HMC's Operations
As noted above, HMC's supply chain due diligence policies and procedures are integral components of HACC and HMA's supply chain risk management since the goods that HACC and HMA purchase are sourced and/or manufactured by HMC pursuant to these policies.
HMC's Supplier Code of Conduct
HMC's "Supplier Code of Conduct" establishes the standards and conditions it requires of its suppliers. This document was updated in 2023 to include robust procedures designed to prevent the introduction of forced labour, in whole or in part, into HMC’s global supply chains. The Supplier Code of Conduct prohibits the use of forced labour in Hyundai’s global supply chains and requires its suppliers to comply with all applicable labour laws. These standards are reflected in HMA's Anti-Forced Labour Policy (discussed below), which derives from HMC's Supplier Code of Conduct.
The Supplier Code of Conduct requires suppliers to: (1) conduct risk-based due diligence on their supply chains;
(2) establish a code of conduct that articulates a position against the use of forced labour at every tier in their supply chain; (3) provide periodic training to employees and sub-suppliers; (4) maintain and implement a remediation plan; and (5) conduct auditing and/or monitoring to confirm compliance with the Supplier Code of Conduct. HMC is contractually entitled to audit its suppliers to ensure they are complying with the Supplier Code of Conduct.
The Supplier Code of Conduct prohibits the use of child labour and forced labour in supplier facilities. These provisions require suppliers to verify the age of all employees, conduct risk-based due diligence involving
mapping high-risk supply chains and regions, develop their own codes of conduct and periodic training, and maintain and implement remediation plans in the event forced labour is identified in a supplier's supply chains.
The Supplier Code of Conduct also establishes that suppliers should undertake supply chain due diligence procedures in accordance with the six-step procedure presented in the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Business Conduct:
1. Embed responsible business conduct into policies and management systems;
2. Identify and assess actual and potential adverse impacts associated with the enterprise’s operations, products or services;
3. Cease, prevent and mitigate adverse impacts;
4. Track implementation and results;
5. Communicate how impacts are addressed;
6. Provide for or cooperate in remediation when appropriate.
HMC's Ethic Charter and Code of Conduct
HMC's Ethics Charter and Code of Conduct applies to all members and affiliates of HMC, including all employees (including those with responsibilities for procurement and sales) in Korea and elsewhere, direct and indirect subsidiaries, and joint ventures are expected comply with it. HMC also requires all business partners in contractual relationship with HMC to respect the Ethics Charter and Code of Conduct.
The Ethics Charter and Code of Conduct sets out five "guiding principles". One of these principles, "Respect for Executives and Employees", specifically requires adherence to the labour laws of the countries where HMC has business operations and bans the use of child labour and forced labour.
HMC’s Procurement Contracts
In 2023, HMC made changes to its standard procurement contracts for Tier-1 suppliers to address forced and child labour. HMC’s updated procurement contracts require that (1) suppliers warrant no goods or inputs made whole or in part using forced or child labour will enter a supplier’s supply chains; (2) the supplier cooperate with HMC by providing information upon request to comply with the supplier’s warranty against the use of forced or child labour; (3) HMC retains the right to conduct independent audits of a supplier’s facilities and manufacturing records to ensure compliance with the supplier’s warranty against the use of forced or child labour; and (4) HMC has the right to take remedial action against suppliers that do not comply with these requirements, up to and including termination.