Introduction

Amiculum strives to conduct its business in a sustainable and ethical way, taking into account its impact economically, socially and in terms of human rights and expects its Suppliers to share the same principles. Amiculum is committed to the United Nation (UN) sustainability development goals (SDGs) and conducting its business in accordance with the UN Guiding Principles on business and human rights. The purpose of this Supplier Code of Conduct is to ensure that Amiculum’s Suppliers have safe working conditions, treat their workers with respect and dignity, operate ethically and limit the impact that they have on the environment.

Scope

Amiculum’s Supplier Code of Conduct is a set of responsible business standards and practices relating to the protection of the environment, ethics, employment and human rights that Amiculum and its Suppliers agree to respect.

Monitoring

Amiculum may, from time to time, assess whether a Supplier is meeting the expectations set forth in this Supplier Code of Conduct, for example, through questionnaires and self- assessments. Whether a Supplier meets the expectations set forth in this Supplier Code of Conduct will be considered in our procurement and purchasing decisions.

Laws and regulations

Suppliers are expected to conduct their business in compliance with all applicable laws, rules, regulations and standards of the countries in which they operate. Amiculum takes its ethical obligations in all business transactions and interactions very seriously to ensure that our decision-making is law-abiding and that our values, including integrity, are central to all that we do. We expect these standards to be maintained across our supply chain.

Ethical employment practices and human rights

Amiculum takes its ethical obligations to its team very seriously and expects any Supplier it engages with to share the same values and ensure that their workers have a safe, healthy working environment and fair treatment at work, including opportunities to develop fulfilling careers free from discrimination or bias. To that end, Amiculum expects its Suppliers to act in accordance with the International Bill of Human Rights and the principles of fundamental rights set out in the International Labour Organization’s Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work.

Health and safety, and working conditions

Amiculum is committed to providing for the health, safety, and welfare of its team and duly expects its Suppliers to do the same for their workers. Amiculum expects Suppliers to conduct their business in such a way as to ensure, so far as it is reasonably practicable, that employees and third parties are not exposed to risks to their health and safety. Amiculum expects Suppliers to provide health and safety training and guidance to their workers.

We ask Suppliers to comply with any applicable minimum wage laws or national guidance in the jurisdictions in which they operate, as well as ensuring adherence to legislation or national guidance for rest periods, maximum working hours and minimum break periods.
Suppliers will abide by child labour laws in the jurisdictions in which they operate and Amiculum expects Suppliers to undertake appropriate checks of a candidate’s age prior to offering employment to ensure only those of legal working age are engaged. Equally, Suppliers should not use forced or compulsory labour; and should make offers of employment freely, with no obligation of the candidate to accept the terms and provide workers the choice to end or leave their employment at any time.

Amiculum expects Suppliers to engage in open and direct communication with their workers and respect their rights to associate freely, join a trades/labour union or works council.

Discrimination and harassment

Gifts, entertainment and hospitality

It may be reasonable for Suppliers to offer, or receive, proportionate gifts, entertainment and/or hospitality to or from Amiculum from time to time. Such items should only be considered where permitted by the Amiculum’s anti-corruption policy and any prevailing national guidelines. Amiculum employees will request permission, and declare through necessary records, any gifts, hospitality, or entertainment accepted or offered, and such transactions will be subject to managerial review.

Conflict of interest

Suppliers have an obligation to carefully examine any situation where there is potential for or the appearance of a conflict of interest. If Suppliers are concerned that a conflict may exist or they are uncertain of the impact or appearance of any activity, they must always consult their contact at Amiculum.

Information security

Amiculum is committed to preserving the confidentiality, integrity and access to all physical and electronic information assets and, as a result, expects that its Suppliers to have similarly robust policies and IT security training in place. Training on phishing, cyber security, social media, password management, emails and mobile security, data storage, physical security of IT equipment, and incident reporting is encouraged.

Data protection

Amiculum expects its Suppliers to comply with all applicable privacy and data protection laws including the UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018 (and regulations made thereunder) (DPA 2018); and, to the extent applicable, the General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679. Suppliers are expected to provide their workers with training on the handling and storing of personal and confidential data, data subjects’ rights and what to do in the event of a data breach. Suppliers are to have their own Data Protection Policies for handling personal and sensitive personal data, in line with recognized international standards.

Artificial intelligence (AI)

AI is developing at an unprecedented pace, and while Amiculum recognizes that AI technology offers great benefits, it also poses significant security and compliance risks, particularly in a business like Amiculum where confidentiality is of great importance. Amiculum is keen to support its teams embracing new approaches in this emerging era of AI and recognizes the need for its Suppliers to do the same. Open access or client and/or personal use Large Language Models (LLMs) / generative-AI systems (and associated platforms) must never be used to process any Amiculum data, its clients’ data or client- generated materials or insights, personally identifiable information or other confidential information. Amiculum will consider the use of some platforms for its data, but only following a formal assessment and approval from a member of the senior management team at Amiculum.

Reporting a breach

Amiculum encourages its Suppliers to report any departures from the expectations of this Supplier Code of Conduct to Amiculum by corresponding with your contact or via use of this email address: suppliers@amiculum.biz.