Introduction
At The White Tea Company, we are committed to conducting our business with integrity and in an ethically responsible manner. We believe that our success is intertwined with the well-being of the communities from which our products are sourced. As a company dealing in fine teas, we are dedicated to ensuring that our business practices reflect our values and respect for human rights, environmental sustainability, and fair trade.
Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to outline our commitment to ethical trading principles and to establish guidelines for our relationships with our suppliers, partners, and stakeholders. This policy serves as a framework to ensure that our business operations and supply chain are conducted in a manner that is socially and environmentally responsible.
Scope
This policy applies to all employees, contractors, and stakeholders involved in the procurement, distribution, and sale of our fine teas. It also extends to our third-party suppliers, who play a critical role in our supply chain.
Ethical Trading Principles
Fair Labour Practices
- We are committed to ensuring that all workers involved in the production of our teas are treated with respect and dignity.
- We expect our suppliers to comply with all local and international labour laws, including those related to wages, working hours, and conditions.
- We do not tolerate any form of forced labour, child labour, or discrimination in our supply chain.
- No discrimination is practised in hiring, compensation, access to training, promotion, termination or retirement based on race, national origin, religion, age, disability, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, union membership or political affiliation.
- No harsh or inhuman treatment is allowed – suppliers provide a workplace which any form of harassment is unacceptable. Examples include physical abuse or discipline, the threat of physical abuse or sexual or other harassment and verbal abuse or other forms of intimidations.
Environmental Responsibility
- We recognize the importance of protecting the environment and expect our suppliers to adhere to sustainable agricultural practices.
- We encourage the use of organic farming methods and the reduction of chemical pesticides and fertilizers.
- We aim to minimize our carbon footprint and promote biodiversity conservation through our sourcing practices.
Ethical Sourcing
- We are committed to sourcing our teas from suppliers who share our commitment to ethical trading and fair trade principles.
- We seek to establish long-term relationships with suppliers who demonstrate a commitment to social responsibility and environmental sustainability.
- We require our suppliers to provide transparency regarding their sourcing practices to ensure compliance with our ethical standards.
Community Engagement
- We believe in supporting the communities where our teas are grown and processed.
- We encourage our suppliers to invest in local communities through initiatives that promote education, healthcare, and economic development.
- We strive to create positive social impact through our business activities and partnerships.
Continuous Improvement
- We are committed to continuously improving our ethical trading practices and will review this policy regularly to ensure its relevance and effectiveness.
- We will engage with stakeholders, including suppliers and customers, to gather feedback and enhance our approach to ethical trading.
Conclusion
Ethical trading is not only a responsibility but also an opportunity to contribute to a more sustainable and equitable world. We are dedicated to upholding the highest standards of ethical conduct in our business operations and to working with partners who share our commitment to these values.