Code of Conduct - Business Partners and Suppliers

Visit Sweden´s vision is that by 2030 Sweden will be the world´s most sustainable and attractive travel destination built on innovation. Sweden is seen as the world's most attractive travel destination by leading towards more conscious travel. To ensure long-term sustainability and success, we will, together with our partners and suppliers, act responsibly and contribute to society. Visit Sweden operates in a socially, ethically and environmentally responsible manner. We show respect for people and the environment, add value to our society, take a preventative approach and always with a long-term perspective. By setting out these terms and conditions we ensure the sustainable development of our work, together with our partners and suppliers. It is our expectation that those who work with us will act according to the same values. This code covers business partners and suppliers who have contractual obligations to fulfil towards Visit Sweden The code of conduct for business partners and suppliers ("Code of conduct for suppliers and business partners" or " the Code") is reviewed and approved yearly.

Purpose

The code of conduct for suppliers and business partners aims to clarify what expectations Visit Sweden places on them and how we want them to act towards their subcontractors.

Visit Sweden's starting point

The basis for Visit Sweden's actions is to always follow national legislation and regulations in the countries where we operate. This basis is expected to be shared by our business partners and suppliers. In addition, we expect our business partners and suppliers to support and follow
· The UN Declaration on Human Rights
· The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
· The Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact
· OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises
· ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (amended in 2022)

In addition to the above, Visit Sweden consider Agenda 2030 and the UN Global Goals for Sustainable Development to be part of the work ofour suppliers and business partners.

Visit Sweden’s business partners and suppliers are obliged to conduct their business in a responsible manner and that the principles in this code are adhered to.

Business partners and suppliers that provide products or services to Visit Sweden must comply with all laws and regulations that are applicable to their operations, as well as set corresponding requirements for their own suppliers. Visit Sweden expects business partners and suppliers as well as their subcontractors to comply with this code of conduct, even if it prescribes a higher standard than is required by national laws or regulations. The code must be applied within all the supplier's operations, including manufacturing, delivery, sales and support.

At the request of Visit Sweden, the supplier must provide the details of any companies that are subcontractors in relation to Visit Sweden, and provide documentary evidence confirming the supplier's status in matters relating to responsibly conducted operations.

At the end of the Code, we explain how Visit Sweden views compliance and follow-up.

Social consideration

Human Rights

Visit Sweden expects suppliers and business partners to respect all internationally recognised human rights and to strive to follow these principles and not to cause, participate in or through their activities be linked to violations of these..Visit Sweden’s business partners and suppliers are obliged to follow the global standards that exist for people's rights in working life, where the ILO's eight core conventions form the basis. Thus, all employees' right to organise, freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining must be respected and applicable labour legislation followed. Neither child labour nor any form of forced or penal labour will be accepted.

Labour standards

Anti-discrimination
Visit Sweden encourages diversity and expects the supplier to treat all employees with respect and dignity.

Any form of discrimination based on bias or prejudice is prohibited, such as discrimination based on gender, people with transgender identity or expression, ethnicity, religion or other belief, political or philosophical opinion, pregnancy, parenthood, disability, sexual orientation or age.

Visit Sweden assumes that employees with the same qualifications, experience and achievements receive equal pay for equal work in comparison to others who perform the same work under similar working conditions.

Child labour
The supplier undertakes to ensure that child labour does not occur in the operations as defined in the ILO convention and must work to ensure that this does not occur within the subcontractor chain.

Forced labour
Forced labour may not be applied and employees are free to terminate their employment after an agreed notice period, in accordance with national law or agreement. The employer may not require employees to deposit money or identity documents in order to obtain employment.

Minimum wage
Wages for normal working hours, overtime work and other overtime compensation shall at least amount to the highest of the minimum amounts prescribed by law or as compensation normally applied in the supplier's industry. Unlawful, unauthorized or disciplinary salary deductions are not permitted.

Working hours
The supplier must comply with applicable national legislation and industry standards regarding working hours and public holidays.

Health and safety in the workplace
The supplier must at least comply with applicable laws and regulations regarding the work environment and working conditions. The supplier must prioritise workers' health and safety. This means, among other things, that the supplier must ensure that appropriate protection is used, that equipment and buildings are safe, and that hazardous substances and hazardous waste are handled in a safe manner. There must also be clear rules and routines for health and safety in the workplace that are adhered to. Visit Sweden assumes that suppliers and business partners work preventively and to constantly improve the working environment and staff health and can meet the requirement for systematic work environment work by (1) being certified according to AFS 2001:1, ISO 45001 or other equivalent certification or (2) working according to its own work environment management system.

If the supplier provides housing for employees, these must be safe, hygienic and provide space for personal privacy.

Environmental consideration

Our business aims to limit negative environmental impact by using products and processes, following laws and regulations. Visit Sweden assumes that business partners and suppliers, where applicable, have drawn up policies and implemented training to emphasise the importance of minimising a negative impact on the environment. Visit Sweden further assumes business partners and suppliers have implemented systematic environmental work by (1) being certified according to ISO 14001 or other equivalent certification or (2) working according to its own environmental management system. Visit Sweden also assumes that business partners and suppliers have defined goals to reduce their negative climate impact and work actively to reduce it.

The business partners and supplier's policy should, , contain a description of how, the services or products that the business partners and supplier provide when they are manufactured, transported, used, consumed or finally destroyed affect the environment as little as possible and with the minimum possible resource consumption are not harmful to users, do not contain non-approved chemicals according to the REACH regulation.

Visit Sweden further assumes that the business partner and supplier, if appropriate with regard to its operations, has drawn up an environmental declaration. Such an environmental declaration must be provided to Visit Sweden on request.

Economic and financial consideration

Long-term business operations with a business ethical perspective are highly valued at Visit Sweden. Honesty, integrity, good business ethics and transparency must permeate all of Visit Sweden's business relationships.

Conflicts of interest
Our business partners must avoid all existing or conceivable situations that could lead to conflicts of interest within the framework of the contractual relationship with Visit Sweden. In the event of potential or existing conflicts of interest, business partners must notify Visit Sweden of these.

Zero tolerance for bribery and corruption
Our business partners must not allow gifts or other benefits to influence their business and must comply with the Code Against Corruption in Business* developed by the Institute Against Bribery (IMM). This means, among other things, that when conducting public procurement, it is strictly forbidden to give or receive a benefit. In cases other than when strictly prohibited, our business partners must be very restrained when it comes to giving or receiving gifts. Gifts that are given or received must, in accordance with current legislation and prevailing business practice, be objectively moderate and characterised by openness and constitute a natural and useful part of the performance of the service.

Our suppliers and business partners must have zero tolerance for bribery and corruption.

Protection of privacy and personal data
Suppliers and business partners must handle personal data with respect for personal integrity and in a responsible and legal manner.

Follow-up and compliance

Visit Sweden requires that this Code is respected and followed by its suppliers and business partners when doing business with Visit Sweden. Suppliers and business partners covered by the Code must be able to certify through an authorised representative that they have read and understood the Code and undertake to comply with it. In addition, Visit Sweden encourages its suppliers and business partners to establish their own codes of conduct or similar guidelines, provided that the content of this Code of Conduct for business partners is at least always followed. Visit Sweden reserves the right to request documentation and/or conduct audits to ensure compliance with the code. If the supplier deviates from the code, and if improvements do not take place within an agreed period, Visit Sweden may terminate the business cooperation.

If a business partner, its employees, or another interested party notices that this Code of Conduct for suppliers and business partners is not being followed, Visit Sweden encourages the violation to be reported via our whistleblower facility. Detecting problems in time is often crucial for us to be able to deal with them before they become too big. Whoever raises a concern/problem must never suffer negative consequences because of this.

Violation of this Code of Conduct for suppliers and business partners may endanger the supplier's business relationship with Visit Sweden and lead to Visit Sweden taking appropriate measures