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.