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Rusta Supplier Code of Conduct 2024-ED-14
This guide provides an overview of the Rusta Supplier Code of Conduct (2024-ED-14), outlining mandatory requirements for suppliers regarding human rights, labor standards, environmental protection, business ethics, and compliance...
Table of contents
Quick guide from the manual
The Rusta Code of Conduct (2024-ED-14) establishes mandatory standards for all suppliers, partners, agents, and subcontractors. Compliance is a pre-condition for doing business with the Rusta Group. Suppliers must perform a self-evaluation and adhere to eight non-negotiable basics.
The eight non-negotiable basics
- Critical health and safety hazards shall be prevented.
- No child labour is permitted.
- Voluntary labour only; forced or bonded labour is prohibited.
- Critical environmental hazards shall be prevented.
- Good business ethics shall be practiced.
- All employees must have an employment contract.
- Wages must equal or exceed the legal minimum level.
- Access to fresh drinking water and toilets must be provided.
Occupational health and safety
Suppliers must provide safe and clean working conditions. This includes providing appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) free of charge, ensuring fire safety, and maintaining the strength and stability of buildings. Responsibility for health and safety must be assigned to a senior management representative.
Labor standards
Suppliers must comply with international labor standards, including those defined by the ILO. Key requirements include:
- No child labor: Minimum age is 15 (or higher if national law dictates).
- No forced labor: Work must be voluntary; identity documents cannot be withheld.
- Working hours: Must not exceed 60 hours per week, including overtime.
- Freedom of association: Workers have the right to join trade unions.
- Fair wages: Overtime must be compensated at a premium rate.
Environmental protection
Suppliers are expected to follow all relevant environmental legislation. Rusta prioritizes the use of recycled or renewable materials, measuring environmental impact (energy, water, waste), and reducing consumption of natural resources. Products containing flora or fauna listed as "Near threatened" or higher on the IUCN red list are not accepted.
Business ethics
Rusta maintains a zero-tolerance approach to bribery and corruption. Suppliers must not offer money, gifts, or entertainment to Rusta associates or enter into transactions that create conflicts of interest.
Performance and compliance
Rusta evaluates suppliers based on their Code of Conduct performance. Ratings range from High to Unacceptable. Poor performance or failure to improve can lead to the cancellation of orders or termination of contracts. Rusta reserves the right to conduct unannounced evaluations of production facilities.
Reporting deviations
Suppliers and their co-workers are encouraged to report any deviations from the Code of Conduct via the external reporting channel at https://report.whistleb.com/rusta.
Official resources from the manual
Manufacturer information
Rusta
Practical help
Common problems
Non-compliance with Code of Conduct
Rusta will demand improvements within an agreed period. Serious or continuous violations may lead to termination of the supply agreement.
Unacceptable performance rating
If a supplier fails Rusta Basics, no orders can be shipped, and no new business can be placed.
Before use
- Perform a self-evaluation in accordance with Rusta's CoC evaluations form.
- Ensure all employees have valid employment contracts.
- Verify that working hours do not exceed 60 hours per week.
- Ensure all animal-derived materials are traceable and compliant with Rusta's animal welfare policy.
- Assign health and safety responsibility to a senior management representative.
Specs in practice
- High Rating (≥39 points)
- No impact on business; new business encouraged. Subject to self-control and random checks.
- Average Rating (21-29 points)
- Placed orders can be shipped. New orders on existing items allowed. Improvement required within 6 months.
- Poor Rating (≤20 points)
- No new orders allowed for current factory. New business requires 3 improvements every 6 months.
Model compatibility
- The Code of Conduct applies to all suppliers, partners, agents, and their factories, including subcontractors.
- Rusta does not accept any animal testing on final products.
Manual page author
Michael Turner
Technical manual editor
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