Expectations of our suppliers

At South32, we are united by our belief that everyone should go home safe and well. We ask all members of our workforce to adhere to our ‘safety guarantee’ – an internal approach where each of us stop and ask ourselves whether we can guarantee our own safety and that of our colleagues before undertaking each task.

Suppliers must ensure that the safety of their workforce and the people they are working with at South32 is their first priority.

Suppliers must support South32 in continuously improving its safety performance by stopping work they feel is unsafe, ensuring hazard and event reporting, and fostering the sharing of information that may improve safety outcomes whilst working with South32.

The supplier must provide:

• safe and healthy working facilities and appropriate controls to protect employees from work-related hazards and anticipated dangers in the workplace;
• workers with appropriate and effective health and safety training; and
• where applicable, clean and safe accommodation that meets the basic needs of the workers.

The supplier must comply with South32’s health, safety, environment, and social performance requirements and all local legislation regarding these requirements.

South32 does not tolerate bullying, harassment, discrimination, victimisation, or intimidation of any kind towards others. This includes all forms of sexual harassment or assault. All those that partner with South32, must align with a zero-tolerance approach.

The supplier must provide a work environment in which everyone is treated fairly and cultural, gender, ethnic, religious, or other diversity factors such as disability are respected.

The supplier must have policies and standards pertaining to inclusion and diversity in place that are aligned with those of South32.

The supplier must have a grievance mechanism process, which provides a clear and transparent framework to all stakeholders to speak up fairly and for grievances to be investigated in an unbiased manner.

The supplier must create and maintain a work environment that respects human rights and is without discrimination and harassment. At all times, the supplier must work in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The supplier must work towards implementing core human rights standards, including those set out in the UN (United Nations) Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights of Work.

The supplier must confirm that:

• there is no forced, bonded, or involuntary labour; or labour acquired through human trafficking;
• it will work towards implementing a robust risk assessment process for its own supply chains to identify and mitigate against risks of modern slavery; and
• at no times will child labour be used.

The supplier must also ensure that:

• they adopt an open attitude towards the legitimate activities of trade unions; and
• workers’ representatives must be allowed to carry out their legitimate representative functions in the workplace and must not be discriminated against.

The supplier must ensure wages and benefits (including overtime) paid for a standard working week, must satisfy, at a minimum, national legal standards, or local industry benchmarks. At all times working hours must meet minimum requirement and overtime be voluntary.

The supplier must:

• confirm that it manages cybersecurity, data protection, and privacy of personal information in accordance with applicable laws and regulations;
• protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of South32 data and systems; and
• be able to demonstrate an ongoing commitment to managing cybersecurity and data protection risk.

The supplier, and in turn its employees, must treat all members of the community, including Indigenous, Traditional and Tribal Peoples, with dignity and respect. At all times communication must be regular, open, and honest.

The supplier must comply with local requirements or as negotiated in the terms of contract, including those related to:

• rights of Indigenous, Traditional and Tribal Peoples;
• traditional customs and cultural heritage;
• environmental areas;
• public policy; and
• training and education.

We expect our suppliers to identify opportunities that incorporate local procurement and employment and, to the extent involving work conducted for or on behalf of South32, to coordinate engagement with local representatives at South32.

The supplier must ensure that any public or private security forces engaged by them, manage security in a way that is lawful and respects fundamental freedoms and human rights of all stakeholders.

At all times, the supplier must comply with South32’s environmental requirements and applicable environmental laws and regulations. The supplier must ensure an understanding of potential environmental risks and impacts of work, with effort made to minimise our footprint.

Suppliers must ensure that they use energy and water efficiently, minimise greenhouse gas emissions, give consideration to biodiversity and have comprehensive waste management practices.

Suppliers must not act on South32’s behalf with any government representative without approval from South32.

The supplier must comply with all applicable:

• anti-bribery and corruption laws; and
• international trade laws and sanctions of the countries in which South32 conducts business.

This includes the supplier not engaging in illegal conduct such as fraud, theft, bribery (including not making facilitation payments), extortion or other corrupt conduct, as well as declaring to us any actual or potential conflict of interest to South32.

These requirements are further clarified at sections 12, 13, 15 and 16 of our Code, and in our Anti-Bribery and Corruption Policy available here.

Suppliers must also be aware of confidentiality requirements when working with South32 and sharing of potential inside information.

Suppliers must ensure there are no personal interests or activities that may pose a conflict of interest with their responsibilities with South32. Any concerns with a potential conflict of interest should be raised immediately with South32.

Suppliers must comply with lawful business practices and applicable South32 policies, standards, procedures, and processes, as relevant to the work they are performing for or on our behalf.