Supplier code of conduct

This Supplier Code of Conduct ("Code") sets forth the minimum standards of ethical behavior, environmental stewardship, human rights, and workplace safety required of all vendors, manufacturers, cut-and-sew facilities, textile mills, dye houses, packaging suppliers, and subcontractors (collectively, "Suppliers") manufacturing goods for COYA intimates ("Brand"). Compliance with this Code is a mandatory prerequisite for doing business with Brand.

1. Labor Standards & Human Rights

1.1 Prohibition of Forced & Involuntary Labor

• Suppliers shall not use forced, bonded, indentured, prison, or trafficked labor under any circumstance.

• Workers must not be required to surrender government-issued identification, passports, or work permits as a condition of employment.

• Workers shall not pay recruitment fees or deposits to obtain or retain employment. If such fees are identified, Supplier must reimburse workers promptly.

• All workers retain the right to terminate their employment upon giving reasonable contractual notice.

1.2 Child Labor & Young Workers

• Suppliers must not hire workers younger than the local legal minimum working age or younger than 16 years old, whichever is higher.

• Workers under the age of 18 ("Young Workers") must not work overtime, perform night shifts, or be placed in hazardous operating environments (including chemical exposure, vat dyeing, or heavy blade operation).

1.3 Fair Wages, Compensation & Benefits

• Suppliers must pay all workers wages and benefits that meet or exceed local legal statutory minimums or prevailing industry benchmark wages, whichever is higher.

• Brand actively encourages suppliers to progress toward paying a recognized living wage capable of meeting essential needs and discretionary income.

• Deductions from wages as a disciplinary measure are strictly forbidden.

• Wages must be paid on a predictable schedule, accompanied by clear, itemized pay stubs.

1.4 Working Hours & Overtime

• Standard workweeks shall not exceed legal statutory limits, and regular hours shall not exceed 48 hours per week.

• All overtime must be voluntary, properly documented, and compensated at statutory premium rates. Total working hours (including overtime) must not exceed 60 hours in a 7-day period except under exceptional, legally recognized force majeure events.

• Workers must be granted at least one consecutive 24-hour day of rest every seven days.

1.5 Anti-Harassment, Dignity & Respect

• Given the intimate nature of lingerie production, Supplier must enforce strict zero-tolerance policies against physical, verbal, psychological, and sexual harassment, abuse, coercion, or intimidation.

• Suppliers must maintain secure, anonymous grievance mechanisms allowing workers to report harassment or workplace violations without fear of retaliation.

1.6 Non-Discrimination

• Employment decisions including hiring, compensation, training, promotion, termination, and retirement, must be based solely on ability and job performance.

• Discrimination based on race, color, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, disability, pregnancy, marital status, religion, political affiliation, or union membership is strictly prohibited.

1.7 Freedom of Association & Collective Bargaining

• Suppliers must respect the rights of workers to associate freely, join or form trade unions, and bargain collectively in accordance with applicable laws without interference, intimidation, or retaliation.

2. Health, Safety & Workplace Hygiene

• Facility Safety: Buildings must comply with structural integrity standards. Fire doors and emergency exits must remain unlocked, clearly illuminated, unblocked, and accessible at all times. Fire alarms and firefighting equipment must be regularly inspected and maintained.

• Machine Safety & PPE: Proper guards and safety cutoffs must be installed on high-speed sewing, cutting and pressing machinery. Personal protective equipment (PPE), including eye protection, dust masks and cut-resistant gloves, must be provided free of charge.

• Sanitation & Amenities: Facilities must provide clean drinking water, adequate ventilation and climate control, appropriate lighting, and sanitary, clean toilet facilities segregated by gender.

• Dormitories (if applicable): Any housing provided by the supplier must be structurally sound, well-ventilated, clean, equipped with private bathing facilities, and have independent, unblocked emergency fire exits. Curfews or restrictions must not infringe on personal autonomy.

3. Chemical Safety & Environmental Stewardship

• Restricted Substances List (RSL): Fabrics, elastics, threads, labels, trims and metal hardware coming in contact with skin must strictly adhere to international restricted substance limits (e.g., OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 and the EU REACH Regulation), prohibiting harmful phthalates, carcinogenic azo dyes, formaldehyde, and heavy metals.

• Wastewater & Dye Effluent Management: Dyeing, washing, and finishing facilities must possess operational wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) that meet local industrial discharge standards before releasing effluent. Direct untreated discharge into natural waterways is cause for immediate suspension of business.

• Waste Reduction & Resource Efficiency: Suppliers are required to systematically monitor, manage, and reduce fabric scrap waste, packaging plastics, water use, and energy consumption.

4. Anti-Corruption & Subcontracting Governance

• Zero Bribery: Suppliers shall not offer, promise, give, or accept bribes, kickbacks, or inappropriate gifts to or from Brand representatives, auditors, or government officials.

• Subcontracting Authorization: Unauthorized, outsourced subcontracting (including "shadow factories" or off-the-books homeworker networks) is strictly prohibited. Every production site, mill, dye house or finishing contractor must be disclosed and approved in writing by Brand prior to commencing production.

5. Monitoring, Auditing & Enforcement

• Audit Access: Brand and its designated third-party inspection teams have the right to conduct announced or semi-announced audits, inspect facilities, review payroll and time logs, and conduct confidential worker interviews.

• Corrective Action Plans (CAP): In the event of minor non-compliance, Supplier will be given a defined timeframe to remediate issues via an agreed CAP.

• Zero-Tolerance Infractions: Discovery of child labor, forced labor, severe physical/sexual abuse, or intentional concealment of shadow subcontractors constitutes grounds for immediate contract termination without liability.

6. Supplier Acknowledgment & Execution

By signing this Code, the authorized representative of each Supplier confirms that they have read, understood, and agreed to adhere to this Supplier Code of Conduct across all facilities producing goods for COYA intimates.