Dr. Seuss Enterprises, L.P. (“Dr. Seuss”) strives to conduct itself with high ethical and business standards, and expects the same from its licensees, sublicensees, manufacturers, factories, distributors, subcontractors, vendors and other suppliers (collectively, “Suppliers”).
This Code of Conduct sets forth Dr. Seuss’s minimum expectations for Suppliers, and is supplemental to any other contract, agreement or arrangement between Supplier and Dr. Seuss. Dr. Seuss expects Suppliers to conduct their businesses lawfully, ethically and with integrity in their relationships, practices, sourcing and operations. In particular:
Ethical Practices
Compliance with Law — Suppliers will comply with applicable laws, rules and regulations, obtain and maintain any and all permits, registrations, and licenses necessary to conduct its business and strive to meet or exceed applicable industry best standards.
Business Practices — Suppliers will not engage in corruption, extortion, bribery, or embezzlement or offer kickbacks or gifts to obtain unfair or improper advantage.
Product Safety — Suppliers will maintain quality assurance policies and procedures to prevent and detect defects, non-conformities, and safety hazards in products and to destroy or otherwise not supply any such defective products.
Supply Chain — Suppliers will perform diligence on its supply chain, including by taking steps to avoid sourcing materials, ingredients and minerals from conflict-affected and high-risk areas and by engaging suppliers, manufacturers, factories, and other facilities that comply with the principles in this Code of Conduct and are not located in countries with a high-risk of not complying with generally prevailing international labor standards.
Labor Practices & Safety
Forced Labor — Suppliers will not use forced, indentured, prison, bonded or other involuntary labor, or engage in or permit any form of slavery or human trafficking. Suppliers will not engage in any abusive or coercive employment practices.
Child Labor — Suppliers will not employ any individual who is below the age of 16 or the minimum age for completing compulsory education, whichever is higher.
Working Hours — Workers will not be required to work more than 60 hours per week, and will have at least one day off within every 7-day period. Overtime work must be voluntary.
Wages and Benefits — Suppliers will compensate workers with fair wages and benefits that meet or exceed minimum legal requirements and prevailing industry standards.
No Harassment and Anti-Discrimination — Suppliers will not subject workers and job applicants to any form of discrimination and will treat all workers with dignity and respect, and will not use corporal punishment, threats of violence, or other forms of physical, psychological, sexual or verbal abuse or harassment.
Work Environment — Suppliers will provide a safe and healthy work environment. Facilities, workstations, and, if offered, housing, will provide adequate ventilation and air circulation, ready access to potable water, clean and private toilet facilities, and reasonable accommodations to pregnant and nursing women. Suppliers will maintain emergency response plans and design and maintain facilities to allow for effective and orderly evacuation.
Job Safety — Suppliers will identify and protect workers from occupational health and safety hazards, including by providing job-related personal protective equipment and appropriate safety training.
Environmental Protections
Resources — Suppliers will take steps to manage and limit energy, water, and natural resource consumption, including through conservation or substitution measures.
Air Quality — Suppliers will take steps to monitor, control and treat potentially hazardous air emissions and will strive to reduce carbon emissions.
Waste Management — Suppliers will handle, label, store, recycle and/or dispose of chemical, hazardous and non-hazardous wastes and by-product in a legal and environmentally responsible manner.
The Lorax — Suppliers whose products or services relate to the book The Lorax must manufacture products and otherwise provide services using only materials and/or processes that can be demonstrated to be less harmful to the environment when compared to traditional materials and/or processes.
