In 2010 we developed a responsible sourcing programme and published a code setting out how this would work in practice. The code incorporates health and safety, human rights, business ethics, and environmental management criteria. The aim is to ensure that we have an efficient supply chain composed of selected suppliers that adhere to our principles, that we take effective action, and reduce the risks for our business, our suppliers, and our stakeholders, over the long-term. We engaged customers, suppliers, peer companies, and non-governmental organisations representatives in drawing up the code, which sets out the minimum standards we ask our suppliers to meet, and describes how we will work with them to achieve this.

Since 2010 we have been working to integrate responsible sourcing into our mainstream procurement processes, alongside criteria such as price and quality. For responsible sourcing to work, we must work in partnership with our suppliers. We have therefore developed a guidance document to support both our buyers and suppliers. It explains what we mean by responsible sourcing and outlines the responsibilities of both parties to make this happen. In addition, we have a dedicated online training tailored to support our buyers in implementing the code.

We will now focus on developing collaborative partnerships with our suppliers and look for projects that offer improvements that could benefit both parties. These projects might include the use of new technology, energy efficiency, health and safety, or the recycling of waste. We will look for initiatives that create significant cost savings as well as environmental and social benefits.

Looking ahead, we will monitor and evaluate the progress of the responsible sourcing programme, and we have already identified some useful key performance indicators.

This web-page was part of Deloitte's CR report assurance scope. View Deloitte LLPs assurance statement.