International Business Conduct Policy
Some materials originate from countries where these criteria are not automatically safeguarded by local laws and regulations. In this International RBC policy we therefore focus on these countries, and the procurement of plywood and natural stone.
Dekker Zevenhuizen B.V., a family-owned company established in 1930, has been leading in the Dutch interior market for many years. Our company specializes in processing high-quality materials into custom worktops, and furniture parts for the entire interior. The worktops are recognized by our exclusive use of colors and the elegant finish. In addition, Dekker Zevenhuizen features an extensive assortment of innovative and reliable kitchen and sanitary products, such as kitchen sinks, taps, and lighting. The core values of our company are cooperation, innovation, quality, commitment , and continuity. In short, we aspire to be a sustainable enterprise.
The quality of procured materials strongly influences the quality of the products we deliver to clients. We therefore carefully select our suppliers, including an assessment of the place of origin of materials as well as processing conditions. It is crucial to Dekker Zevenhuizen that suppliers comply with the CSR criteria as layed down in its Supplier Code of Conduct. Some materials originate from countries where these criteria are not automatically safeguarded by local laws and regulations. In this International RBC policy we therefore focus on these countries, and the procurement of plywood and natural stone.
Criteria and relevant guidelines
Dekker Zevenhuizen commits to the following international guidelines and standards, and expects its suppliers to do so as well. The criteria in the Code of Conduct for Suppliers are based on these standards:
> UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights
Dekker Zevenhuizen has established a CSR management system based on the ISO26000 Guideline for Social Responsibility. This management system is accommodated and assessed by the Dutch CSR-Register (MVO-Register), and is verified annually by FIRA Sustainability.
Commitment and objectives
We commit to doing business only with suppliers who can demonstrate adherence to the criteria as layed down in our Code
of Conduct for Suppliers. We distinguish between suppliers of materials and accessories and other suppliers, for example of office materials or equipment. For suppliers of materials and accessories we distinguish 3 categories of suppliers:
1. Suppliers of plywood
For these suppliers we require that 100% of plywood products to have an FSC product label. This label guarantees that the wood originates from sustainably managed forests, as well as proper labor conditions for logging and processing activities. In our efforts to realize a circular economy, our efforts will not be focused on making this ‘virgin material’ supply chain more sustainable. Instead we will focus on developing alternative materials from waste and demolition materials.
2. Suppliers of natural stone
For these suppliers, we work according to the TruStone covenant, of which we are a member since 2019. Dekker Zevenhuizen has the ambition to minimally adhere to the criteria as laid down in the Assessment Framework (September 2020) of TruStone. We have formulated the following objectives:
> September 2020: 100% transparency inour supply chains of natural stone, down to the level of the quarries. IRBC policy in place.
> September 2021: IRBC policy communicated to all suppliers. CSR risk inventory (due diligence) for the entire supply chain in place, in line with the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains. Plan of action to prevent,
decrease, remedy/compensate shortcomings in the supply chain in place.
> As of October 2021: Annual management cycle to implement the plan of action, and report progress.
3. Suppliers of kitchen and sanitary accessories
We expect suppliers of accessories to adhere to the CSR criteria as laid down in the Code of Conduct for Suppliers. We have formulated the following objectives:
> September 2020: IRBC policy in place.
> June 2021: 100% transparency in our suppliers of accessories. IRBC policy communicated to all suppliers.
> June 2022: CSR risk inventory (due diligence) for the entire supply chain of accessories in place, in line with the OECD
Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains.
> December 2022: Plan of action to prevent, decrease, remedy/compensate shortcomings in the supply chain of accessories in place.
> As of January 2023: Annual management cycle to implement the plan of action, and report progress.
The Code of Conduct for Suppliers also applies to other suppliers of Dekker Zevenhuizen, for example for office supplies and equipment. However, they represent only a small part of our annual spend. Initially, therefore, we will not do full due diligence for these categories, but will select suppliers that show commitment to CSR and upholding responsibility in the supply chain, and/or will select products with clear sustainable
characteristics. As of 2023, we will assess whether monitoring our CSR criteria for these categories makes sense.
Implementation and stakeholders
Implementation and management of this policy is part of our CSR management system, based on the ISO26000 Guideline for Social Responsibility. This management system is accommodated and assessed by the Dutch CSR-Register (MVO-Register), and is verified annually by FIRA Sustainability. Part of this system is stakeholder inventory and management of information and involvement of different stakeholder groups in the actions and decisions of Dekker Zevenhuizen. Additionally, responsibility and accountability on the various CSR core subjects is established in this system, as well as monitoring procedures and actual progress. The daily responsibility for execution of this IRBC policy is laid down with the Procurement Manager of Dekker Zevenhuizen, accountability lies with the General Manager.
Accountability and reporting
Dekker Zevenhuizen is part of several certification schemes and other third party assessments for monitoring and assessment of CSR issues, such as ISO9001, ISO14001, FSC and TruStone. Annually, the results of its CSR strategy is laid down in a CSR report, which is published on its website and in the CSR-Register (MVO-Register), which assesses and benchmarks the performance. Reliability of the information is verified by FIRA Sustainability. The reporting requirements of the TruStone Assessment Framework are adhered to.
Reporting non-compliance
This Code of Conduct and operating procedures are intended to prevent and detect improper- or illegal activities. Any breach against this Code of Conduct, shall be reported to Dekker Zevenhuizen open or anonymous: info@dekkerzevenhuizen.nl
Concerning the aquisition of natural stone Dekker Zevenhuizen is a member of the TruStone Initiative. The TruStone Initiative has its own complaint and dispute mechanism. Workers or parties adversely affected by Dekker Zevenhuizen or its business partners may also lodge a complaint with the committee. The Complaints and Disputes Committee will issue a binding ruling. Complaints can be submitted to the committee via: AGT-complaints@internationalrbc.org
Zevenhuizen, 30 september 2020
Dekker Zevenhuizen B.V.
Dekker Zevenhuizen B.V.
CEO
Drs. ir. L.N.J. van der Velde