Responsible Sourcing Policy

Purpose of Policy

The purpose of this document is to ensure that goods and services used by CWT are sourced following a responsible and ethical process and considering ethical and responsible supply chain options.

This policy is implemented in conjunction with the following document:

  • Responsible Sourcing and Green Suppliers Spreadsheet
References

Related Policies and Documents include, but are not limited to the following:

  • United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights
  • Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI)
  • International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions
  • International Standard for Sustainable Procurement (ISO20400:2017)
  • Anti -Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW)
  • Age Discrimination Act 2004
  • Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986
  • Disability Discrimination Act 1992
  • Equal Employment Opportunity (Commonwealth Authorities) Act 1987
  • Racial Discrimination Act 1975
  • Sex Discrimination Act 1984
  • Anti -Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW)
Responsibilities & Authorities

The Managing Director is responsible (with the assistance of the BMS Coordinator) for initially approving and administering this Policy.

The BMS Coordinator is responsible for approving and administering changes to this policy.

All workers are responsible for compliance with this Policy and for updating the Responsible Sourcing and Green Suppliers Spreadsheet.

Responsible Sourcing Policy

CWT is committed to acting responsibly and doing the right thing for our people, our clients, our communities, and our environment. We expect the same standards from our suppliers. The CWT Responsible Sourcing Policy is based on the principles of the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) and International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions.

CWT is committed to respecting human rights for our own employees and the workers in our upstream supply chain in alignment with the principles and guidance contained in the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. This means we undertake reasonable due diligence activities to identify, prevent and mitigate any adverse human rights impacts our operations may have.

As part of our Business Management System, CWT is committed to the annual review of our responsible sourcing approach.

CWT Modern Slavery Statement

CWT takes a zero-tolerance approach to any form of modern slavery including servitude, human trafficking and forced labour. We are committed to an ethical and transparent approach to business, ensuring effective systems and controls are in place to safeguard against any form of modern slavery within our business operations or our supply chain (as far as reasonably practicable).

Our commitment to preventing modern slavery is as follows:

  • CWT is an Australian business. We have a relatively simple upstream supply chain. However, we recognise that we need to monitor our responsible sourcing practices.
  • CWT has developed a Responsible Sourcing Policy and framework to assess the level of commitment to Responsible Sourcing by our suppliers. This information is stored in the Responsible Sourcing and Green Suppliers Spreadsheet to make this information readily available to all staff.
  • Due to the consulting nature of our business, CWT recognise that our greatest exposure in relation to modern slavery flows through the purchases we make from suppliers and subcontractors.
  • CWT policy requires selection of relevant suppliers of a product or service to, where practicable, be those who provide the highest commitment to Responsible Sourcing.
  • When new suppliers are identified, a due diligence assessment via the Responsible Sourcing and Green Suppliers spreadsheet is completed to assess the degree to which the supplier is committed to responsible sourcing.
  • Annual reviews are completed of our risk assessment process and internal audit programs to ensure CWT policies and procedures are relevant and up to date.
  • Comprehensive training is provided to all new staff members with refresher training provided when changes to relevant CWT policies and procedures are made.
Responsible Sourcing Standards

CWT is committed to promoting human rights and adhering to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) core labour standards. Our policies and procedures are also consistent with the International Standard for Sustainable Procurement (ISO20400:2017).

It is expected that all suppliers and business partners engaged by CWT also safeguard human rights, workers’ employment rights, safety, and the environment. Compliance with the following standards is considered in our assessment of possible suppliers.

Child Labour

Suppliers and subcontractors shall not employ a worker under the age stipulated by the local/regional legal limit.

Forced Labour

The supplier or subcontractor supplying goods and services to CWT shall not allow any form of forced, bonded, involuntary, or prison labour.

Discrimination or Harassment

Suppliers and subcontractors shall not discriminate in the hiring or treatment of workers. Women and men shall be treated equally and with respect and consideration, upholding their dignity. No physical, sexual or verbal harassment or abuse will be permitted in the workplace.

Fair Remuneration, Working Hours and Conditions

All suppliers and subcontractors shall ensure that wages paid for a working week are at least equal to the minimum national industry benchmark standards. Working hours for all workers shall comply with national and/or local laws and industry benchmark standards. All workers are to have access to fair procedures and remedies.

Respect for Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining

All suppliers and subcontractors shall ensure that all employees have the right of association, union membership, and collective bargaining as well as adequate workers representation. Where the rights to either are restricted under law, the appropriate channels to ensure a reasonable and independent exercise of such rights must be designed.

Health Safety and Environment

Suppliers and subcontractors shall provide a safe and healthy workplace environment as per requirements of the local and regional laws. Suppliers and subcontractors shall always be committed to respect the environment and shall, at a minimum, comply with the standards and requirements of the applicable local and international laws and regulations.

Responsible Sourcing Procedure
  • All suppliers and subcontractors are to be assessed via the Responsible Sourcing and Green Suppliers framework presented in the spreadsheet to ascertain the degree to which the supplier is committed to responsible sourcing.
  • CWT policy is to, where possible, select relevant suppliers of a product or service who provide the highest commitment to Responsible Sourcing.
  • Where possible, CWT will assist and encourage suppliers and subcontractors to consider and improve their own commitment to responsible sourcing.