Responsible Business Partner Policy

1. Purpose

Green Earth Group N.V. (“the Company”) is committed to doing business in a responsible and sustainable way, with particular attention to its environmental and social responsibility. Our success depends on the well-being of the communities and the environment in which we operate.

This policy sets out the Company’s ethical and social responsibilities towards its suppliers and what it expects of them. Its purpose is to make sure that our suppliers operate responsibly and sustainably, in line with the Company’s values and principles.

We expect our suppliers to meet or exceed the requirements of this policy and of the Company’s Code of Conduct.

2. Scope

This policy applies worldwide to all suppliers of the Company and of the Green Earth group of companies, regardless of their location or size. It gives all suppliers one common set of expectations and standards.

It also applies to the Company’s employees who select, engage or manage suppliers.

3. Ethical business practices

Suppliers must conduct business to the highest ethical standards. They must be transparent and honest in all business dealings.

3.1 Compliance with laws and regulations

Suppliers must comply with all relevant laws and regulations in the countries where they operate, including laws on labour, health and safety, the environment and anti-corruption.

3.2 Corruption and bribery

Any form of corruption or bribery is prohibited. Suppliers must not offer, promise or provide any improper advantage to any government official or employee, and must not engage in any other unethical or illegal practice. The Anti-Corruption and Anti-Bribery Policy sets out the rules in more detail.

3.3 Confidentiality and conflicts of interest

Suppliers must keep sensitive information confidential and avoid conflicts of interest.

4. Human rights and fair labour practices

The Company respects the rights of workers and promotes fair labour practices. Suppliers must:

• respect the human rights of their employees and provide fair, safe and healthy working conditions;
• comply with all applicable labour laws and regulations, including those on minimum wages, working hours and health and safety;
• not use forced labour or child labour in any form;
• respect the rights of workers to freedom of association and collective bargaining;
• provide equal opportunities to all employees, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, political opinion or other grounds, and not discriminate in any way; and
• provide a workplace free from harassment, violence and other forms of discrimination.

The Company’s own approach to equal opportunities is set out in the Diversity and Equal Opportunity Policy.

5. Quality and product safety

Suppliers must:

• comply with all applicable laws and regulations on product safety and quality;
• implement and maintain quality control systems so that their products meet the Company’s requirements and industry standards;
• provide relevant product documentation, such as certificates of conformity and test reports, to the Company on request;
• notify the Company immediately of any product defect or quality issue; and
• assess their products regularly to identify and address any quality or safety concern.

6. Health, safety and environment

6.1 Health and safety

Suppliers must comply with all applicable health and safety laws and regulations. They must implement and maintain systems and processes that ensure the safety of their employees and other stakeholders. The Company’s own approach is set out in the Occupational Health and Safety Policy.

6.2 Environmental responsibility

Suppliers must manage their environmental impact responsibly and sustainably, in line with international environmental standards and good practice. They must make sure that their operations do not harm the environment. In particular, suppliers must:

• comply with all relevant environmental laws and regulations, including those on the production, transport and disposal of products and waste;
• implement and maintain systems and processes that minimise negative impacts on the environment;
• implement and maintain systems to monitor and reduce their use of energy and water and the waste they produce, and to minimise air and water pollution;
• implement and maintain a programme for the proper handling, storage and disposal of hazardous materials;
• handle and dispose of all waste from their operations properly, including hazardous waste, in line with local regulations;
• design, manufacture and dispose of their products in a way that minimises environmental impact and promotes sustainability;
• use environmentally friendly packaging materials and minimise packaging waste; and
• provide evidence of compliance with relevant standards and regulations, such as environmental management system certificates, on request.

We also expect suppliers to:

• reduce their environmental footprint, including their emissions, energy and water use, resource consumption and waste;
• manage resources sustainably, optimise their use of materials, energy and water, and use environmentally friendly materials and processes;
• reduce waste and promote the recycling and reuse of materials; and
• communicate openly with the Company about their environmental performance, and work with the Company to identify and implement measures that reduce the environmental impact of their operations.

We encourage suppliers to adopt an environmental management system and to carry out regular environmental audits to identify and address areas for improvement. The Company’s own commitments are set out in the Environmental Policy.

7. Local communities and sustainable development

Suppliers play an important role in the economic and social well-being of the communities in which they operate. Suppliers are expected to support those communities, for example by providing employment, supporting education and contributing to local economic development. Suppliers must not engage in activities that harm or exploit local communities or the environment. We encourage suppliers to source materials and services locally wherever possible, to support local businesses and economies.

8. Due diligence and monitoring

The Company monitors compliance with this policy as follows:

• Due diligence. Before entering into a new relationship with a supplier, the Company carries out a due diligence review of the supplier’s compliance with this policy, the Code of Conduct and other relevant laws and regulations.
• Audits and inspections. The Company may audit and inspect suppliers regularly to assess compliance. This can include site visits, review of documents and interviews with employees.
• Compliance reporting. The Company may require suppliers to report regularly on their compliance, including any incident of non-compliance and the action taken to remedy it.
• Third-party assessment. The Company may engage an independent firm to assess supplier compliance.
• Training. Employees are trained on this policy, on what the Company expects of suppliers, on what counts as a breach and on how to report a concern.
• Policy acknowledgement. Employees confirm in writing, when they join and every year after that, that they have read and fully understand the Company’s policies.
• Employee feedback. The Company may ask employees for feedback on supplier practices, for example through surveys or anonymous reporting channels.
• Industry monitoring. The Company follows industry trends and news for information about supplier practices and possible breaches.

9. Roles and responsibilities

• The Board (the management board of the Company) oversees this policy; the Chief Executive Officer approves it on the Board's behalf.
• The Chief Executive Officer is accountable for this policy.
• The Head of Legal owns this policy and keeps it up to date.
• Employees who select, engage or manage suppliers apply this policy in their dealings with suppliers and can raise concerns as set out in section 10.
• Suppliers must familiarise themselves with this policy and take all necessary steps to comply with it.

10. Reporting concerns

Employees can report a concern about a supplier under the Whistleblower and Non-Retaliation Policy, which is available to all staff. A report about the Chief Executive Officer goes to the chair of the Board.

Suppliers and other people outside Green Earth, including anyone who wants to report suspected wrongdoing, can raise a question or concern by email to contact@green.earth or through the contact form at https://www.green.earth/contact. Complaints are handled under the Complaints Policy.

11. Breaches

If a supplier may have breached this policy, the Company investigates thoroughly and may ask the supplier to take corrective action. If the supplier does not take appropriate corrective action, or if the breach is particularly serious, the Company may end its business relationship with the supplier. Consequences of a breach may include, but are not limited to, ending the business relationship.

12. Approval and review

The Chief Executive Officer approves this policy on behalf of the Board. The Head of Legal owns it and reviews it at least every two years.

History: first issued on 24 May 2023 by the Company, then named DGB Group N.V.

13. Related documents

• Code of Conduct
• Anti-Corruption and Anti-Bribery Policy
• Diversity and Equal Opportunity Policy
• Occupational Health and Safety Policy
• Environmental Policy
• Whistleblower and Non-Retaliation Policy
• Complaints Policy