Code of Ethics
Objectives
To: ensure that all member companies of the NZ Gift Trade Association Inc. run their affairs in a decent and ethical manner, are committed
to fair trading practices and recognise their responsibilities towards their customers and their employees
To: formalise a decent and honest way of conducting business within the Gift, Housewares, Stationery and Toy Industries
in New Zealand
To: provide confidence to Retailers, in their dealings with members of the NZ Gift Trade Association Inc
To: develop a Code of Ethics that is synonymous with quality and reliability
Members are Reasonably Requested To:
- Provide clearly stated Terms and Conditions of Trade to all customers, concerning the handling of their products and, at all times, make every endeavour to observe all such agreements.
- Publish in their catalogues, price lists, and/or invoices, their "Terms and Conditions of Trade", covering price changes, delivery periods, discounts, breakages, carriage on full and part deliveries, returns, etc.
- Ensure that all advertisements of their products conform with the Fair Trading Act 1986, the Commerce Act 1986, the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 and any other appropriate legislation.
- Ensure that any personal information held in relation to their customers, is collected retained and used in accordance with the Privacy Act 1993.
- Acquaint themselves and comply with Health and Safety legislation that affects products they sell.
- Not knowingly infringe copyright, design, or rights of other suppliers to the trade.
- Recognise the importance of good relations and effective communication with Sales Agents.
- Ensure that Sales Agents are conversant with their company's "Terms and Conditions of Trade", and have adequate information to well represent the reputation and interests of the member.
- Deal promptly, at an appropriate level of management, with complaints from customers.
- Offer independent arbitration when disputes arise with customers, which cannot be mutually settled, before proceeding to law.
- Ensure that their gift fair stands are properly manned by neatly dressed staff, are clean and tidy and that merchandise is well displayed.
- Not enter onto another member’s gift trade stand unless expressly invited by the stand owner.
- Not deliberately sell product direct from their gift fair stands, but rather enter into an order-for-later-delivery contract with retail customers at fairs.
- Be aware that this Code is in addition to all relevant legal obligations impacting on members, including The Commerce Act 1986 and the Fair Trading Act 1986.