Business Partner Code of Conduct
CJ America, Inc. and its affiliates (“CJ”) have made a commitment to operate its businesses according to the CJ Management Philosophy — based on the core values of Integrity, Passion, Creativity, and Respect — to achieve the highest ethical standards of business conduct for the company, fellow employees, suppliers in the supply chain, and business partners who conduct business with CJ, and in the marketplace.
This Business Partner Code of Conduct (“Code”) represents our commitment to regulatory compliance in the supply chain by outlining a set of rules that will assist with practicing ethical conduct and resolving potential ethical dilemmas. This Code is not meant to cover all possible situations but is designed to provide a frame of reference to evaluate the ethical parameters of a given factual scenario. It is the ultimate responsibility of our Business Partners to report conflicts of interests or violations to CJ. For the purposes of this Code, all references to “Business Partner(s)” shall include, but is not limited to, growers, suppliers, importers, distributors, retailers, and other operators who conduct business with CJ.
The Code applies to all Business Partners who conduct business with CJ. Business Partners are expected to conduct their business ethically, to comply with all applicable laws and regulations where they do business, and the standards set forth under this Code. Business Partners are also expected to notify CJ immediately if they become aware of any compliance issues involving themselves or others, or if they feel pressured by a CJ employee or another Business Partner to violate the standards set forth under this Code. To contact CJ, please use this online form.
Business Partners should avoid any conflicts of interest whenever possible when engaging in any business relations with CJ. Business Partners must not misuse CJ’s resources, assets, and intellectual property in pursuing separate business opportunities. Any possible conflicts of interest by the Business Partner that may impact CJ must be disclosed to CJ in order for appropriate action to be taken as warranted.
CJ reserves the right to investigate any concern that is brought to its attention and facilitate discussions with the Business Partner. The Business Partner is expected to cooperate with any such investigations and provide information as reasonably requested.
CJ values its own confidential information and that of our Business Partners and will take all necessary precautions to protect the confidential information of our Business Partners or other third parties. Business Partners shall also take all necessary precautions to protect all confidential information of CJ. “Confidential information” is defined here as any information that is not public information, including trade secrets, business plans, product recipes, consumer insight, internal investigations, records, designs, formulas, research, and any non-published financial information or data.
CJ is committed to observing and complying with all laws in each location in which it operates including laws pertaining to bribery and corruption. Business Partners shall not make any illegal payment in any form, promise of any personal or improper financial or other advantage, or offer or promise of preferential treatment, to anyone for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business or to obtain any other favorable action. It is imperative that each and every person who does business with CJ understands that CJ will not, under any circumstances, give or accept bribes or kickbacks. Business Partners shall also not engage in fraudulent or similar dishonest activities related to or involving property, assets, and/or financial records of CJ or other Business Partners. All financial records must be accurate and complete. Business Partners must be in full compliance with this provision and all applicable laws and regulations.
CJ seeks to outperform its competitors, fairly and honestly, and never through unethical or illegal business practices. CJ is committed to treating customers, Business Partners, and competitors fairly and will not engage in anticompetitive practices that unlawfully restrict the free market economy. Anticompetitive practices include taking unfair advantage of anyone through concealment, abuse of privileged information, unauthorized use or disclosure of confidential information, misrepresentation of material facts, or any other unfair-dealing practice. Business Partners must not engage in illegal anticompetitive practices and must be in full compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
Generally, the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (the “Act”) prohibits giving anything of value, directly or indirectly, to officials of foreign governments or foreign political candidates in order to obtain or retain business. “Foreign officials” under the Act may include U.S.-based or non-U.S. agencies or instrumentalities, or any official of a public international organization. Business Partners must be in full compliance with the Act and all applicable laws and regulations.
CJ does not tolerate forced labor, indentured labor, or human trafficking. Business Partners are expected to treat all workers with respect and must comply with all applicable laws and regulations within their country of origin, the U.S., and wherever business is conducted by the Business Partner.
CJ does not tolerate discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment based on sex, race, color, ethnic or national origin, sexual orientation, gender, age, religion, disability, pregnancy, veteran status and/or any other status protected by federal, state or local law. Business Partners are expected to make all employment decisions fairly and objectively based on business reasons and job-related requirements.
CJ does not tolerate unlawful harassment in any manner. Harassment, including sexual harassment, is defined here as unwelcome verbal, visual, and physical conduct, whether direct or indirect. Sexual harassment also includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other physical or verbal conduct of a sexual nature. Examples of harassment are derogatory jokes or comments, offensive touching, and offensive pictures and texts. Business Partners must be in full compliance with all applicable laws and regulations pertaining to anti-harassment.
CJ places high importance on the safety and health of its executives, employees, visitors, contractors, customers, and local communities. Safety is a shared responsibility and Business Partners must take ownership and are responsible for their own safety programs. Unsafe working conditions or unsafe equipment shall mean, among other things, exposure to workplace violence, hazardous materials/equipment, toxic chemicals, or anything that could put any person in immediate danger of serious harm, injury, or illness.
Telling the truth is one of the key values at CJ. CJ is committed to accurately representing itself and its products in its marketing, advertising, and sales efforts, as well as in casual conversations, presentations, or other business dealings. Making false or misleading remarks about individuals, competitors or other organizations and their products, services or employees is inconsistent with CJ’s values. Business Partners shall not make false or misleading statements pursuant to all applicable laws and regulations.
Business Partners are expected to fully comply with all provisions of this Code and ensure the highest standards of integrity. Failure to comply may result in termination of the Business Partner relationship with CJ. CJ may seek legal action against the Business Partner if a violation results in monetary, reputational, or other loss to CJ and may require the Business Partner to reimburse CJ for that loss. CJ takes acts of misconduct and violations of laws, regulations, and the Code very seriously and will take appropriate corrective actions at its own discretion.