Responsible sourcing
Taking responsibility for the impact of your own operations is no longer enough; these days, you are also held accountable for what goes on in your supply chain. From working conditions to corruption to environmental impacts, your sourcing of products is under scrutiny.
Your challenge is to understand the impact your buying decisions have on local communities, workers, and the environment, and then to take action to make sure this impact is positive.
In essence, this is what responsible sourcing is about. Done well, it can promote sustainability, and protect and enhance your brand.
We start by working with you to pinpoint and quantify the main risks in your supply chain. While most of your suppliers may be operating to high standards, you may be surprised and even shocked by what you find elsewhere.
We then help you address the key issues in a pragmatic way. This could involve supporting you in:
- engaging with suppliers to help them improve their practices and performance, perhaps working in conjunction with local government, NGOs, industry associations and even competitors
- signing up to an industry sourcing standard or certification system, or contributing to the development of an entirely new standard
- developing a new procurement policy
- applying corporate responsibility criteria to your buying decisions, backed up by training for your procurement staff.
