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Bridgestone and its customers have long benefited from the company’s strong, lasting relationships with its suppliers. Simply put, we cannot succeed without them.When selecting and managing suppliers, including consultants, brokers, agents, or contractors, verify that they are qualified to do business with us. Many countries have laws prohibiting transactions with certain restricted parties or may require certain credentials or certifications. Bridgestone also has specific procurement policies, including the Global Sustainable Procurement Policy, which establish requirements for supplier operations.Choose the qualified supplier that will provide the best overall value, taking into account quality, price, service, delivery, and reputation. Always choose suppliers based on the merits, avoiding conflicts of interest, inappropriate gifts and entertainment, or any other favoritism that might improperly influence or appear to influence the selection process (see the Gifts and Entertainment section of this Code for additional guidance). Never, ever accept payments or other items of value intended to influence our decisions about suppliers. Competitive bidding must be handled fairly, with each supplier having an equal chance to compete for our business. And when we engage a supplier, contract terms should specifically describe the services to be provided and otherwise comply with Procurement policies.Remember, our suppliers’ reputation and behavior can directly affect Bridgestone. Only do business with companies that comply with the law and understand and operate consistently with our commitment to compliance and ethics.34BRIDGESTONE INTEGRITY IN THE MARKETPLACEHow we do business is just as important as what we do. As a Bridgestone employee, it’s your job to ensure that every single dealing with our customers is honest, fair and professional.When entering into sales agreements, verify the transaction is not prohibited by trade or sanctions laws. Many countries have laws requiring product certifications or prohibiting transactions with certain restricted parties.We must tell the truth when advertising our products, and never make false claims about our own or our competitors’ offerings. And we must never charge a customer for services or products that we have not provided, nor cause customers to incur costs due to carelessness or faulty workmanship. If you believe a customer may have been treated unfairly, it’s your duty to fix it.Our Dealings with SuppliersOur Dealings with Customers