Argus is committed to responsible, ethical, and sustainable business practices. This Code sets minimum standards for all suppliers, contractors, and service providers (collectively referred to as ‘suppliers’). Compliance is mandatory and forms part of supplier selection and evaluation.
• Integrity & Compliance: Follow all applicable laws and regulations.
• Sustainability: Support Argus’s ESG goals—reduce emissions, conserve resources, and promote circularity.
• Respect for People: Uphold human rights, fair treatment, and safe working conditions.
• Transparency: Maintain accurate records and disclose relevant information.
• Maintain a quality-first culture aligned with ISO 9001, ISO 13485, AS9100.
• Ensure integrity in certifications and testing.
• Continuous improvement and customer satisfaction are essential.
• Human Rights: No child labour, forced labour, or modern slavery.
• Working Conditions: Safe workplaces, ISO 45001 encouraged.
• Fair Pay & Hours: Comply with legal minimum wage; overtime is voluntary and paid.
• Non-Discrimination: No bias based on race, gender, age, religion, etc.
• Freedom of Association: Respect rights to unionise and collective bargaining.
• Community & Land Rights: Avoid harm to local communities; respect land and resource rights.
• Comply with environmental laws and maintain permits.
• Implement ISO 14001 or equivalent environmental management systems.
• Climate Action: Set CO₂ reduction targets aligned with Paris Agreement.
• Promote circularity: reduce, reuse, recycle.
• Manage water, air, soil quality; control noise emissions.
• Protect biodiversity and avoid deforestation.
• Ensure humane treatment of animals (apply 3Rs principles).
• Support sustainability by design.
• Manage hazardous substances per REACH, RoHS, SVHC.
• Ensure responsible sourcing of minerals (OECD guidance).
• Provide transparency on material origins.
• Anti-Corruption: No bribery, extortion, or improper advantage.
• Fair Competition: Comply with antitrust laws.
• Conflict of Interest: Disclose any potential conflicts.
• Trade Compliance: Follow sanctions, export/import controls.
• Anti-Money Laundering: Conduct due diligence and report concerns.
• Safeguard confidential information and personal data.
• Respect intellectual property rights.
• Maintain robust cybersecurity measures.
• Report violations or concerns to your Argus contact.
• Whistleblowers are protected; anonymity is allowed where legal.
• Argus reserves the right to audit and terminate relationships for non-compliance.
• Communicate this Code to employees and subcontractors.
• Provide training and maintain documentation.
• Cascade standards throughout your supply chain.
In today’s world, with the growing challenges of climate change, resource scarcity, and global supply chain transparency, Argus Group (Argus) recognises its responsibility to make a positive contribution to society, the environment, and all stakeholders. As a leading New Zealand-based advanced manufacturing supplier, we are committed to operating responsibly and sustainably, ensuring that our products and processes create lasting value for people, customers, and the planet.
This Supplier Code of Conduct sets out our principles and expectations for all suppliers, including suppliers, contractors, service providers, and their affiliates, who work with us across our global supply chain. It reflects our vision to be an iconic advanced manufacturer and our mission to operate as a sustainable, high-performing business. These expectations are grounded in our core values of quality, innovation, and operational excellence, and in our sustainability strategy, which aims to embed sustainability principles across our business.
We ask our suppliers to align with these principles and to extend them throughout their own supply chains. Where local laws impose stricter requirements, those take precedence; where they are less restrictive, we expect adherence to this Code. Argus will use this Code as part of its supplier selection and evaluation process and reserves the right to audit compliance and, if necessary, terminate relationships where standards are not met.
Our vision for sustainable leadership is anchored by formal ESG governance, product innovation, energy efficiency, resource management, and transparent supply chain practices. We are counting on your support to help us achieve this vision and build a supply chain that is ethical, resilient, and future-ready.
If you have any questions about this Code, please contact your Argus procurement representative.
Argus partners with suppliers who share our commitment to quality. We work with suppliers who achieve excellence in all aspects of their processes, strive to exceed customer satisfaction through the delivery of quality products and services, and accomplish this through good corporate governance, management principles, robust processes and globally recognized standards.
Our partners commit to continually satisfy our requirements by providing products and a level of service that conforms to applicable international Standards, supply agreements, contractual requirements and customer expectations.
We work with partners to continually improve what we do and who we are as a business, and for suppliers to deliver added value by identifying, monitoring, and responding to our needs, expectations and level of satisfaction.
Partners are required to maintain a quality-first culture where every employee understands their responsibility to prevent, identify, and report quality issues. Management must promote continuous improvement, provide appropriate training, and ensure that quality performance is valued equally with cost, delivery, and innovation. Our quality culture is based on the principles of ISO9001, ISO13485 and AS9100, and we encourage partners to have a certified management system that meets or exceeds the standards applicable to the partner’s area of expertise.
Argus expects integrity and honesty in every aspect of quality assurance and certification. Suppliers must not misrepresent data, certificates, or test results, nor withhold information about known or suspected defects. All personnel involved in quality-related activities must act with professionalism and integrity.
Together, Argus Group and its partners share accountability for delivering products that are safe, compliant, and reliable in the most demanding environments. Upholding these quality and compliance principles protects our customers, our industries, and our shared reputation for excellence.
To prevent human rights violations in our activities, we have developed a Human Rights Policy approach which is detailed in our Group Policy: https://www.argusmanutech.co.nz/csr
Argus recognises and upholds the standards of the International Labour Organization (ILO), including the Minimum Age Convention (No. 138) and the Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention (No. 182). We are committed to protecting children from economic exploitation and expect all suppliers to do the same.
• Minimum Age for Employment:
o Ensure no child is employed unless they meet the legal minimum working age under local law and ILO standards:
15 years (or 14 years in countries with limited economic and educational development).
Light work: Permitted from 13 years (or 12 years in developing countries), provided it does not harm health or schooling.
• Hazardous Work:
o Strictly prohibit anyone under 18 years from performing work that could jeopardise health, safety, or moral development.
• Education:
o Ensure employment of young workers does not interfere with compulsory schooling or vocational training.
• Worst Forms of Child Labour:
o Never engage in or tolerate slavery, trafficking, debt bondage, forced labour, sexual exploitation, illicit activities, or any work harmful to health, safety, or morals.
• Compliance Measures:
o Implement robust age verification processes and maintain documentation to demonstrate compliance.
Argus recognises and upholds the International Labour Organization (ILO) standards, including the Forced Labour Convention (No. 29), the Abolition of Forced Labour Convention (No. 105), and the Protocol of 2014 to Convention No. 29. These conventions require the prohibition and elimination of all forms of forced or compulsory labour and modern slavery.
• Employment must be voluntary, and workers must be free to terminate employment with reasonable notice.
• No work or service shall be exacted under threat, coercion, penalty, or without the worker’s free and informed consent.
• Suppliers must not engage in or tolerate modern slavery practices, including human trafficking, debt bondage, forced marriage, involuntary labour, or any form of servitude.
• Forced labour must be criminalised and treated as a serious violation of human rights.
• Suppliers must implement measures to prevent forced labour, identify and mitigate risks in their operations and supply chains, and provide protection and remedies for victims.
• No retention of identity documents, no recruitment fees charged to workers, and all employment contracts must be provided in a language understood by the employee.
Argus expects suppliers to certify compliance with these standards and applicable national laws, and to cascade these requirements throughout their supply chains. It is expected that third-party recruiters also adhere to these principles.
Argus aligns with the ILO Occupational Safety and Health Convention (No. 155) and the Promotional Framework Convention (No. 187). Suppliers must provide a safe and healthy workplace, implement preventive measures, and continuously improve occupational safety and health (OSH) systems. ISO 45001 certification is strongly encouraged.
• Provide employees with appropriate training and protective equipment at no cost.
• Involve workers in health and safety decisions.
• Conduct regular risk assessments and share safety indicators and improvement plans upon request.
• Adopt a continuous improvement approach using data from incidents, accidents, and employee feedback.
• Identify, evaluate, and control exposure to physically demanding tasks such as heavy lifting, repetitive movements, prolonged standing, and forceful assembly.
• Promptly communicate any product-related safety concerns and propose improvements.
Argus aligns with the ILO Hours of Work Conventions (No. 1 and No. 30) and the Forty-Hour Week Convention (No. 47). Suppliers must comply with legal limits on working hours—generally 8 hours per day and 48 hours per week. Overtime must always be voluntary and fairly compensated, and rest periods and breaks must meet legal requirements to protect worker health.
• Comply with all applicable local laws on regular and overtime hours, break times, and rest days.
• Ensure overtime is voluntary and compensated appropriately.
• Never pressure or coerce employees to work beyond normal hours.
• Avoid targets or pay structures that force workers to exceed legal limits to earn the minimum wage.
• Maintain work schedules and rest periods that are reasonable, consistent with legal requirements, and do not negatively impact health or safety.
Argus references the ILO Equal Remuneration Convention (No. 100), Minimum Wage Fixing Convention (No. 131), and Protection of Wages Convention (No. 95). Suppliers must ensure fair and timely payment, equal pay for equal work, and wages that meet or exceed legal minimums while allowing employees to maintain a decent standard of living.
• Employees must receive lawful and timely payment for their work.
• The basis for pay, including structure and calculation, must be transparent and clearly communicated.
• Wages must never be deducted as a disciplinary measure.
• Pay levels should reflect local living costs and social security benefits to support a basic, decent quality of life.
Argus upholds the ILO Discrimination Convention (No. 111) and the Equal Remuneration Convention (No. 100). Suppliers must prohibit discrimination based on race, gender, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic. Policies should actively promote diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunities.
Argus values the differences people bring, as diversity of thinking forms the foundation of our culture. We are committed to providing a workplace free from discrimination, harassment, and bullying—and expect the same from our suppliers.
• Comply with all laws and regulations on equality and non-discrimination.
• Ensure no person is excluded from a role for which they are qualified due to bias or inappropriate practices.
• Apply equal treatment in hiring, promotions, training, job assignments, wages, benefits, discipline, termination, and retirement.
• Prevent abuse, intimidation, or unfair treatment, including sexual harassment, physical or mental abuse, and threats of such behaviour.
• Support equal opportunities for women and uphold equal pay for equal work.
• Implement policies, procedures, and training to create a safe, inclusive workplace and raise awareness about diversity and inclusion.
Argus aligns with the ILO Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention (No. 169). Suppliers must respect community rights, avoid harm, and support local development. Actions must not displace or impoverish communities and should promote positive social impact. Argus believes businesses have a responsibility to contribute positively to the communities in which they operate.
• Respect and support the rights of local communities affected by their operations.
• Protect and promote safe and decent living conditions.
• Ensure access to education, local employment opportunities, and participation in social and cultural life.
• Avoid actions that displace, impoverish, or otherwise harm communities.
• Proactively seek to generate net positive outcomes wherever practical.
Suppliers must respect legitimate land and resource rights in line with the ILO Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention (No. 169). Forced eviction or deprivation of livelihoods is strictly prohibited. Suppliers must engage communities transparently and obtain free, prior, and informed consent where applicable.
• Respect legitimate land, water, and resource rights.
• Avoid actions that cause forced eviction, loss of access to natural resources, or deprivation of community livelihoods.
• Ensure all engagement with affected communities is fair, transparent, and culturally appropriate.
Argus references ILO Conventions No. 87, No. 98, and No. 154. Suppliers must respect workers’ rights to form unions, join representative bodies, and bargain collectively without interference or discrimination. Representatives must have access to their members and safe working conditions. Argus values open dialogue and mutual respect between employers and employees.
• Uphold workers’ rights to organise, form or join unions or employee representative bodies of their choice.
• Allow workers to seek representation and bargain collectively in accordance with local law.
• Ensure representatives are treated fairly, have access to their members, and can perform their roles without obstruction.
• Provide adequate working space and ensure representatives are not subject to discrimination or retaliation.
Suppliers must ensure that all facilities meet legal and safety standards, including fire safety, emergency exits, ventilation, potable water, and sanitation. Align with the ILO Welfare Facilities Recommendation (No. 102) for worker welfare provisions.
• Comply with all applicable building codes and industry design standards.
• Maintain an adequate evacuation plan, unobstructed emergency exits, and clearly posted evacuation maps in the local language.
• Install and maintain fire safety systems, including alarms and suppression equipment.
• Provide first aid kits and stations, and keep safety rules, inspection results, incident reports, and permits as required by law.
• Ensure facilities have proper ventilation, lighting, access to potable water, private toilet facilities, and reasonable space for nursing employees.
Suppliers must follow human rights principles and international best practices, including UN and IFC guidelines, when engaging security forces. Security practices must prioritise the safety and rights of employees and communities.
• Ensure security personnel receive appropriate training and oversight.
• Avoid deploying private or public security forces where there is a risk of abuse due to inadequate training or control.
• Implement measures that respect human rights and prevent intimidation, harassment, or harm to workers and local communities.
Argus suppliers acknowledge that environmental responsibility is an integral part of business operation. Production processes must be designed to prevent environmental harm and conserve natural resources.
• Comply with all applicable local, national, and international environmental laws and maintain up-to-date environmental permits, approvals, and registrations. Documentation must be made available to Argus upon request.
• Systematically identify environmental risks across production and the upstream supply chain and implement measures to prevent or minimize negative impacts.
• Train employees to mitigate environmental risks effectively.
Argus also encourages suppliers to:
• Go beyond compliance obligations and to actively integrate sustainable practices into operations.
• Implement and maintain an environmental management system aligned with ISO 14001, demonstrating efforts in pollution prevention, consider product safety and lifecycle, manage waste, and enhance overall environmental stewardship.
Argus has committed to advancing emissions and energy performance with robust greenhouse gas emissions measurement and reporting (Scopes 1 and 2). Argus sets science-based reduction targets aligned with the Paris Agreement and begin measuring Scope 3 emissions.
Argus encourages suppliers to:
• Measure and report on Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions.
• Improve energy efficiency and increase the use of renewable energy across their operations.
• Set reduction targets for Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions using recognised methodologies.
• Monitor and report on measures taken to reduce emissions over time.
Global markets are tightening regulations on product lifecycle and plastic waste, and Argus recognises that product-related sustainability is a key issue for the industry. In response, Argus is conducting lifecycle analysis (LCA) of major product lines and investing in sustainable product development and innovation.
• Report the use of secondary materials at the product level.
• Take a systematic approach to waste management, following the hierarchy: reduce, reuse, recycle, and, as a last resort, dispose of waste responsibly.
• Monitor the life cycle of supplied products
• Use secondary, bio-based and renewable materials wherever available and technically feasible.
Argus expects suppliers to manage environmental impacts responsibly and comply with all relevant regulations.
• Use water efficiently and avoid contamination.
• Monitor air emissions and take corrective action if limits are exceeded.
• Prevent soil contamination and erosion during operations.
• Minimise noise impacts on workers and surrounding communities.
The activities of Argus suppliers, including the production and processing of raw materials, shall be conducted in a manner that avoids harm to natural ecosystems and biodiversity. This includes avoiding modification, deforestation, and forest degradation by identifying and managing natural forests and other natural ecosystems.
• Perform due diligence throughout their supply chains to ensure that these environmental protections are upheld.
Partners are expected to perform due diligence throughout their supply chains to ensure that these environmental protections are upheld.
Argus supports the humane treatment of animals.
• Take all reasonable steps to avoid animal suffering in their operations.
• Follow the 3Rs principles — Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement — for all animal testing. Argus suppliers should not cruelly or unnecessarily cause injury to an animal.
• Respect the five freedoms established by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH): which include: freedom from hunger and thirst; freedom from discomfort; freedom from pain, injury, and disease; freedom to express normal and natural behaviour; and freedom from fear and distress.
Argus integrates sustainability into product development by understanding lifecycle impacts and incorporating sustainable improvements into product design.
We expect suppliers to support these initiatives by:
• Considering environmental impacts in the design and delivery of products and services.
• Providing the environmental footprint of products supplied when requested.
Responsible chemical management is expected of all suppliers.
• Comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and customer requirements, including prohibition or restriction of specific substances, labelling, transport, and disposal obligations.
• Identify hazardous materials and manage them safely throughout their lifecycle (handling, transport, storage, use, recycling, or disposal).
• Disclose the use and origin of restricted substances and actively seek safer alternatives to maintain product and environmental stewardship.
Argus is committed to ethical and sustainable sourcing of materials, including minerals.
• Follow the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas.
• Provide, upon request, information on the origin and supply chain of minerals used in products.
• Exercise due diligence for conflict minerals (3TGs: tantalum, tin, tungsten, gold), cobalt, mica, and other critical raw materials.
• Source only from smelters and refineries with audited due diligence processes (e.g., Responsible Minerals Assurance Process – RMAP).
• Exclude smelters or manufacturers subject to embargo regulations or identified as high-risk by the Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI).
Argus recognises that legal compliance is fundamental to ethical business conduct. Suppliers must comply with all applicable laws and regulations in every location where they operate.
Trust and ethical behaviour are the foundation of our business relationships.
• Prevent and combat all forms of corruption, bribery, extortion, and improper advantage.
• Never offer, promise, give, demand, or accept any bribe or undue benefit to or from Argus employees, public officials, or any other party.
• Implement internal controls, ethics, and compliance programs to prevent bribery. This includes employee training, accurate financial records, and transparent reporting.
Argus maintains a strict policy on gifts and gratuities from business suppliers, including suppliers.
• Disclose information about their business activities, financial situation, and performance in line with applicable laws and industry standards.
• Ensure all business transactions are accurately and transparently recorded. Falsification of records is strictly prohibited.
Argus believes in fair and equal competition and expects suppliers to conduct business fairly and ethically. Suppliers must comply with all applicable antitrust and competition laws and avoid any practices that restrict fair trade.
We believe that all business transactions should be done with integrity and transparency. A conflict of interest arises when an employee or their close relative may personally benefit from a transaction involving an Argus Group company.
Argus suppliers shall avoid, identify, and disclose any situations where an actual or potential conflict of interest exists.
Argus expects suppliers to comply with all applicable laws and regulations related to sanctions, trade embargoes, export and import controls, and customs.
• Ensure they do not engage, directly or indirectly, with individuals, entities, countries, or territories subject to prohibitions or sanctions.
• Screen counterparties and exclude any party listed on official restricted or denied lists.
• Confirm that exported items, technology, or software are used only for their declared purposes and not diverted to illicit uses (e.g., weapons proliferation, terrorism, or unauthorised military applications).
• Take all necessary measures to prevent violations of these requirements.
As a business servicing customers globally, Argus is committed to ethical business transactions. Suppliers must:
• Comply with all applicable laws and internal procedures governing import, export, re-export, transfer, and storage of goods, technology, software, and services.
• Obtain required authorisations or licenses before exporting or importing controlled items.
• Maintain accurate classification and documentation, including licenses, declarations, origin, end-use, and end-user details.
• Implement internal controls and training programs to ensure compliance.
• Report any potential or actual breaches promptly and cooperate fully with audits or investigations.
• Cascade these standards throughout their supply chain.
Failure to comply may result in remedial action, including termination of the business relationship.
Argus conducts business with integrity and transparency.
• Not engage in unlawful activities or facilitate financial transactions derived from such activities.
• Conduct due diligence and report any suspected money laundering or terrorist financing to Argus.
• Avoid dealings with individuals or entities listed on official terrorist or prohibited lists.
• Comply with all applicable laws and regulations relating to data protection, privacy, and information security.
• Implement appropriate technical, organisational, and administrative measures to safeguard personal data, proprietary information, and confidential materials.
• Collect, process, store, and transmit all confidential or personal information only for legitimate and agreed purposes, and in accordance with applicable data protection principles.
• Ensure such information is protected against unauthorised access, loss, alteration, disclosure, or misuse.
• Not share confidential information obtained in the course of business with Argus with third parties without prior written authorisation, nor used for any purpose other than that for which it was provided.
• Maintain policies and procedures to ensure compliance with these requirements and to report any data breaches or suspected misuse of confidential information to Argus immediately.
At Argus, our intellectual property is as valuable as anything tangible. Intellectual property (IP) encompasses all tangible and intangible rights, including but not limited to copyrights, moral rights, trademarks, patents, trade secrets, proprietary information, industrial property rights, domain names, and any other intellectual or industrial property rights. This includes rights arising from law, contract, licence, or other means, as well as any associated registrations, applications, renewals, extensions, continuations, divisions, or reissues.
Argus suppliers must respect and protect all intellectual property rights. The transfer of technology, information, and know-how must be conducted in a manner that safeguards these rights and prevents unauthorised use or disclosure. Suppliers are expected to comply with all applicable laws and regulations relating to intellectual property protection and implement appropriate measures to prevent infringement or misuse.
Where Argus and the partner have entered into a written agreement, such as a non-disclosure agreement or other contract outlining specific intellectual property provisions, the terms of that agreement shall take precedence and govern the handling of intellectual property.
In the information age, cybersecurity is our best line of defence. Argus partners shall implement and maintain appropriate technical and organisational cybersecurity controls proportionate to the products and services provided.
Argus partners are expected to self-report any violations of this Supplier Code of Conduct. Questions, comments, or reports concerning the Code should be directed to the partner’s usual Argus contact. Partners must not retaliate or take any disciplinary action against individuals who, in good faith, report violations, raise concerns about questionable behaviour, or seek advice regarding the Supplier Code.
The identity of whistleblowers will be kept strictly confidential, and they are protected against retaliation when reports are made in good faith. Where permitted by local law, whistleblowers may choose to report anonymously. Argus partners are responsible for reviewing and closing all reported grievances promptly and for providing appropriate remedies in cases of confirmed non-compliance.
United Nations Global Compact
ILO International Labor Standards (ILO Convention No 29, 105, 138, 182, Protocol 2014 to ILO C29)
OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises – 2023
OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas
United Nations guiding principles on Business and Human Rights – 2011
ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management Systems
ISO 45001:2018 Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems
ISO 26000:2010 Social Responsibility
ISO 9001:2015 – Quality Management Systems
AS9100D:2016 – Quality Management Systems – Requirements for Aviation, Space, and Defence Organisations Standard
ISO 13485:2016 – Medical Devices
ISO 14971:2019 – Risk management for medical devices
VG/VDE/IEC – Product Standards
UL/ETL – Product and component certification safety marks
RoHS/REACH/WEEE – Environmental and chemical safety directives
ECHA SVHC Candidate List – Verification of restricted substances
This document does not contain any export-controlled technical data and is not subject to regulation by any U.S. Export control regime.
Version Reason for the revision Date of change
1.0 Initial Draft Version, release 12/12/2025
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