Supplier code of conduct

Foreword - Niek Depoorter

Our local experts with a passion for agriculture guarantee a sustainable future for our farmers and horticulturalists with pragmatic and innovative solutions. The result: better returns for our customers, satisfied shoppers in our unique shops and healthy, sustainable food on the table.
Our core values – customer focus, integrity, leadership, team spirit, quality and entrepreneurship – form the basis of everything we do.
We expect you, our supplier, to endorse the same values and contribute to our mission by maintaining the highest professional, ethical and sustainable standards in all circumstances.
This Supplier Code of Conduct contains practical guidelines to this end.

Niek Depoorter, CEO
August 2025

 
Introduction

What?

The Supplier Code of Conduct provides guidelines for the behaviour that we expect from you as a supplier with regard to 3 domains:
- people
- our business relationship
- society

To whom does it apply?

The Supplier Code of Conduct shall apply to all suppliers, subcontractors, consultants, along with their affiliated companies and agents, or other employees who have a relationship with Arvesta and with its affiliated companies, hereinafter collectively referred to as Arvesta.
As a supplier, you shall take this into account when choosing your partners, subcontractors and other parties to work with, and shall require them to also subscribe to the Supplier Code of Conduct.

How?

The basic principle every supplier has to fulfil is to ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
If (local) regulations impose more stringent conditions than this Supplier Code of Conduct, the supplier will comply with the stricter standard.
By acting as an Arvesta supplier, you undertake to comply with the guidelines as contained in this Supplier Code of Conduct.

 
1. The supplier in relation to people

Own employees and co-contractors

The supplier shall treat its employees with respect for human rights and in conformity with all applicable laws.
The supplier shall not tolerate either child labour or forced labour.
The supplier’s employees shall enjoy correct, healthy and safe working conditions, fair working hours as well as appropriate remuneration.
The supplier shall take sufficient measures to protect employees against violations of these rules.
Arvesta employees
If there is a (potential) conflict of interest, the supplier shall report this to Arvesta before any business relationship is entered into.
Arvesta employees may accept gifts only insofar as they do not exceed the limit of 75 euros per annum and do not involve illegal or (sexually) inappropriate gifts, or gifts that could damage Arvesta's reputation.
Arvesta employees may only accept invitations to events insofar as they do not exceed the usual tickets for such events, without exceeding the annual limit of 75 euros applicable to the same, and furthermore, that such events cannot damage Arvesta's reputation.
Invitations to trade fairs and conferences may be accepted.
Both
The supplier shall treat its own employees and those of Arvesta with respect and dignity.
Discrimination on the basis of race, colour, sex, religion, political affiliation, union membership, nationality, sexual orientation, gender identity, social or ethnic origin, age or disability is unacceptable.
Arvesta has zero tolerance for bullying, (sexual) intimidation, aggression, violence or threats of violence.

2. The supplier in relation to our partnership

Arvesta wishes to grow in an honest and professional manner and expects the same attitude from its suppliers. Constructive communication and mutual respect are the foundation on which the partnership is based.

Choice of supplier

Arvesta chooses its suppliers on the basis of a set of relevant decision-making factors, including price, quality, delivery time, safety, service, reputation, as well as sustainability, socioeconomic, social and environmental aspects and, in general, adherence to this Supplier Code of Conduct.

Corruption, bribery and money laundering

Arvesta expects that its suppliers shall neither be involved in or participate in any form of corruption (the performance of any act or attempt to do so, wherein a person proposes an advantage with the aim of obtaining a certain behaviour or, conversely, accepts an advantage in return for a certain requested behaviour), bribery (e.g. giving or receiving bribes or kickbacks, whether through intermediaries or otherwise), or money laundering or tax evasion.

Fraud

Arvesta's suppliers shall not commit fraud and shall take the necessary initiatives to prevent and to combat any form of fraud (any act or attempt to do so to obtain an undue advantage, whether in favour of the fraudster or of a third party).

Protection of personal data

The supplier shall only use, share and process the personal data of Arvesta, its employees and business contacts for legitimate purposes, and always in conformity with all the applicable provisions of the law. This data shall not be retained for longer than is legally permissible.

Competition - fair competition

Suppliers shall act in a fair manner, including in relationships with competitors. They shall comply with all competition and fair competition regulations. Among other things, they shall refrain from making agreements with competitors concerning prices, customer or territory allocations, production restrictions or bidding processes. Suppliers shall not exchange strategic information or intentions relating to future prices or quantities with competitors.
 
(Product) safety and quality

The supplier shall only supply products that meet the highest quality and safety standards. Product safety also relates to instructions for use, labelling and maintenance.
The supplier shall strictly comply with the safety procedures applicable on Arvesta's sites.

(Intellectual) property of Arvesta

If, in connection with the cooperation with Arvesta, the supplier comes into contact with or obtains access to Arvesta's company materials, it shall only use the same for the execution of its order. The supplier shall take measures to prevent theft, loss, misuse, damage or destruction.
If the supplier obtains access to Arvesta's ICT materials, it shall subscribe to and comply with Arvesta's ICT Code of Conduct.
The supplier shall respect Arvesta’s intellectual property rights. It shall not use Arvesta's logo or name without Arvesta's prior consent.

Confidentiality

The supplier shall maintain the confidentiality of all business information of Arvesta (such as, among other things, technical, operational, financial and strategic information) that comes to its knowledge in connection with its relationship with Arvesta. The supplier shall limit the use thereof to whatever is required in connection with the implementation of the cooperation. The supplier shall not disclose either the existence of the cooperation, or the confidential information, except with Arvesta’s prior written consent.

Integrity of documents and financial information

The supplier shall ensure that all transactions with Arvesta are accurately, correctly, completely and verifiably recorded in the required books and company documents, and that such documents are retained properly and in accordance with the statutory retention periods.




3. The supplier in relation to society

Sustainability

At Arvesta, sustainability is more than just a 'check the box' exercise. It is the foundation of everything we do. That is why sustainability runs through our business strategy, activities and products. At Arvesta, sustainability is about adding value to our society. Arvesta therefore expects every supplier to contribute to Arvesta's sustainability policy.
More information about Arvesta's sustainability policy can be found in the Arvesta Activity Report, on Arvesta | Homepage Arvesta
The supplier considers sustainability to be of paramount importance and is willing to share information about its own sustainability policy and actions with Arvesta.

Environment

The supplier shall comply with all applicable environmental regulations. It has an eye for environmentally friendly and energy-efficient alternatives, whether in production or in e.g. waste management and water use.

Business continuity

The supplier undertakes to avoid or at least limit damage caused by pandemics, terrorism, crime, disasters, etc

 
4. Compliance

Subscription

The Supplier undertakes to comply with this Code of Conduct. This Code of Conduct has been brought to its attention as an appendix to an agreement or by reference to our website arvesta.eu, where this Code of Conduct can be found: Arvesta | Supplier Code of Conduct.

Information

In case the Supplier has any questions concerning the content of this Supplier Code of Conduct, it may contact its business contact or at compliance@arvesta.eu.

Investigation

The supplier shall allow Arvesta to carry out reasonable checks concerning the supplier's compliance with this Supplier Code of Conduct, among other things by means of a company visit or by requesting information. The Supplier shall provide its constructive cooperation in this regard.
Violations

If Arvesta finds that the supplier fails to comply with the provisions of this Supplier Code of Conduct, Arvesta shall enter into discussions with the supplier concerning the same with a view to defining corrective measures to be implemented within a reasonable period of time. In case such violations are repeated, or in case of failure to implement corrective measures within the stipulated period, or in serious cases, Arvesta may terminate the relationship with the supplier with immediate effect.

In case of violations that can be criminally sanctioned, Arvesta shall lodge complaints with the police or the investigating court.