California Transparency Act

Newell Brands stands as a major force in the global consumer goods industry, known for its wide-ranging and well-recognized portfolio of brands such as Sharpie, Graco, Oster, Yankee Candle, Rubbermaid, and Coleman. Headquartered in the United States, the company employs close to 24,000 people around the world and organizes its operations into three distinct divisions: Learning & Development, Home & Commercial, and Outdoor & Recreation. Its products reach customers in more than 150 countries, with active operations in over 40 of those markets. A significant portion of Newell’s goods is made both within the United States and abroad, and the company also works with third-party manufacturers and suppliers who assist in production and material sourcing. Roughly 14,000 employees are engaged in manufacturing and supply chain roles, while many additional workers are employed by third-party facilities across the globe.

The company holds a deep commitment to ethical conduct and takes a clear stand against any form of modern slavery. Newell actively works to bring transparency into its supply chain, making sure that every product reaching customers has been made under fair and ethical conditions. Its supply chain is extensive, involving more than 18,000 suppliers across over 90 countries, ranging from large multinational corporations to small and medium-sized businesses. While procurement strategies are designed to make the most of supplier expertise and scale, social compliance and supply chain security are continuously tracked through Newell’s Responsible Sourcing Program. This program encourages ethical sourcing and helps align supplier practices with the company’s dedication to human rights.

Newell’s internal policies, including its Code of Conduct, Vendor Code of Conduct, and Responsible Sourcing Manual, reflect its commitment to ethical business operations. The Code of Conduct gives employees clear guidance on making responsible decisions, while also prohibiting child labor, forced labor, and physical punishment. It stresses compliance with wage laws, respects freedom of association and collective bargaining rights, and promotes equal employment opportunities. Every employee receives the Code upon joining the company and completes required training to ensure understanding and adherence.

The Vendor Code of Conduct extends these same standards to suppliers. It requires them to provide safe working conditions, treat workers with dignity, follow all applicable labor laws, and maintain workplaces free from forced labor, child labor, or human trafficking. Suppliers must confirm their compliance on an annual basis, and any serious violations can lead to the termination of the business relationship. Newell executives actively review and respond to critical violations, drawing on expertise from procurement, ethics, legal, and compliance teams to decide on the most appropriate corrective actions.

Newell carries out thorough due diligence on both new and existing suppliers. This process looks at supplier capabilities, financial stability, and adherence to social compliance standards. Audits, both announced and unannounced, are conducted by internal teams or outside assessors, with continuous improvement efforts guiding any necessary corrective measures. Membership in multi-stakeholder initiatives such as SEDEX and SCAN strengthens the effectiveness of these audits and helps the company focus its attention on areas with the highest risk.

In 2024, Newell expanded its work to identify and reduce forced labor risks. This included mapping the supply chain, bringing in third parties for risk assessments, and increasing traceability for high-risk product lines and raw materials such as cotton, latex, and rubber. That year, twelve additional suppliers took part in traceability assessments, highlighting Newell’s ongoing commitment to ethical sourcing.

The company continues to strengthen its responsible sourcing program through regular audits, training, and supplier engagement. Activities throughout 2024 included hosting a Responsible Sourcing Supplier Summit, offering supplier training, refreshing the Vendor Code of Conduct, and completing hundreds of audits along with related corrective action plans. Newell aims to keep strong oversight of its supply chain, improve awareness of human rights issues among both employees and suppliers, and help ensure fair working conditions around the world.

This statement describes Newell’s actions to prevent modern slavery and uphold human rights for the 2024 calendar year. It was developed with input from internal departments including Ethics and Compliance, Global Supply Chain, Human Resources, Legal, Procurement, and Responsible Sourcing, and was approved by the Board of Directors on May 8, 2025. The statement reflects Newell’s dedication to ethical operations, transparency, and continuous improvement across its global supply chain.