Brandplant connects functional brands to buyers in foodservice and retail. As a functional distributor, we are committed to safe, honest and sustainable practices throughout our supply chain. We expect our suppliers, the brands we represent and the producers behind them, to share and uphold these values, so that we can guarantee the highest standards of product quality, integrity and transparency to our customers. This Supplier Code of Conduct outlines the expectations and principles we require our suppliers to follow.

Compliance with Laws and Regulations

• Suppliers must comply with all applicable local, national and international laws, regulations and standards relevant to their operations, including but not limited to food, environmental, labour, health and safety laws.

Product Quality and Food Safety

• Suppliers must operate a certified food safety management system (e.g. IFS, BRC, FSSC 22000 or equivalent) or, at minimum, a documented HACCP system.
• Suppliers must guarantee full traceability of ingredients and finished products, robust allergen management, and an effective recall and withdrawal procedure.
• Any quality issue, deviation or potential risk to product safety must be reported to Brandplant without delay.

Functional Claims and Labelling

• All nutrition, health and functional claims made on packaging or in communication must be substantiated and compliant with applicable EU legislation on nutrition and health claims (Regulation (EC) 1924/2006), food information to consumers (Regulation (EU) 1169/2011) and, where relevant, novel foods (Regulation (EU) 2015/2283).
• Suppliers must be able to provide the underlying documentation for any claim, ingredient specification or certification upon request.
• Claims must never mislead customers or consumers about the composition, benefits or origin of a product.

Ingredient Sourcing

• Suppliers must source ingredients responsibly and be able to demonstrate their origin and specifications.
• All ingredients supplied to Brandplant must be derived solely from plant-based sources. No animal products, by-products or derivatives may be used in the production or processing of the supplied goods.

Environmental Sustainability

• Suppliers should actively strive to minimise their environmental impact by implementing sustainable practices. This includes, but is not limited to, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, conserving water and energy, managing waste responsibly, using recyclable packaging where possible, and supporting biodiversity conservation.

Labour and Human Rights

• Suppliers must uphold fundamental human rights and treat their employees, contractors and workers with fairness, dignity and respect. Forced labour, child labour, discrimination, harassment and any form of exploitation are strictly prohibited.

Occupational Health and Safety

• Suppliers must provide a safe and healthy working environment for their employees, ensuring compliance with applicable occupational health and safety laws. This includes identifying and mitigating workplace hazards, providing necessary safety training, and promoting the well-being of workers.

Business Integrity

• Suppliers must conduct their business honestly and fairly: no bribery, corruption or improper payments, and compliance with applicable competition law.
• Confidential information shared by Brandplant or its customers – including commercial terms, forecasts and retail data, must be treated as strictly confidential.

Transparency and Disclosure

• Suppliers must provide accurate and complete information about their products, processes and practices when requested by Brandplant. Any potential risks, impacts or non-compliance with this Code of Conduct must be promptly reported.

Continuous Improvement

• Suppliers are encouraged to adopt a mindset of continuous improvement by regularly assessing their operations, addressing any non-compliance issues, and implementing measures to enhance product quality, sustainability and ethical practices within their supply chains.

Audits and Assessments

• Brandplant reserves the right to conduct audits or assessments of supplier facilities and documentation to verify compliance with this Code of Conduct. Suppliers are expected to cooperate fully during these processes and provide all necessary access to information and premises.

Non-Compliance and Remediation

• Failure to comply with this Supplier Code of Conduct may result in corrective actions, including but not limited to warnings, supplier development plans and, in severe cases, termination of the business relationship.

Conclusion

By adhering to this Supplier Code of Conduct, we can together build a functional category that retailers, foodservice partners and consumers can trust. We value our relationship with our suppliers and appreciate their commitment to aligning with our standards.