Measures to stop, prevent or limit negative consequences

We shall be vigilant and prevent violations. If OneCo is directly involved in human rights violations, we will help to rectify the situation and provide compensatory measures. To detect any violations, OneCo conducts systematic audits of our subcontractors. This is in addition to internet searches and other use of information tools to investigate whether the supplier has been involved in controversial incidents, including actual or possible violations of human rights and decent labour conditions.

In cases where we discover issues that do not comply with legal requirements or our internal guidelines, we enter into a dialogue with the supplier or partner to find solutions to rectify the situation, and then follow up agreed measures through a new audit. If this approach is unsuccessful, the co-operation is terminated. Important drivers of inherent risk are country, industry and the products used.

 

Based on screening, internal assessment and incident notifications, potential negative consequences are identified and mapped. Depending on the severity, various appropriate measures are implemented.

Specifically about purchasing

OneCo purchases goods and services worth approximately NOK 2.6 billion every year. Most of our suppliers are from the Nordic region or Europe. The majority of purchases are made from our main wholesalers in Norway, who supply goods and services related to our production.

We take human rights seriously and conduct risk-based due diligence as part of our procurement process. We also communicate our expectations to suppliers through our "Agreement for Responsible Supplier Behaviour" and our Code of Conduct.

We carry out careful assessments and analyses of suppliers from industries or countries with a higher risk of human rights violations. This is especially true when we import solar cells directly from China, where we work with ITP Group AS, a Norwegian company with offices and employees in China. They have specialists who work to co-operate with suppliers, assess risks and conduct audits of supplier factories.

ITP Group maps value chains in China and works closely with suppliers to promote their development through customised action plans. They also ensure that suppliers comply with applicable laws, UN principles and ILO conventions as well as ITP Group's Supplier Code of Conduct. They also follow the Transparency Act and conduct due diligence and reporting in accordance with the OECD Guidelines for Responsible Business Conduct.

Measures in 2022

During 2022 and 2023, we have collected more information about our suppliers' climate, human rights and responsible supplier behaviour initiatives. We also regularly review our contract terms with subcontractors.

We have improved the whistleblowing process on our website, OneCo.no, to make it more accessible to external parties who wish to report misconduct. The switchboard function plays an important role in this work, and we have partially centralised this service. Employees who respond to enquiries by phone and email have been trained in how to handle any reports.

Notification of misconduct

At OneCo, whistleblowing should be safe - both for internal and external employees. Everyone who works in or for OneCo has both a duty and a right to report unacceptable conditions if they become aware of them. OneCo emphasises openness and facilitates safe whistleblowing in all parts of the organisation.

Misconduct means behaviour that is contrary to legal rules, ethical guidelines or ethical norms that are widely accepted in society, such as behaviour that may involve:

  • Criminal offences
  • Financial irregularities
  • Harassment, bullying
  • Social dumping and undeclared work
  • Breach of statutory obligations
  • Violation of the company's internal guidelines
  • Internally, the whistleblowing procedure is available to all employees in our Group-wide quality system.

For external parties who wish to notify, there is a link at OneCo.no