Supplier Code of Conduct
Effective as of June 5, 2025.
1. Introduction and Purpose
At Taara Connect, Inc. ("Taara") we are committed to conducting our business with the highest standards of integrity, ethics, and social and environmental responsibility. This Supplier Code of Conduct ("Code") outlines the fundamental principles and expectations that we require from all our suppliers, contractors, service providers, and partners ("Suppliers") globally, including those involved in offshore manufacturing, hardware and software development, and professional services.
This Code is an integral part of our commitment to operate responsibly and reflects our core values regarding human rights, labor practices, environmental protection, and ethical business conduct. We believe that strong, ethical partnerships are essential for mutual success and for delivering high-quality, reliable telecommunications products and services to our customers.
2. Scope and Applicability
This Code applies to all Suppliers, their employees, agents, and sub-tier suppliers involved in any business activity with or on behalf of Taara. By doing business with us, Suppliers agree to adhere to this Code and to ensure compliance throughout their own supply chains.
3. Core Principles and Expectations
3.1 Legal and Regulatory Compliance
Suppliers shall comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and industry standards in all locations where they operate. This includes, but is not limited to, laws related to:
- Labor and employment
- Health and safety
- Environmental protection
- Data privacy and cybersecurity
- Anti-corruption and anti-bribery
- Trade and customs
- Product safety and quality
3.2 Labor and Human Rights
Suppliers shall uphold the human rights of their workers and treat them with dignity and respect:
- Forced Labor: No form of forced, bonded, indentured, or involuntary labor, including human trafficking, shall be used. Workers must be free to leave employment upon reasonable notice.
- Child Labor: No child labor shall be used. The minimum age for employment shall be the higher of 15 years of age, the age for completing compulsory education, or the minimum age for employment in the country of operation.
- Wages and Benefits: Workers shall be compensated fairly, at least meeting minimum wage requirements, legally mandated benefits, and overtime premiums. Deductions from wages not in accordance with local law are prohibited.
- Working Hours: Working hours shall not exceed the maximum limits set by local laws. Overtime shall be voluntary, used responsibly, and compensated as required by law.
- Non-Discrimination: Employment decisions (hiring, compensation, training, promotion, termination) shall be based on merit and not on personal characteristics such as race, color, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, disability, religion, marital status, nationality, or any other status protected by law.
- Harassment and Abuse: A workplace free from harassment, abuse, or corporal punishment in any form (physical, sexual, psychological, verbal) shall be provided
- Freedom of Association: Workers' rights to associate freely, form and join (or not join) labor unions, seek representation, and bargain collectively shall be respected where legally permitted.
3.3 Health and Safety
Suppliers shall provide a safe and healthy working environment for all workers, preventing accidents and injury.
- Safety Management: Implement and maintain effective health and safety management systems.
- Emergency Preparedness: Have emergency plans and procedures in place (e.g., fire, chemical spills, natural disasters).
- Occupational Safety: Protect workers from exposure to physical, chemical, and biological hazards. Provide appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Hygiene: Ensure access to clean restroom facilities, potable water, and sanitary food preparation and storage facilities.
3.4 Environmental Protection
Suppliers shall operate in an environmentally responsible manner and strive to minimize their environmental footprint.
- Environmental Permits: Obtain and maintain all required environmental permits and comply with reporting obligations.
- Pollution Prevention: Implement measures to prevent pollution and minimize the generation of waste (solid, liquid, gaseous).
- Waste Management: Manage and dispose of all waste streams (including hazardous waste) legally and responsibly.
- Resource Conservation: Strive to conserve natural resources, including energy and water.
- Hazardous Substances: Identify, manage, and dispose of hazardous substances safely and responsibly, adhering to all applicable laws and regulations.
3.5 Ethics and Business Conduct
Suppliers shall conduct their business with the highest standards of integrity and fairness.
- Anti-Corruption: Strictly prohibit all forms of bribery, corruption, extortion, and embezzlement. This includes offering or accepting improper payments or inducements to influence business decisions.
- Fair Competition: Conduct business in accordance with fair competition and antitrust laws.
- Confidentiality and Data Privacy: Protect the confidential and proprietary information of Taara and third parties. Handle all personal data in strict compliance with applicable privacy laws (e.g., GDPR, CCPA) and best practices. Implement robust cybersecurity measures to safeguard data.
- Intellectual Property: Respect the intellectual property rights of others. Use and transfer technology and know-how in a manner that protects intellectual property rights.
- Responsible Sourcing of Minerals: Exercise due diligence to avoid directly or indirectly contributing to conflicts or human rights abuses through the sourcing of "conflict minerals" (tin, tantalum, tungsten, and gold) or other high-risk minerals.
- Gifts and Hospitality: Any provision or receipt of gifts, entertainment, or hospitality must be reasonable, infrequent, and not intended to influence business decisions.
- Conflicts of Interest: Avoid situations where personal interests conflict with the interests of Taara.
3.6 Responsible Sourcing
Suppliers shall commit to sourcing materials in a responsible manner.
- Transparency: Be transparent about their operations and sourcing practices.
- Diligence: Trace materials back to their origins to the greatest extent possible
- Record keeping: Maintain accurate records of their own supply chain and sourcing practices, including mitigation and compliance efforts in geographical regions that carry the highest risks for unethical practices.
3.7 Quality and Reliability
Suppliers of hardware and software components are critical to our product quality and reliability.
- Product Safety: Ensure that all products and components supplied are safe for their intended use and meet all applicable product safety standards.
- Quality Management Systems: Implement and maintain effective quality management systems to ensure products and services consistently meet agreed-upon specifications and quality standards.
- Adherence to Specifications: Deliver hardware and software components that strictly adhere to mutually agreed-upon technical specifications, performance requirements, and industry standards.
- Testing and Validation: Conduct appropriate testing and validation to ensure the functionality, security, and reliability of supplied hardware and software.
4. Monitoring and Compliance
- Documentation: Suppliers shall maintain accurate records to demonstrate compliance with this Code and all applicable laws and regulations.
- Right to Audit: Taara reserves the right to reasonably monitor and audit Supplier compliance with this Code, which may include on-site assessments and review of documentation.
- Reporting Violations: Suppliers are encouraged to establish internal mechanisms for their employees to report concerns without fear of retaliation. Suppliers shall promptly notify Taara of any known or suspected violations of this Code by themselves or their sub-tier suppliers.
- Corrective Action: Suppliers shall take timely and appropriate corrective action to address any identified non-compliance with this Code. Failure to comply with this Code may lead to consequences, including termination of business relationships with Taara.
5. Continuous Improvement
We encourage our Suppliers to go beyond mere compliance and to strive for continuous improvement in their social, environmental, and ethical performance. We seek to build long-term relationships with Suppliers who share our commitment to responsible business practices.