Lowe's Companies Inc. and our subsidiaries and affiliates (collectively, "Lowe's") are committed to fostering a company that recognizes and respects human rights in all aspects of our business, regardless of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, marital status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, military, veteran status, and any other characteristic protected under law. Lowe's seeks to respect and promote human rights when engaging with associates, subcontractors, suppliers, customers, and other partners. Lowe’s prohibits the use of forced, bonded, indentured, compulsory, or exploitative prison, trafficked, or slave labor in its supply chain and is committed to ensuring that the rights of workers vulnerable to forced labor in global supply chains are consistently respected and protected. Lowe's expects the same from our vendors. We will do this, as appropriate, through proactive engagement, monitoring, auditing, certification, and contractual provisions. Suppliers operating in, or procuring from, areas where we identify our most severe risks will be the key focus of this engagement. If a vendor finds it is noncompliant with this Human Rights Policy (the “Policy”), such vendor must inform Lowe’s immediately or as soon as practicable and remedy any such noncompliance in a timely and sensitive manner.
With this commitment, Lowe's adopted this Policy and supports the fundamental principles of Human Rights, as defined by the "Universal Declaration of Human Rights". In addition, Lowe's reviews and is informed by the principles set forth in the United Nations (U.N.) Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, the U.N. Global Compact, the International Bill of Human Rights (including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR)), the International Labor Organization (ILO) Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, and ILO Conventions Nos. 29, and 105. This Policy applies to all associates, vendors, suppliers, customers, subcontractors, and other partners who provide services and goods to Lowe's.
Lowe's conducts a corporate-wide human rights review at least annually. Lowe's focuses on promoting fundamental rights through associates, customers, communities, and supply chain workers.
Associates: Lowe's associates are vital assets to the company. Lowe's Code of Business Conduct and Ethics requires associates to uphold the highest safety and ethical standards, and to create a safe and non-discriminating environment for Lowe's associates, visitors, and customers.
Customers: Lowe's aims to serve customers, not only by providing excellent products and services, but also to safeguard their human rights.
Communities: Lowe's is committed to fostering an environment where individuals are treated fairly, valued, respected, safe, and inspired to serve customers and the communities where we live and work.
Supply chain workers: Lowe's serves customers, and we also serve those who serve customers. Suppliers should treat workers throughout the supply chain with integrity and respect and adhere to the Vendor Code of Conduct, which requires Lowe's suppliers to protect workers' human rights throughout the supply chain. Forced, bonded, indentured, compulsory or exploitative prison, trafficked, or slave labor are strictly prohibited and enforced with a zero-tolerance policy. Lowe’s reserves the right to terminate our business relationship with any vendor who violates these prohibitions, or who engages upstream suppliers that violate these prohibitions. Lowe’s also requires all suppliers and vendors to comply with applicable Lowe’s vendor safety standards.
Additional References: Lowe's ethics and compliance policies including Vendor Code of Conduct and Lowe's Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.
Implementation
Lowe's continually evaluates and reviews our approach to human rights and how to best detect human rights risks. We believe that working through external initiatives and partnerships is often the best way to address shared challenges for operating our business responsibly. Where any events may impact Lowe's commitments to human rights, Lowe's will assess the risk, investigate if needed, and provide a solution or action for remediation. We will continue to track and publicly report on progress annually in Lowe's Corporate Responsibility Report.
Lowe's conducts training and development programs to foster open communication and inclusion and to ensure equal employment opportunities for all. Associates receive anti-discrimination and anti-harassment workplace training and are required to verify their compliance with the Lowe’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics on a regular basis. Our vendors receive responsibility training in alignment with our Vendor Code of Conduct and Lowe's compliance program.
Reporting Channel
Lowe's expects any stakeholders of Lowe's business to report or address any human rights concerns through any of the following channels:
Website (option to report anonymously): ethicspoint.com
Telephone: 800-784-9592 for the U.S. and Canada; 1 0-800-1 20-1 239 for Southern China; 10-800-71 2-1 239 for Northern China; 800-964214 for Hong Kong; 0018008407907 or 001-866- 737- 6850 for Mexico; 00801-13-7956 for Taiwan; 1-800-80-8641 for Malaysia; 001-803-011-3570 or 007-803-011-0160 for Indonesia; 1 20-1 1067 for Vietnam; 001-800-12-0665204 for Thailand; 000-800-100-1 071 or 000-800-001-6112 for India; 01800-9-155860 for Colombia; 0800-8911667 for Brazil or 503-61 9-1 883 for use internationally