URUS Group Supplier Code of Conduct
URUS Group Supplier Code of Conduct
Purpose & Scope
We believe that ethical business conduct and social responsibility are paramount to building and maintaining trusted relationships. This Supplier Code of Conduct (“Code”) applies to all suppliers, vendors, contractors, and other third parties (“Suppliers”) who do business with or on behalf of URUS Group and its subsidiaries. Suppliers must comply with the standards outlined in this Code, as well as all applicable laws and regulations.
Our mission
URUS Group is a family of businesses at the heart of the global dairy and beef industry. We are leaders with a relentless dedication to innovation, excellence, partnership and growth. Our mission is to be successful by creating sustainable value for our cooperative members and clients. This deep history is anchored by the companies that compose URUS: Alta Genetics, GENEX, Genetics Australia, Jetstream Genetics, Leachman Cattle, PEAK, SCCL, Trans Ova Genetics and VAS.
Key Definitions
Personal Data
Any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person (i.e., someone who can be identified directly or indirectly). Examples may include names, contact information, government identification numbers, financial details, unique identifiers, or online identifiers.
Intellectual Property
Any creation of the mind that has commercial value, such as inventions, designs, artwork, patents, trademarks, service marks, trade secrets, and copyrights. Intellectual Property also includes know-how, processes, research, and development information that a party either owns or is licensed to use.
Confidential Information
Any non-public or proprietary information—whether oral, written, or electronic—shared by or on behalf of URUS Group or its affiliates. This may include technical data, business plans, strategies, financial information, pricing, trade secrets, Personal Data, Intellectual Property, and any other data labeled or reasonably understood to be confidential.
Business Integrity & Ethical Practices
Anti-Bribery & Anti-Corruption
Suppliers shall not engage in any form of bribery, corruption, extortion, or embezzlement, including promising, offering, or giving anything of value to gain an improper advantage. All business dealings must be transparent, accurately recorded, and compliant with applicable anti-bribery laws.
Conflicts of Interest
Suppliers shall avoid any actual or perceived conflicts of interest that may compromise their obligations. If a conflict arises, it must be disclosed promptly, and steps taken to mitigate it.
Fair Competition
Suppliers shall uphold fair business practices and comply with antitrust and competition laws. Agreements to fix prices, rig bids, or allocate markets are strictly prohibited.
Labor & Human Rights
Freely Chosen Employment
No forced, bonded (including debt bondage), indentured labor, or involuntary prison labor shall be used. Workers shall not be compelled to surrender identity documents or pay recruitment fees.
Child Labor Prohibition
Suppliers must not employ individuals below the legal minimum working age or under age 15, whichever is higher. Legitimate apprenticeship and internship programs are permissible if they comply with local laws and this Code.
Non-Discrimination & Harassment Prevention
All employment decisions—such as hiring, promotion, compensation, or termination—must be based on qualifications, skills, and performance, and shall not discriminate on grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, age, disability, marital status, or other protected characteristics. Any form of harassment, bullying, or abuse is strictly prohibited.
Wages & Working Hours
Compensation (including overtime pay) must meet or exceed legal standards. Overtime should be voluntary and not exceed lawful limits. Wage deductions as a disciplinary measure are not permitted except if legally required.
Freedom of Association
Suppliers shall respect employees’ rights to associate freely, join labor unions, seek representation, and bargain collectively as permitted by law, without fear of harassment, interference, or retaliation.
Health, Safety & Environment
Health & Safety
Suppliers shall provide a safe and healthy work environment, with appropriate controls, training, and personal protective equipment to prevent work-related injuries or illnesses. Emergency preparedness, fire safety, and accident reporting mechanisms must be in place.
Environmental Protection
Suppliers shall comply with all environmental laws and regulations, minimize pollution, reduce waste, and manage resources responsibly. Where possible, Suppliers shall actively pursue improvements in energy efficiency, water conservation, and greenhouse gas reduction.
Information Security & Confidentiality
Data Protection
Suppliers must safeguard confidential information and personal data, preventing unauthorized access, disclosure, or misuse. Any suspected or actual data breach must be promptly reported.
Intellectual Property
Suppliers shall respect intellectual property rights and take steps to protect all proprietary information shared by our organization.
Compliance & Monitoring
Management Systems
Suppliers are expected to have appropriate governance and internal controls to ensure compliance with this Code. Documented risk assessments, training programs, and continuous improvement processes are strongly encouraged.
Accurate Recordkeeping
All business and financial records must be accurate, complete, and maintained in compliance with applicable standards. Falsification or misrepresentation is prohibited.
Right to Audit
We reserve the right to assess Suppliers’ compliance with this Code through audits or site visits. Non-compliance may result in corrective actions or, if unresolved, potential termination of the business relationship.
Subcontractors & Downstream Supply Chain
Flow-Down Requirements:
Suppliers shall communicate this Code—or standards substantially similar—to their subcontractors and other downstream partners, ensuring these principles and requirements flow through all tiers of their supply chain.
Responsibility for Subcontractors:
Suppliers are accountable for the actions of their subcontractors in relation to this Code. Any violation by a subcontractor will be regarded as a breach by the Supplier itself, and the Supplier must address and remediate any issues without delay.
Monitoring & Oversight:
Suppliers shall have processes in place to monitor subcontractor performance and compliance with these standards. This includes conducting due diligence before engaging subcontractors, as well as ongoing verification to maintain ethical and legal business practices.
Reporting Concerns
Grievance Mechanisms:
Suppliers shall provide channels for their workers and stakeholders to report concerns or suspected misconduct confidentially and without fear of retaliation.
Reporting to Our Organization:
Suspected violations of this Code, laws, or regulations related to your work with us must be reported promptly to our ethics hotline or compliance team.
Acknowledgement & Enforcement
Acceptance of this Code:
By conducting business with our organization, each Supplier acknowledges and agrees to abide by this Code.
Consequences:
Violations may result in corrective action or termination of the commercial relationship. Our organization may also seek other legal or equitable remedies as appropriate.
The Supplier acknowledges that they have received, reviewed, and understand the Supplier Code of Conduct (“Code”). By continuing to engage in business with us, the Supplier agrees to comply with the principles and requirements outlined in the Code and to promote and enforce these standards throughout their operations, including among any subcontractors or downstream partners acting on their behalf.
By working together in alignment with this Supplier Code of Conduct, we uphold integrity, fairness, and respect in our supply chain. Thank you for your partnership and commitment to ethical business practices.
Purpose & Scope
We believe that ethical business conduct and social responsibility are paramount to building and maintaining trusted relationships. This Supplier Code of Conduct (“Code”) applies to all suppliers, vendors, contractors, and other third parties (“Suppliers”) who do business with or on behalf of URUS Group and its subsidiaries. Suppliers must comply with the standards outlined in this Code, as well as all applicable laws and regulations.
Our mission
URUS Group is a family of businesses at the heart of the global dairy and beef industry. We are leaders with a relentless dedication to innovation, excellence, partnership and growth. Our mission is to be successful by creating sustainable value for our cooperative members and clients. This deep history is anchored by the companies that compose URUS: Alta Genetics, GENEX, Genetics Australia, Jetstream Genetics, Leachman Cattle, PEAK, SCCL, Trans Ova Genetics and VAS.
Key Definitions
Personal Data
Any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person (i.e., someone who can be identified directly or indirectly). Examples may include names, contact information, government identification numbers, financial details, unique identifiers, or online identifiers.
Intellectual Property
Any creation of the mind that has commercial value, such as inventions, designs, artwork, patents, trademarks, service marks, trade secrets, and copyrights. Intellectual Property also includes know-how, processes, research, and development information that a party either owns or is licensed to use.
Confidential Information
Any non-public or proprietary information—whether oral, written, or electronic—shared by or on behalf of URUS Group or its affiliates. This may include technical data, business plans, strategies, financial information, pricing, trade secrets, Personal Data, Intellectual Property, and any other data labeled or reasonably understood to be confidential.
Business Integrity & Ethical Practices
Anti-Bribery & Anti-Corruption
Suppliers shall not engage in any form of bribery, corruption, extortion, or embezzlement, including promising, offering, or giving anything of value to gain an improper advantage. All business dealings must be transparent, accurately recorded, and compliant with applicable anti-bribery laws.
Conflicts of Interest
Suppliers shall avoid any actual or perceived conflicts of interest that may compromise their obligations. If a conflict arises, it must be disclosed promptly, and steps taken to mitigate it.
Fair Competition
Suppliers shall uphold fair business practices and comply with antitrust and competition laws. Agreements to fix prices, rig bids, or allocate markets are strictly prohibited.
Labor & Human Rights
Freely Chosen Employment
No forced, bonded (including debt bondage), indentured labor, or involuntary prison labor shall be used. Workers shall not be compelled to surrender identity documents or pay recruitment fees.
Child Labor Prohibition
Suppliers must not employ individuals below the legal minimum working age or under age 15, whichever is higher. Legitimate apprenticeship and internship programs are permissible if they comply with local laws and this Code.
Non-Discrimination & Harassment Prevention
All employment decisions—such as hiring, promotion, compensation, or termination—must be based on qualifications, skills, and performance, and shall not discriminate on grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, age, disability, marital status, or other protected characteristics. Any form of harassment, bullying, or abuse is strictly prohibited.
Wages & Working Hours
Compensation (including overtime pay) must meet or exceed legal standards. Overtime should be voluntary and not exceed lawful limits. Wage deductions as a disciplinary measure are not permitted except if legally required.
Freedom of Association
Suppliers shall respect employees’ rights to associate freely, join labor unions, seek representation, and bargain collectively as permitted by law, without fear of harassment, interference, or retaliation.
Health, Safety & Environment
Health & Safety
Suppliers shall provide a safe and healthy work environment, with appropriate controls, training, and personal protective equipment to prevent work-related injuries or illnesses. Emergency preparedness, fire safety, and accident reporting mechanisms must be in place.
Environmental Protection
Suppliers shall comply with all environmental laws and regulations, minimize pollution, reduce waste, and manage resources responsibly. Where possible, Suppliers shall actively pursue improvements in energy efficiency, water conservation, and greenhouse gas reduction.
Information Security & Confidentiality
Data Protection
Suppliers must safeguard confidential information and personal data, preventing unauthorized access, disclosure, or misuse. Any suspected or actual data breach must be promptly reported.
Intellectual Property
Suppliers shall respect intellectual property rights and take steps to protect all proprietary information shared by our organization.
Compliance & Monitoring
Management Systems
Suppliers are expected to have appropriate governance and internal controls to ensure compliance with this Code. Documented risk assessments, training programs, and continuous improvement processes are strongly encouraged.
Accurate Recordkeeping
All business and financial records must be accurate, complete, and maintained in compliance with applicable standards. Falsification or misrepresentation is prohibited.
Right to Audit
We reserve the right to assess Suppliers’ compliance with this Code through audits or site visits. Non-compliance may result in corrective actions or, if unresolved, potential termination of the business relationship.
Subcontractors & Downstream Supply Chain
Flow-Down Requirements:
Suppliers shall communicate this Code—or standards substantially similar—to their subcontractors and other downstream partners, ensuring these principles and requirements flow through all tiers of their supply chain.
Responsibility for Subcontractors:
Suppliers are accountable for the actions of their subcontractors in relation to this Code. Any violation by a subcontractor will be regarded as a breach by the Supplier itself, and the Supplier must address and remediate any issues without delay.
Monitoring & Oversight:
Suppliers shall have processes in place to monitor subcontractor performance and compliance with these standards. This includes conducting due diligence before engaging subcontractors, as well as ongoing verification to maintain ethical and legal business practices.
Reporting Concerns
Grievance Mechanisms:
Suppliers shall provide channels for their workers and stakeholders to report concerns or suspected misconduct confidentially and without fear of retaliation.
Reporting to Our Organization:
Suspected violations of this Code, laws, or regulations related to your work with us must be reported promptly to our ethics hotline or compliance team.
Acknowledgement & Enforcement
Acceptance of this Code:
By conducting business with our organization, each Supplier acknowledges and agrees to abide by this Code.
Consequences:
Violations may result in corrective action or termination of the commercial relationship. Our organization may also seek other legal or equitable remedies as appropriate.
The Supplier acknowledges that they have received, reviewed, and understand the Supplier Code of Conduct (“Code”). By continuing to engage in business with us, the Supplier agrees to comply with the principles and requirements outlined in the Code and to promote and enforce these standards throughout their operations, including among any subcontractors or downstream partners acting on their behalf.
By working together in alignment with this Supplier Code of Conduct, we uphold integrity, fairness, and respect in our supply chain. Thank you for your partnership and commitment to ethical business practices.