Code of Conduct - for Suppliers
ASK Chemicals GroupIntroduction

1. Compliance with laws, regulations
and ethical practices•Wages and benefits: suppliers should 		
provide wages and benefits as prescribedby the respective national laws, including

ASK Chemicals Group performs its businesses in all

minimum wage legislation, and in line withmajor economies of the world in compliance with theexisting practice in the industry and local

applicable laws, regulations and ethical practices,labor markets.

ASK Chemicals Group and its companies, subsidi-The ASK Chemicals Group “Code of Conduct forinternational principles and conventions as well asaries, and affiliates (collectively, “ASK ChemicalsSuppliers” thus sets forth the minimum require-with our internal policies. This Code of Conduct forshould apply the principles of equal opporGroup”) consider integrity and compliance to bements for all suppliers to conduct business with

Suppliers is a complement to our Code of Conduct

tunity and fair treatment when it comes tocore values. We are committed to conduct ourASK Chemicals Group. It shall form part of all ourand compliance documents. Therefore, we expect

their employees and contractors. ASK 		

business according to the highest legal, ethical andcontractual relationships entered into between

and encourage our suppliers to:

Chemicals Group also encourages suppli		

moral standards. We owe our honesty and good

ASK Chemicals Group and its suppliers.

ers, our employees, our competitors and other

Non-discrimination and fairness: suppliers

ers to provide an inclusive, diverse and 		•faith when dealing with our customers, our suppli-•Hilden, May 2024

stakeholders. ASK Chemicals Group expects its

reach the same level of compliance of ASK 		supportive working environment.

Chemicals Group by abiding this ‘Code of 		 •Freedom of association and collective 		

Conduct for Suppliers’ which also lines up 		bargaining: suppliers should recognize, as

employees and managing directors to follow theLuiz Totti

with the international standards for environ		

far as legally permitted, the right of free 		

ethical principles stated in the ASK Chemicals

Chief Executive Officer

mental, social and corporate governance 		

association and collective bargaining of 		

ASK Chemicals GmbH

practices (ESG)

employees.

improve ESG standards while implementing 		 •No forced labor: any form of forced labor,

their own compliance management system

including forced prison labor, indentured 		use their best efforts to promote these stand		labor, bonded labor, slave labor or any form

ards among their subcontractors, suppliers 		

of human trafficking is not tolerated.

and business partners throughout the supply 		 •No child labor: suppliers should comply 		Group Code of Conduct and any other compliancedocuments, and to act with good sense whenever•engaging with others, whether colleagues or thirdparties.

•ASK Chemicals Group also expects its business
partners to operate their businesses with profes-chain.

sionalism and integrity, share our social and2. Human Rights & Labor Practices

environmental values, and acknowledge ourquality and safety culture. Therefore, we areappealing to all our suppliers to conduct themselves in compliance with the applicable laws andregulations. These pillars are building the foundation for the success and reputation of the relationship between ASK Chemicals Group and its

ASK Chemicals Group expects its suppliers towith minimum working age requirements 		
prescribed by national laws and internation
al agreements.

3. Ethical standardsrespect human rights of their employees including
but not limited to:Fair Competition
ASK Chemicals Group expects its suppliers´•Work time: suppliers should comply with the 		 commitment to the principles of free competition:
applicable law and local sector-specific labor 		

suppliers.

•regulations concerning work time, including 		 •Contracts with business partners shall beovertime laws.

entered into on fair and transparent terms.

Ethical Recruitment: suppliers should practice
non-discriminatory recruitment and merit-based
selection processes

2||3

•

ASK Chemicals Group will not tolerate anti-com		 4. Quality, Safety, Health andwith all environmental permits, licenses andEnvironmental Protection

registrations necessary by law for their opera

Suppliers shall share our commitment to sus

tions and are held accountable with respect totheir environmental impact.

petitive illegal practices including:•»price-fixing with competitors,»

agreements on market sharing or production

tainable development and our economic,		

capacities and,ecological and social concerns, embracing»

agreements to dictate or control a custom		quality in their management systems, traded		

er’s resale price.

products and embrace continuous improve••

ASK Chemicals expects suppliers to comply
with the applicable data protection laws.

5. Conflicts of Interest•

In particular, suppliers shall secure and use
properly any confidential information madeAny kind of concerted action, informal talks or 		ment.

Suppliers should avoid any interaction with ASK

available by ASK Chemicals in order to ensure"gentlemen’s agreements" that are intended to 		 •ASK Chemicals Group expects its suppliers toChemicals Group employees or managing directorsthat the privacy rights of its employees, managrestrict competition, or may have the effect of 		strive to implement the standards of occupathat may conflict or appear to conflict with thating directors, and its business partners are

doing so, are strictly prohibited.

tional health and safety and responsible

employee’s or managing director´s duty to act in thesafeguarded.

When a supplier issues a call for bids, all bidders

chemicals management by applying a healthbest interests of ASK Chemicals Group. Suppliers

will be treated equally.

and safety management approach appropriate

are obliged to disclose to ASK Chemicals all con-third-party intellectual property rights and trade

for the business and in line with the applicable

flicts of interest or situations giving the appearance

secrets and especially protect ASK Chemicals

Anti-Corruption

legislation.

of a conflict of interest in their engagement with ASKGroup’s own intellectual property rights and•

Suppliers shall comply with the applicable an		 •Suppliers should comply with applicable occu

Chemicals.

trade secrets.

ti-corruption laws and regulations in their busi		pational health and safety regulations andness operations.

provide a work environment that is safe andSuppliers must inform ASK Chemicals if an ASK

Suppliers should not engage in or tolerate any 		

conducive to good health, in order to preserve

Chemicals Group´s employee or managing director

form of corruption or bribery, in particular any 		the health of employees, safeguard third parties

or his/her immediate family member holds a materi-payment, “kickback” or other form of benefit 		and prevent accidents, injuries and work-relat

al, financial or other interest in the supplier, holds a

relevant law, regulation or this “Code of Con

conferred for the purpose of influencing decision

ed illnesses:

managerial position at the supplier, or works for theduct for Suppliers”, either by its own employ

making.

»This includes regular workplace risk assess

supplier.

ees or managing directors or ASK Chemicals		

ments and the implementation of adequate

Money Laundering		hazard control and precautionary measures•

Suppliers must abstain from participating in 				andmoney laundering or terrorism-related activities 		»adequate education and training of employ•••

ASK Chemicals expects its suppliers to honor

8. Reporting Misconduct•If a supplier becomes aware of a breach of any

Group employees or managing directors, the6. Material Compliance & Conflict
Minerals

supplier shall inform ASK Chemicals as soon aspossible.
••

Suppliers can contact the Chief Compliance

Suppliers shall guarantee that all materials 		

Officer of ASK Chemicals Group to report onor conduct business with any person or entity 				involved in those illegal activities and are expect		 •Suppliers are expected to make all reasonable

delivered to ASK Chemicals Group comply with 		misconduct.

ed to perform applicable due diligence process		

efforts to protect the environment, and to

all applicable laws and regulations regarding the 		 •Suppliers are encouraged to also provide theirminimize any negative environmental impact ofprohibition and restriction of substances, includ		

stakeholders with a mechanism to raise con

its activities. As such, suppliers shall at leasting hazardous substances.

cerns and are expected to protect their

ASK Chemicals Group expects its suppliers to 		employees from retaliation.

es.

ees in health and safety issues.

comply with all applicable environmental laws••4|7. Data Protection and Intellectual
Property Rights•and regulations.

ensure that products or materials supplied to 		Suppliers should manage resources sustainably

ASK Chemicals Group do not contain metals 		

by means such as reuse and recycling andderived from minerals or their derivatives originat		

minimize the consumption of natural resources

ing from conflict regions that directly or indirectly

such as water.

finance or benefit armed groups.

Suppliers shall obtain, maintain and comply|5This ‘Code of Conduct for Suppliers’ is not a substitute for, nor should it be considered to override
applicable laws and regulations but sets the minimum standards of behavior that are to be followed bysuppliers of ASK Chemicals Group.
ASK Chemicals Group explicitly reserves the right to conduct audits or assessments to ensure yourcompliance and will initiate appropriate actions together with you if there should be a reason for concern.
This will also require your cooperation with any request of information to be made by ASK Chemicals
Group. Moreover, ASK Chemicals Group also reserves the right to discontinue any relationship or contract for non-compliance to international standards, failure to correct violations, or displaying patterns of
non-adherence to these standards.

By signing this acknowledgement, the supplier expresses its conformity with the policies and principles
contained in the ASK Chemicals Group Code of Conduct for Suppliers and agrees to use its best efforts
to ensure that its employees, directors, agents, representatives and sub-contractors are made aware andcompliant with it. The supplier also agrees that it will make its own upstream and next-tier suppliers awareof its commitments hereunder, and encourage them to follow the same principles.
I, on behalf of my employer, hereby acknowledge and agree to adhere to the ASK Chemicals Group Codeof Conduct for Suppliers and will ensure that all employees, directors, agents, representatives andsub-contractors are aware of such policies and principles and to abide by them.

Signature: ________________________________
Authorized Signatory Name: _________________

6|

Job Title: _________________________________

Date: ______________________________________

Company _________________________________

Company Stamp/Seal:_________________________

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This information is based on our current state of knowledge and does not represent assurance of the properties of the products described. We are only liable for
product-related advice and information within the scope of duties of disclosure included in collateral contractualagreements unless expressly agreed otherwise. (03/ 24)

Visit www.ask-chemicals.com/trademarks for a complete list of our trademarks.
Please contact ASK for any questions concerning the usage of these marks.