Our Suppliers

Business Partner Code

Our expectations of suppliers are set out in our Business Partner Code, which specifies our requirements on health and safety at work, business ethics, labour standards, consumer safety and the environment.

Ensuring compliance is a complex, challenging task, as we source from up to 100 000 suppliers overall – a significant proportion from developing countries, where the risk of non-compliance is highest.

Since the publication of the Business Partner Code in 2004, we have completed the process of its communication to all of our current 'first-tier' suppliers of raw materials and packaging. We have also conducted preliminary risk assessments followed by more in-depth assessments in order to identify where gaps in standards may lie.

Supplier audit programme

In 2008 we conducted a programme of supplier audits to identify areas for improvement. Areas of non-compliance, which are now seeking to correct, principally related to excessive working hours and health and safety standards.

The assurance process for our Business Partner Code is now embedded within our procurement function and is being implemented incrementally with our suppliers, focusing primarily on developing countries.

SEDEX & AIM-PROGRESS

We are using the methodology and systems provided by the Supplier Ethical Data Exchange (SEDEX), together with other peer companies participating in an industry initiative called AIM-PROGRESS to promote responsible sourcing.

This initiative allows a group of customers to use common methods to assess and audit supplier sites, and enables suppliers to share their assessments with multiple customers. It eliminates duplication and delivers greater efficiencies for both parties.

Supply chain collaboration

In October 2007, along with other leading companies, we became founding members of the Carbon Disclosure Project's Supply Chain Leadership Collaboration. This aims to increase disclosure of carbon impacts among suppliers and thereby encourage reductions in their carbon emissions. We have started by asking suppliers to standardise the data they provide on emissions.

Embedding our approach

We are embedding procedures for supplier assurance against our Business Partner Code within routine supplier management processes. Purchasing departments are being trained to take these considerations on board as a matter of course.

Our Sustainable Agriculture Programme team are implementing an in-depth assessment of fruit and vegetable suppliers against their Good Agricultural Practice Guidelines.