KiK is an international working commercial enterprise. Especially because we have business connections to many different countries of this earth, we care a lot about the living circumstances and conditions of the people working there at the spot.
Because of this reason, we have determined, to bring a code of conduct into life, that includes certain social principles in regards to treating humans, which we find absolutely necessary.

The code of conduct is also the basis of our business contacts to suppliers, agents and importeurs.

Such an agreement is passed quickly, it is much more important though, that the demands requested from our partners, are also kept. Therefore we are having an independant company doing unannounced inspections of the factories at sight in regular intervals. Should we find any irregularities or violations of this code of conduct by these inspections, we will try, to first of all stop these together with our business partner. A fair way of acting for all who are involved.

In case of a repeat or in an exeptional case – especially in regards to gross violations – we see ourselves forced though, to terminate the business relation.

With our code of conduct and the regular, strict inspections in the factories, we are convinced, to create a basis for a human work surrounding different countries.
KiK is aware of it’s social responsibility and is facing it – without any ifs and buts!
Introduction

As an internationally active retailer, we feel it is our duty to base all our business relationships on a diverse set of socially responsible guidelines in the form of a code of conduct. We consider this Code as the basis for our interaction with all of our business partners.

Although we are aware that our business partners may come from cultures and countries where social norms and value systems differ from our own, the goal of this code of conduct is to achieve compliance with social standards on an international level, applied as the basis of all our business relationships.

General information about our business relationships

As a matter of principle, we strive to establish long-term business relationships with all of our business partners. We expect our business partners to respect our code of conduct, adhere to the social standards included within, and operate in a fair and honest manner.
This means that all of our business partners must apply the same principles included in our code of conduct to everyone with whom they have business relationships; whether they are employees, subcontractors, or other third parties.

We strictly comply with laws of the countries in which we maintain business relationships. We expect the same from our partners, who are also responsible for ensuring that copyrights and usage rights of third parties are not infringed upon.

We do not accept gifts, regardless of their form.

Employment conditions

Under no circumstances do we accept the employment of children.

The age of employees should be at least 14 years, or comply with the legally mandated minimum age in the respective country if this is higher.

If we nevertheless find that a child is working in a factory against our conditions, we require that the management of the production facility takes appropriate measures for the positive change of the child’s situation. A solution has to be found that considers the age, the social situation and the education of the child in order to do the utmost to ensure the child’s wellbeing in the future.

We request that all local laws with regard to working hours are adhered to.
We do not tolerate forced labor or work that is physically and / or mentally equivalent to punishment.

Wages and salaries must comply with all respective laws and the general principle of fair and honest conduct. Compliance with minimum wage provisions is required, with no exceptions.

With respect to the health and safety of the persons involved, our business partners must guarantee that all production processes take place under appropriate conditions.
We do not accept discrimination on the basis of the personal characteristics or the beliefs of the employees.

The legal right of the employees to associate with any organization of their choice must not be limited.

Environmental considerations

Due to the large differences in existing conditions between industrialized and developing countries, we are continuously working to improve the environmental conditions in the respective countries in which we maintain business relationships. We comply with the environmental standards of individual countries and continue to support them within our means.

Duty to inform / monitoring

Our business partners are required to inform their subcontractors of this code of conduct, and to hold them to it. In addition, our business partners are obligated to permit unannounced on-site inspections of all production facilities by persons or companies designated by us to monitor compliance with the code.

We will ensure that active monitoring of this code of conduct takes place and that our social guidelines are a recognizable part of our operating processes.

Non-compliance / sanctions

If non-compliance should become evident in the form of a business partner’s infraction against this code, we will not hesitate, and will end the business relationship immediately, including the cancellation of all contracts, regardless of the possibly high economic cost to KiK.

Furthermore, we reserve the right to take other actions as required according to our judgment.

Goal

Our goal, as established by this code of conduct, is to make all our activities with regard to social responsibility even more successful. If there was an infraction against the code and a business relationship was terminated, we are willing, along with that
business partner, to take measures in order to make possible the reestablishment of the business relationship.

First and foremost is our desire to place the relationship with our business partners on a solid social foundation, which we consider to be the basis for the economic success of all involved.