The California Transparency in Supply Chains
The California Transparency in Supply Chains Act of 2010 (SB 657) requires large manufacturers and retailers that sell goods in California to make certain disclosures regarding their efforts to address slavery and human trafficking. The Act is intended to ensure that retail manufacturers and sellers are disclosing their efforts to eradicate slavery and human trafficking from their supply chains.
Melitta is committed to observing high ethical standards in the conduct of its business. Our Supplier Code of Conduct specifies that suppliers are to hold their supply chain, including subcontractors and third-party labor agencies, to its standards and to comply with all laws regarding slavery and human trafficking in the countries in which they are doing business. Melitta is committed to and requires its suppliers to commit to the basic conventions of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We are committed to the goals of SB 657 and are committed to compliance with all laws and regulations governing efforts to address slavery and human trafficking. In establishing and maintaining relationships with the suppliers for our brands, we ask them to be committed to the same high ethical standards, and that are not linked to activities that would be considered abusive or exploitive, including human trafficking and slavery.
Melitta does engage in verification of our product supply chain to ensure compliance with laws governing slavery and human trafficking. These verifications do not currently include a certification regarding the materials used in manufacture by each supplier. Verification is conducted by a third party auditor.
Melitta does have an internal accountability system to ensure compliance with all laws and regulations. Melitta does conducts audits of its suppliers for its product brands. The audits are announced. Melitta can take action upon discovery of violations, including requesting a prompt redress of alleged violations, and corrective actions, as well as the potential for termination of the supplier relationship in the event of violations or failure to adequately remedy violations.
Melitta uses the Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit (SMETA) methodology, which is based on the Ethical Trade Initiative (ETI) base code and the International Labor Organisation (ILO) conventions. Where needed, the audit is followed up with a corrective action plan for the supplier.
Melitta maintains the highest ethical standards in its business dealings. Melitta provides training to employees with direct responsibility for supply chain management to ensure that those high standards are adhered to and maintained.