Our Code of Conduct + Ethics
Please review the below Supplier Code of Conduct. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact hello@thebeginningof.com.
Note that Suppliers are defined as agents, vendors, and manufacturers, as well as any of their respective contractors, subcontractors, or other suppliers, sources, and agents who provide The Beginning Of… with contracted goods or services.
COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAWS & REGULATIONS — Suppliers will comply with all applicable local and national laws and regulations of the jurisdictions in which they are doing business. In addition, Suppliers will comply with all applicable United States Laws, Codes, Regulations, and Industry Standards governing the manufacture, sale, labeling, branding, packaging, shipment, importation, and distribution of The Beginning Of… product.
FORCED & INDENTURED LABOR — Suppliers will not permit the use of forced or involuntary labor of any kind including indentured, bonded, prison, or otherwise. All work must be voluntary and workers shall be free to leave work or terminate their employment with reasonable notice. Workers must not be required to surrender any government issued identification, passports, or work permits as a condition of employment.
CHILD LABOR — Suppliers will not engage in the use of child labor. The minimum admission to employment or work shall not be less than the age of completion of compulsory education, normally not less than 15 years or 14 where the local law of the country permits. The Beginning Of…will not accept product from Suppliers who use or permit the use of child labor.
HARASSMENT OR ABUSE — Suppliers shall commit to a workplace free of harassment. Suppliers will not threaten, use, or permit the use of corporal punishment, physical, sexual, psychological, or verbal harassment, threats of violence, or other forms of physical or mental abuse, intimidation, or coercion.
WAGES AND BENEFITS — Suppliers will fairly compensate their workers by complying with all local and national wage and hour laws and regulations of the jurisdictions in which they operate, including those pertaining to minimum wages, overtime wages, piece rates, and other elements of compensation. In addition to their compensation for regular hours of work, workers shall be compensated for overtime hours at the premium rate required by applicable laws and regulations, or if no legal requirement exists, the employee at minimum will be compensated at their regular hourly rate. All legally mandated benefits must be provided.
WORKING HOURS — Suppliers will limit the hours’ employees may work on a regularly scheduled basis to the legal limit on regular and overtime hours established by local laws and regulations in the jurisdiction in which they operate or, if no legal requirements exist, to sixty (60) hours in a seven (7) day work period. All overtime must be voluntary and must be fully compensated in accordance with the requirements of local law, and except in extraordinary circumstances, employees must be entitled to at least one day of rest in every seven-day period. Suppliers shall comply with all applicable laws that entitle workers to vacation time, leave periods, and holidays.
ETHICAL STANDARDS — Suppliers must be committed to the highest standards of ethical conduct when dealing with workers, suppliers, manufacturers, and customers. Corruption, extortion, and embezzlement, in any form, are strictly prohibited. Suppliers shall not violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), any international anti-corruption conventions, and applicable anti-corruption laws and regulations of the countries in which they operate, and shall not engage in corruption, extortion or embezzlement in any form. Suppliers shall not offer or accept bribes or other means to obtain an undue or improper advantage. Suppliers must uphold fair business standards in advertising, sales, and competition.
U.S. CUSTOMS & BORDER PROTECTION — Suppliers will comply with all applicable U.S. Customs & Border Protection laws and regulations governing the importation of product into the United States and will establish and maintain programs and documentation to support such regulations. Suppliers will educate themselves regarding both U.S. Customs & Border Protection and The Beginning Of… Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) security recommendations and requirements and take the necessary steps to comply. Each Supplier facility (whether production or warehousing) must have written security procedures and maintain documented proof of the adequate controls implemented to guard against the introduction of non-manifested cargo into the supply chain.
ENVIRONMENT — Suppliers will comply with all applicable legislation and regulations regarding the protection of the environment. Suppliers shall commit to reducing the environmental impact of their designs, manufacturing processes, and waste emissions. Factories shall work to eliminate the use of toxic and hazardous substances from the production process. The Beginning Of… encourages Suppliers to reduce excess packaging and to use non-toxic, environmentally friendly materials whenever possible. The Beginning Of… policy specifically prohibits the use of ozone depleting substances and requires compliance with the United States Endangered Species Act of 1973.
SUBCONTRACTORS — Any subcontractors retained by The Beginning Of... Suppliers must be in compliance with this Supplier Code of Conduct. Each Supplier is responsible for ensuring its subcontractor’s compliance and will be held accountable for any breaches in policy.
RECORD KEEPING / MONITORING — All Suppliers will maintain documentation to demonstrate compliance with the above Code and shall make it available for review purposes at any time. Each factory agrees to allow The Beginning Of… and its agents (including third parties) to engage in assessment activities including unannounced inspections with or without prior notice.
The Beginning Of… representatives have been asked to look for violations of the enclosed Supplier Code of Conduct on visits to factories or manufacturing facilities and to report questionable business practices to management for follow up and potential corrective action.
For questions or comments regarding the above or to report a suspected violation please contact hello@thebeginningof.com, thank you.
