SUPPLIER CODE OF CONDUCT - Services

INTRODUCTION

At Tails.com, we are committed to partnering with suppliers and business partners who share our dedication to ethical business practices, the well-being of workers in our value chain and the protection of the environment. To become a trusted partner, suppliers and business partners are expected to share our high standards of integrity, demonstrating continuous ethical business practice whilst actively minimizing environmental impact. Both Tails.com and our suppliers and business partners have a shared responsibility to comply with all relevant local and international laws and regulations. In the event of any breaches, we are committed to working collaboratively to find solutions which contribute positively to the welfare of pets, people and the planet.

01 SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Human Rights

Together with Tails.com, suppliers and business partners will support internationally proclaimed human rights by having their own code of conduct policy in place. As a minimum the supplier must comply with the International labour standards set by the International Labour Organisation (“ILO”) or local laws, whichever is stricter. Suppliers and business partners will ensure that all workers are employed voluntarily and will maintain a zero-tolerance policy for modern slavery, human trafficking or forced labor within their workforce and value chain. This includes but is not limited to the prohibition of recruitment fees and the withholding of identity or travel documents. Workers must have full freedom of movement without intimidation or penalties. Suppliers and business partners will not employ anyone under the internationally recognized legal working age of 15 and must strictly prohibit child labor within their value chain. Workers under 18 must not be assigned hazardous work.

Health & Safety

All facilities within the suppliers and business partners chain of custody must comply with health and safety regulations and are audited by a verified third party to validate safe business practice.

Discrimination

Suppliers and business partners must ensure that their workforce has continuous access to confidential grievance mechanisms and equal opportunities. Suppliers and business partners must act without discrimination based on race, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion, political opinion or social origin.

Minimum Wage

All employees must be paid no less than the minimum wage, in full compliance with the minimum wage laws and regulations of the governing country. Wages must be paid in legal tender and accompanied by transparent wage statements. Payment must be made directly to the employee at regular intervals no longer than one month. Under no circumstances may deductions be made from wages as a form of punishment.

Working Hours

Regular hours of working are defined in the contract and shall not exceed the legal limit. All overtime shall be voluntary and all employees are entitled to regular breaks and minimum of one day off per week.

Freedom of Association

All workers must be free to join a union without fear of intimidation or dismissal and the supplier must be committed to communicating and bargaining with the union in good faith.

02 ANTI-BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION

At Tails.com, we uphold the highest standards of integrity across our operations. Corruption in any form whether offering or receiving favors is strictly prohibited. We allow only reasonable, symbolic gestures or gifts appropriate to the circumstance, and never those that might be perceived as influencing a business decision improperly. Under no circumstances should any gifts, meals, entertainment, favors, or other benefits be offered or accepted if they could create the impression of undue influence or an unfair advantage.

Anti-Bribery

We maintain a zero-tolerance approach to bribery and corruption and expect our employees, indirect partners, affiliates, suppliers and business partners to reflect these values in all interactions. Suspected violations must be reported immediately via our established channels such as your line manager and procurement partners. Just as we safeguard our mission to provide tailored, sustainable pet nutrition, we also commit to protecting and strengthening Tails.com’s reputation through ethical business conduct.

Gifts & Hospitality

Business decisions must always be made objectively and in the best interests of our customers, pets, and partners. Suppliers and business partners must not offer or accept gifts, hospitality, or other benefits that could improperly influence, or appear to influence, a business decision. Modest, occasional, and clearly appropriate gestures may be acceptable, provided they are lawful and transparent. Any gifts or hospitality that could create a conflict of interest must be declared and approved through Tails.com’s reporting processes.

Competition Law

We expect all suppliers and business partners to compete fairly and in full compliance with applicable competition and antitrust laws. This means avoiding any agreements, practices, or discussions that could restrict fair competition, such as price-fixing, bid-rigging, market sharing, or exchanging sensitive information with competitors. Suppliers must conduct business honestly and transparently to protect consumers and maintain a fair and open marketplace.

Money Laundering

We are committed to conducting business with integrity and transparency. Suppliers and business partners must never engage in, support, or facilitate money laundering, terrorism financing, or any related illegal activities. All financial transactions must be legitimate, accurately recorded, and compliant with applicable laws and regulations. Any suspicious activity or unusual payment requests must be reported immediately through Tails.com’s reporting channels.

Conflict of Interest

Suppliers and business partners must avoid any situation where personal interests could interfere with their responsibilities to Tails.com or create the appearance of improper influence. This includes relationships, financial interests, or outside activities that may impact objective decision-making. Any potential conflicts must be disclosed promptly to Tails.com so they can be reviewed and appropriately managed. Transparency is essential to maintaining trust and protecting the integrity of our business relationships.

03 ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY

Suppliers and business partners must operate responsibly, comply with all applicable environmental laws, and minimize their environmental impact. Suppliers and business partners are expected to manage resources efficiently, prevent pollution, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and source materials sustainably.

Carbon Reduction

Suppliers and business partners are encouraged to implement energy efficient operations and to prioritise the use of renewable resources or low-emission alternatives where feasible, including but not limited to responsible business travel.

Wastage

We recommend digital over paper based processes to minimize unnecessary waste. We expect suppliers to follow appropriate recycling and responsible disposal of any physical materials.

Water Stewardship

Suppliers and business partners should have processes in place to monitor and conserve water usage, particularly in services or facilities where consumption is significant (e.g. data centers or cleaning services).

Circular Economy

Suppliers and business partners are encouraged to reduce reliance on single use materials and to promote reuse, recycling, and recovery wherever possible. We expect suppliers to consider circular principles in the products and services they provide, such as sustainable sourcing, packaging efficiency, and options for refurbishment or take back.

04 GOVERNANCE

Suppliers and business partners are required to maintain appropriate governance practices from the outset of the supplier selection process and throughout the duration of their contract. To support compliance with this Code of Conduct, verified third-party social audits must be conducted at least every two years, following approved frameworks such as SMETA, ISO 26000, BSCI, or SA8000.. Suppliers and business partners must uphold high standards in the use and management of technology and data, ensuring full compliance with applicable UK and EU regulations. These include the UK GDPR, EU GDPR, the UK Data Protection Act, and the NIS2 Directive, along with industry standards such as ISO 27001 and SOC 2. Personal data must be processed lawfully, securely, and only for legitimate purposes. Any data breaches must be reported to Tails.com and the relevant authorities within the required legal timeframes. Suppliers and business partners should use recognized third-party certifications for materials, processes, and products where applicable, and make good faith efforts to obtain additional certifications if requested, including ISO 14001 for environmental management, ISO 50001 for energy management, and ISO 45001 for occupational health and safety. This code of conduct will be reviewed annually to ensure alignment with current laws and legislation.

05 BUSINESS INTEGRITY AND RESPONSIBLE CONDUCT

Ethical Marketing Practices

Suppliers and business partners must ensure that all marketing activities, materials, and communications are accurate, transparent, and compliant with applicable laws and regulations. This includes avoiding false or misleading claims, respecting customer privacy, and upholding Tails.com’s reputation through honest and responsible representation of our products and services.

Intellectual Property Rights

Suppliers and business partners must respect Tails.com’s intellectual property, including trademarks, branding, creative assets, and proprietary technology. Similarly, suppliers and business partners must only use materials they own or have a legal right to use, ensuring no infringement of third-party intellectual property. Any creative or technological work developed for Tails.com must be covered by clear agreements that outline ownership and usage rights.

Creative Proposals and Concept Submission

Suppliers and business partners must not submit concepts, strategies, designs, or other creative materials requiring significant time or investment unless explicitly requested by Tails.com and agreed in writing. Such materials remain the supplier’s intellectual property unless otherwise specified by contract. Tails.com will not use or reproduce creative ideas without prior consent and appropriate agreement.

Responsible Technology Use

Suppliers and business partners must ensure that all technology, software, and systems provided to Tails.com are secure, compliant, and used ethically. This includes preventing the introduction of malware or unauthorized access, adhering to licensing requirements, and supporting Tails.com’s efforts to protect customer and operational data

06 SUPPLIER AUDITS

Tails.com reserves the right to audit any supplier, contractor, or business partner to ensure compliance with our Code of Conduct and ethical standards. These audits may be scheduled or unannounced and can include site visits, document reviews, and worker interviews. We expect full cooperation and transparency throughout the process. Where issues are identified, suppliers must take prompt corrective action. Continued non-compliance may result in review of our business relationship, including potential termination.

07 RAISING CONCERNS

We take our responsibility to uphold ethical and integrity-driven practices seriously, in all aspects of our work. If you identify any non-conformances with this policy, please raise your concerns with your Procurement contact at Tails.com, so that we can discuss appropriate remediation. We are committed to working collaboratively with our partners on compliance matters, providing support and resources to drive continuous improvement and deliver a positive impact. All suppliers, business partners and contractors must comply with these principles and with all applicable labour and human rights laws. Any concerns or violations must be reported immediately through Tails.com’s established reporting channels, including our confidential Speak-Up system, so that swift and appropriate action can be taken.

Speak up system

We report any practices or actions we believe to be inappropriate under this Code or that are illegal, to our line Manager, our Procurement Partner or Finance Director. If this is not appropriate for any reason, we report violations directly to any member of the Leadership Team, or via our confidential non-compliance reporting system Speak-Up, available 24/7 365 days a year. You can submit a report via the confidential webform or via phone number to leave a message, by following the instructions below:

Submit your report via a Webform or call to leave a message on 0800-1693502

Next, please select United Kingdom

Next, please describe the nature of your concern (who, what, when and how) and attach any supporting evidence you may have

Once you’ve submitted your report, you’ll receive an individual case number. Keep the number safe as you’ll need it each time you’d like to access the system and check for updates.