By securing social, ethical, and environmental standards, sustainability is a key aspect of managing supply chains. We procure many raw materials, packaging materials, technical products, components, and services worldwide. We aim to promote supply chain stability while providing our customers with high-quality products and services. Our supplier management focuses on compliance with fundamental environmental and social standards in addition to high-quality, delivery reliability, and competitive prices. To achieve this, we have introduced relevant strategies, processes, and guidelines that we are continuously improving to prevent violations of supply chain standards. We make sure that all legal requirements are considered and corresponding measures are initiated where necessary. In this context, we are closely monitoring the developments relating to a potential supply chain law and the resulting requirements. To ensure supply security, we select our suppliers based on diverse criteria such as country risk, material risk, supplier risk, and business criticality. This helps our sourcing employees to identify potential mitigation actions with relevant suppliers and work on improvements.
We expect all our suppliers to comply with the labor, social, and environmental standards defined in our Responsible Sourcing Principles, which are primarily derived from the core labor standards of the ILO (International Labour Organisation) and the UN Global Compact. We are continuously working to ensure adherence to our supply chain standards. As a member of the industry initiative Together for Sustainability (TfS), we have access to the supplier self-assessments and audit results shared among all member companies, who in turn abide by all restrictions stipulated within antitrust law.
* The contents of this chapter or section are voluntary and therefore not audited. However, our auditor has read the text critically.