Code of Business

                                                                                                     Updated: June 23, 2026

1. Introduction + Purpose

Counter Culture Coffee is committed to conducting business with integrity, transparency, and respect for people and the environment. We seek long-term relationships with suppliers and partners who share these values and are committed to continuous improvement.

This policy outlines our expectations for suppliers and business relationships. We recognize that suppliers operate in different contexts and at different scales, and we value open communication, continuous improvement, and shared responsibility over a purely compliance-based approach.

2. Our Commitments

Counter Culture Coffee is committed to:

  • Respecting internationally recognized human rights consistent with the United Nations and the International Labor Organization's core conventions.

  • Preventing forced labor and child labor.

  • Promoting safe and healthy working conditions.

  • Supporting non-discrimination and freedom of association.

  • Compliance with applicable laws.

  • Encouraging environmental stewardship and responsible use of natural resources.

  • Conducting business with transparency and integrity.

  • Addressing concerns through dialogue and remediation.

3. Scope

This policy applies to Counter Culture Coffee employees and to all suppliers, including manufacturers, producers, cooperatives, exporters, mills, and importers. We ask suppliers to share this Code with relevant employees and partners throughout their organization. 

4. Expectations for Suppliers

Ethical Business Practices

Compliance with Laws

Complying with all applicable laws and regulations in the countries and jurisdictions in which a supplier operates. Where local law and this Code address the same topic, following the standard that provides greater protection to workers, communities, and the environment.

Bribery / Corruption

No bribery or corruption in any form. 

Privacy and Data Collection

Protecting confidential, personal, and proprietary information.

Labor and Human Rights

Safe and Healthy Work Environment

Providing safe and healthy working conditions for employees, contractors, and others affected by suppliers’ operations. Suppliers and their subcontractors are expected to comply with all applicable workplace health and safety laws in the jurisdictions where they operate.

Workers should have access to appropriate personal protective equipment at no cost, as well as clean toilet facilities and safe drinking water. We also encourage vendors to support employee well-being by providing access to wellness resources, where possible.

Wages, Benefits, and Working Hours  

Compensating workers in accordance with applicable wage and labor laws, including overtime requirements. Working hours should comply with local legal limits, and workers should receive reasonable rest,  at least one full rest day every seven-day period.

Slavery, Forced Labor, and Human Trafficking 

No forced labor, slavery, human trafficking, and other forms of coercive labor practices. Suppliers must not knowingly engage in or benefit from these practices, including through subcontractors or brokers.

Child Labor

We recognize that family participation can be integral to smallholder agricultural systems, particularly in coffee-farming communities. However, work performed by minors must not interfere with education or expose children to hazardous conditions. Suppliers must comply with applicable child labor laws.

Non-Discrimination and Respectful Treatment

Maintaining workplaces free from discrimination, harassment, violence, and abuse. Workers should be treated with dignity and respect regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, nationality, race, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, pregnancy, political affiliation, union affiliation, or other protected status.

Environmental Stewardship

Improving resource efficiency

Suppliers are encouraged to track and manage their resource use. In general, they are expected to adopt processes and technologies that increase the positive effects and decrease the negative effects of their operations on the environment. 

Coffee farmers are encouraged to optimize their use of natural resources, including: 

  • Adopting sustainable agricultural practices and production systems.

  • Using mulch and compost to increase soil organic matter, reduce moisture loss, and mitigate waste.

  • Conserving, reducing the use of, and reusing water in their operations.

  • Protecting biodiversity by planting and maintaining diverse shade trees on coffee plots, which provide habitats for many animal and insect species.

  • Ensuring their activities do not harm wildlife, including rare, threatened, and endangered species.

  • Avoiding Deforestation. This policy requires that farmers clear only new land for coffee planting on primary and protected forests after obtaining the necessary permits and authorizations. If forest areas have been cleared or converted into coffee plantations after 31st December 2022, vendors must ensure that appropriate compensation measures are taken.

Reducing and Reusing Waste

  • Suppliers are expected to manage their waste to ensure a healthy and safe environment for the surrounding communities. In particular, chemical or hazardous waste must be managed responsibly.  

  • Suppliers are encouraged to minimize or eliminate waste across their operations. 

  • Suppliers should recover, reuse, recycle, and compost materials wherever possible.

Sourcing Responsibly 

  • Suppliers should seek out and select low-GHG products and services. 

  • Where possible, the supplier should contribute positively to the local community. They are expected to maintain dialogue with local communities and take their interests into consideration when making business decisions.

  • Suppliers should maintain written policies and standards for their suppliers.

5. Our Responsibilities

Counter Culture Coffee recognizes that responsible sourcing is a shared responsibility. We commit to:

  • Upholding the expectations outlined in this code within our own business.

  • Providing timely and transparent feedback.

  • Sharing forecasts and price expectations.

  • Honoring contracts and financial commitments.

  • Addressing issues through dialogue and remediation before disengagement.

  • Being transparent when changes affect our partners.

6. Identifying and Addressing Risks

We assess risks through:

  • Long-term relationships and regular communication.

  • Site visits.

  • Traceability systems and documentation.

  • Information from importers, certifications, and external resources.

When concerns or gaps are identified, our first approach is to understand the issue and work collaboratively to implement corrective actions. Continued or willful non-compliance with this Code may result in reevaluation or termination of the business relationship.

8. Governance and Review

Counter Culture Coffee reviews this policy periodically and updates it as our understanding and practices evolve.