Introduction
This Ethical Procurement policy is essential to ensure that Antares Defence Systems supply chain aligns with its values and contributes positively to society. This policy outlines the company’s commitment to responsible sourcing, human rights, and environmental sustainability.
Core Principles
- Human Rights: The company will adhere to international human rightsstandards, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Labor Organization conventions. This includes:
- Labour Rights: Ensuring that suppliers provide fair wages, safe working conditions, and freedom from discrimination.
- Child Labour: Prohibiting the use of child labour in its supply chain.
- Forced Labour: Preventing the use of forced labour or human trafficking.
- Environmental Sustainability: The company will prioritize environmental sustainability in its procurement practices, and in line with ISO 14001, which includes:
- Resource Conservation: Promoting the efficient use of natural resources.
- Pollution Prevention: Minimizing environmental pollution and waste generation.
- Climate Action: Supporting efforts to mitigate climate change.
- Ethical Sourcing: The company will source materials and components fromsuppliers who demonstrate ethical business practices. This includes:
- Conflict Minerals: Avoiding the use of conflict minerals, such as tin, tantalum, tungsten, and gold, sourced from conflict-affected regions.
- Responsible Mining: Supporting responsible mining practices that minimize environmental harm and respect human rights.
- Supplier Code of Conduct: Requiring suppliers to adhere to a code of conduct that aligns with the company’s ethical standards.
- Transparency and Accountability: The company will be transparent about itsprocurement practices and hold suppliers accountable for their compliance with ethical standards. This includes:
- Supplier Audits: Through the completion of Supplier questionnaires to assess their adherence to ethical standards.
- Reporting: Disclosing information about its supply chain and ethical practices in annual reports or sustainability statements.
- Collaboration: Engaging with industry associations and other stakeholders to promote ethical procurement practices.
Implementation
- Supplier Selection: The company will carefully evaluate potential suppliers based on their ethical performance, environmental practices, and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
- Supplier Due Diligence: The company will conduct due diligence on suppliers, including assessing their, environmental practices, and supply chain transparency through the completion of Suppliers questionnaires.
- Monitoring and Enforcement: The company will monitor supplier compliance with ethical standards through the completion of their questionnaires and their attained, current ISO standards etc.
- Training and Education: The company will provide training and education to its employees and suppliers on ethical procurement practices, human rights, and environmental sustainability (which is included in a number of the ISO procedures maintained by the organisation such as ISO 9001, 14001, 27001, and 45001.
- Continuous Improvement: The company will continually review and improve its ethical procurement practices to ensure that they remain effective and aligned with evolving standards.
Conclusion
By implementing this ethical procurement policy, Antares Defence Systems can contribute to a more sustainable and equitable global supply chain. This policy demonstrates the company’s commitment to responsible business practices and helps to build trust with its customers, employees, and stakeholders.
Factory Manager: Richard Gulliford MSc MScRes, MSyI
September 2024