Implement Responsible Sourcing in Our Supply Chain
As an important part of responsible sourcing, we ensure that the decisions we make on purchasing raw or processed materials align with the Nestlé Supplier Code. It sets out the non-negotiable minimum standards and best practices that we require our suppliers and their suppliers – down to individual farm level – to respect and adhere to when doing business with us.
We also look to ensure 40% of our priority categories, such as pulp, paper and palm oil, are traceable by 2016.
Our progress
Responsible Sourcing Audit
Our company’s Responsible Audit Programme aims to verify the implementation of the Nestlé Supplier Code at direct supplier level.
Since the programme started in 2010, we have audited 111 vendors.
We are following up with auditors and vendors to ensure any gaps are closed before the audits are completed. Most of the gaps we find concern labour and environmental issues. In these cases, we work with the suppliers to help them understand national legislations as well as Nestlé’s strict requirements.
In addition, to prepare vendors for the audit and close up any gaps, forums were organised in 2015 at our operating sites in Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon,
Senegal and Nigeria on the SEDEX Members Ethical Trade Audit, on the interpretation of the Ethical Trading Initiative, and on key areas auditors assess during visits.
Responsible Sourcing Traceability Programme
Nestlé’s Responsible Sourcing Traceability Programme, which looks to verify implementation of the Responsible Sourcing Guideline (RSG) back to farm level, is being carried out with The Forest Trust (TFT), which is assessing our suppliers and their suppliers.
The RSG is derived from the Nestlé Supplier Code and defines additional category specific requirements that we ask our suppliers to implement when doing business with our company.
The TFT has implemented a mapping assessment that evaluates the suppliers of our suppliers. In Central and West Africa, together with the TFT, we have successfully assessed all pulp and paper, and nearly all our palm suppliers, since the programme started in 2012.
When issues are found, such as the responsible disposal of waste or the responsible acquisition of land, we make sure gaps are closed by working with suppliers based on recommendations by the TFT.