CONNECTION CREW CIC
SUPPLIER CODE OF CONDUCT

Connection Crew CIC is a purpose driven business that aspires to have a material positive impact on (a) disadvantaged individuals, and (b) the environment, in each case in line with goals for sustainable development.    

This code of conduct applies to all Connection Crew CIC suppliers, subcontractors, and their supply chain partners engaged in delivering goods or services on our behalf. Compliance with this code forms a condition of doing business with us. The code of conduct sets out the core principles and standards which safeguard our mutual reputations, minimise externalities and maintain the highest possible quality. 

The commitments below will be shared by us and all suppliers, partners, and customers. Each party commits to uphold each standard below for the benefit of the other parties. If any standard is not yet met, a party can demonstrate that it has a remedial plan in place.

Throughout this Code, the words ‘we’ and ‘our organisation’ should be read as the supplier’s confirmation that it complies with the requirements outlined below.

1. Equal opportunity, Non-discrimination

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, pregnancy and maternity, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law, including the equalities act 2010.

Irrespective of law we encourage participation, and do not discriminate on the basis of any other experience, identifying characteristic or intersection. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.

Connection Crew and Stitch expects suppliers to have an Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) policy and to demonstrate active implementation and monitoring of that policy.

2. Fair Wages

We recognise that wages are essential to meeting employees’ basic needs. At a minimum, you comply with all applicable wage and hour laws and regulations, including those relating to minimum wages, overtime, maximum hours, piece rates and other elements of compensation, and provide legally mandated benefits. Where local industry standards are higher than applicable legal requirements, we meet, or aim to meet, higher standards.

As a Living Wage Employer, we are actively committed to pay our directly employed staff the real Living Wage and extend this to our regularly contracted and third-party staff. We encourage suppliers to pay a real Living Wage where possible; for those who fall under the categories set out above, we require suppliers to pay the real Living Wage.

3. Valuing Staff

We are committed to the on-going training and development of our staff.

We treat each employee with dignity and respect, and do not use corporal punishment, threats of violence, or other forms of physical, sexual, psychological or verbal harassment or abuse.

Our organisation must provide a grievance mechanism to enable workers to raise workplace concerns safely and confidentially.

4. Health and Safety

We comply with all applicable Health & Safety laws and regulations by providing a clean and safe environment in which to work, establishing, maintaining and following responsible policies and practices in our product or material sector, and respond promptly to enquiries about Health & Safety issues relating to our construction, installation or manufacturing or other processes, products and services.

Our organisation must provide evidence of risk assessments, method statements, and relevant certifications (e.g. CHAS, SafeContractor, RIDDOR, ISO:45001) where applicable.

5. Anti-slavery, Child Labour, Anti-corruption

We adhere to all regulations set out by HM government, including but not limited to Anti-slavery, Child Labour, Anti-bribery / Anti-corruption. We can demonstrate our respective commitment to acting fairly and ethically in all our commercial activities by not engaging in any corrupt activity or act of bribery.

We will not engage in or tolerate forced, bonded, or involuntary labour, human trafficking, or the use of child labour under any circumstances.

We are required to conduct due diligence on our own supply chains and provide evidence of compliance on request.

We shall maintain accurate records to demonstrate compliance with the UK Modern Slavery Act 2015 and Bribery Act 2010.

6. Local Community and Social Purpose

We have a clear social mission via a legal structure or corporate policy which details our social responsibility within the local community or more broadly.

We are committed to creating social value in line with the UK Social Value Model (2021), including through local employment, training, and volunteering initiatives.

7. Protection of the Environment and Climate Emergency

We comply with all applicable environmental laws and regulations, and we understand that this is just a small part of what needs to be done in the years to come. 

Where applicable, our factories and/or events monitor and report their production processes as needed to protect the environment and as required by law, including those related to emissions, discharges and disposal of wastes, and develop improvement plans as needed. We will be transparent and forthcoming with this data upon request. 

The environmental impacts of all business decisions are considered, along with opportunities for conservation of natural resources, recycling, source reduction, and pollution elimination, to ensure cleaner air and water, and to reduce landfill wastes. We stand by the Paris Agreement and commit to Net Zero by 2050 or before. We welcome collaboration to bring this forward, alongside other crucial biodiversity and waste minimisation commitments, such as those aligned to the circular economy.

We stand by the Paris Agreement and commit to Net Zero by 2050 or before. We welcome collaboration to bring this forward, alongside other crucial biodiversity and waste minimisation commitments, such as those aligned to the circular economy.

From July 2026 at the latest, we will formalise environmental commitments, including Net Zero, under SME Climate Hub or similar public register. From 2027 at the latest, suppliers will publicly report targets, emissions, and publish a carbon reduction plan for Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions via SBTI or similar.

We will maintain an Environmental Policy and demonstrate progress through measurable KPIs.

Where applicable, we must comply with the UK Environmental Protection Act, Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011, and relevant REACH regulations.

By committing to this code, we confirm that, at least, they are open to discussion of and will make actionable plans to implement the following guideline best practice:
- Comply with all applicable environmental laws and regulations, including the UK Environmental Protection Act, Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011, and relevant REACH regulations.
- Maintain an Environmental Policy and demonstrate progress through measurable KPIs
- Identify, monitor, and reduce environmental impacts associated with the goods or services provided to Connection Crew CIC and Stitch.
- Provide data or evidence, on request, to support Connection Crew CIC’s environmental reporting, including Scope 3 emissions where applicable
- Minimise waste, reduce packaging, and prioritise low-impact materials, energy efficiency, and sustainable transport methods.
- Where feasible develop or work towards a formal Environmental Management System (such as ISO 14001, Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS), or equivalent) proportionate to their size and impact.
- Support Connection Crew CIC and Stitch’s Net Zero and circular economy objectives through collaboration, transparency, and responsible sourcing practices.

8. Circular Economy

We will work together to reduce waste in our supply chain and drive towards circular solutions which involve us designing for durability, reuse, remanufacturing, and recycling to keep products, components, and materials circulating in the economy. In making a commitment to this code, we are open to, at least, discussions about and actions to:

1. Reduce the amount of packaging you send us.
2. Ensure materials where possible are regenerative.
3. Ensure packaging and used items are returnable and reusable by you – designing for use 10+ times.
4. Ensure packaging and items are reusable by us.
5. Remove petrochemical-based packaging, and replace this with bio-based, renewable packaging. Some examples here include:

- Switching from plastic to paper tape (reinforced paper tape is also acceptable) – this means the tape is also recyclable with the cardboard, reducing labour time and improving recyclability.
- Switching from plastic to paper document wallet/holders – this means the document wallet is also recyclable with the cardboard, reducing labour time and improving recyclability.
- Preferably, any unavoidable waste generated by suppliers, sub-contractors, or third-parties on behalf of, in order to facilitate the delivery of goods or services, or in connection with Connection Crew’s or Stitch’s work should be recorded and reported upon request to support our impact reporting.

9. Conflict Materials

We adopt policies and management systems with respect to conflict minerals and, where applicable, require others to adopt similar policies and systems.

We establish our own due diligence program to ensure conflict-free supply chains. Conflict minerals contain tin, tungsten, tantalum or gold and are obtained from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Republic of Congo, Central Africa Republic, South Sudan, Zambia, Angola, Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda or Uganda.

10. Legal Obligations

We comply with all applicable laws and regulations, including those pertaining to the manufacture, pricing, sale, and distribution of merchandise. All references to “applicable laws and regulations” in this Code of Conduct include local and national codes, rules and regulations as well as applicable treaties and voluntary industry standards.

We also comply with applicable data protection, competition, and export control laws.

11. Data Protection and Confidentiality

We comply with all applicable data protection laws, including the UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018.

We safeguard any confidential or proprietary information shared by Connection Crew CIC, Stitch, or their clients, and must not disclose such information to third parties without prior written consent.

We will notify Connection Crew immediately of any data breach or unauthorised access affecting information shared in connection with this relationship.

12. Whistleblowing

We will maintain a mechanism for reporting unethical or unlawful conduct confidentially and without retaliation.

We will also report concerns directly to Connection Crew CIC via either our contact form (found at connectioncrew.co.uk) or by emailing info@connectioncrew.co.uk, or by contacting relevant parties referenced in the Connection Crew Whistleblowing policy if we believe this code has been breached.

13. Demonstration of commitments

We maintain on site, or publicly available on our website, all documentation that demonstrates compliance with this Code of Conduct.  Connection Crew CIC or Stitch may review supplier compliance at any time during the relationship. Each party will provide this documentation promptly on request of the other party. 14. Termination

Where we do not yet meet a standard, we will have demonstrated that we have a remedial plan in place. On a regular basis, we shall update the other party of any achievements or setbacks to the plan.

Audits of our offices and sites are welcome, with 5 working days' notice. Similarly, upon signatures of this code, Connection Crew CIC or Stitch may conduct site visits or audits, directly or through a third party, to verify compliance by suppliers, sub-contractors, and third-parties.

We shall meet annually with the other party to review our commitments under this Code of Conduct.

We must complete a self-assessment or due diligence questionnaire upon request.

14. Termination

Serious breaches of this Code (including but not limited to those involving corruption, human rights abuses, or health and safety violations) may result in immediate termination.

In the event that either party determines that the other party’s efforts to comply with this Code of Conduct have been deficient (a “non-cooperative party”) and the non-cooperative party fails to develop and implement remedial steps within an agreed period of time, the relevant party reserves the right to take appropriate actions up to and including discontinuing the business relationship.