“Our quality cookies bring pleasure to consumers around the world”

Quality has to be experienced. In Kelsen Group, we are committed to quality from the production of our cookies to the marketing of our brands. We never compromise on our ambition to deliver high-quality delicious cookies to consumers all over the world.

The Kelsen bakeries are certified according to international quality and food safety standards. Our quality programs are continuously improved and adapted to customer requirements and legislation.

We value the cooperation with our suppliers and the contribution they bring to our quality cookies. We are part of a responsible supply chain and the behaviour of our suppliers must reflect this. The guidelines below are the minimum expectations to our suppliers and we further encourage our suppliers to become a member of SEDEX or a similar ethical audit body. 

SCOPE

This code applies to all Kelsen Groups direct and indirect suppliers. Any reference to Kelsen shall be deemed to include all its entities.

COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS

Suppliers must comply with all applicable national and local laws and regulations, including, but not limited to those related to labour, immigration, environmental, business practices and health and safety for the industry and region in which they operate. The guidelines in this code are minimum requirements and suppliers are encouraged to exceed these requirements.  

KELSEN GROUP’S GUIDELINES

BUSINESS ETHICS

Suppliers shall conduct its business in accordance with the highest standards of ethical behaviour and in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations in the countries where materials are sourced. 

All forms of corruption, bribery, money laundering and unlawful restrictive trade practices are strictly prohibited. 

Suppliers shall establish and follow effective procedures to prevent corruption, bribery, money laundering and unlawful restrictive trade practices in all their business activities.

SOCIAL CONDITIONS

Child Labour

Kelsen requires all its partners throughout the supply chain to be strongly committed to the elimination of child labour. Suppliers shall not employ workers under 15 years of age (or 14 years of age where consistent with International Labor Organization Minimum Age Convention No. 138 and the local law allows such exception) or the age for completing compulsory education.

Voluntary Employment/Forced Labour

All labour must be voluntary. Suppliers shall not use any prison, slave, bonded, forced or indentured labour, or engage in any other forms of compulsory labour, or any other forms of slavery or human trafficking. 

Abuse, Harassment and Disciplinary Action

All employees are to be treated with respect and dignity and in compliance with local legislation and disciplinary practices.  

Fair and Equal Treatment

Suppliers shall ensure fair and equal treatment of all employees.  Suppliers shall not discriminate on the grounds of criteria such as race, colour, caste, religion, gender, age, physical disability, marital status, sexual orientation, political affiliation, union membership or maternity.  

Compensation and Benefits

Suppliers shall fairly compensate all employees with wages, overtime premiums and benefits that meet or exceed all applicable laws or collective agreements. 

Working Hours

Suppliers must comply with all applicable laws regarding regular working hours, rest periods and overtime hours. 

Hiring Practices

Suppliers must utilize ethical hiring practices that include verification of a worker’s age and legal right to work in the country.

Freedom of Association

Suppliers shall respect the right of employees to form and join trade unions and bargain collectively in a lawful and peaceful manner, subject to and in accordance with applicable law. 

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Suppliers shall provide workers with a safe, clean and healthy work environment that complies with all applicable laws pertaining to health and safety in the workplace.

ENVIRONMENTAL

Suppliers shall ensure that manufacturing facilities and operations comply with all applicable environmental laws, including those related to waste disposal (including hazardous waste), air emissions, wastewater and effluents and toxic substances. Suppliers are encouraged to go above and beyond the legal requirements and implement plans focused on reducing the use of natural resources.  

ANIMAL WELFARE

Suppliers are required to implement humane procedures to prevent the mistreatment of animals at all times, including when they are raised, cared for, transported and processed.  At a minimum, suppliers are to provide an environment that is consistent with the “five freedoms” of animal welfare.

COMPLIANCE MONITORING

All suppliers are expected to comply with this code at all times. To ensure compliance with this code, Kelsen will use:

Step 1: Risk Assessment

Step 2: Audits

Step 3: Corrective Actions & Consequences

TRANSPARENCY & TRACEABILITY

Kelsen is committed to transparency in its operations and throughout the supply chain. Our transparent approach to business is important to our stakeholders and we expect the same of our suppliers.  We are also committed to moving towards a fully traceable supply chain. If requested, suppliers shall disclose the geographical location of facilities producing raw materials for Kelsen, as well as the origin of raw materials within the suppliers’ own direct supply chain. We may also ask suppliers to provide mapping back to the origin of materials to assess upstream supply chain compliance.