Supplier Code of Conduct

WashU is committed to operating as an environmentally responsible entity. We are committed to minimizing the environmental impacts of our institution through methods that are socially responsible, economically sound, and scientifically based.

As WashU makes progress on minimizing our environmental footprint, we value vendors that create, innovate, and implement effective policies and activities in the following areas:

• Waste reduction and lower lifecycle impacts
• Energy and water efficiency
• Reduction in air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions
• Preserve and support biodiversity and healthy ecosystems
• Minimizing toxic chemicals, substituting and eliminating them where possible
• Stewardship of product lifecycle
• Human rights, racial equity, and supplier diversity

WashU expects vendors to adhere to a certain Environmentally-Friendly Packaging (EFP) process when shipping products to WashU.

EFP consists of the following:

• Prioritize durable, reusable shipping materials that are reclaimed and reused by the vendor.
• Reduce packaging where possible.
• Eliminate foam packaging where possible.
• Utilize readily recyclable and compostable packaging materials where possible.

Vendors should uncrate and remove shipping materials where possible, including pallets and disposable, recyclable, or reusable packaging materials. We also request that vendors employ logistically efficient routes for delivering products.

WashU recognizes and values the contributions made by employees of contractors providing services to the university community. Accordingly, the university has adopted the following principles and guidelines to ensure that its suppliers prioritize the welfare of their employees through competitive compensation and honorable workplace practices. To that end, WashU will abide by the following principles:

1. Select suppliers that embrace and advance the mission of WashU as a leading teaching and research institution.
2. Select suppliers that demonstrate a commitment to providing a safe and respectful working environment for their employees.
3. Select suppliers committed to ensuring that all company programs, employment decisions, and personnel actions are administered in conformance with the principles of equal employment opportunity.
4. Select suppliers with leaders who recognize the value of their employees, demonstrated by a commitment to providing appropriate training for the work to be accomplished and a working environment free from harassment and unlawful discrimination.
5. Select suppliers that will pay their employees’ wages and benefits that are competitive in the St. Louis market.
6. Treat contractor employees with respect and dignity.
7. Protect the best interests of contractor employees, to the extent possible and prudent, when the business decision is made to change contractor relationships.

Suppliers shall:

1. Take and document all steps possible to provide a healthy, safe working environment and prevent injuries, accidents, or illnesses, in accordance with ILO Convention C155, Article 16.
2. Provide employees the opportunity to contribute meaningful input on supplier health and safety standards.
3. Provide medical care and compensation for injured workers.

The Supplier shall have a Code of Ethics or other mechanism that addresses issues related to the ethical conduct of employees relevant to the market, such as fair hiring practices, conflict of interest management, and supplier resource utilization. The Supplier and its representatives doing business with the University shall conduct themselves with integrity, in accordance with UN Global Compact, Principle 10.

Suppliers shall incorporate the sustainability and human rights elements of this Code of Conduct into their relationships with partners and upstream suppliers.

Suppliers that provide products or services relevant to university sustainability and other key purchasing performance indicators will be expected to provide annual data upon request. 

At the start of the contract and before any changes, WashU will outline the data that will be required and work with the supplier to develop reports and tracking processes to ensure accurate and timely data submission. Suppliers participating in annual reviews are asked to include metrics on sustainability and social impact, as well as any milestones or related programs/initiatives, in their reports.

The University reserves the right to monitor and review the supplier’s conduct, business practices, and requested data or documentation to support claims. Where possible and relevant, any environmental, sustainability, or social impact claims should be third-party certified where such certifications exist and/or follow industry standards for reporting.  These judgments will reflect the University’s values and provide additional context and clarification for future applications of the Code. 

In response to a complaint submitted to WashU, the University reserves the right to perform audits, investigations, or reviews of any WashU supplier’s corporate social responsibility practices and programs, using any metric or criteria for evaluation that WashU, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate. 

WashU also reserves the right to retain a third party to conduct such audits, investigations, or reviews. The supplier may be required to pay for any such review conducted by WashU, or provide evidence of a similar third-party audit, investigation, or review to assure WashU that it is in compliance with the WashU Supplier Code of Conduct, which may be evaluated for adequacy in WashU’s sole discretion.