I. Introduction

This Code of Business Conduct establishes basic principles that all Associate Members of NFDA are expected to uphold. While Associate Membership is a privilege that can be revoked by NFDA at any time and for any cause, the failure of an Associate Member to adhere to the ethical business practices and requirements outlined in this Code of Business Conduct may result in termination of Associate Membership with NFDA.

II. Requirements

1. Compliance with laws and regulations. Associate Members will comply with all applicable laws and regulations. Associate Members are responsible for assuring that their employees and agents comply with all applicable laws and regulations by employees while performing services for such Associate Member.
2. Competition and fair dealing. Associate Members will deal fairly with funeral homes, suppliers, competitors, customers, employees, and other parties. Associate Members agree not to take unfair advantage of any other party through manipulation, concealment, abuses of privileged information, misrepresentation of material facts, or any other illegal or unfair trade practice.
3. Antitrust compliance. Associate Members will comply with all applicable antitrust laws. Associate Members, their employees and agents shall not engage in price fixing, allocation of markets or customers, group boycotts, or similar illegal anti-competitive activities.
4. No discrimination and harassment. Associate Members will comply with all applicable anti-discrimination and equal opportunity laws and regulations. Associate Members shall provide equal opportunity in all aspects of employment and business and shall not tolerate any illegal discrimination or harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or any other protected class.
5. Health and safety. Associate Members will abide by all applicable employee health and safety regulations and laws.
6. Environmental laws. Associate Members will comply with all applicable environmental laws and regulations.
7. Confidentiality. Associate Members will protect the confidentiality of proprietary information entrusted to them by funeral homes. Proprietary information includes all non-public information that may be of use to competitors or harmful to a funeral home customer if disclosed. The obligation to preserve proprietary information continues even after a business relationship with a funeral home ends.
8. Honesty. Associate Members will conduct their business in a fair and honest manner and not engage in unethical, dishonest, or fraudulent business practices. Associate Members shall not engage in any false or misleading advertising or promotions.
9. Promotion of funeral profession. Associate Members will promote the funeral profession and NFDA to the general public and will not undertake any action or communication which would in any way damage, harm, or undermine the integrity of the funeral profession and those involved in the provision of death care goods and services to the public.
10. Compliance procedures. Associate Members will cooperate with NFDA in a timely, professional and respectful manner in any investigations of possible violations of this Code of Business Conduct.