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RBA Code of Conduct
Definition
The Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) Code of Conduct is the leading industry standard for social, environmental, and ethical responsibility in global supply chains, primarily used in the electronics and technology sectors. It covers: labour standards (freely chosen employment, working hours, wages, humane treatment); health and safety; environmental management (emissions, water, waste, hazardous substances); ethics (anti-corruption, intellectual property, privacy); and management systems. Companies joining the RBA commit to implementing the Code across their operations and supply chain. The current version is RBA Code of Conduct v9.0 (2023).
Source
RBA Code of Conduct v9.0 (2023), Responsible Business Alliance (responsiblebusiness.org).
Practical Explanation (Compliance Context)
The RBA Code of Conduct is used by major electronics OEMs (Apple, Dell, HP, Samsung) as the basis for supplier audits (via RMAP or the RBA Online Assessment Portal). Suppliers to RBA member companies must demonstrate Code compliance through self-assessment questionnaires, third-party audits (SMETA, RBA VAP), or RBA membership. RBA audit findings feed directly into ESG social performance disclosures under ESRS S2 (Workers in the Value Chain) and GRI 400-series standards.