Country Assessment Guidelines
The numerous countries where LS&CO. has existing or future business interests present a variety of cultural, political, social and economic circumstances.
The Country Assessment Guidelines help us assess any issues that might present concern in light of the ethical principles we have set for ourselves. The Guidelines assist us in making practical and principled business decisions as we balance the potential risks and opportunities associated with conducting business in specific countries. Specifically, we assess the following:
Health and Safety Conditions — must meet the expectations we have for employees and their families or our company representatives;
Human Rights Environment — must allow us to conduct business activities in a manner that is consistent with our Global Sourcing and Operating Guidelines and other company policies
Legal System — must provide the necessary support to adequately protect our trademarks, investments or other commercial interests, or to implement the Global Sourcing and Operating Guidelines and other company policies; and
Political, Economic and Social Environment — must protect the company’s commercial interests and brand/corporate image. We do not conduct business in countries prohibited by U.S. laws.
Terms of Engagement
Our TOE help us to select business partners who follow workplace standards and business practices that are consistent with LS&CO.’s values and policies. These requirements are applied to every contractor who manufactures or finishes products for LS&CO. Trained assessors closely monitor compliance among our manufacturing and finishing contractors in more than 50 countries. The TOE include: