Vendor and Product Compliance Requirements
Product quality and safety is a priority for Leo’s Market and Eatery and its subsidiaries and affiliates and, as new and complex safety standards emerge, we count on our suppliers and manufacturers to provide products that meet or exceed all applicable safety requirements.
Many of the products produced and sold by Leo’s are regulated by federal, state and local laws and other industry guidelines and standards. Regulations and standards change over time and as such, Vendors must stay apprised of products they supply. Leo’s requires all suppliers to stand fully behind their products. We depend on you to maintain knowledge of and comply with all safety standards for your products.
To that extent, we have developed a Vendor and Product Compliance program to ensure that we continue to provide high quality, safe products to our customers. All costs associated with the removal of Vendor’s products from Leo’s in violation of these requirements or any Leo’s reserves the right to assess doing business with any supplier who does not comply with these requirements.
In connection with the Leo’s Compliance Program, all new Vendors who supply or manufacturer product for Leo’s will be required to complete and sign our Vendor Compliance Certification form as part of the new Vendor on-boarding package. Existing Vendors are also required to have submitted a Vendor Compliance Certification form. By signing the Vendor Compliance Certification form and/or by accepting and fulfilling any order for products, you represent and warrant that you, your contractors, and subcontractors comply with all requirements in the Leo’s Vendor Code of Conduct and the Vendor Compliance Certification form, and that all products you supply to or manufacture for Leo’s meet and will continue to meet any applicable laws, rules and regulations.
Vendor Compliance Cert Form (PDF)
VENDOR CONDUCT CODE
Leo’s requires all vendors to comply with our Vendor Conduct Code. Review our expectations to understand and ensure complete compliance.
I. Overview
Leo’s Market and Eatery, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates (collectively “Leo’s Market and Eatery”), strives to work with Vendors (including but not limited to manufacturers, printers, packagers, publishers, contractors, subcontractors and other Vendors) (collectively “Vendors”) who treat their workers with dignity and respect, maintain just and decent working conditions, adhere to all applicable laws and regulations, and make their products in a safe and environmentally sustainable manner.
Accordingly, we require each Vendor to comply with the following Vendor Conduct Code (VCC). The VCC defines our minimum expectations. No code of conduct can be all-inclusive, but we expect those with whom we do business to act reasonably in all respects and to ensure that no abusive, exploitative or illegal conditions exist at their workplace. We may end our business relationship with any Vendor who fails to comply with this VCC.
II. Key Expectations
1. Compliance with Applicable Laws, Regulations and Company Policies
Vendors are expected to comply with all laws and regulatory requirements applicable to their business, including but not limited to those related to wages, hours, labor, health, safety, the environment, immigration, import/export, and business conduct and ethics.
2. Forced Labor
Leo’s Market and Eatery will not tolerate the use of forced or involuntary labor. Vendors shall not utilize forced or involuntary labor, whether in the form of prison labor, indentured labor, bonded labor, or otherwise.
3. Child Labor
Leo’s Market and Eatery does not tolerate the use of child labor. Leo’s Market and Eatery will not accept products or services from Vendors that use child labor. Vendors are expected to comply with applicable local child labor laws and employ only workers who meet the applicable minimum legal age requirement.
4. Compensation and Working Hours
Vendors are expected to comply with all applicable wage and hour labor laws and regulations governing employee compensation and working hours. If no minimum wage law applies, Vendors shall pay employees the prevailing industry wage. Leo’s Market and Eatery will not use Vendors who require employees to work in excess of the statutory requirements without proper compensation as required by applicable law.
5. Discrimination
Vendors shall not subject any person to discrimination in employment (including hiring, salary, benefits, advancement, discipline, termination, or retirement) on the basis of age, sex, race, color, ancestry, religion, creed, citizenship status, disability, national origin, marital status, military status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or any factors not related to the job. Vendors are expected to comply with all applicable local laws concerning discrimination in hiring and employment practices.
6. No Harassment or Abuse
Vendors will treat their employees and Leo’s employees with respect and dignity and will not subject any employee to any physical, sexual, psychological, verbal, or any other form of harassment or abuse.
7. Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining
Vendors will respect the rights of employees regarding their decision of whether to associate or not to associate with any group, as long as such groups are legal in their own country.
8. Environment
Vendors are expected to conduct their operations in a way that protects the environment. Vendors shall comply with all applicable environmental laws and regulations in the countries in which they operate.
9. Health and Safety
Vendors shall comply with all applicable safety and health laws and regulations in the countries in which they operate. Vendors are expected to provide a safe working environment that supports accident prevention and minimizes exposure to health risks occurring within or arising out of the course of work. Vendors are also expected to provide products and services that meet all applicable health and safety requirements.
10. Gifts and Gratuities
Vendors shall conduct business in an ethical and legal manner, free from potential personal or private interests that may affect professional judgment or adversely impact Leo’s Market and Eatery. Leo’s Market and Eatery employees are not permitted to give and accept only any entertainment and tokens of appreciation. Vendors must never give any gift or offer of entertainment to anyone if doing so would cause the recipient to violate the law, or his or her employer’s rules and policies.
11. Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption
Leo’s Market and Eatery complies with the anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws of the countries in which it does business, including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”) and any similar foreign laws. Vendors and their agents will not make any direct or indirect payments or promises of payment to foreign government officials for the purpose of inducing an unfair business advantage. Offers or agreements with foreign government officials that could reasonably be interpreted as an attempt to gain an unfair business advantage are also prohibited. This prohibition also applies in areas where such activity may not violate local law.
12. Country of Origin
Vendors will adhere to the laws and regulations of the countries of manufacture and distribution pertaining to product design, manufacture, packaging, labeling, and importation. Commercial invoices and other necessary documentation must be provided in compliance with applicable laws. All products, unless specifically exempted under the applicable customs laws and regulations, shall be marked with the country of origin.
13. Confidential Information
Vendors shall comply with all applicable laws and regulations governing the protection, use and disclosure of Leo’s Market and Eatery proprietary, confidential and personal information, and of the information belonging to Leo’s Market and Eatery’s customers. Confidential or proprietary information about our company, products, customers, business partners, or other parties, which has been obtained through business contact with Leo’s Market and Eatery, must not be misappropriated or used for personal advantage or for the benefit of third parties.
14. Intellectual Property
Vendor shall display the highest standard of respect, legal and ethical behavior with regard to the intellectual property rights of third parties. Vendors must ensure that the products sold to Leo’s Market and Eatery do not violate the patent, trademark, copyright or any other proprietary rights of any third party.
15. Food Sourcing and Animal Welfare
In supplying Leo’s Market and Eatery with food and beverages, Vendor is expected to supply Leo’s Market and Eatery with products containing high quality ingredients, favoring organic and ethically produced products if possible. Leo’s Market and Eatery encourages Vendor to commit to socially responsible standards, including the promotion of animal welfare throughout an animal’s life cycle.
III. Compliance & Monitoring
1. Certification and Documentation
Vendors must certify periodically their compliance with Leo’s Market and Eatery’s VCC. Vendors shall also create and maintain documents and records to ensure regulatory compliance and conformity to this Code. Failure to comply with this Code or the law and failure to certify to this Code when requested may result in discontinuance of business relationships.
2. Right to Inspect
Leo’s Market and Eatery shall have the right to monitor Vendor production facilities through audits by third parties and visits by Leo’s Market and Eatery personnel.
3. Contact
For questions or comments on the Leo’s Market and Eatery VCC, or to report any violations of the Code, please contact [email protected].