Vendors shall fully comply with all laws, rules and regulations applicable to the manufacture of the merchandise, the facilities where it is made, accommodations made available to workers, and the importation of the merchandise into the United States of America.

It is illegal and an unethical business practice to give or receive a bribe. A bribe is the payment of anything (money, gifts, or services) to influence a business decision. In addition, laws in many countries prohibit the offer, promise or gift of anything of value to an employee, agent, or official of the government with the intent to influence such an individual within his/her area of responsibility. Vendors shall not give or receive bribes and shall comply with all applicable laws related to bribery and corruption.

Vendors shall set forth the genuine and true origin of all merchandise on the applicable country of origin declaration, invoice, visa or other documents made in conjunction with the importation of the merchandise into the United States of America. Vendors shall not transship merchandise in violation of applicable laws, including but not limited to those of the United States of America.

Vendors shall notify Charming Shoppes, Inc. within 7 days after (1) they or their contractors or subcontractors are visited by U.S. Customs and Border Protection ("CBP"), (2) they are notified or otherwise become aware of the commencement of any proceedings which could result in a conviction or the assessment of any administrative penalties or fines for transshipment or violation of rules of origin, or violation of free trade agreement rules, or (3) they are notified by other customers/clients that such customer/client has received a Notice of Detention or Exclusion Order from CBP for which they are required to provide production documentation in order for their customer/client to facilitate proper clearance through CBP. Notification shall be made to

Steve Loong, Director of Finance/Shipping/I.T.
Room1103-7, Tower 1, Harbour Centre, 1 Hok Cheung Street, Hung Hom, Hong Kong
Telephone number: 852-2774-8106
Email: steve.loong@charming-hk.com

Vendors shall not smuggle merchandise. Vendors importing merchandise into the United States shall legally import such merchandise and pay all duty owed thereon. Upon request, Vendors shall provide copies of entry documents or other evidence that proper entries were made with CBP.

Vendors shall comply with applicable labor laws and provide wages and benefits at a rate equal to the greater of the minimum legal wage or the wage that meets prevailing local standards. Vendors shall pay workers overtime compensation in compliance with all applicable laws.

Vendors shall comply with applicable labor laws governing working hours. Vendors shall not on a regular basis require workers to work more than 60 hours per week (or lower if prescribed by local laws or local industry standards), and workers must be permitted no less than one day off in every 7 days. Overtime shall be limited to a level consistent with humane and productive working conditions.

Vendors shall not use prison, forced or other compulsory labor, including labor that is required as a means of political coercion or as punishment for holding or for peacefully expressing political views.

Vendors shall employ only those workers who are at least the local minimum legal working age, above the oldest compulsory school age, and 15 years of age or older.

The lawful exercise of workers rights of free association and to establish and join organizations of their own choosing shall be respected and not restricted or interfered with and workers lawfully exercising those rights shall not be threatened or penalized. Vendors shall recognize and respect the right of all of their workers to organize, bargain collectively, and to strike, and Vendors shall not:
a. discharge or threaten with discharge workers in order to discourage union activity;
b. close or threaten to close a facility in order to discourage union activity; or
c. use force or violence, or threaten to use force or violence in order to discourage union activity.

Vendors shall comply with all applicable labor laws governing discrimination in the workplace on the basis of personal characteristics rather than the applicant or worker’s ability to do the job. In addition, Vendors shall not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, nationality, age, marital status or ethnic origin. Vendors shall comply with all applicable laws regarding sexual harassment in the workplace.

Vendors shall not use corporal punishment or other forms of mental, physical or psychological coercion. Workers shall be treated in a dignified and respectful manner.

The work environment shall be safe, healthy and clean. Vendors shall comply with all applicable laws and regulations regarding safety in the workplace. Vendors which provide residential facilities for their workers must likewise comply with local laws and regulations regarding same. Reasonable measures shall be taken to prevent accidents, including installation of adequate lighting, proper ventilation, clearly marked exits, proper storage of flammable or hazardous materials, and accessible aisles free of obstructions.

Vendors shall comply with all applicable environmental laws.

Vendors shall take all necessary steps to protect their facilities and all merchandise from interference by individuals and/or organizations hostile to the United States of America, so as to assure the security and safety of all merchandise, its shipment, all individuals engaged in the production and shipment of the merchandise and the United States of America. Vendors shall join security programs offered through their government, the World Customs Organization, or the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) program when the opportunity to do so is made available to them. Vendors participating in a security program shall indicate such participation by providing Charming Shoppes, Inc. a copy of their participation certificate, and in the case of the C-TPAT program, their SVI number.

Upon request, Vendors shall allow Charming Shoppes, Inc. associates, representatives, agents and/or auditors access to manufacturing facilities. Furthermore, Vendors shall make available, upon request, documentation deemed necessary to substantiate compliance with the standards set forth in this Code of Conduct.

Projects undertaken in partnership with community groups, or local or international non-governmental organizations, shall be encouraged and supported.