California transparency

The California Transparency in Supply Chains Act of 2010 (SB 657) requires companies that manufacture or sell products in the State of California to disclose their efforts, if any, to eradicate slavery and human trafficking in their direct supply chains.

Darling Ingredients Inc. (“Darling”) has established a Code of Conduct (the “Code”) for all employees. Our Code requires all Darling employees, including those with responsibility for supply chain management, to know and abide by the values of our Code, including laws prohibiting human trafficking and slavery. All Darling employees are required to take annual training of our Code and must certify they have read, understand, and will comply with the Code. Darling does not provide employees and management with standalone training on human trafficking and slavery.

Darling also has a Supplier Code of Conduct and Human Rights Policy further demonstrating Darling’s commitment to promoting its values to suppliers and express expectations for adherence to these values. In addition, Darling utilizes supply agreements that require its direct suppliers to comply with all applicable laws and regulations and with the principles and expectations set forth in Darling’s Supplier Code of Conduct. The Supplier Code of Conduct also sets forth the expectation that suppliers follow Darling’s Human Rights Policy.

Darling uses independent third-party auditors who assess Labor Standards, Health & Safety, Environmental, and Ethical Business Practices in our own workplace. We ourselves do not verify or audit, and we typically do not use third parties to audit, or require unannounced third-party audits, of each of our direct suppliers’ facilities on the issues of human trafficking and slavery.

Darling maintains an active disclosure system with various avenues for team members and third parties to confidentially report alleged misconduct, including failure to adhere to our Code, policies, and suspicions of violations of law. This includes a toll-free hotline and internet-based reporting tool that is accessible worldwide and available in multiple languages. These internal accountability systems allow us to identify and take action with respect to employees, contractors, or suppliers who violate, or threaten to violate, applicable laws governing slavery and human trafficking when identified. We investigate alleged violations of the law, policy, and our Code, and take appropriate action up to, and including, termination for employees, contractors, or suppliers found in violation.