• Human rights

Vännäs verkstad supports and respects protection of internationally recognised human rights, including rights under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Vännäs verkstad does not commit or benefit from war crimes, genocide, or crimes against humanity under international law. Where Vännäs verkstad identifies a risk that, through its operations, it is contributing towards breach of human rights and children’s rights, appropriate action is taken.

• Child labour

Vännäs verkstad does not use or benefit from child labour. A particularly strong stand is taken against slavery, prostitution, and other forms of work that risk damaging a child’s health, safety and well-being. Vännäs verkstad does not hire employees under the age of 18 for any form of work that may pose a risk to their health, safety, or wellbeing. The lowest age of employment must in no case be lower than the compulsory school leaving age and must never lower than 15 years. Vännäs verkstad may employ children aged 12–15 for “light work” or on an apprenticeship scheme. Wages are paid, and the work tasks must be simple and not interfere with schoolwork.

• Forced labour

Vännäs verkstad does not use or benefit from any form of forced labour. Forced labour is considered to include debt bondage or other forms of slavery, forced prison labour, hard labour or human trafficking. Employees are able to move freely during their employment and are free to leave their employment following termination in line with applicable legislation and agreements. Vännäs verkstad does not withhold the employees’ pay, benefits, property or documents, such as ID documents and travel documents.

• Freedom of association

Vännäs verkstad does not prevent or work against the right of each employee to join, or refuse to join, a union or other organisation. Vännäs verkstad recognises the employees’ chosen representatives and negotiates with them in good faith on all key issues affecting the workplace. Vännäs verkstad does not prevent the employees from gathering independently under other forms to discuss issues concerning their work, and Vännäs verkstad offers the employees a forum for bringing up workrelated concerns with the management, APT.

• Health and safety

Vännäs verkstad strives to provide a healthy and safe working environment, including Vännäs verkstad’s own workplace, during transports and within Vännäs verkstad’s areas. Health and safety work takes a preventive approach and in accordance with applicable legislation. Risks are constantly evaluated, and protective measures taken. Vännäs verkstad provides protective equipment and safety training for carrying out tasks. Employees are not exposed to risks inherent in the work environment that may pose a danger to life without them first being informed about the dangers and the safety measures that have been taken. Vännäs verkstad ensures that its employees must contribute to their own and their colleagues’ healthy and safe working environment, by acting in a safe manner and complying with existing instructions and procedures and also by addressing risks and incidents. Vännäs verkstad does not, in any circumstances, submit employees to harsh, inhumane, or abusive treatment or punishment.

• Gender equality, diversity and equal opportunities

All decisions concerning employment are based on relevant and objective criteria such as competence, experience, and performance. Vännäs verkstad’s employees are treated with dignity and respect and given equal development opportunities. There must be no incidence of discrimination, harassment, abuse or threats in the workplace.

• Pay, working hours and other terms of employment

Vännäs verkstad pays a living wage that meets the requirements as set out in law or in an agreement. The wage is paid monthly and in the form of legal tender. Vännäs verkstad’s employees are provided with a written, comprehensible, and legally binding contract of employment. Vännäs verkstad complies with applicable legislation, agreements, and industry standards regarding working hours. Employees are given sufficient breaks during their work and sufficient daily rest between shifts. Vännäs verkstad gives its employees 5 weeks paid holiday every year, plus sick leave, and parental leave. Vännäs verkstad respects employees’ privacy and handle personal data in confidence and in line with applicable legislation. Employees have access to clean, hygienic and, if needed, heated facilities. This requirement also applies to any housing that may be provided by Vännäs verkstad.

• Environment

Vännäs verkstad complies with applicable legislation and work to ensure efficient use of water, energy, and other raw materials. Vännäs verkstad strives to minimize its business’ climate effects as well as pollution of air, water, or land. Vännäs verkstad has in its Environmental Management System procedures for reducing health risks and industrial accidents that may affect the production line and the local community or may have a negative impact on the environment.

• Conflict minerals

Vännäs verkstad is aware of the negative consequences of the use of minerals that may benefit countries and organisations that do not live up to international standards for human rights, corruption and aggression towards its people.

Vännäs verkstad strives to prevent the introduction of Conflict Minerals into its products, verify the sources of gold, tantalum, tin and tungsten used in our products, audit our suppliers for the continued accuracy of those verifications

• Conventions and legislation

Vännäs verkstad is aware of and supports UN’s 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development. Vännäs verkstad supports the ten principles of the UN Global Compact, the eight fundamental conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and OECD’s guidelines for multinational companies. The Code of Conduct is based on these principles and clarifies what Vännäs verkstad stands for. Vännäs verkstad complies with all applicable legislation and if the principles of the Code of Conduct are incompatible with legislation, applicable laws and regulations take precedence.

• Fair competition and anti-trust

Vännäs verkstad and its employees does not take or appear to take any action that could unfairly exclude or reduce competition in any market. Employees must not misrepresent, manipulate, conceal, misuse confidential information, and must not engage in disrespectful actions or language against competitors, or unfair practices with owners, clients, business partners, competitors and other employees. Employees must only obtain information about competitors, their products, services, technologies, pricing, marketing campaigns, etc. only through legal and ethical means.

• Bribes and Anti corruption

Society takes bribery and corruption seriously and has established legislation to combat these phenomena. Corruption distorts competition and can put societal functions out of play.

It can be a crime both to receive and to give bribes. In the business world, covert bribes can be offered to get business. When transactions involve large sums, the risk of bribery increases. Corruption that is revealed in the media often gives a very negative image of those involved. It can be devastating for a company’s image and finances.

Vännäs verkstad does not tolerate any form of corruption or fraud. Employees must not give, promise, offer, request or receive compensation or benefits that conflict with applicable laws and good business practice or which may affect or be considered to affect the objectivity of decision-making. Vännäs verkstad’s agreements with agents, intermediaries, suppliers, and consultants should contain a section on fighting corruption and a requirement that applicable laws and good business practice should be followed.

Vännäs verkstad is aware of the risks and distances itself from bribery and corruption.

• Counterfeit parts

Vännäs verkstad understands the growing impact that counterfeit, fraudulent and suspect components may pose on safety, performance and reliability. As such, we are committed to establishing relationships, processes and procedures to reduce the risk of using counterfeit parts in our products.

• Intellectual property

Vännäs verkstad’s main business is to manufacture and design products for customers. A customer’s design is not disclosed to third parties in a way that will harm the customer’s business.

Vännäs verkstad will, if requested, sign Non Disclosure Agreements with customers to legally protect the customer’s intellectual property, patent etc.

• Data protection, Data security and GDPR

Vännäs verkstad’s network is protected by firewalls and other technologies.

Customers may request that information regarding their products are downloaded from secure supplier portals.

Personal information is protected according to GDPR.

• Financial responsibility

All financial activities within Vännäs verkstad complies with good practice and Swedish law.

• Private and public security forces

Vännäs verkstad opposes the use of any form of unofficial security forces.

• Implementation and control

The requirement concerning compliance with the Code of Conduct covers all employees associated with Vännäs verkstad, including permanent or temporary employees, but also people engaged in other ways without formal employment. Vännäs verkstad is also responsible for ensuring that its suppliers follow the principles in the Code of Conduct.

• Consequences of breaches

It is the responsibility of the management of Vännäs verkstad to ensure compliance with the principles in the Code of Conduct. In the event of breaches of the requirements, Vännäs verkstad takes appropriate action. This may include the right to terminate business relationships and report to relevant authorities.

Kontaktperson

---