social and ethical compliance

Zerafima Ethical Sourcing Policy

Zerafima is committed to manufacturing products under safe, fair, and humane working conditions. Our Ethical Sourcing Policy sets clear expectations for suppliers regarding labour rights, anti-corruption, fair and safe working conditions, and environmental responsibility.

Suppliers are expected to uphold these standards throughout their operations and supply chains, ensuring that Zerafima’s products are made ethically and sustainably.

This includes:

Freedom of employment

Suppliers must not use forced, bonded, indentured, or prison labour in any form. Workers shall not be required to lodge deposits, identity papers, or any other personal documents with their employer. All workers must be free to leave their workplace at the end of their shift and to terminate their employment with reasonable notice.

If any worker is found to be employed under such conditions, the Supplier is expected to actively support and contribute to policies and programs that facilitate the transition of the affected individual(s) into fairly paid, freely chosen, and legally compliant employment

Freedom of association

Suppliers shall respect the right of all employees to form or join trade unions or representative committees of their own choosing, and to engage in collective bargaining.

Where the right to freedom of association and collective bargaining is restricted by law, Suppliers must facilitate alternative, lawful means for independent and free association and bargaining to ensure that workers have a genuine voice in workplace matters.

Safe working conditions

Suppliers shall provide a safe and hygienic working environment for all employees. Adequate measures must be taken to prevent accidents and injuries to health arising from, or occurring in the course of, work by minimising workplace hazards as far as is reasonably practicable.

Suppliers must ensure that appropriate health and safety training is provided to all employees and that safe working practices are implemented and maintained on site.

Child Labour

There shall be no recruitment of child labour. Suppliers must not employ any person under the minimum legal working age as defined by local law, or under the age for completing compulsory education, whichever is higher.

If child labour is found to exist, Zerafima expects the manufacturer to participate in and contribute to policies and programmes that provide for the transition of any affected child into quality education, ensuring they are able to attend and remain in school until they are no longer considered a child under applicable law.

Forced, bonded or involuntary Labour

Suppliers must not use forced, bonded, indentured, or prison labour. Workers must not be required to lodge deposits or identity papers with their employer and must be free to leave their workplace at the end of their shift and to terminate their employment with reasonable notice.

If a worker is found to be employed under such conditions, Zerafima expects the manufacturer to actively contribute to policies and programs that support the transition of any affected individual into fairly paid, freely chosen, and legally compliant employment

Fair wages

Suppliers must ensure that the terms and conditions of employment are clearly communicated to all workers in a language they understand. Written records of all payments must be accurately maintained and made available for audit purposes.

Wages shall be paid in accordance with national legal standards or industry benchmarks, whichever is higher, and must be paid at regular intervals as defined by law or local practice. Any deductions not provided for under national law are prohibited unless the worker has given their express written consent.

Zerafima is committed to ensuring that all workers throughout its supply chain receive a living wage that meets their basic needs and provides discretionary income.

Reasonable working hours

Zerafima prohibits the use of excessive overtime. Suppliers must comply with all applicable laws and regulations governing working hours and rest periods, and must operate in a manner that promotes fair, humane, and productive working conditions.

Regular working hours must be clearly defined in workers’ contracts and shall not exceed 48 hours per week. Total working hours, including overtime, must not exceed 60 hours in any 7-day period, except in exceptional circumstances as permitted by law. Overtime must always be voluntary, compensated at a premium rate, and must not compromise the health or safety of workers.

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Non-discrimination

There shall be no discrimination in hiring, compensation, access to training, promotion, termination, or retirement based on race, caste, national origin, religion, age, disability, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, union membership, or political affiliation.

Suppliers must provide equal opportunities and fair treatment to all employees and applicants. Employment decisions shall be based solely on the ability to perform the job and meet its requirement.

Fair and equitable treatment

Suppliers must treat all workers with dignity and respect. Physical abuse, the threat of physical abuse, sexual or other forms of harassment, verbal abuse, or any other form of intimidation are strictly prohibited.

Wage deductions must not be used as a disciplinary measure. All disciplinary practices must be fair, proportionate, and fully compliant with applicable laws.

Suppliers must not avoid their legal obligations to employees under labour or social security laws through the use of labour-only contracting, subcontracting, or home-based working arrangements. Apprenticeship programmes must have a genuine intent to impart skills and provide regular employment opportunities. Excessive or repeated use of fixed-term contracts to avoid statutory obligations is not permitted.

Responsible purchasing practices

Zerafima works towards a six-month lead time on all production orders. This approach enables our manufacturing partners to plan ahead, stabilise their workforce, and manage workflows responsibly.

We do not engage in price shopping or practices that place undue pressure on suppliers. Zerafima recognises that purchasing decisions and production schedules can have a direct impact on working conditions, and we are committed to ensuring that our business practices support fair, safe, and sustainable labour standards throughout our supply chain.

Environmental policy and waste management

Suppliers must comply with all applicable environmental laws and regulations. Suppliers are expected to maintain a written environmental policy and implement systems to identify, minimize, or eliminate negative impacts of their operations on the environment.

Zerafima’s Environmental Policy provides detailed guidelines, including information on restricted substances, and should be used by suppliers to support continuous improvement in environmental performance.

Social Compliance Auditing

Zerafima reserves the right to conduct unannounced visits at any time to all production facilities, including those of subcontractors.

Zerafima also reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to assign an independent third party to perform inspections to ensure compliance with our ethical sourcing and supplier standards. Suppliers are expected to provide full access, cooperation, and relevant documentation to facilitate these inspections