliation. The commissioning or use of security forces is prohibited if persons are treated in an inhumane or degrading manner or injured during their deployment, or if freedom of association is impaired.
ultraMEDIC expects its suppliers to pay male and female workers equal pay for work of equal value.
ultraMEDIC expects its suppliers to promote equal opportunities and equal treatment for their employees regardless of their race, skin color, gender, nationality, social background, any disabilities, sexual orientation, political or religious beliefs, or age.
ultraMEDIC expects its suppliers to comply with at least the ILO Convention on the minimum age for admission to employment and not to allow child labor.
ultraMEDIC expects that remuneration for regular working hours and overtime complies with the national statutory minimum wage or other legal requirements. Employees must be granted all benefits required by law. Wage deductions as punitive measures are not permitted. The supplier must ensure that employees receive clear, detailed, and regular written information about the composition of their remuneration.
ultraMEDIC expects working hours to comply with applicable laws or industry standards. Overtime is only permitted if it is performed on a voluntary basis.
ultraMEDIC expects the supplier to ensure a safe and healthy working environment. By establishing and applying appropriate occupational safety systems, necessary precautions are taken against accidents and damage to health that may arise in connection with the work. In addition, employees are regularly informed and trained about applicable health and safety standards and measures.
ultraMEDIC expects the supplier not to violate legitimate rights by exploiting land, forests, or water resources whose use secures the livelihoods of individuals. Suppliers must refrain from harmful soil changes, water and air pollution, noise emissions, and excessive water consumption if this damages people's health, significantly impairs the natural basis for food production, or prevents people from accessing clean drinking water or sanitary facilities. .
Environmental protection
ultraMEDIC expects its suppliers to observe environmental protection in accordance with applicable laws and international standards, to follow the precautionary principle when dealing with environmental issues, to take the initiative to create greater environmental awareness, and to promote the development and dissemination of environmentally friendly technologies.
ultraMEDIC is subject to the obligation to comply with the legal requirements of the European Chemicals Regulation (Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006, REACH). Therefore, ultraMEDIC expects its products to meet the requirements of this regulation, i.e.
- The delivered products do not contain any substances listed in the current candidate list of substances of very high concern (SVHC) with a concentration of more than 0.1 percent by weight.
- All substances relevant to your products have been registered, where necessary.
- If any products you supply do not comply with the REACH Regulation, you must notify ultraMEDIC.
In connection with the new European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), ultraMEDIC would like to ensure that the products you supply meet the requirements of this regulation.
Accordingly, the raw materials in your products may only originate from areas that have not been deforested after December 31, 2020. Actions that may lead to harmful soil changes, air pollution, harmful noise emissions, water pollution, and excessive water consumption, which have a negative impact on resources, are prohibited.
ultraMEDIC expects its suppliers to comply with the ban on the export and import of hazardous waste and other waste in accordance with the Basel Convention, the prohibition on the manufacture and use of mercury in products and the prohibition on the improper handling of mercury waste in accordance with the Minamata Convention, and the prohibition on the environmentally unsound management of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in accordance with the Stockholm Convention.
Anti-corruption
ultraMEDIC expects its suppliers to refrain from any form of corruption, granting of advantages, bribery, and bribe-taking.
Implementation of requirements
ultraMEDIC expects its suppliers to identify risks within their supply chains and to take appropriate measures. In the event of suspected violations and in order to secure supply chains with increased risks, the supplier shall inform ultraMEDIC promptly and, if necessary, regularly about the identified violations and risks as well as the measures taken.
ultraMEDIC reserves the right to audit the SUPPLIER. The audit may be carried out by ultraMEDIC and/or by accredited auditors commissioned externally by ultraMEDIC. For this purpose, the SUPPLIER shall, after prior consultation, grant ultraMEDIC access to its premises and insight into documents and processes.
If a violation of the provisions of this Code of Conduct is detected, ultraMEDIC shall immediately notify the Supplier in writing and set a reasonable grace period for the Supplier to bring its conduct into line with these provisions. If a remedy is not possible in the foreseeable future, the supplier must notify ultraMEDIC immediately and, together with ultraMEDIC, draw up and implement a plan with a timetable for ending or minimizing the violation. ultraMEDIC has the right to temporarily suspend the business relationship during this time. If the grace period expires without result or if the implementation of the measures contained in the plan does not remedy the situation after the schedule has expired and no milder means are available, ultraMEDIC may terminate the business relationship and cancel all contracts. A legal right to extraordinary termination without setting a grace period, in particular in the case of intentional and very serious breaches, remains unaffected, as does the right to compensation.