RBA Code of Conduct compliance for suppliers in electronics and the supply chains around it.

What it is

What is the RBA Code of Conduct?

The RBA Code of Conduct is published by the Responsible Business Alliance. It sets expectations for how workers are treated, how workplaces are kept safe, how environmental impacts are managed and how business is conducted ethically, backed by a management system to keep it working.

Companies that adopt the Code usually apply it to their own sites and ask their suppliers to meet it. The RBA also publishes an audit standard and a practical guide to responsible business conduct due diligence, so suppliers can see how conformance is checked.

Current version. The RBA Code of Conduct is at version 8.0, dated 2025, and the RBA's VAP audit standard is at version 8.0.2, dated April 2025. Your customer may name a specific version, so confirm it before the gap assessment starts.

Who it is for

Who needs to meet the RBA Code of Conduct?

The Code reaches most suppliers through a customer's contract. Sterling's clients usually arrive from one of four directions:

• An electronics customer has sent the Code. It arrives with a supplier agreement or a self-assessment request. Confirm which version and which sites are in scope.
• An RBA audit has been requested. The customer wants an audit under RBA's programme by a set date, and the site needs to be ready well before.
• An audit raised findings. Findings on working hours, recruitment fees, safety or environmental permits need corrective action with evidence.
• You are joining the RBA or a member's supply base. Leadership wants one management system that meets the Code across every site.

The Code is tested on the shop floor and in worker interviews, not in the policy manual. Preparation has to reach both.

Requirements

What does the RBA Code of Conduct require?

The Code itself, version 8.0, sets the requirements and is available from the RBA; its section structure is not reproduced here. The list below is what Sterling's preparation work covers.

• Labour: freely chosen employment, recruitment fees, working hours, wages, and fair treatment, with records to show it.
• Health and safety: hazard control, emergency preparedness, incident handling and worker training.
• Environment: permits, emissions, waste and chemical management applicable to your site.
• Ethics: integrity, anti-bribery, privacy and protection for people who raise concerns.
• Management system: commitment, risk assessment, objectives, training, supplier oversight, audits and corrective action.

Your engagement

What your RBA Code engagement includes

One team takes your sites from the first gap assessment to audit readiness, under one all-inclusive proposal.

• Scope, gap assessment and plan

  Against the Code version your customer names, with owners and dates.

• Policies, procedures and records

  Labour, safety, environment and ethics practices written with the people who run them.

• Effivity ISO & GRC software

  Risks, records, audits and actions in one workspace, included with the engagement at no additional cost.

• Training for managers and workers

  Code awareness and procedures, with preferential Sterling Academy access, including complimentary awareness training for your people as part of the engagement.

• Internal audit and management review

  Conducted or facilitated as agreed, with findings closed with evidence.

• Audit readiness and support

  Preparation for the RBA audit and support until findings are closed.

Sterling does not conduct RBA audits. Audits run under the RBA's own assessment programme.

Often combined with

Standards organisations pair with RBA Code of Conduct

• amfori BSCIamfori BSCI audit preparation for producers: gap assessment across the 13 performance areas, remediation, worker-facing evidence and support from Sterling.
• CSDDDCSDDD compliance and requirements after Omnibus I: scoping, risk-based due diligence, complaints, monitoring and the 2029 start, delivered in one all-inclusive proposal.
• FairtradeFairtrade certification and requirements: which Fairtrade International standards apply, FLOCERT's audit, cost and timing, and how Sterling prepares you.
• ISO 26000ISO 26000 social responsibility consulting: apply its seven core subjects in your decisions and reporting.
• ISO 30415ISO 30415 diversity and inclusion guidance applied in your organisation: gap assessment, policies, HR processes, measures and training.
• ISO 45003ISO 45003 psychosocial risk consulting: manage work-related stress and wellbeing within your ISO 45001 system.