Partner Code of Conduct

Our work provides employment for thousands of people worldwide.  We share the responsibility with our supplier partners to ensure that workers are treated well, rewarded fairly and have a voice.

We continue to invest in a long-term social compliance programme that equips our supplier partners with the knowledge and support they need to meet the most rigorous international standards.

Trust and transparency are critical to the success of our programme which demonstrates evidence of significant and real change in workers’ rights, pay, health and safety.

Louis Kennedy – Code of Conduct

Louis Kennedy is committed to ethical and responsible business principles including protection for the rights of individuals, promotion of equal opportunity and respect for the environment.

Our partner suppliers shall not use child labour. “Child” is defined as a person younger than 15 years of age unless local laws in the country stipulate a higher minimum working age for work or mandatory schooling, in such a case the higher age shall apply. Partner suppliers must verify the age of their workers and maintain copies of their workers proof of age. Partner suppliers must follow all applicable laws and regulations regarding working hours and conditions for minors.

Partner suppliers shall not use forced or involuntary labour. “Involuntary Labour” is defined as work or service which is extracted from any person under threat or penalty for its non-performance and for which the worker does not offer himself or herself voluntarily, and includes prison, bonded, indentured and forced labour.

Partner suppliers must treat employees in a fair manner with dignity and respect. Louis Kennedy will refrain from doing business with partner suppliers engaged in the use of corporal punishment, intimidation or any other form of physical or psychological coercion or sexual/verbal harassment or abuse against workers.

Partner suppliers shall employ workers solely on the basis of their ability to perform, and shall not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, racial characteristics, maternity or marital status, nationality or cultural, religious or personal beliefs or otherwise in relation to hiring, wages, benefits, termination or retirement.

Partner suppliers shall respect the rights of workers to associate, organise and bargain collectively without unlawful interference and in a peaceful manner.

Partner suppliers shall maintain a clean, safe and healthy workplace in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. Partner suppliers shall ensure that workers have access to clean drinking water, sanitary washing facilities and an adequate number of toilets, fire-extinguishers and fire exits and that those workplaces provide adequate lighting and ventilation. Partner suppliers shall ensure that the aforementioned standards are also met in any canteen and/or dormitory which is provided for workers.

Partner suppliers shall provide wages and benefits that comply with all applicable laws and regulations or match the prevailing local manufacturing or industry rates, whichever is higher. Overtime pay shall be calculated at the legally required rate, regardless of whether workers are compensated hourly or by piece rate.

Partner suppliers shall provide workers with all benefits required by law or regulation including, if required, meals, transportation, health care, childcare and leave for medical, family, or religious reasons. As required by law or regulation, Partner suppliers shall make contributions towards workers social security and insurance programs.

Partner suppliers shall not require workers to work, including overtime, more than 60 hours per week or more than any maximum number of hours per week established by applicable laws and regulations, whichever is less. Partner suppliers shall guarantee that workers receive at least one day off during each seven-day period.

Partner suppliers shall comply with all applicable laws and regulations in respect of protecting the environment and maintain procedures for notifying local authorities in the event of an environmental accident resulting from partner suppliers’ operations.


Partner suppliers will not use subcontracting for the manufacturing of Louis Kennedy products or components thereof without Louis Kennedy’s written consent, and only after the subcontractor has entered into a written commitment with Louis Kennedy to comply.

Partner suppliers authorise Louis Kennedy and its principals to conduct announced or unannounced monitoring activities to partner suppliers’ facilities for the purpose of ensuring compliance. Partner suppliers must maintain on-site all documents and records required to confirm compliance and during these audits, Louis Kennedy and its principals shall have the rights to access all manufacturing facilities including dormitory (if any) and review all employee-related books and records maintained by partner suppliers and to interview workers in private environment.

Partner suppliers shall comply with all legal requirements applicable to the conduct of their businesses, including those set out above and related industries including local and national codes, treaties and industry standards relating to employment, health, safety and the environment.

Louis Kennedy enquires all its’ partner suppliers to conduct their business in an ethical manner. No contract will be entered into with any vendor engaged in bribery or the provision of gifts, favours or services to gain a competitive advantage with Louis Kennedy or any third party.


Partner suppliers must agree to undertake a progressive improvement plan to bring their business practices to the standard of international social accountability.