Our business partners
As a large company and buyer, we recognise our potential to affect working conditions in a positive way and promote workers' rights in our major suppliers' factories. We work actively with our suppliers to make sure human rights and health and safety are taken into consideration. This way of working is firmly entrenched in our processes, and the key to success is the close contact we maintain with our suppliers.
Our tier 1 suppliers are thoroughly assessed to ensure they meet our Supplier Standard. As part of our sourcing process we have a supplier evaluation process and performance monitoring process. These processes help with assessing, monitoring and improving the performance, as set our in our Supplier Standard. In addition to minimum competencies on quality and environmental impact, the Supplier Standard incorporates our Code of Conduct for Suppliers (which refers to the same rights as our own Code of Conduct). The manufacturing sites they use should provide a safe working environment and comply with local laws on issues such as fair remuneration, minimum age of employees and working hours.
We visit suppliers regularly to ensure that the materials we purchase from them are being produced in a way that provides dignity and respect for working in the supply chain. We also use third-party auditors to assess suppliers when necessary.
