Supplier Code of Conduct
1. Introduction
As outlined by the Tata Code of Conduct, Tata teleservices Limited and its direct and indirect subsidiaries (“Tata teleservices Ltd” or the “Company”) are committed to conducting their business in an ethical, legal, and socially responsible manner. Tata Teleservices considers its suppliers to be an integral and indispensable part of its business and believes that a reliable and sustainable supply chain is critical for a responsible and efficient organization. The Supplier Code of Conduct (“Code”) outlines Tata Teleservices expectations for supplier conduct in relation to ethics, labour and human rights, health and safety, environmental protection, and management practices.
2. Applicability
Tata Teleservices requires its suppliers to comply with all applicable laws and regulations and operate in accordance with the principles and requirements outlined in this Code. This Code goes beyond compliance with applicable laws by drawing upon internationally recognized standards to advance social and environmental responsibility. When differences arise between standards and legal requirements, the stricter standard or guidelines shall apply, in compliance with applicable laws.
Tata Teleservices will assess its suppliers’ compliance with this Code, and any violations of this Code may jeopardize a supplier’s business relationship with Tata Teleservices, up to and including termination. This Code applies to all suppliers (including service providers and contractors) of Tata Teleservices across all geographies.
Tata Teleservices requires its suppliers to undergo training on Tata Code of Conduct and other relevant policies which would be extended to them from time to time.
3. Principles of Supplier Conduct
Overview
Tata Teleservices is committed to operating its businesses conforming to the highest moral and ethical standards. The Company’s stellar reputation and success as a business entity has been defined by the powerful commitment and adherence to the core values and principles expressed in the Tata Code of Conduct. The Tata Code of Conduct is a bedrock on which we base our individual, as well as leadership commitments to core Tata values. It outlines our commitment to each of our stakeholders, including the communities in which we operate, and is our guiding light when we are sometimes faced with business dilemmas that leave us at ethical crossroads.
The Company’s suppliers should strive to achieve the highest standards of ethics, business conduct, working conditions, and environmental management. The supplier principles are further elucidated under six categories (i.e. Ethics and Transparency, Labour and Human Rights, Environment, Health and Safety, Anti-Corruption and Anti-bribery, and Information Security). The Supplier Code of Conduct also covers avenues for reporting concerns in event of a breach of the Code and accountability provisions.
Suppliers shall read, understand, and affirm compliance with this Code. Tata Teleservices expressly retains the right to unilaterally modify or amend this Code, at its sole discretion, with or without prior notice to Suppliers.
General Disclaimer
The Supplier Code of Conduct is in no way intended to conflict with or modify the terms and conditions of any existing contract. Unless otherwise stated, in the event of any conflict, the suppliers shall adhere to the contract terms.
Principle 1. Ethics and Transparency
Supplier must uphold honesty, integrity, and fair dealing while doing business with Tata Teleservices. Supplier shall accurately record information regarding its business activities, labour, health and safety, and environmental and management practices and shall disclose such information, without falsification or misrepresentation, to all appropriate parties and as required by law. The Company encourages its suppliers to have a strong ethical culture in their respective organizations and promote the highest ethical standards towards their internal and external stakeholders.
Principle 2. Labour and Human Rights
Tata Teleservices is firmly committed to respecting and protecting human rights in every aspect of its business. The Company’s principles are aligned with those contained in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, International Labour Organization Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work and the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. Tata Teleservices believes all workers in its supply chain deserve a fair and ethical workplace. Workers must be treated with the utmost dignity and respect, and Tata Teleservices’ suppliers shall uphold the highest standards of labour and human rights.
2.1. Child Labour
Tata Teleservices has a zero-tolerance approach to child labour and modern slavery. Suppliers shall not employ, engage, or otherwise use any form of child labour and ensure that slavery does not occur in their work environment. The term “child” refers to any person under the minimum legal age for employment where the work is performed provided the legal age is consistent with the minimum working ages defined by the International Labour Organization (ILO).
2.2. Prevention of Forced Labour and Human Trafficking
Supplier shall ensure that all work is voluntary. Supplier shall not traffic persons or use any form of forced, bonded, indentured, or prison labour. The supplier shall ensure that workers’ contracts convey the conditions of employment in a language understood by the workers. Supplier shall not impose unreasonable restrictions on movement within the workplace or upon entering or exiting company- provided facilities.
Supplier must adhere to regulations prohibiting human trafficking and comply with all applicable laws in the country or countries in which they operate. Supplier must refrain from violating the rights of others and address any adverse human rights impacts of their operations.
2.3. Anti-Discrimination
Supplier shall not discriminate against any worker based on age, disability, ethnicity, gender, marital status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, union membership, or any other status protected by applicable national or local law, in hiring and other employment practices. Supplier shall not require pregnancy or medical tests, except where required by applicable laws or regulations or prudent for workplace safety and shall not improperly discriminate based on test results.
2.4. Anti-Harassment and Workplace Abuse
Supplier shall commit to a workplace free of harassment and abuse. Supplier shall not threaten workers with or subject them to, harsh or inhumane treatment, including but not limited to verbal abuse and harassment, psychological harassment, mental and physical coercion, sexual harassment, and any other form of intimidation or threats.
2.5. Working hours
Supplier shall comply with applicable laws and regulations on working hours, overtime, and maximum work hours.
2.6. Wages and Benefits
Supplier shall pay at least the minimum wage and provide any benefits required by law and/or contract to its workers. All legally mandated benefits viz. leaves, social security, insurance, etc. shall be provided by the Supplier to its employees. Deductions, if any, from wages shall be made in strict compliance with the applicable laws. Supplier shall not use deductions from wages as a disciplinary measure. Use of temporary and outsourced labour shall be within the limits of the local laws.
2.7. Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining
Supplier shall respect the rights of workers to associate with others, form, and join (or refrain from joining) organizations of their choice, and bargain collectively, without interference, discrimination, retaliation, or harassment. Suppliers must create employment conditions that foster mutual trust between their management and their employees.
Principle 3. Environment, Health and Safety
Tata Teleservices is committed to conducting its business in an environmentally responsible manner and providing a safe and healthy environment for its employees, suppliers, business partners, and those who may be impacted by its operations. The Company’s vision to integrate sustainable practices in its value chain has been defined in its Sustainability Supply Chain Policy.
3.1 Environment
Tata Teleservices is committed to protecting the environment and improving resource efficiency within its operations. Supplier shall comply with all relevant environmental laws and regulations. Supplier is encouraged to develop and implement practices that reduce negative environmental impacts and have processes in place to optimize the use of natural resources, reduce the release of harmful emissions in the environment and produce environmentally compatible products and services which have extended product life, recyclability, reusability, and use of recycled content. Supplier shall strive for environmental sustainability, particularly regarding the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, water use, energy consumption, minimum/no use of toxic substances, and minimum and environmentally compatible and recyclable packaging.
The supplier shall strive for environmental sustainability, particularly with regard to the emission of greenhouse gases, consumption of water and energy, and the management of waste and hazardous materials. The supplier shall endeavour to offset the effects of climate change in its activities.
3.2. Health and Safety
Tata Teleservices expects its suppliers to provide employees with a safe and healthy workplace in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. Supplier shall ensure that all legal requirements including but not limited to occupational safety, emergency preparedness, occupational injury and illness, industrial hygiene, physically demanding work, machine safeguarding, sanitation, food, and housing are addressed. Supplier shall take adequate steps to minimize the causes of hazards inherent in the working environment and provide adequate training to all its employees, workers, and contractors on health and safety matters.
At Tata Teleservices, we are also concerned with the use of conflict minerals. We expect the products we sell, that we purchase from suppliers and manufacturers, will not contain conflict minerals that directly or indirectly finance, or benefit armed groups.
The supplier shall strive to provide safe, healthy, and clean working environments for its employees.
Principle 4. Anti-Corruption and Anti-Bribery
4.1. Anti-Corruption and Anti-bribery Law
The Supplier shall not engage in any form of bribery or corruption.
Supplier must comply with the anti-corruption and anti-bribery laws, directives, and regulations that govern operations in the country in which they do business, including but not limited to the Prevention.
of Corruption Act, 1988 (India), the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and United Kingdom Bribery Act 2010 (UKBA).
Tata Teleservices has a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of bribery and corruption. Supplier should firmly oppose any form of money laundering and must take all necessary steps to prevent its financial transactions from being used by others to launder money. Accordingly, Supplier shall ensure the following while doing business:
- Implement monitoring procedures to ensure compliance with anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws.
- Raise invoices and claims in line with the agreed services and supplies, along with the supporting documents.
- Perform all business dealings transparently and maintain accurate details of the same in business books and records.
- Never offer, directly or indirectly, on behalf of Tata Teleservices, any form of gift, entertainment, or anything of value to anyone including government officials, customers, or their representatives to obtain or retain business; influence business decisions; and/or secure an unfair advantage.
- Abstain from offering any bribe, kickbacks, facilitation payments, or gain an advantage of any kind by acting fraudulently.
4.2 Competition and Anti-Trust
Supplier must comply with competition laws and anti-trust laws while having interactions, agreements, or corporate transactions with competitors. Supplier must not fix prices or rig bids with their competitors. They must not exchange current, recent, or future pricing information or any competitive information with competitors. Supplier must refrain from participating in a cartel or agreeing to restrict output or supply or market sharing. Supplier must not engage in collective boycotting or display any prohibited conduct such as price discrimination, fidelity discounts or exclusivity, excessive or predatory pricing, etc.
4.3. Insider Trading
Suppliers and their personnel must not use any material or non-publicly disclosed information obtained in the course of their business relationship with Tata Teleservices as the basis for trading or for enabling others to trade in the stock or securities of any company.
4.4. Conflict of Interest
Suppliers are expected to avoid any actual or potential conflict of interest at all times. This includes situations where a Tata Teleservices employee or director may have an interest of any kind in the Supplier's business, whether through personal relationships, investments, directorships, or any kind of economic ties with the Supplier. In any such event arising at the time of empanelment or prior, post or during the engagement, Supplier shall promptly disclose such situations to Tata Teleservices.
4.5. Sanctions and Trade Controls
Tata teleservices’ operations subject the Company to a myriad of laws, rules, and regulations, including laws that deal with international trade. Tata teleservices is fully committed to conducting its business in compliance with applicable sanctions and trade control laws and expects continued support from its suppliers to ensure compliance with sanctions and trade control laws and regulations as may be applicable while providing products and services to and on behalf of the Company.
Principle 5. Information Security
5.1. Data Privacy and Security
Supplier shall comply with all applicable data privacy and information security laws and associated contractual obligations. Supplier must protect confidential and proprietary information of others,
including that of Tata Teleservices and its customers or other business partners, and process personal data in accordance with the applicable privacy laws. Information should not be used for any purpose (e.g. advertisement, publicity, etc.) other than the business purpose for which it was provided unless there is prior written consent from the owner of such information. Supplier must undertake appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect Tata Teleservices’ data from security incidents in accordance with applicable privacy laws.
5.2. Intellectual Property Rights
Supplier shall respect intellectual property rights of Tata Teleservices and shall not use them except without the Company’s prior written authorization. Supplier shall refrain from misuse of intellectual property rights of others including unauthorized copying or downloading of software or computer programs while providing products or services to the Company.
4. Consequences for violating the Supply Chain Code
The supplier is expected to implement its own binding code of conduct and is expected to make reasonable efforts to promote the principles of this code in its own supply chain.
Supplier is expected to have an appropriate framework and adequate processes in place to monitor their compliance with the principles outlined in this Code. Tata Teleservices reserves the right to audit Supplier’s compliance with this Code and recommend corrective actions. If the expectations of this Code are not duly met by the Supplier, the business relationship shall be reviewed, and necessary actions may be taken subject to the terms of the governing contract(s.)
5. Raising a Concern
Tata Teleservices encourages its employees, customers, suppliers, and other stakeholders to raise concerns or make disclosures when they become aware of any actual or potential violation of code of conduct, policies, or applicable laws and such concerns or disclosures may be submitted through the various channels provided in Tata Teleservices’ Whistleblower Policy.
It is incumbent on the supplier to adopt similar practices within its organization and encourage its employees, customers, suppliers, and other stakeholders to report wrongdoings, unethical behavior, and any suspected violations of the Supplier Code of Conduct and applicable laws. Supplier must prohibit retaliation against those who participate in raising such concerns in good faith through the Supplier’s or Tata Teleservices whistle-blower mechanism. Suppliers should also strive to establish a similar mechanism to raise concerns in their company as well.
6. Accountability
This Code is more than a set of prescriptive guidelines issued solely for formal compliance. Tata Teleservices acknowledges that no code of conduct can address every situation that suppliers may encounter and encourages suppliers to adopt a stringent compliance framework for their respective suppliers, vendors, etc. to ensure the continuous flow of these obligations at every stage. As a result, this Code is not a substitute for suppliers’ accountability and responsibility to exercise good judgment and obtain guidance regarding proper business conduct. Suppliers are encouraged to seek additional guidance and support from those within Tata Teleservices designated as responsible for their services for or with the Company.
Every supplier and their personnel, directly or indirectly, shall be held accountable for his/her behavior. Should such behavior violate this Code, they may be subject to corrective actions subject to the terms of the governing contract.
When followed in letter and spirit, this Code is ‘lived’ by our suppliers. It represents our shared responsibility to all our stakeholders and our mutual commitment to each other.
7. Business Continuity
Suppliers are encouraged to implement appropriate business continuity plans to ensure uninterrupted delivery of products and services to TTSL/TTML, even in the event of disruptions or emergencies. They should maintain redundant systems, backup procedures, and disaster recovery capabilities to minimize downtime and mitigate risks.
8. Third Party Representation
The Supplier shall not be authorized to represent TTSL/TTML and to use TATA/TTSL/TTML brand without the written permission from authorized representatives of TTSL/TTML. Suppliers are expected to abide by the Tata Code of Conduct in all their interactions, on behalf of TTSL/TTML.
9. Reporting Violations
The Supplier shall notify TTSL/TTML regarding any known or suspected improper behavior by the Supplier representatives in their dealings with TTSL/TTML, or any known or suspected improper behavior by TTSL/TTML employees by email to: Ethicshelpline@tatatel.co.in.
Reported violations will be treated confidentially without retaliation.
