For the purpose of this Code of Conduct, “Vendors" shall mean any entity that provides goods and/or services or engages in business affairs, and receives payments for, any aspect of AV’s business including, but not limited to, AV’s provision of water treatment solutions, equipment manufacture, material supply, or services to Customers throughout North America. Transactions involving land purchases or leases, governmental agencies, utilities, financial institutions, and charitable organizations are excluded from the definition of “Vendors.” “Code” means this Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for Vendors, as amended from time to time. Without limiting the obligations hereunder, a Vendor shall comply with the Standards in:
Without limiting the obligations hereunder, a Vendor is responsible for compliance with the Standards by all of its suppliers, vendors, agents, and subcontractors and their respective Facilities (“Partner(s)”). A Vendor shall disclose to AV within 30 days of AV’s written request, the names and contact information of its Partners
While this Code deals with commonly-identified areas of concern, it cannot address every possible situation. Vendors are expected to exercise their own best judgment and discretion within the parameters of this Code, keeping in mind the high standards to which AV is committed.
Workplace Standards and Practices and Compliance with the Law. Vendors of products or services shall comply with all applicable federal, state, and/or local laws and regulations in every jurisdiction in which the Vendor conducts business with, or on behalf of AV. Vendors must treat all workers with dignity and respect. Where local laws may be less restrictive than the guidelines set forth in this Code, Vendors are expected to comply with this Code. Where local laws are more restrictive than this Code, Vendors are expected to, at a minimum, comply with applicable local laws. Vendors are fully responsible for the quality, performance, behavior, supervision and protection of their personnel. AV retains the right in its absolute discretion to require the removal of any personnel or a contractor or subcontractor from a job site in appropriate circumstances, for example:
(a) reasonable indicia such person is under the influence of alcohol, controlled substances or other substances that adversely affect that person's work or create a safety risk
(b) commission of an illegal or unsafe act
(c) threatening, harassing, disruptive, or abusive behavior
(d) violation of this Code of Conduct
Non-Discrimination – Vendors shall comply with the letter and spirit of applicable antidiscrimination laws, ensuring business practices prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, veteran status, family status including pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or other protected class status.
Prohibition on Forced Labor - Vendors shall not support or engage in slavery or human trafficking in any part of its supply chain. Without limiting obligations hereunder or under any governing subcontractor, material purchase agreement, service agreement, or purchase order, Vendor shall not, and shall ensure that its vendors and subcontractors do not support or engage in involuntary or forced labor, bonded labor, indentured labor, child labor, or prison labor.
Worker Documentation and Compliance Recordkeeping - Vendors shall establish and maintain a reliable system to verify worker eligibility under applicable law and retain appropriate records to demonstrate compliance with this system.
Wages and Benefits - A Vendor must compensate all workers with wages, including overtime premiums, and benefits that at a minimum meet the higher of:
A Vendor shall make wage payments at least monthly and provide benefits on a timely basis. A Vendor’s obligation to compensate and provide benefits applies to all workers at all times, including during periods of training, apprenticeship, and probation.
Documentation - A Vendor shall:
Identification Papers - Without limiting a Vendor’s obligations hereunder, a Vendor shall not require any worker to surrender control over:
Financial Obligations - Without limiting a Vendor’s obligations hereunder, a Vendor shall not, whether or not as a condition to the right to work, require any worker (or worker’s spouse or family member) to, directly or indirectly:
Freedom to Terminate Employment - Without limiting a Vendor’s obligations hereunder, a Vendor shall allow workers to terminate their employment or work arrangement:
Freedom of Movement - Without limiting a Vendor’s obligations hereunder, a Vendor shall ensure that workers have the right to freedom of movement without:
Without limiting a Vendor’s obligations set out above, a Vendor shall not:
Vendor shall provide a safe, healthy, and sanitary working environment. Vendors must apply safe work practices (including regulatory and contract specific requirements) and hold high regard for the quality of the environment in its conduct of all activities and exercise good judgment in work decisions. Vendors performing work at AqueoUS Vets or AqueoUS Vets customers’ property/site must encourage health, safety and environmental consideration in every aspect of their work processes and in the attitude and behavior of all their employees.
Vendor shall provide workers adequate and appropriate personal protective equipment to protect workers against hazards typically encountered in the scope of work.
For a safe, healthy, and sanitary working environment, Vendor facilities shall:
Ensure that all Facilities meet all applicable building codes and industry design and construction standards;
Obtain and maintain all construction approvals required by law;
An adequate evacuation plan;
Adequate, lighting, emergency exit routes, including exits doors, aisles, and stairwells with fire-ratings as-required to comply with the labor laws applicable to Vendor;
Visible and accurate evacuation maps posted in the local language, and including a “you are here” mark;
Adequate ventilation and air circulation;
Adequate lighting;
Adequate first aid kits and stations;
Adequate fire safety, prevention, alarm, and suppression systems;
Adequate access to potable water; and
Adequate access to private toilet facilities.
Posted safety rules, inspection results, incident reports, and permits, in each case, as required by law.
If a Vendor provides dining facilities for its workers, it shall provide safe, healthy, and sanitary facilities (including food preparation and storage areas) that comply with all the standards set out in the Health and Safety section of this Code of Conduct. Without limiting a Vendor’s obligations hereunder, a Vendor shall obtain and maintain all food preparation permits and health certificates required by law.
Negative impact on the community, environment, and natural resources are to be minimized while safeguarding public health and safety. Vendors are required to complete all requisite health and safety training, or the equivalent thereof, upon entry and prior to any visit or conducting any business on any AqueoUS Vets or AqueoUS Vets’ customer site. Vendors must comply with all applicable health, safety and environmental laws and regulations when conducting business with the Company. By way of example and not limitation, Vendors performing work on our property or on our behalf must:
Obtain and keep current all required environmental permits and registrations.
Implement and/or pursue initiatives that contribute to the preservation of the environment and mitigation of their impact on natural resources.
Avoid the use of hazardous substances; In the event no alternative is available, Vendors shall ensure their safe handling and disposal.
Promote the development of environment friendly technologies (e.g. controlling pollutant, CO2 emissions, etc.) as well as energy saving and recycling solutions, and implement logistics strategies that minimize environmental impacts (notably with respect to storage and transportation).
To the extent practicable, pursue good faith efforts to integrate eco-design principles into the development of their products and services in order to eliminate or mitigate negative environmental, health and safety impacts from their products during their total life cycle, while maintaining and/or improving the quality of usage of their products.
Vendors that produce/supply goods containing tin, tantalum, tungsten or gold (3TG) commit to supporting a responsible supply chain in reference to the OECD Due-Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chain of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas.
Reduce, control and/or eliminate wastewater, waste and pollution at the source.
Reduce, control and/or eliminate air emissions of volatile chemicals, corrosives, particulates, aerosols and combustion products.
Vendors acknowledge that AV’s information is a valuable asset. Vendors shall protect confidential information and shall not divulge, dispose of inappropriately, or copy any such information that a reasonable business person would consider sensitive or which is designated as sensitive, proprietary or confidential, whether delivered or granted access to in oral, written, electronic or visual form and whether or not marked as “confidential.” Such information includes, but is not limited to, strategic, personal, financial or unpatented technology information. Vendors shall not use or allow the use of such information for securities transactions or any improper benefit or gain. It may be appropriate in some cases for AV and Vendors to agree to additional specific nondisclosure provisions. Vendors shall not purport to make any announcements or release any information on behalf of any member of the public, press, official body, business entity or other person, or claim or imply any endorsement by the AV or its employees, without the express prior written consent.
Except as required by any applicable law, or otherwise permitted by prior written consent signed by an authorized AV representative , Vendors are not permitted to use the AV name, logo or trademarks or to make any public announcements or disclosures in relation to the subject matter of their contract or their dealings with any personnel of the AV.
Evaluation of business ethics, records and subcontractor approvals.
Version Effective Date: 09/04/2025
