Supplier Code of Conduct

The reputation of Zevia PBC (“Zevia”), is built on trust and respect. Zevia manages its business and affairs through its subsidiary Zevia LLC and through Zevia LLC operates, procures, promotes and implements sustainable and environmentally and socially responsible practices. Zevia’s employees and those who do business with Zevia know that it is committed to earning their trust with a set of values that represent the highest standards of quality, integrity, excellence, compliance with the law, and respect for human rights and the unique customs and cultures in communities in which we operate.

The Company has always endeavored to conduct business responsibly and ethically. Zevia respects international human rights principles, including the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights and the International Labor Organization’s Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work.

Zevia’s acknowledgment of these international principles is consistent with its dedication to enriching the workplace, respecting all human rights, preserving the environment and strengthening the communities in which Zevia operates.

These principles apply to all aspects of Zevia’s business, and encompass all manufacturers, distributors, vendors, and other suppliers of product, services, licenses, rentals, etc. (each a "Supplier" and collectively "Suppliers") that provide supply to Zevia.

The Supplier Code of Conduct – Reflecting the Company’s Values

The Supplier Code of Conduct (SCC) is a vital pillar of Zevia’s human rights and workplace accountability programs. These programs are driven by the belief that good corporate citizenship is essential to Zevia’s long-term business success and must be reflected not only in its workplaces, but also the workplaces of those who are authorized to directly supply to Zevia.

Recognizing that there are differences in laws, customs, and economic conditions that affect business practices around the world, Zevia believes that shared values must serve as the foundation for relationships between Zevia and its Suppliers, starting with the commitment to respect all human rights. The Supplier Code of Conduct communicates Zevia’s values, expectations and requirements, and emphasizes the importance of responsible workplace policies and practices that comply, at a minimum, with applicable environmental laws and with local labor laws and regulations. The principles outlined below reflect the values Zevia upholds in its own policies, and Zevia expects its Suppliers to follow the spirit and intent of these guiding principles to ensure respect for all human rights.

Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining

Respect employees’ right to join, form, or not to join a labor union without fear of reprisal, intimidation or harassment. Where employees are represented by a legally recognized union, establish a constructive dialogue with their freely chosen representatives and bargain in good faith with such representatives.

Prohibit Child Labor

Adhere to minimum age provisions of applicable laws and regulations.

Prohibit Human Trafficking, Forced Labor and Abuse of Labor

Prohibit physical abuse of employees and prohibit the use of all forms of forced labor, including prison labor, indentured labor, bonded labor, military labor, slave labor or any form of human trafficking.

Eliminate Discrimination and Promote Diversity

Maintain workplaces that are free from discrimination or physical or verbal harassment. The basis for recruitment, hiring, placement, training, compensation, and advancement should be qualifications, performance, skills and experience. Use best efforts to procure diverse businesses to compete for goods and services to become preferred suppliers to the Supplier and/or as its subcontractor(s). Zevia is committed to the development and growth of diverse businesses and implements policies and procedures to promote diversity within the company and within its supply chain. Zevia expects Suppliers to have equivalent policies to promote diversity in their supply chain and purchase from diverse businesses. Suppliers agree to make a reasonable effort to utilize diverse suppliers and provide evidence to Zevia upon request.

Compliance and Documentation

Implement and maintain a reliable system to verify the eligibility of all workers, including but not limited to age eligibility, legal status of workers. Implement and maintain a reliable recordkeeping system regarding the eligibility of all workers. Implement and maintain proper documentation of wage payments for their internal records, providing proof of payment to workers in the workers’ native language showing hours worked, wage amounts, and rates and deductions and ensure proof of payment is accurate and clearly calculated. Develop work-hour policies to ensure compliance with this Code of Conduct and applicable law and use an industry-accepted time-keeping system to track worker work hours.

Work Hours and Wages

Compensate employees relative to the industry and local labor market. Operate in full compliance with applicable wage, work hours, overtime and benefits laws, and offer employees opportunities to develop their skills and capabilities, and provide advancement opportunities where possible.

Provide a Safe and Healthy Workplace

Provide a secure, safe and healthy workplace. Maintain a productive workplace by minimizing the risk of accidents, injury, and exposure to health risks. Ensure that they do not, and any partners do not, support, engage in, or required any hazardous labor to be performed by any person under the age of eighteen (18). Ensure that all facilities meet all applicable building codes and industry design and construction standards, obtain and maintain all approvals and permits required by law.

Protect the Environment

Conduct business in ways which protect and preserve the environment. Meet applicable environmental laws, rules, and regulations.

Intellectual Property

Respect and protect the intellectual property rights of all parties, including third parties and comply with all applicable ownership rights.

Business Integrity

Conduct business with integrity, respecting relevant laws and avoiding bribes and fraudulent practices Do not require any worker (or worker’s spouse or family member) to directly or indirectly pay recruitment or other fees, incur debt, mike financial guarantees, or incur any other financial obligation

Freedom of Movement; Employment

Ensure that workers have the right to freedom of movement without delay or hindrance or the threat or imposition of any discipline, penalty, retaliation, or fine or other monetary obligation. Allow workers to terminate their employment or work arrangement without restriction or without the threat or imposition of any discipline, penalty, retaliation, or fine or other monetary obligation.

Grievance Procedure and Remedy

Provide workers with a mechanism to express grievances without fear of reprisal and ensure concerns are appropriately addressed in a timely manner.

Management Systems

Have appropriate and effective systems in place to control actions ensuring lawful compliance and respect for all human rights. Comply with all applicable national and local laws and regulations.

Report Violations

Suppliers shall self-report any violations of the Code of Conduct. Suppliers can also submit questions and comments regarding the SCC to Zevia's liaison set out below:

Jennifer Nelson

15821 Ventura Blvd, Suite 145, Los Angeles, CA 91436

Email: jnelson@zevia.com

Zevia will maintain confidentiality to the extent possible and Suppliers shall not retaliate or take disciplinary action against any worker who has, in good faith, reported violations or questionable behavior, or who has sought advice regarding this SCC.

These minimum requirements are a part of all agreements between Zevia and its direct and authorized Suppliers. Where this SCC requires Suppliers to meet a higher standard than set out by law or regulation, Suppliers shall meet such higher standards. Zevia encourages its Suppliers to develop and implement appropriate internal business processes to ensure compliance with the SCC.

Zevia continually evaluates the performance and sustainability of its Suppliers based on financial value, efficiency, innovation and risk. For Zevia’s critical suppliers, Zevia carries out a number of detailed evaluations including a financial assessment and regular meetings to discuss issues such as performance, innovation and sustainability.

Zevia’s procurement teams build long-term working relationships with Suppliers to ensure they can identify opportunities for improvement and work together towards common objectives. Zevia makes sure every buyer is aware of Zevia’s expectations of Suppliers, knows how to evaluate them and is familiar with sustainability issues related to specific commodities.

It is Zevia’s intention that the sustainability performance of its Suppliers will be rated by EcoVadis, [click here to read more about EcoVadis] an independent evaluation company. EcoVadis evaluates Suppliers for criteria such as environment, carbon management, human rights, and fair business practices.