QVC will seek business associates who share our values and our commitment to the following principles:
Principle 1. Observance of Applicable Law
QVC expects its business associates to observe and comply with all applicable laws and regulations of the United Kingdom as well as the laws and regulations of the country of origin, country of manufacture, and country of exportation of a product. QVC also expects its business associates to refrain from behaviour or practices, which, though not strictly illegal, are widely considered unethical. QVC values sincerity, candour, truthfulness, the keeping of promises and transparency in its business associates.
A. Conflict products - QVC neither supports nor condones the purchase or sale of so-called “conflict diamonds” or any other “conflict” product. QVC will not knowingly purchase or sell any product that originates from a group or a country, which supports or engages in illegal, inhumane or terrorist activities.
Fair employment practices
QVC believes in the dignity and value of every employee. QVC seeks business associates who avoid discriminatory practices and who guarantee equal treatment and free association for all of their employees. Fair employment practices include:
A. Working Hours and Wages -- Business associates must comply with all applicable wage and hour laws. Workers must be compensated for all hours worked at rates consistent with prevailing local industry standards.
B. Workplace Health and Safety -- QVC expects its business associates to provide and maintain safe and healthy working conditions for workers. Workplace conditions must comply with local health and safety industry regulations. Workers should not be exposed to hazardous conditions or materials without adequate training and protection.
C. Workers’ Housing -- Workers’ housing, when provided, must meet the same standards as required for workplace health and safety.
D. Prohibition of Child Labour -- QVC will not do business with anyone who utilises child labour. QVC defines a child as any person younger than the age for completing compulsory education.
E. Prohibition of Prison or Forced Labour -- QVC will not do business with anyone who utilises prison labour, forced labour, indentured labour, or who uses corporal punishment or other forms of mental or physical duress to enforce discipline or production quotas.
Responsible Environmental Practices
QVC believes that a business should protect, and where possible, improve the environment, promote sustainable development, and prevent the wasteful use of natural resources. We expect our business associates to comply with all current local environmental laws and regulations. Additionally, we encourage our business associates to promote responsible environmental practices.
QVC & The Environment
QVC understands the vital importance of looking after our environment, and the company is compliant with current UK and European packaging waste directives concerning the volume of waste packaging recovered and recycled.
The QVC business is continually researching the application of environmentally friendly types of packaging, seeking out ever more ecologically beneficial materials that meet the stringent packaging requirements we enforce to ensure the safe delivery of QVC products.
Cartons
All QVC cartons are manufactured from paper that is 100% recycled, and the cartons themselves are 100% recyclable. Inks and adhesives used in manufacturing are water based and contain no harmful solvent materials. Heavy metal content is less than 100 ppm (parts per million).
Gummed Tape
The gummed tape used to seal cartons is a 90gsm kraft, gummed on one side with a modified, vegetable starch adhesive that can be re-moistened. This product is totally recyclable, biodegradable, and can be re-pulped. Gummed paper is the only carton-sealing tape that can offer these benefits, and the kraft paper used in production originates from FSC managed forests in Sweden - no virgin forest is destroyed.
Flo-Pak Loose Fill
QVC currently use Flo-Pak, the UK’s leading brand of polystyrene loose fill. A proportion is recycled. QVC is reviewing more Eco-friendly alternatives to loose fill, in line with the principles of Best Available Technology Not Entailing Excessive Cost (BATNEEC). Alternatives are on trial for suitability.
Compliance
Compliance with the QVC Business Ethics Guidelines is mandatory if you are going to do business with us. QVC intends to monitor compliance by means of factory audits and site inspections conducted by trained QVC employees or authorised agents. Business associates are expected to provide QVC with full access to their production facilities and to any documents pertinent to legal, employment or environmental practices. Any business associate found to be in violation of the Guidelines will be notified and appropriate action will be taken, ranging from corrective measures to termination of the business relationship.
